Radio 2 Celebrates George Michael And Wham!

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Wham! The Fans' Story: Celebrating 40 Years Of Wham!

20230618

20230617 (R2)

A special programme celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the most loved British pop duos of all-time: Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael - AKA Wham!

Their first hit, Young Guns (Go For It) stormed the chart at the end of 1982 and Wham!Mania would go on to global pop domination. Despite releasing just two studio albums and calling it a day only three years later, their pop legacy lives on to this day, their string of smash-hits remain airplay staples all over the world.

We hear from surviving Wham! members Andrew Ridgeley, Shirley Holliman and Pepsi DeMacque to reflect on those happy days.

Plus, a whole host of stars share their memories of Wham!mania: Claire Richards of Steps, Mark Feehily of Westlife, Holly Johnson, Lindsay Armaou and Sin退ad O'Carroll of B*Witched, Denise Pearson of Five Star, Samantha Fox, Nik Kershaw, Matt Goss, Kim Wilde, Tiffany, Denise Van Outen, Louise, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Joe McElderry, Emma Willis and Gina Yashere, as well as Radio 2's very own Rylan, Michael Ball and Gary Davies.

This is an hour packed with nostalgia, fascinating insights and a bunch of the best pop hits ever created.

A whole host of pop legends celebrate 40 years of global pop sensations Wham!

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

A special programme celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the most loved British pop duos of all-time: Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael - AKA Wham!

We hear from surviving Wham! members Andrew Ridgeley, Shirley Holliman and Pepsi DeMacque to reflect on those happy days.

Plus, a whole host of stars share their memories of Wham!mania: Claire Richards of Steps, Mark Feehily of Westlife, Holly Johnson, Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O'Carroll of B*Witched, Denise Pearson of Five Star, Samantha Fox, Nik Kershaw, Matt Goss, Kim Wilde, Tiffany, Denise Van Outen, Louise, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Joe McElderry, Emma Willis and Gina Yashere, as well as Radio 2's very own Rylan, Michael Ball and Gary Davies.

This is an hour packed with nostalgia, fascinating insights and a bunch of the best pop hits ever created.

A whole host of pop legends celebrate 40 years of global pop sensations Wham!

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

Your Ultimate George Michael Top 30

20220101

20230617 (R2)

Back in 2022, you voted for Your Ultimate George Michael Song – it was hard, as he didn't write I Knew You Waiting or Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me or Somebody to Love, but there have been some incredible compositions in the 41 years since Wham! first hit the charts.

We are playing the top 30 from that chart again to celebrate what would have been George's 60th birthday on 25 June.

Andrew Ridgely joins us for all the behind the scenes stories and inspirations for the tracks they worked on together.

Celebrating George Michael with his top 30 solo and Wham! compositions voted for by you.

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

Back in 2022, you voted for Your Ultimate George Michael Song - it was hard, as he didn't write I Knew You Waiting or Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me or Somebody to Love, but there have been some incredible compositions in the 41 years since Wham! first hit the charts.

We are playing the top 30 from that chart again to celebrate what would have been George's 60th birthday on 25 June.

Andrew Ridgely joins us for all the behind the scenes stories and inspirations for the tracks they worked on together.

Celebrating George Michael with his top 30 solo and Wham! compositions voted for by you.

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

George Michael At The BBC

20220102

20230617 (R2)

George Michael in conversation at the BBC. From his emergence as one half of Wham!, his journey to attaining global icon status, songwriting, his relationship with the press, politics, the music industry and many other topics are explored in a unique collection of interviews from the BBC's archive in conversation with Kirsty Wark, Simon Bates, Steve Wright, Kirsty Young, Chris Evans and Michael Parkinson.

George Michael in conversation at the BBC. From Wham! to global superstar.

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

Wham! The Music That Made Us, With Andrew Ridgeley

20200101

20230618 (R2)

Andrew Ridgeley returns to Radio 2 to reveal the musical influences of a young Georgios Panayiotou (before he was George Michael) and himself, as they journeyed from Watford schoolboys to pop wannabes and on to worldwide superstardom.

Featuring an eclectic range of music from the likes of Elvis Presley, Joy Division, Elton John, The Specials and Sugarhill Gang, Andrew will talk for the first time about the music that bonded George and him.

He'll also spin the songs that influenced the sound of The Executive - Andrew and George's first band together - and then Wham, revealing the musical journey that eventually led the pair to create some of pop's most iconic songs.

Andrew Ridgeley returns to Radio 2 to reveal the musical influences of a pre-fame Wham!

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

George Michael: Older At 25 - Part 1

20220101

20230611 (R2)

In 1996, George Michael finally released his first album in six years. Older would become his biggest-selling studio set of all-time in the UK, featuring six top three singles accompanied by some of the most iconic videos of all-time. George was back on top, pushing his artistry to the highest level and winning a new generation of fans.

While both the creation and success of previous albums Faith and Listen Without Prejudice: Vol. 1 have been heavily documented, it is now the turn of Older to be fully reexamined and appreciated as an incredible body of work of one of the music world's all-time greats.

This two-part series is narrated by Melanie C, a lifelong fan and eventual friend of George's, whose own career launched that same year and catapulted her to worldwide fame. Melanie will recall what happened in that six-year gap, and how the album's release and success would unfold.

The series will include all six singles from the album: Jesus to a Child, FastLove, Older, Spinning the Wheel, Star People and You Have Been Loved, plus other bonus tracks released around the album, such as Desafinado.

Setting the scene along the way and reliving their memories of 1996-97, as well as personal memories of George, will be producer Jon Douglas, lifelong friend and Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman, video director Vaughan Arnell, Bananarama, Rufus Wainwright, Russell T. Davies, Shaznay Lewis, Mark Feehily, Olly Alexander, Mutya Buena, Holly Johnson, Jack Savoretti, James Blunt and more.

Relive the excitement of 25 years ago and fall in love with George all over again through his music and by hearing cherished memories from those who knew him, worked with him and adored him.

Part 1. Melanie C celebrates George Michael's Older album, 25 years since its release.

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

George Michael: Older At 25 - Part 2

20220102

20230611 (R2)

This two-part series is narrated by Melanie C, a lifelong fan and eventual friend of George's, whose own career launched that same year and catapulted her to worldwide fame.

In this second part, Melanie takes us into the events of 1996 into 1997 and we hear more from Fastlove producer,Jon Douglas, lifelong friend and Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman, video director Vaughan Arnell, Holly Johnson, Russell T. Davies, Mark Feehily and Shaznay Lewis, plus Ed Sheeran, Luke Evans, Beverley Knight, Martin Kemp, Matt Lucas and superfan, Stephanie Gilchrist.

Relive the excitement of 25 years ago and fall in love with George all over again through his music and by hearing cherished memories from those who knew him, worked with him and adored him.

Part 2. Celebrating George Michael's classic album Older, 25 years since its release.

A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Wham! The Fans' Story: Celebrating 40 Years Of Wham!	20230618	20230617 (R2)	A special programme celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the most loved British pop duos of all-time: Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael - AKA Wham! Their first hit, Young Guns (Go For It) stormed the chart at the end of 1982 and Wham!Mania would go on to global pop domination. Despite releasing just two studio albums and calling it a day only three years later, their pop legacy lives on to this day, their string of smash-hits remain airplay staples all over the world. We hear from surviving Wham! members Andrew Ridgeley, Shirley Holliman and Pepsi DeMacque to reflect on those happy days. Plus, a whole host of stars share their memories of Wham!mania: Claire Richards of Steps, Mark Feehily of Westlife, Holly Johnson, Lindsay Armaou and Sin退ad O'Carroll of BWitched, Denise Pearson of Five Star, Samantha Fox, Nik Kershaw, Matt Goss, Kim Wilde, Tiffany, Denise Van Outen, Louise, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Joe McElderry, Emma Willis and Gina Yashere, as well as Radio 2's very own Rylan, Michael Ball and Gary Davies. This is an hour packed with nostalgia, fascinating insights and a bunch of the best pop hits ever created. A whole host of pop legends celebrate 40 years of global pop sensations Wham! A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo! A special programme celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the most loved British pop duos of all-time: Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael - AKA Wham! Their first hit, Young Guns (Go For It) stormed the chart at the end of 1982 and Wham!Mania would go on to global pop domination. Despite releasing just two studio albums and calling it a day only three years later, their pop legacy lives on to this day, their string of smash-hits remain airplay staples all over the world. We hear from surviving Wham! members Andrew Ridgeley, Shirley Holliman and Pepsi DeMacque to reflect on those happy days. Plus, a whole host of stars share their memories of Wham!mania: Claire Richards of Steps, Mark Feehily of Westlife, Holly Johnson, Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O'Carroll of BWitched, Denise Pearson of Five Star, Samantha Fox, Nik Kershaw, Matt Goss, Kim Wilde, Tiffany, Denise Van Outen, Louise, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud, Joe McElderry, Emma Willis and Gina Yashere, as well as Radio 2's very own Rylan, Michael Ball and Gary Davies. This is an hour packed with nostalgia, fascinating insights and a bunch of the best pop hits ever created. A whole host of pop legends celebrate 40 years of global pop sensations Wham! A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!
02	Your Ultimate George Michael Top 30	20220101	20230617 (R2)	Back in 2022, you voted for Your Ultimate George Michael Song – it was hard, as he didn't write I Knew You Waiting or Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me or Somebody to Love, but there have been some incredible compositions in the 41 years since Wham! first hit the charts. We are playing the top 30 from that chart again to celebrate what would have been George's 60th birthday on 25 June. Andrew Ridgely joins us for all the behind the scenes stories and inspirations for the tracks they worked on together. Celebrating George Michael with his top 30 solo and Wham! compositions voted for by you. A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo! Back in 2022, you voted for Your Ultimate George Michael Song - it was hard, as he didn't write I Knew You Waiting or Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me or Somebody to Love, but there have been some incredible compositions in the 41 years since Wham! first hit the charts. We are playing the top 30 from that chart again to celebrate what would have been George's 60th birthday on 25 June. Andrew Ridgely joins us for all the behind the scenes stories and inspirations for the tracks they worked on together. Celebrating George Michael with his top 30 solo and Wham! compositions voted for by you. A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!
04	George Michael At The BBC	20220102	20230617 (R2)	George Michael in conversation at the BBC. From his emergence as one half of Wham!, his journey to attaining global icon status, songwriting, his relationship with the press, politics, the music industry and many other topics are explored in a unique collection of interviews from the BBC's archive in conversation with Kirsty Wark, Simon Bates, Steve Wright, Kirsty Young, Chris Evans and Michael Parkinson. George Michael in conversation at the BBC. From Wham! to global superstar. A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!
05	Wham! The Music That Made Us, With Andrew Ridgeley	20200101	20230618 (R2)	Andrew Ridgeley returns to Radio 2 to reveal the musical influences of a young Georgios Panayiotou (before he was George Michael) and himself, as they journeyed from Watford schoolboys to pop wannabes and on to worldwide superstardom. Featuring an eclectic range of music from the likes of Elvis Presley, Joy Division, Elton John, The Specials and Sugarhill Gang, Andrew will talk for the first time about the music that bonded George and him. He'll also spin the songs that influenced the sound of The Executive - Andrew and George's first band together - and then Wham, revealing the musical journey that eventually led the pair to create some of pop's most iconic songs. Andrew Ridgeley returns to Radio 2 to reveal the musical influences of a pre-fame Wham! A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!
06	George Michael: Older At 25 - Part 1	20220101	20230611 (R2)	In 1996, George Michael finally released his first album in six years. Older would become his biggest-selling studio set of all-time in the UK, featuring six top three singles accompanied by some of the most iconic videos of all-time. George was back on top, pushing his artistry to the highest level and winning a new generation of fans. While both the creation and success of previous albums Faith and Listen Without Prejudice: Vol. 1 have been heavily documented, it is now the turn of Older to be fully reexamined and appreciated as an incredible body of work of one of the music world's all-time greats. This two-part series is narrated by Melanie C, a lifelong fan and eventual friend of George's, whose own career launched that same year and catapulted her to worldwide fame. Melanie will recall what happened in that six-year gap, and how the album's release and success would unfold. The series will include all six singles from the album: Jesus to a Child, FastLove, Older, Spinning the Wheel, Star People and You Have Been Loved, plus other bonus tracks released around the album, such as Desafinado. Setting the scene along the way and reliving their memories of 1996-97, as well as personal memories of George, will be producer Jon Douglas, lifelong friend and Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman, video director Vaughan Arnell, Bananarama, Rufus Wainwright, Russell T. Davies, Shaznay Lewis, Mark Feehily, Olly Alexander, Mutya Buena, Holly Johnson, Jack Savoretti, James Blunt and more. Relive the excitement of 25 years ago and fall in love with George all over again through his music and by hearing cherished memories from those who knew him, worked with him and adored him. Part 1. Melanie C celebrates George Michael's Older album, 25 years since its release. A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!
07	George Michael: Older At 25 - Part 2	20220102	20230611 (R2)	In 1996, George Michael finally released his first album in six years. Older would become his biggest-selling studio set of all-time in the UK, featuring six top three singles accompanied by some of the most iconic videos of all-time. George was back on top, pushing his artistry to the highest level and winning a new generation of fans. While both the creation and success of previous albums Faith and Listen Without Prejudice: Vol. 1 have been heavily documented, it is now the turn of Older to be fully reexamined and appreciated as an incredible body of work of one of the music world's all-time greats. This two-part series is narrated by Melanie C, a lifelong fan and eventual friend of George's, whose own career launched that same year and catapulted her to worldwide fame. In this second part, Melanie takes us into the events of 1996 into 1997 and we hear more from Fastlove producer,Jon Douglas, lifelong friend and Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman, video director Vaughan Arnell, Holly Johnson, Russell T. Davies, Mark Feehily and Shaznay Lewis, plus Ed Sheeran, Luke Evans, Beverley Knight, Martin Kemp, Matt Lucas and superfan, Stephanie Gilchrist. Relive the excitement of 25 years ago and fall in love with George all over again through his music and by hearing cherished memories from those who knew him, worked with him and adored him. Part 2. Celebrating George Michael's classic album Older, 25 years since its release. A collection of programmes celebrating the fabulously talented pop duo!