Former Wham! band member Shirley Kemp suggested that fans of the late singer George Michael may get the chance to see him again: as a hologram.
Seven years after his death, Michael’s bandmates are feeling inspired by other holographic shows, such as Abba’s, and are toying with the idea of creating their own.
Wham! last performed in 1986 at Wembley Stadium, where they were joined by Sir Elton John. Michael’s last solo performance was in 2012.
The other surviving members of the band, which include Andrew Ridgeley and Helen ‘Pepsi’ DeMacque-Crockett, are on board with Kemp’s idea.
“My thinking would be, ‘Fantastic!’ To have Wham! at its pomp playing live,” said Ridgeley on Newsnight.
He did acknowledge potential ethical challenges that a holographic concert may pose.
“Of course, there are ethical questions. And that decision would be a mutual decision between myself and [Michael’s] estate, should it ever come to it…...
Seven years after his death, Michael’s bandmates are feeling inspired by other holographic shows, such as Abba’s, and are toying with the idea of creating their own.
Wham! last performed in 1986 at Wembley Stadium, where they were joined by Sir Elton John. Michael’s last solo performance was in 2012.
The other surviving members of the band, which include Andrew Ridgeley and Helen ‘Pepsi’ DeMacque-Crockett, are on board with Kemp’s idea.
“My thinking would be, ‘Fantastic!’ To have Wham! at its pomp playing live,” said Ridgeley on Newsnight.
He did acknowledge potential ethical challenges that a holographic concert may pose.
“Of course, there are ethical questions. And that decision would be a mutual decision between myself and [Michael’s] estate, should it ever come to it…...
- 7/25/2023
- by Ava Lombardi
- Uinterview
Documentary about George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s meteoric rise is a fun and moving watch that misses the chance to delve deeper
”Wise guys realise / There’s danger in emotional ties …” Here was one of the most artlessly, chillingly brilliant pop lyrics of the 80s, from Wham!’s Young Guns (Go For It), something to compare with the triumph of Madonna being a material girl in a material world. You can’t help thinking again about its relevance to Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael’s emotional ties to each other as you watch this entertaining but weirdly incurious documentary, composed of existing footage and voiceover commentary.
Wham! was a pop band which lasted for four years, from 1982 to 1986, a meteoric fame ride which saw them devastate the music scene like Roy Lichtenstein’s fighter plane, clocking up a string of hits and getting canonised as pop A-listers alongside David Bowie,...
”Wise guys realise / There’s danger in emotional ties …” Here was one of the most artlessly, chillingly brilliant pop lyrics of the 80s, from Wham!’s Young Guns (Go For It), something to compare with the triumph of Madonna being a material girl in a material world. You can’t help thinking again about its relevance to Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael’s emotional ties to each other as you watch this entertaining but weirdly incurious documentary, composed of existing footage and voiceover commentary.
Wham! was a pop band which lasted for four years, from 1982 to 1986, a meteoric fame ride which saw them devastate the music scene like Roy Lichtenstein’s fighter plane, clocking up a string of hits and getting canonised as pop A-listers alongside David Bowie,...
- 6/17/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
John Wick fans were left with their hands over their eyes after watching Roman Kemp interview Keanu Reeves.
The Capital FM host sat down with Reeves ahead of the release of John Wick: Chapter 4, for an interview in which Kemp quizzed Reeves on a number of light-hearted questions.
Kemp – who is the son of Martin and Shirlie Kemp – asked Reeves who would win in a fight between John Wick and fitness influencer Joe Wicks.
“I know it’s hard to believe but John Wick doesn’t really wanna fight, so let’s just talk about life and fitness, John Wick hashtag fitness,” Reeves replied.
Kemp also asked him if John Wick would know how much a halogen lightbulb would cost in the hardware store Wickes.
In another awkward exchange, Kemp asked Reeves if it was true that he was an Arsenal fan. When the actor said no, Kemp continued: “You’re not?...
The Capital FM host sat down with Reeves ahead of the release of John Wick: Chapter 4, for an interview in which Kemp quizzed Reeves on a number of light-hearted questions.
Kemp – who is the son of Martin and Shirlie Kemp – asked Reeves who would win in a fight between John Wick and fitness influencer Joe Wicks.
“I know it’s hard to believe but John Wick doesn’t really wanna fight, so let’s just talk about life and fitness, John Wick hashtag fitness,” Reeves replied.
Kemp also asked him if John Wick would know how much a halogen lightbulb would cost in the hardware store Wickes.
In another awkward exchange, Kemp asked Reeves if it was true that he was an Arsenal fan. When the actor said no, Kemp continued: “You’re not?...
- 3/22/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Film
British audiences have been graced with a new season of The Masked Singer.
Debuting on New Year’s Day, the top-secret singing competition welcomed a new batch of 13 incognito celebrities to compete in its fourth season.
During the first episode of the competition – which sees celebrities dressed in head-to-toe costumes to conceal their identity while they perform – Knitting was the first to display her talents.
Performing her rendition of Becky Hill’s song “Remember” for the panel of judges, Knitting narrowly escaped elimination.
Among the first-round competitors were Ghost, Jellyfish, Jacket Potato, Phoenix, and duo Cat and Mouse.
Ultimately, Ghost was this season’s first elimination, later revealing his identity as former footballer Chris Kamara. Cat and Mouse were unmasked as Martin and Shirlie Kemp in episode three.
Who is Knitting?
Ahead of Knitting’s performance, her clue video showed her standing in a crafty scene as she cut scraps of paper into geometrical shapes.
Debuting on New Year’s Day, the top-secret singing competition welcomed a new batch of 13 incognito celebrities to compete in its fourth season.
During the first episode of the competition – which sees celebrities dressed in head-to-toe costumes to conceal their identity while they perform – Knitting was the first to display her talents.
Performing her rendition of Becky Hill’s song “Remember” for the panel of judges, Knitting narrowly escaped elimination.
Among the first-round competitors were Ghost, Jellyfish, Jacket Potato, Phoenix, and duo Cat and Mouse.
Ultimately, Ghost was this season’s first elimination, later revealing his identity as former footballer Chris Kamara. Cat and Mouse were unmasked as Martin and Shirlie Kemp in episode three.
Who is Knitting?
Ahead of Knitting’s performance, her clue video showed her standing in a crafty scene as she cut scraps of paper into geometrical shapes.
- 1/21/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
As has become customary in January, The Masked Singer is back on our screens to kick off the year in chaotic fashion.
Joel Dommett takes charge of proceedings once again as 13 celebrities dressed in creative disguises show off their vocals every weekend on ITV.
The audience at home and in the studio are not the only ones guessing their identities, however. Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross are the judging panel, determining who progresses to the next stages of the competition.
After the first episode, Ghost was unveiled as football star Chris Kamara, and became the season’s first eliminated contestant. Following this, Lulu was revealed as Piece of Cake, and Martin and Shirlie Kemp removed their Cat and Mouse disguises in episode three.
Among the costumes competing this time around are Phoenix, Knitting, Jellyfish and Jacket Potato.
However, one of the most amusing identities in store...
Joel Dommett takes charge of proceedings once again as 13 celebrities dressed in creative disguises show off their vocals every weekend on ITV.
The audience at home and in the studio are not the only ones guessing their identities, however. Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross are the judging panel, determining who progresses to the next stages of the competition.
After the first episode, Ghost was unveiled as football star Chris Kamara, and became the season’s first eliminated contestant. Following this, Lulu was revealed as Piece of Cake, and Martin and Shirlie Kemp removed their Cat and Mouse disguises in episode three.
Among the costumes competing this time around are Phoenix, Knitting, Jellyfish and Jacket Potato.
However, one of the most amusing identities in store...
- 1/21/2023
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
The third and fourth contestants have been eliminated from the 2023 series of The Masked Singer.
Saturday 14 January’s episode featured contestants such as Phoenix, Jellyfish, Otter, and Knitting face off against one another in a singing contest.
The rules of the hit ITV reality series remain the same: a roster of celebrities perform musical numbers while wearing elaborate identity-obscuring disguises. Viewers at home, and the panel of celebrity judges, are then tasked with guessing the masked singers’ real identities.
At the end of each episode, one contestant is voted off, and is de-masked.
In Saturday’s latest episode, Knitting and Cat and Mouse ended up in the bottom two, before the judges decided who to vote out.
Knitting was ultimately saved, with the judges approving of their performance of “Memories” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats.
Cat and Mouse, meanwhile, performed “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes.
Saturday 14 January’s episode featured contestants such as Phoenix, Jellyfish, Otter, and Knitting face off against one another in a singing contest.
The rules of the hit ITV reality series remain the same: a roster of celebrities perform musical numbers while wearing elaborate identity-obscuring disguises. Viewers at home, and the panel of celebrity judges, are then tasked with guessing the masked singers’ real identities.
At the end of each episode, one contestant is voted off, and is de-masked.
In Saturday’s latest episode, Knitting and Cat and Mouse ended up in the bottom two, before the judges decided who to vote out.
Knitting was ultimately saved, with the judges approving of their performance of “Memories” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats.
Cat and Mouse, meanwhile, performed “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes.
- 1/14/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
The Masked Singer UK is back for a fourth season, welcoming a new cast of 12 incognito celebrities.
On Sunday (1 January), the top-secret singing series, which sees a number of celebrities dressed in oversized costumes to hide their identity, returned to ITV.
During the opening episode, Cat and Mouse, a duo act, were among the first batch of competitors to perform for the judges by Irving Berlin.
Who are Cat and Mouse?
The clues revealed in the first episode included the number 200,000,000 written on a notepad.
Cat said he was “no stranger to legalities” and liked to “get to the bottom of cases”, as well as knowing “how to spin a tale”. The Vt also showed five different jars of spices lined up.
So far, fans have speculated that the duo could be Spice Girl Emma Bunton and partner Jade Jones. Others have their suspicions that the furry duo are married couple Shirlie and Martin Kemp.
On Sunday (1 January), the top-secret singing series, which sees a number of celebrities dressed in oversized costumes to hide their identity, returned to ITV.
During the opening episode, Cat and Mouse, a duo act, were among the first batch of competitors to perform for the judges by Irving Berlin.
Who are Cat and Mouse?
The clues revealed in the first episode included the number 200,000,000 written on a notepad.
Cat said he was “no stranger to legalities” and liked to “get to the bottom of cases”, as well as knowing “how to spin a tale”. The Vt also showed five different jars of spices lined up.
So far, fans have speculated that the duo could be Spice Girl Emma Bunton and partner Jade Jones. Others have their suspicions that the furry duo are married couple Shirlie and Martin Kemp.
- 1/14/2023
- by Ellie Muir
- The Independent - TV
The Masked Singer fans are adamant that they have discovered the real identity of the Cat and Mouse on the ITV series.
According to viewer theories, married couple and singers Martin and Shirlie Kemp are allegedly behind the masks of the Cat and Mouse.
The first episode of the season, which aired on ITV on Sunday (1 January), saw the animalistic pair go up against Ghost, Jellyfish, Phoenix, Knitting and Otter to impress the studio audience and the panel.
Ghost was eventually unmasked as footballer Chris Kamara, leaving viewers thrilled and the panel shocked.
Now, viewers have their suspicions that Pepsi & Shirlie singer, Shirlie, and Spandau Ballet vocalist, Martin, are hiding under the Cat and Mouse costumes.
Viewers believe that the clues given in episode one were enough to give their identities away.
Clues included the number 20,000,000 written on a notepad and “knowing how to spin a tale”, while the cat...
According to viewer theories, married couple and singers Martin and Shirlie Kemp are allegedly behind the masks of the Cat and Mouse.
The first episode of the season, which aired on ITV on Sunday (1 January), saw the animalistic pair go up against Ghost, Jellyfish, Phoenix, Knitting and Otter to impress the studio audience and the panel.
Ghost was eventually unmasked as footballer Chris Kamara, leaving viewers thrilled and the panel shocked.
Now, viewers have their suspicions that Pepsi & Shirlie singer, Shirlie, and Spandau Ballet vocalist, Martin, are hiding under the Cat and Mouse costumes.
Viewers believe that the clues given in episode one were enough to give their identities away.
Clues included the number 20,000,000 written on a notepad and “knowing how to spin a tale”, while the cat...
- 1/2/2023
- by Ellie Muir
- The Independent - TV
Mariah Carey paid tribute to the late George Michael on Friday, with a cover of his song “One More Try.”
The singer performed the tune — off Michael’s 1987 album Faith — at her concert in Dubai. Dressed in a sequined off-the -shoulder black gown with high slits, Carey called the balled “one of his greatest records.”
“I always loved it, I always loved him,” she told the crowd. “He was a really great person”
The Grammy winner, who celebrated her 47th birthday on Monday, asked the audience to shine their cell-phone lights in honor of Michael. She took a deep sigh before singing — saying,...
The singer performed the tune — off Michael’s 1987 album Faith — at her concert in Dubai. Dressed in a sequined off-the -shoulder black gown with high slits, Carey called the balled “one of his greatest records.”
“I always loved it, I always loved him,” she told the crowd. “He was a really great person”
The Grammy winner, who celebrated her 47th birthday on Monday, asked the audience to shine their cell-phone lights in honor of Michael. She took a deep sigh before singing — saying,...
- 4/1/2017
- by Dave Quinn
- PEOPLE.com
Three months after his death on Christmas Day, George Michael was laid to rest Wednesday in an intimate ceremony.
“We can confirm that the funeral of the singer George Michael took place today. Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend,” a rep for the singer tells People in a statement.
“George Michael’s family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support. We ask that the family’s wish for privacy be respected so that they can continue to live their lives privately,...
“We can confirm that the funeral of the singer George Michael took place today. Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend,” a rep for the singer tells People in a statement.
“George Michael’s family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support. We ask that the family’s wish for privacy be respected so that they can continue to live their lives privately,...
- 3/29/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
George Michael received another touching tribute at the 2017 Brit Awards on Wednesday night.
The late singer's former Wham! partner, Andrew Ridgeley, introduced a beautiful tribute by Chris Martin, who performed Michael's 1986 song, "A Different Corner."
Watch: Adele Drops F-Bomb After Briefly Stopping George Michael Tribute at GRAMMYs, Still Delivers Powerful Performance
"On Christmas Day 2016, the greatest singer-songwriter of his generation, an icon of his era, and my beloved friend, George Michael, was lost," Ridgeley said on stage, accompanied by Wham's backup singers, Pepsi and Shirlie (real names Helen DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman).
"A supernova in a firmament of shining stars had been extinguished, and it felt like the sky had fallen in. It started out ordinarily enough: In 1975, we were two boys that happened to share a mutual sense of humor, a love of life-affirming music, the records and artists it gave birth to, and a shared sense that we understood it," he continued...
The late singer's former Wham! partner, Andrew Ridgeley, introduced a beautiful tribute by Chris Martin, who performed Michael's 1986 song, "A Different Corner."
Watch: Adele Drops F-Bomb After Briefly Stopping George Michael Tribute at GRAMMYs, Still Delivers Powerful Performance
"On Christmas Day 2016, the greatest singer-songwriter of his generation, an icon of his era, and my beloved friend, George Michael, was lost," Ridgeley said on stage, accompanied by Wham's backup singers, Pepsi and Shirlie (real names Helen DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman).
"A supernova in a firmament of shining stars had been extinguished, and it felt like the sky had fallen in. It started out ordinarily enough: In 1975, we were two boys that happened to share a mutual sense of humor, a love of life-affirming music, the records and artists it gave birth to, and a shared sense that we understood it," he continued...
- 2/23/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
George Michael's memory lived on at the 2017 Brit Awards. During the annual ceremony Wednesday at the O2 Arena in London, the late musical icon and three-time Brit Award winner was honored in his native country with a special tribute put on by his Wham! colleagues Andrew Ridgeley, Shirlie Holliman and Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque. The trio gave a lengthy, tear-filled speech reminiscing about the "truly wonderful time" spent with Michael before introducing Chris Martin to the stage for a tribute performance. The Coldplay frontman sang "A Different Corner" as the audience swayed their cellphone lights side to side. Martin then paused as a clip from one of Michael's...
- 2/22/2017
- E! Online
George Michael will feature in an upcoming BBC Radio 2 documentary.
Up Close with George Michael will form a two-part special, scheduled to air on March 18 and 25 at 10pm.
The programme was recorded back in October 2011, just before the singer contracted pneumonia, forcing a delay to his 'Symphonica' tour.
Presented by Vicki Wickham, the documentary features Michael talking about the tour and the making of its subsequent album.
He also discusses his prison stay and his drug rehabilitation, while interviewees include songwriting partner David Austin, Dawn French, Shirlie Kemp and James Corden.
Producer Phil Ramone will also appear in one of his final interviews before his death in March 2013.
Meanwhile, BBC One will air highlights from his 'Symphonica' concert from September 19, 2012 at the Opera Garnier in Paris. Michael became the first pop singer to perform at the venue. The concert will air on the channel in April.
Michael said: "I'm delighted...
Up Close with George Michael will form a two-part special, scheduled to air on March 18 and 25 at 10pm.
The programme was recorded back in October 2011, just before the singer contracted pneumonia, forcing a delay to his 'Symphonica' tour.
Presented by Vicki Wickham, the documentary features Michael talking about the tour and the making of its subsequent album.
He also discusses his prison stay and his drug rehabilitation, while interviewees include songwriting partner David Austin, Dawn French, Shirlie Kemp and James Corden.
Producer Phil Ramone will also appear in one of his final interviews before his death in March 2013.
Meanwhile, BBC One will air highlights from his 'Symphonica' concert from September 19, 2012 at the Opera Garnier in Paris. Michael became the first pop singer to perform at the venue. The concert will air on the channel in April.
Michael said: "I'm delighted...
- 3/17/2014
- Digital Spy
Martin Kemp has reflected on the trauma of being diagnosed with two brain tumours back in the 1990s.
Kemp stepped away from the spotlight in 1995 in order to undergo a series of major medical procedures, after noticing a lump on his scalp.
The actor has told Piers Morgan's Life Stories that having two brain tumours rather than one ultimately saved his life.
"When you know you've got a tumour in your head as big as [a grapefruit] you don't have to be told by anybody [that it's life or death]," he recalled.
Kemp went on to say: "There was a good side to it. Because I had two tumours. One on the outside of my head and one on the inside, which was growing in the middle of my brain.
"If they've never found this one [on my head], growing out, they wouldn't have found the one in the middle until it was too late, and that was the one that would have killed me.
Kemp stepped away from the spotlight in 1995 in order to undergo a series of major medical procedures, after noticing a lump on his scalp.
The actor has told Piers Morgan's Life Stories that having two brain tumours rather than one ultimately saved his life.
"When you know you've got a tumour in your head as big as [a grapefruit] you don't have to be told by anybody [that it's life or death]," he recalled.
Kemp went on to say: "There was a good side to it. Because I had two tumours. One on the outside of my head and one on the inside, which was growing in the middle of my brain.
"If they've never found this one [on my head], growing out, they wouldn't have found the one in the middle until it was too late, and that was the one that would have killed me.
- 1/30/2014
- Digital Spy
Los Angeles, Jan 8: English actor Martin Kemp is set to walk down the aisle with his wife for a second time later this year to renew their wedding vows.
The 51-year-old wed ex-pop star Shirlie Holliman in a secret ceremony in St. Lucia in 1988, and didn't invite any guests to witness their union.
Now the pair wants to celebrate 25 years together by marrying again in front of friends and family, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
"We will have been married for 25 years this year. We were on our own the first time round and it would be nice to share the day with our friends," said Kemp.
"Our wedding was on a clifftop in.
The 51-year-old wed ex-pop star Shirlie Holliman in a secret ceremony in St. Lucia in 1988, and didn't invite any guests to witness their union.
Now the pair wants to celebrate 25 years together by marrying again in front of friends and family, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
"We will have been married for 25 years this year. We were on our own the first time round and it would be nice to share the day with our friends," said Kemp.
"Our wedding was on a clifftop in.
- 1/8/2013
- by Arun Pandit
- RealBollywood.com
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