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Andrew Ridgeley, Elton John, Boy George, And More React To The Death Of George Michael

By Victoria Miller
Published on: 13:10 PST, Dec 25, 2016

Andrew Ridgeley is speaking out on the shocking death of his longtime musical partner and friend, George Michael. Ridgeley, who teamed up with Michael as part of the ’80s pop duo Wham!, said he has lost one of his most beloved friends with the sudden death of the pop icon. George Michael died at his home in England on Christmas Day at age 53. The cause of death is believed to have been heart failure, but the singer was said to have died peacefully, according to Us Weekly. Shortly after the sad news broke, Andrew Ridgeley took to Twitter to write that he is “heartbroken” at the loss of his beloved friend, whom he lovingly called by the nickname “Yog.”

“Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog,” Andrew wrote.

“Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved.”

Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael were childhood best friends who became household names in the 1980s as part of Wham! During their five years of performing together in the 1980s, the duo released several big hits, including “Wake Me Up before You Go-Go” and “Last Christmas.” Andrew and George split in 1986 after a farewell concert at Wembley Stadium in England.

But for three decades, fans held out hope that the duo might eventually reunite for a new album or tour. In an interview with Q! magazine, Michael hinted that he and Ridgeley had discussed getting back together as Wham! for a reunion at Glastonbury, but the comment was later confirmed to be a joke, according to the Daily Mail.

Still, Michael did nothing to quell the incessant reunion rumors. According to an article posted by Yahoo, in 2006 Ridgeley was rumored to join his former bandmate on stage at a show at Wembley Stadium to sing on his solo song, “Careless Whisper.” But Andrew reportedly came down with a “case of nerves” and he nixed the reunion gig at the last minute. Later, just ahead of Wham’s! 30th anniversary, George issued a statement to announce his “White Light” single, and he once again referenced his long history with Andrew.

“On June 29, it will be 30 years to the day that ‘Wham Rap,’ my first single, written with Andrew Ridgeley (on an afternoon we should have been at school!), entered the charts,” the singer wrote. ” To celebrate, I’m releasing my most recent song on the exact anniversary.”

Andrew Ridgeley didn’t commemorate the big day, though, so it was a seemingly one-sided anniversary celebration. But Ridgeley previously told Hello magazine that he wished Wham! had made a third album to see if they could have even greater success in the United States. Sadly, all hopes for a reunion or new Wham! music are now gone forever.

In addition to Andrew Ridgeley, music legend Elton John took to Instagram to pay tribute Michael, writing that he is “in deep shock” over the death of his longtime friend. The two singers collaborated on the song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” in 1992.

“I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend – the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans. @GeorgeMichael #RIP,” John wrote.

Andrew Ridgeley is joined by many other celebrities as they mourn the death of his Wham! bandmate. James Corden, Sam Smith, Rob Thomas, and former Go-GoGo’s singer Belinda Carlisle are just some of the stars who hit social media to pay tribute to the late pop superstar. In a lengthy tweet, fellow ’80s icon Boy George wrote that he is devastated by the news of the late star’s death.

“He was so loved and I hope he knew it because the sadness today is beyond words. Devastating. What a beautiful voice he had and his music will live on as a testament to his talent. I can’t believe he is gone. I hope the Buddha will hold him in his arms. NMRK.”

And Madonna bid good riddance to 2016, a year that also saw the deaths of Prince, David Bowie, Glenn Frey and many other music icons.

“Farewell My Friend!” Madonna wrote. “Another Great Artist leaves us. Can 2016 F**k Off NOW?

Take a look at the video below to see Andrew Ridgeley talking about why Wham! split up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0fBbK-b5ko

[Featured Image by Hulton Archive/Getty Images]

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