The story of Wham!'s groundbreaking tour of China in 1985 is a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in pop culture and politics. It's a tale that intertwines the ambitions of a pop duo, the cautious openness of a superpower, and the creative tensions between a film director and his subjects.
A Bold Move
Wham!'s manager, Simon Napier-Bell, devised a masterstroke to propel the band into the US market. By becoming the first Western pop act to perform in mainland China, they would create a global sensation and, in turn, break into the lucrative US market. It was a risky move, but one that paid off handsomely.
In our contemporary era, China is a key player in the Asian market, but back then, it was uncharted territory for pop music. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were pioneers, boldly going where no pop star had gone before.
Negotiating with the Communist Party
The tour was the result of meticulous negotiations with Communist Party officials. Napier-Bell secured not only two historic gigs in Beijing and Guangzhou but also photo opportunities at the iconic Great Wall. It was a tense 10-day tour, with the press in tow, including the British tabloids, whose coverage was both necessary and unwelcome.
The Filmmaker's Dilemma
Film producer Martin Lewis proposed a fly-on-the-wall documentary, and Napier-Bell agreed, but with a twist. He wanted a prestigious director, Lindsay Anderson, known for his challenging films. However, Anderson's vision clashed with the band's desire for a promotional reel, leading to his firing after the tour. Anderson's grumpy demeanor and dislike for Wham!'s music added to the tension.
A Taste of Liberty
The footage captures the intense atmosphere. Wham! performed to a glacial audience in Beijing, who saw them as aliens, and to a more enthusiastic crowd in Guangzhou, exposed to Hong Kong pop. But the impact went beyond the music. Wham! offered the Chinese a glimpse of freedom, a taste of liberty that could not be ignored.
A Butterfly Effect?
Four years later, the Tiananmen Square massacre occurred. Was Wham!'s tour a catalyst for this tragic event? It's a thought-provoking question that the documentary leaves unanswered. It would be intriguing to explore whether George and Andrew, initially focused on their US success, developed a deeper connection to China. Their views on communism and the left, having performed for striking miners, might also have played a role in securing the gig.
A Lasting Impact
Wham! never returned to China, but the tour's impact lingered. It was a pivotal moment in their career, leading to their US breakthrough and George's iconic Live Aid performance. The true extent of their achievement may have dawned on them later, making it a strange yet captivating chapter in pop and political history.
This story reminds us of the unexpected ways in which art and politics intersect, and how a simple pop concert can have far-reaching implications.
