簡介
他們的首張專輯《異想天開》(《Fantastic》）一經推出，很快就在英國的排行榜上名列第一，并連續兩周位居榜首。1984年“威猛”樂隊推出了它的第二張唱片《使其出名》(《MakeitBig》）。唱片推出後大獲歡迎，其中的《無心快語》（《CarelessWhisper》）等多首歌曲還在美國獲得白金唱片銷量。該專輯連續18個星期進入排行榜前10名，并有了三個星期是位居榜首。“威猛”樂隊以其高娛樂性的流行音樂風格征服了無數聽衆。喬治·邁克爾擔任了大部分的創作、演唱和演出安排的工作，而安德魯除了演奏之外，更以其俊美的外形成了樂隊的象征。一夜之間，全世界誕生了無數個“威猛”的歌迷，“威猛”成了青少年們的偶像。
1984年和1985年兩年是“威猛”樂隊的鼎盛時期。1985年4月，威猛更是作為第一支西方搖滾樂隊訪問了中國。然而随着時間的推移，喬治和安德魯之間還是産生了矛盾。1986年6月，“威猛”樂隊在英國的溫布裡體育場舉行了盛大的告别演唱會，并發行了其最後一場專輯《來自天堂邊緣的音樂》（《MusicFromtheEdgeofHeaven》)。紅極一時的“威猛”樂隊從此解散。但主唱喬治·邁克爾的音樂生涯并未就此結束。單飛之後，喬治·邁克爾仍然取得了巨大的成就。他是世界上最為著名的歌手之一。
起源
TheExecutive（1979-1980)樂隊：
TheExecutive的曆程不遠，但卻經曆了不少坎坷，其中也不乏有好多鮮為人知的曆史！以下内容是根據國外的文獻直接翻譯的，加入了一些評論内容：樂隊成立于1979年的夏季考試以後，第一次演出是在十一月5日的一個有薄暮的篝火晚會上（Bushey的教堂大廳），樂隊邀請了所有的朋友，喬治的初次演出取得了不同凡響的成功！
樂隊開始初期是由五個成員組成的：喬治·安德魯（AndrewRidgeley）·安德魯的兄弟保羅·大衛奧斯丁·安德魯利物。兩個安德魯他們都是同一天出生的，而喬治和安德魯（AndrewRidgeley）出生就差一天！他們還是挺有緣分的，安德魯利物被認為很有才華，可惜他不久就死于20歲的一次癌症中！真的是天妒英才。在這不得不提一下關于威猛的第一張專集Fantastic（中文譯為：異想天開）封底上ge
orge.Andrew的黑色外形，那是為了紀念死于癌症的安德魯利物和另外一個死于車禍的摯友PaulAtkins。在那個時期，TheExecutive還隻是一個以表演為主的樂隊，而後AndrewRidgeley從容不迫的放棄了在CassioCollege讀大學的機會，不過george還在繼續研修他的藝術課和英文文獻課（他已經沉迷與音樂的世界裡了）。這第一次使他們感覺到他自己的孩童生涯就要結束，即将步入成年人的世界了，這對樂隊的每一個人來說都是不愉快的事，于是就誕生了樂隊自成立曆來第一首自創的具有牙買加斯卡流行樂風格的歌曲RudeBoy（野孩子）----個人認為這跟威猛時期的BadBoy有一定聯系，但這對樂隊成員的心路曆程沒有多少改變...樂隊為這首處女作欣喜若狂地在各自父母的起居室内瘋狂的排練了多天！
自從樂隊痛失了安德魯利物以後，就成了4人組合。不久樂隊首次進入了錄音室，為他們的處女作錄了樣闆帶，即所謂的demo。專集的封面居然是老牌歌手AndyWilliams！但是他們真正的作品是具有牙買加風格的貝多芬的FürElise。樂隊的加長演出甚至到了CassioCollege大學，在那裡Andrew興緻勃勃的講演了他的樂觀主義論。他後來也因為對婦女的不尊敬言詞遭到朝鮮共和國的禁止入境，但是他們的錄音作品注定要在那個地方失敗，于是george決定應該去首都的A&R音樂商業公司試探一下有沒有成功的機會，但是命運并沒有帶給他們安慰，甚至是鼓勵。徘徊于唱片公司門前可能是一個每一個剛成立的樂隊所應該經曆的吧！
由于受到了冷落，george決定應該重新對待這一切，那時george的心情就像WHAM！時期唱的那首Youngguns(goforit)，充滿了銳氣！正可謂初生牛犢不怕虎。TheExecutive很快就成為了曆史，樂隊僅有的幾個成員各自單飛，大衛跟随他人加入一個泰國的團隊，安德魯的兄弟保羅錯誤的去了一個FUNK爵士機構，當然，衆所周知，George和Andrew順利成立了另外一個被國人所熟知樂隊---威猛樂隊！而這，也就意味着他們不可逃避的成年人的生活的降臨。幸運的是這次上帝不再玩弄命運，威猛很快風靡了全球，成為了青少年心中的偶像！全世界都在為威猛瘋狂!
成員
喬治·米高和Andrew在英格蘭Watford的BusheyMeadsSchool相識，他們在改名和出版Innervision唱片前曾經在名為"TheExecutive"的樂隊中演出。喬治·米高在樂隊中擔當一個非常重要的角色——作曲家、歌手和職業樂器手，但另一組員Andrew對喬治·米高所作的貢獻——成為知己、給予意見的聽衆、提供創作靈感和為樂隊發言——都是樂隊初期成功上重要的因素。當他們仍然是青少年時，他們便推廣自己為快樂的青年，為活在一個無憂無慮、不被工作和義務束縛的人生而自豪。這些都反映在他們早期的唱片上。1982年十月，他們推出作品YoungGuns(GoForIt)
歌曲中一個年輕人勸告他的朋友不要早婚而糟蹋生命。這首歌僅僅未能打進英國流行榜前四十名，不過Wham!的運氣要來了：由于一個組合要退出錄影英國廣播公司每周的重要音樂節目TopOfThePops，工作人員須要不按常規，找四十名外的歌手參加，結果因為Wham!當時最接近前四十名，加上正在冒升，于是便被召往替補，結果一炮而紅。打從在TopOfThePops表演YoungGuns(GoForIt)的處子演出後，Wham!對公衆的影響力便大大提升，尤以少女為甚。
這要歸功于喬治俊朗的外表；他樣子俊俏，穿上平底涼鞋，割破的絨面外套，卷起的牛仔褲，站在台前，Andrew則在他身後；兩人分站和音歌手D.C.Lee和ShirlieHolliman兩旁，喬治扮演懇求者，Andrew則飾演要結婚的朋友，表演既是演戲，又是唱歌（其實是裝唱歌）。歌曲馬上打入前四十名，登上二十四位，十二月時更攀升至第三位。翌年（1983）D.C.Lee離隊與TheStyleCouncil的PaulWeller結婚，PepsiDeMacque加入取而代之；後來Holliman及DeMacque自組PepsiandShirlie灌唱片。
Wham!接著推出WhamRap!(EnjoyWhatYouDo)（内容關于輕松自在的生活，全曲近七分鐘長），BADBOYS（關于反叛青年與父母的緊張關系）和ClubTropicana，每首歌都配合令人難忘的錄像。到了1983年底，Wham!已可與DuranDuran和CultureClub分庭抗禮，成為英國最頂尖組合之一。其後因為他們把一個羽毛球放在短褲之下露面，和新專輯Fantastic!登上銷量榜首位，批評和媒體報道亦随之而來。為籌備新作，倆人在1983年底消聲匿迹，但一首包羅他們早前單曲、名為ClubFantasticMegamix的集錦歌，繼續保持他們的聲勢。
1984年五月Wham!再度露面時，形像變得比較為人受落，他們脫去皮夾克，改以笑容，顔色鮮豔的衣服示人，并把自己包裝成性感偶像，洗脫反叛青年的形像。WakeMeUpBeforeYouGoGo成為他們首支英國冠軍歌曲（後來在美國同樣成為冠軍歌曲），喬治的創作靈感來自一次Andrew留在酒店房間給喬治的一張便條。這首歌的音樂錄像中，還有無處不在的PepsiandShirlie穿上KatharineHamnett設計、印有CHOOSELIFE和GOGO口号的短袖圓領汗衫。這些設計，包括為FrankieGoesToHollywood設計的FRANKIESAY口号汗衫，成了Hamnett的重要時裝款式，Hamnett也成功打進流行文化。
唱片集
1983年Fantastic#1UK，#83US
1984年MakeItBig#1UK，#1US
1986年MusicFromTheEdgeofHeaven#10US
1986年TheFinal(compilation)#2UK
1997年IfYouWereThere(TheBestofWham)(compilation)#4UK
基本内容
Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with another band.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley met at Bushey Meads School in Watford, England. At first, they performed in a short-lived rock and roll band called The Executive. They then changed their name and signed with Innervision Records. Soon after a legal victory over Innervision, the duo was signed to CBS, Columbia Records in the United States and Canada and Epic Records for the rest of the world.
Further information: Artist development deal
Michael took on the majority of roles and responsibilities within the band— composer, singer, producer, and occasional instrumentalist— but the contribution of Ridgeley as the group’s image specialist and spokesman was crucial to the band’s initial success. Ridgeley convinced a reluctant George that Wham! needed to change their image and sound frequently, from the leather-clad moody singers of “Bad Boys” and “Young Guns (Go For It!)” to the more fashionable pop superstars of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.”
Still teenagers, they promoted themselves as hedonistic youngsters, proud to live a carefree life without work or commitment. This was reflected in their earliest singles. Such works as “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)” have been seen as sarcasm advocating the other point of view.
The first record to be released by the band was “Wham Rap!”. It was a double-A side with a Social Mix and Anti-social Mix. The record was banned for general release in the UK due to the profanity in the Anti-social Mix. In October 1982, their song “Young Guns (Go For It!)” was issued. The song was an appeal from one youthful lad to his friend to not throw his life away so early on marriage. It stalled outside the UK Top 40 but then Wham! got lucky when Top Of The Pops scheduled them. An important weekly BBC chart show on television, it had to look outside the Top 40 to fill a gap created by an act which had pulled out of recording. Nearest to the 40 mark and still climbing, Wham! was summoned, and a phenomenon immediately began.
The impact of Wham! on the public, especially teenage girls, was felt from the moment they finished their debut performance of “Young Guns (Go For It!)” on Top Of The Pops. Michael’s appearance may have helped. He wore espadrilles, a suede jacket slit open, and rolled-up denim jeans. Ridgeley stood behind him, flanked by backing dancers D.C. Lee and Shirlie Holliman.
The performance was as much one of acting as it was of singing, with Michael playing the part of the pleading goodtime lad, and Ridgeley the guy who had been drawn into commitment. Afterwards, the song shot into the Top 40 at #24 and peaked at #3 in December. The following year (1983), D.C. Lee began her work with Paul Weller of The Style Council, and was replaced by Pepsi DeMacque. Holliman and DeMacque would later record music as Pepsi and Shirlie.
Wham! followed up “Young Guns (Go For It!)” with the reissue “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)”, a song about the joys of a leisurely life (the full version of which clocked in at almost seven minutes long) “Bad Boys”, about a strained relationship between a rebellious teenage lad and his worried parents and “Club Tropicana”, a satire of the Club 18-30 scene. Each song came with a memorable music video.
By the end of 1983, Wham! was rivaling Duran Duran and Culture Club as Britain’s biggest pop act. Notoriety and column inches were duly achieved with their antics of placing a shuttlecock down their shorts, and their first album Fantastic reached #1.
Around this time, Ridgeley become conscious of legal problems with their initial contract at Innervision. He mounted a legal challenge against the record company and its founder Mark Dean, who had initially signed them to the label, and George publicly stated they were financially mistreated [citation needed]. While the legal battle raged (perhaps to raise much-needed funds for the fight), Innervision released a medley of non-single album tracks from Fantastic, entitled Club Fantastic Megamix. Wham! publicly denounced the move, and urged fans not to buy it. After all the legal wrangling, Innervision admitted there were royalty discrepancies with Wham!’s contract, leading to the bankruptcy and dissolution of Innervision.
Driven by Ridgeley, the duo changed their image, and Wham! returned in May 1984 with an updated, cutting-edge pop image quickly copied by other pop bands. Andrew changed the band’s look from “moody in leather jackets” to smiles and fashionable clothing, with an aim to promote themselves more as sex symbols rather than spokespeople for a disaffected generation.
Fittingly enough, these changes propelled the next single (a pop standard) to the top of the charts around the world. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, a song Michael wrote from a note left to him in his hotel room one night by Ridgeley. The note was mistakenly written by Ridgeley as “don’t forget to wake me up up before you go go, George”. Since he accidentally wrote the word “up” twice, Ridgeley decided to compound the error and write “go” twice. It became their first UK #1 and rose to the top in the USA), capped by a memorable video of the duo, plus the ubiquitous Pepsi and Shirlie, wearing Katharine Hamnett T-shirts with the slogans CHOOSE LIFE and GO GO.
These t-shirts became essential fashion items as Hamnett wrote herself into the pop culture lexicon, having simultaneously designed the FRANKIE SAY t-shirts for Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
Although some critics felt that Wham! represented bubblegum pop[citation needed], many were starting to appreciate Michael’s proven ability as a songwriter and capable vocalist. (The following year, he would win the Ivor Novello Award for songwriting.) However, at the same time they bemoaned the status of Ridgeley, who had started to “play” a guitar during live shows (never on any recordings) but whose overall contribution was deemed to be lightweight[citation needed].
With some bizarre contradiction, the next single “Careless Whisper” was issued as a George Michael solo piece, yet unlike any Wham! single since “Wham Rap!,” it was co-written by Ridgeley. The song quickly reached #1. In the autumn of 1984, Wham! came back as a duo with “Freedom”, another chart-topper. In November, they released their second album, Make It Big, which coasted to #1 on the album charts. The band set off on another arena tour at the end of ‘84, and George told Smash Hits magazine at the time that he had written a song called “Stephen.” The song had been composed for a friend who was struggling to cope with bereavment. While this song is still unreleased, those that were at the recording sessions decsribe it as a heartfelt story of the loss of a loved one[citation needed].
George contributed to the Band Aid project, with Michael providing vocals as the song usurped their own Christmas release, “Last Christmas”/”Everything She Wants”, the former of which featured a video set in a ski resort.
The single became the highest-selling single ever to peak at #2 in the UK charts. As such, Wham! donated all their royalties to the Ethiopian famine appeal to coincide with the fundraising intentions of Band Aid, the song which beat them to the top spot. Band Aid’s success meant that Michael had been at #1 within three different entities in 1984—as a solo artist, half of a duo, and part of a charity ensemble.
Michael desired to create music targeted to a more sophisticated audience than the duo’s primarily teenage fanbase. Therefore, Michael and Ridgeley announced the breakup of Wham! in the spring of 1986, destined to take place after a farewell single and album, along with a historic grand finale concert at Wembley Stadium on June 28, 1986, called The Final. British pop group Five Star declined George’s invitation to be the supporting act, saying they needed to concentrate on their own career at the time.
