♫A Very Strange Atmosphere♫

In the 21st century, it is not unusual for musicians, single or as a group, to tour countries around the globe. Modern modes of transportation make it much easier and more convenient than ever before. There was a time when that barrier had not been crossed or when crossed misunderstood as to what might truly be expected. 

Today in Music History: April 18 

Welcome into the Spotlight...

 

Wham! English musical duo formed in the 80s briefly known as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band

Wham! sold more than 25 million certified records worldwide from 1982 - 1986. The effect Wham! had on the public was felt especially among teenage girls the moment they finished their debut performance of "Young Guns (Go for it!)" on Top of the Pops. By the end of 1983, Wham! were competing again pop rivals Duran Duran and Culture Club as Britain's biggest pop act.

1985 Wham! became the first-ever Western pop act to have an album released in China. When the musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley released the album Make It Big, that was merely the opener. Western music has since invaded the expansive country.

In April 1985, in the People’s Gymnasium in Beijing, Wham! performed in front of 15,000 teenagers – as well as several members of the Chinese Government and press and TV crews from around the world... . The group’s manager, Simon Napier-Bell, said that there was no pop music in China at all at the time, presenting a massive challenge when it came to selling the band to the authorities.

The crowd on the lower levels mistook their cameras and lights for the secret police, and so sat rigid in their seats.

“There were 7,500 people downstairs intimidated by the lights and the police standing around the outside, and upstairs you had 7,500 people getting more and more wild and crazy. So it was a very strange atmosphere.” Read entire article HERE...

In honor of this musical history-making moment, here are some of the more recent pop songs to hit the charts in China.

  “Party in the U.S.A” – MileyCyrus

 

  “We are the People” – Empire of the Sun

 

 “She Wolf” – Shekira

 

“Obsessed” – MariahCarey

 “Waking up in Vegas” – Katy Perry

Also on Wham!'s music scene...(at least one member anyway)

1987 Aretha Franklin scores a #1 US hit with "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me," a duet with George Michael of Wham! Her first Number One in 19 years and ten months, it breaks the record for the longest span between #1 hits.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

  
Related Article:

China Top 20
June 2004 - November 2015