George Michael / Wham!
In the period between 1984 and 1989, Wham! reached the peak of their global popularity before disbanding. The duo, composed of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, made history in 1985 as the first Western pop act to tour China. However, Michael’s ambition for a more mature musical direction, which he explored with his 1984 solo single “Careless Whisper,” led to the duo’s amicable split in 1986. Michael then launched a massively successful solo career. His debut album, Faith (1987), produced six top-five hits and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The era solidified Michael’s status as a global superstar.
