Why did Wham! break up? Check out the new Netflix documentary highlighting the band

Wham! is an English pop duo formed in 1981 with members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. The band was a huge success in the '80s, where they had many No. 1 hits. Now Netflix has an exclusive documentary highlighting the band's journey, which began as two school friends and went on to see them become superstars.

Netflix premiered Wham! on July 5, and it will surely be a popular documentary viewed by fans of the band. The film is directed by Chris Smith, known for Tiger King & Frye, and uses never before seen footage and previously unheard interviews, some from the band's archives to follow their rise to fame.

This film highlights both Michael and Ridgeley's contributions to the band, which has previously been more focused on Michael. They formed a friendship at the ages of 11 and 12, and despite the negative connotations surrounding "Pop Music," they became prominent, successful pop sensations of their time.

Wham! Netflix documentary

Wham! would make it big with their second album, aptly titled, Make It Big, released in 1984. The album would reach NO. 1 in the US and the UK. The band would be part of the Second British Invasion fueled by MTV, and the album would generate some of the band's top hits, including "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Everything She Wants," and "Careless Whisper."

In 1985, the band would pave the way for other pop artists by making a 10-day visit to China; the first time a Western pop group did this. This was part of their world tour and attracted media attention worldwide. Footage filmed from this visit was compiled into a documentary, Wham! in China: Foreign Skies.

On June 28, 1986, Wham! would perform for a final time at Wembley Stadium and say goodbye to their fans and each other with an emotional embrace. The duo decided to part ways as Michael was ready to create music for a more sophisticated adult market.

"I think it should be the most amicable split in pop history"

- George Michael

They would release Wham! The greatest hits album, The Final, in the same year, summarizing the band's career. The album wasn't initially released in N. America, but the album Music from the Edge of Heaven was released in its place.

Michael would go on to a successful solo career while Ridgeley tried his hand at Formula Three motor racing. In 1991, they would perform one last time at the Rock in Rio event. Michael died on Christmas 2016, and Ridgeley posted his condolences on Twitter.

Don't miss Wham! now streaming on Netflix.

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