Biography
Who is Andrew Ridgeley?
Early life and schooling
Andrew Ridgeley John Ridgeley was born on January 26, 1963, in Windlesham, United Kingdom. His parents were Jennifer Jill and Alberto Mario Zacharia, who later changed the family surname. Growing up in Bushey, Hertfordshire, he attended Bushey Meads School alongside his brother Paul. During his school years, he took a younger George Michael under his wing when Michael first started attending the school.
Before finding international success, Andrew and George Michael played together in a short-lived group called The Executive. After that group dissolved, the pair formed the musical duo Wham! In 1981. They recorded a demo tape in Andrew's living room and approached record labels to launch their professional careers in popular and pop music.
Success with Wham
Wham! Quickly became one of the biggest pop acts of the 1980s. Their debut album, Fantastic, topped the UK album charts and yielded multiple top ten hits. Their second album, Make It Big, achieved big international success and produced number one singles on both the UK and US charts, including 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' and 'Everything She Wants'.
In April 1985, Wham! Made history by visiting China for a ten-day trip, becoming the first Western pop group to play a concert in the country. They performed in front of thousands of fans in Beijing and Canton. The duo eventually disbanded in 1986 following a big farewell concert titled 'The Final' at Wembley Stadium in front of 72,000 people.
Solo career and later projects
Following the breakup of Wham!, Andrew moved to Monaco to try Formula Three motor racing before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He returned to Britain permanently in 1990 and released a solo album titled Son of Albert. The album featured singles such as 'Shake' and 'Red Dress', but it received poor reviews and modest chart success.
In later years, Andrew largely stepped away from the public eye while continuing to support charitable causes. He has participated multiple times in the Dallaglio Cycle Slam, a charity bicycle ride supporting rugby-based youth programs. He also made cameo appearances related to Wham!'s legacy, including attending film premieres and writing a memoir titled Wham! George & Me.
Personal life and real name
Andrew's full birth name is Andrew John Ridgeley. Throughout his life, he has been based in the United Kingdom, living for many years in a restored 15th-century farm property in Cornwall. From 1990 to 2017, he was in a relationship with Keren Woodward, a member of the pop group Bananarama.
As a sports fan, Andrew is a known supporter of the Queens Park Rangers football team. He is also a keen road cyclist and frequently participates in cycling events and interviews discussing his passion for the sport.
Birthday and age
Andrew Ridgeley was born on January 26, 1963, which makes Andrew 63 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Andrew shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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