Wham! documentary reveals how 1985 China tour changed lives
A new documentary, 'Wham! 10 Days in China,' explores how the 1985 tour by Wham!—the first Western pop act to perform in communist China—inspired Chinese audience members to become singers and DJs. Andrew Ridgeley reflects on the tour's legacy, noting that the music motivated some to pursue careers they otherwise wouldn't have chosen. The film features remastered footage and interviews with fans. Ridgeley regrets that George Michael, who died in 2016, never returned to see the impact. The tour was orchestrated by manager Simon Napier-Bell to generate global headlines ahead of a US stadium tour, which happened four months later. Wham! performed twice in China in April 1985. The documentary releases worldwide in cinemas on 28 July and will later air on BBC Two.
Key facts
- Wham! became the first Western pop act to perform in communist China in April 1985.
- The tour included two performances in China.
- Manager Simon Napier-Bell planned the tour to boost Wham!'s profile for a US stadium tour.
- Four months after China, Wham! embarked on a sell-out US stadium tour.
- The documentary features remastered footage and interviews with Chinese fans.
- Some audience members were inspired to become singers or DJs.
- Andrew Ridgeley says George Michael never returned to China to see the tour's impact.
- Wham! 10 Days in China releases in cinemas on 28 July and later on BBC Two.
Entities
Artists
- George Michael
- Andrew Ridgeley
- Simon Napier-Bell
Institutions
- Wham!
- BBC Two
- Netflix
Locations
- Beijing
- China
- Great Wall of China
- Bushey
- Hertfordshire
- United States
- Wembley Stadium