LONDON, UK: As anticipation builds for the upcoming Netflix documentary 'WHAM!' Andrew Ridgeley, 60, the singer-songwriter who was one-half of Wham!, shared his heartfelt memories of bandmate George Michael, recalling the last time they spent together before Michael's untimely death at the age of 53 on December 25, 2016.
In an interview, Ridgeley reminisced about their cherished moments, revealing that they often engaged in friendly Scrabble battles. "He was a big fan [of the board game] and we'd have regular games of Scrabble," Ridgeley said, chuckling. "He'd beaten me the week before, and I was exacting my revenge. It took us right back to just ... the essence of our schoolboy friendship and one-upmanship. It was a game that stimulated him, and me also." "That was a few months prior to his passing," Ridgeley added, noting that he wasn't Michael's "only Scrabble partner."
What happened to George Michael?
Tragically, Michael was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames, England, and the news sent shockwaves throughout the world. Initially, the cause of death was "inconclusive," but further testing revealed that Michael passed away from natural causes, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver.
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Furthermore, recently, it was announced that Michael would be posthumously inducted into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York. Ridgeley expressed how Michael would have appreciated the honor, recognizing the significance of accolades from his peers. The feat, Ridgeley said, was "obviously a great privilege, and I'm sure that he would recognize it as such. He was aware of the meaning of accolades from his peers."
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'Let's go and have a drink!'
"He would be very rightly proud, and he deserves his place there. You know, he is a genuine legend and an icon of contemporary music," he continued. "I said so in my tribute to him at the BRITs, that he was a supernova in a firmament of shining lights and stars, and he was probably the finest singing voice and songwriter of his generation. There ain't too many that held a candle to him," reported People. Looking back, Ridgeley admitted that if given the chance, he'd simply invite Michael to share a drink. "What would I say to him? Oh, let's go and have a drink," said Ridgeley.
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