While only performing for a few years, Wham! produced a career that continues to entertain fans all over the world. Throughout their time together, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley produced hit songs like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. “Sadly, in 1986, the band decided to go their separate way as Michael wanted to create music not focused on younger audiences. On Christmas Day back in 2016, news broke that Michael passed away from heart disease. While his legacy continues on, Ridgeley recently celebrated the band’s success when “Last Christmas” topped the UK Charts.
On Friday, the Official Charts Company announced that “Last Christmas” hit No. 1 on the UK charts for a second year. With the song gaining new life, it became a classic during the holiday season. And when discussing the song, Ridgeley said, “Thirty-seven years to get to No 1, 39 years to Christmas No1, and then like London buses they all come along at once!”
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As for his late friend, Ridgeley noted how excited Michael would be knowing his holiday song is a part of Christmas. “I’m especially pleased for George, he would have been utterly delighted, his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey and pigs in blankets.”
[RELATED: The Brokenhearted Meaning Behind “Last Christmas” by Wham!]
Andrew Ridgeley Thanks Fans For Helping “Last Christmas” Hit No. 1
While surprised and thrilled about the popularity of the song, Ridgeley focused on the fans who made it possible. “It’s a testament to a really wonderful Christmas song that in a lot of people’s minds evokes and represents Christmas as we would all wish it to be. I’d like to thank everyone who has listened to, downloaded, bought, streamed ‘Last Christmas’ and been a part of history. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!”
Over the decades, only a few groups like Queen, The Beatles, and Spice Girls achieved the milestone of landing an Official Christmas No. 1 several times. Knowing the importance of the achievement, Ridgeley once again praised the creativity of Michael. “Artists of that calibre and songwriters, of which George was one, transcend the ages and decades and endure because of their quality. I think that’s the reason why ‘Last Christmas’ has endured.”
(Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
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