In 1985, British pop duo Wham! made history as the first Western pop act to perform in China.
The tour included concerts in Beijing and Guangzhou, part of a strategy to raise their profile in the United States.
Manager Simon Napier-Bell orchestrated the tour to create international buzz without the strain of an extensive arena tour.
Andrew Ridgeley recalled the idea initially seemed unlikely to succeed but ultimately achieved its goal.
The concerts were held in a tightly controlled environment, with audiences instructed to remain seated and limited in enthusiasm.
This reflected China's cautious approach to live Western music at the time.
The band faced challenges such as awkward embassy receptions and a restrictive atmosphere.
George Michael later expressed frustration with the formalities and lack of genuine connection during the trip.
Ridgeley described the pressure and unusual circumstances, noting the presence of chaperones and media demands designed to maximize publicity.
He also recalled moments of tension, including his own antagonistic relationship with the press and Michael's discomfort with staged fan interactions.
"I thought it didn't stand a cat's chance in hell," Ridgeley admitted. "But it did ultimately achieve our aim.
We were on national news in the States, we were in the newspapers."
The trip had a cultural impact in China, exposing audiences to Western pop music for the first time and inspiring future musicians.
Singer Cheng Fangyuan described it as "like opening a window."
The tour was filmed for a documentary, though the original director Lindsay Anderson's cut was rejected by Wham!
for being dull. Anderson was fired six months after the tour.
The new documentary "Wham! 10 Days in China," released in July 2026, uses restored archival footage and new interviews.
Reflecting on George Michael's complex relationship with fame, Ridgeley described it as an "eternal conflict."
Michael preferred to live privately as "Yog" rather than constantly projecting his star persona. Ridgeley said Michael's talent was often underestimated.
"George wasn't interested in wandering through street markets or participating in constructed scenes for the cameras," Ridgeley said.
"He wanted to spend time listening to music, talking with me, Shirlie (Holliman) and Pepsi (DeMacque) – not playing along with staged situations."
The tour marked a high point before Wham! amicably split a little over a year later.
Michael pursued a highly successful solo career, while Ridgeley continues to honor their shared legacy and friendship.
