Andrew Ridgeley Says George Michael’s Music Still Connects Through Raw Emotion

Andrew Ridgeley has reflected on the lasting influence of his former WHAM! bandmate George Michael, saying the late icon’s music continues to connect with people because it reaches “core human emotions”.

The singer caught up with NME on the red carpet at the 2026 Ivor Novellos last Thursday, May 21, where George Michael was posthumously honoured with the Academy Fellowship. The accolade stands as the highest recognition presented by The Ivors Academy and celebrates artists who have left a lasting mark on music. Past recipients include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Kate Bush, Sting, U2 and Elton John.

Ridgeley accepted the award on Michael’s behalf during the ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel and reflected on how the late artist continues to inspire younger generations of songwriters today.

The two formed WHAM! in 1981 and went on to release classics such as ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’, ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘I’m Your Man’ before parting ways in 1986. Michael later launched a hugely successful solo career with his debut album ‘Faith’ in 1987. He passed away on Christmas Day in 2016 due to complications linked to heart and liver disease.

Speaking backstage with NME, Ridgeley shared what he believed Michael would have thought about receiving the honour, saying he “would have been immensely proud to have been counted amongst some of the artists and the songwriters, whose music he grew up with and which formed him as a songwriter”.

“It would have meant an awful lot to him over a lot of other awards,” he added.

When asked why George Michael’s music still resonates with audiences across generations and cultures, Ridgeley pointed to the timeless quality of the songwriting itself.

“It speaks to core human emotions. I think it’s fundamentally about how we feel, and therefore that is timeless,” he explained. “Whether it’s the type of vibrant vitality that WHAM! represented, or the rather more deep, soulful [songwriting] and the questions that he asked as a more mature songwriter.”

Also present to accept the prestigious Academy Fellowship on behalf of the late star was George Michael’s longtime lawyer and close friend Chris Organ, who worked alongside him from the early WHAM! years and also serves as co executor of his estate.

Speaking with NME, Organ said it was not only the music that continues to stay with fans, but also Michael’s character and values, which he believes were reflected through his songwriting.

“I think those things have something to do with why his music endures as long as it does. People know what he was like. They know that he was a kind, generous, philanthropic, modest and humble man, and genuinely a joy to know,” he shared. “I feel very privileged to have known him over all those years. And I think people recognise that in him.”

Organ added: “To be in the room tonight and hear the response from so many people… [you notice how] he continues to touch people and resonate with them across all different generations. It was incredibly emotional.

“It’s sad he can’t be with us because I know how much this would have meant to him, had he been here. It is very heartwarming to know that he’s held in such esteem, though. A lot of people love him.”

The celebration of George Michael at this year’s Ivor Novellos arrived shortly after news broke that restored footage from his 1988 ‘Faith’ tour will be released in cinemas later this year. George Michael: The Faith Tour has been fully restored and remastered and will arrive alongside an 18 track live album featuring previously unreleased performances.

Outside of George Michael’s recognition, other winners at the 2026 Ivor Novellos included Jacob Alon, who claimed awards for Best Song Musically and Lyrically and Rising Star, along with CMAT for Best Album, while Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest won Best Contemporary Song.

Sam Fender received the Songwriter Of The Year award, Rosalía was named International Songwriter Of The Year, and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke was surprised with the Academy Fellowship honour presented by Harry Styles.