Wham! Gave the First Western Pop Performance in China in 1985

Two young pop stars in shoulder pads gave the first Western pop performance ever in Communist China in 1985, as nrc.nl reported.

Manager Simon Napier-Bell arranged the historic concerts after 13 visits in 18 months, aiming to make the duo the biggest pop group in the world. Communist China had just opened its door to the West slightly at the time.

„It sounded like freedom,” a viewer said, according to nrc.nl.

A coalition of opportunists formed around the tour, including a manager wanting success, pop stars wanting fame, and the British embassy seeking soft power. Oscar-winning documentary maker Lindsay Anderson joined the tour to film a clash of cultures, though Wham! had no interest in that theme.

George Michael told the British ambassador that the group came for something vast, “whatever that might be,” nrc.nl reported.

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State banquets and sightseeing at the Great Wall preceded the concerts in Beijing. Michael tried to get the audience dancing during the first show while Chinese police dragged dancing spectators out of the hall.

The tour concluded with a performance of ‘Careless Whisper’, which a spectator described to nrc.nl as “like a window opening in your mind.”

Wham! traveled to China in 1985 after 13 visits by their manager over 18 months.

While the group performed, Chinese police arrested audience members who attempted to dance and dragged them out of the hall.