A new film, "Wham! 10 Days In China," is set to explore the band's pioneering 1985 tour of China, marking the first time a Western pop act performed in the country. The documentary, featuring extensive commentary from a then-22-year-old Andrew Ridgeley, delves into the cultural complexities and logistical hurdles that defined the groundbreaking trip.
On April 7, 1985, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley took the stage at Beijing's Workers' Gymnasium before an audience of 15,000. However, the reception was met with silence, a stark contrast to the expected enthusiasm. "I remember looking at George and I could read his face. There was confusion in his eyes," recalled backing singer Shirlie Holliman. The film, which includes previously unreleased footage from a documentary shot at the time, aims to present an unvarnished account of the ten-day visit.
Ridgeley explains that the ambitious goal was to quickly elevate Wham! to global stardom, bypassing a lengthy process of breaking into the American market. Their co-manager, Simon Napier-Bell, proposed the China tour as a means to generate significant international headlines. The endeavor required 18 months and 13 trips to China to secure, with officials ultimately favoring Wham! over a potential performance by Queen, partly due to the presentation of Wham! as a more wholesome act.
"Wham! in China? Cynical. Untried, untested, risky. I didn't really like it. I felt we were there on false pretences. It was a circus," Ridgeley stated. The band's chosen documentarian, Lindsay Anderson, reportedly had little respect for the pop stars, which created a strained dynamic. "It seemed to me a marriage made in the very depths of hell," Ridgeley commented on their relationship with the director.
The film highlights cultural disconnects, such as the audience's unfamiliarity with Western pop music. When a breakdancing act performed, it was perceived as strange by authorities, who feared it might incite a riot. This led to an announcement for the audience to remain seated. Upon Wham!'s entrance, the band was met with a silent, unmoving crowd. Some attendees were reportedly removed by police for dancing, an incident that elevated the concert's political sensitivity. George Michael described the Beijing performance as "f****** horrible," and Ridgeley found it disheartening to perform with "no palpable effect."
Further incidents marked the tour, including a mid-air breakdown by trumpet player Raul D'Oliveira, who stabbed himself on a flight to Guangzhou. The plane was forced to turn back, causing considerable distress among the band and crew.
Guangzhou, being more open to Western influences due to its proximity to Hong Kong, offered a different reception, with the audience actively clapping and dancing. The publicity generated by the China tour did, as predicted, pave the way for Wham!'s successful U.S. tour. As a form of payment for the concerts, Napier-Bell was reportedly offered approximately 6,000 bicycles, though the offer was declined due to excessive freight costs.
Following the tour, Wham! dismissed Lindsay Anderson as director, deeming his footage "dull" and unsuitable for a pop band's documentary. The original film was never released. However, the trove of footage has been utilized by director Mike Christie for "Wham! 10 Days In China," which includes candid moments, such as Michael discussing Communism while being massaged. Despite the initial difficulties, Michael later acknowledged the significance of the tour, stating it was a "great privilege being the first to play real Western pop music to those people."
"Wham! 10 Days In China" is scheduled for theatrical release on July 28.