December 12th 2024.
As the holiday season approaches, we can't help but look back on our favorite Christmas memories. And for many in the UK, one memory in particular stands out: the iconic music video for Wham!'s "Last Christmas." Filmed 40 years ago in 1984, the video has become a beloved holiday tradition for generations, with its romantic story set in a snowy Swiss-Alps cabin and the catchy tune that still tops the charts today.
This year marks not only the 40th anniversary of the video's release, but also eight years since the passing of lead singer, George Michael, on Christmas day. To honor his legacy and the impact of the music video, the full cast, now in their 60s, recently reunited at the filming location in Saas-Fee. In an emotional trip down memory lane, Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi DeMacque-Crockett, Shirlie Kemp, Jonny Fowler, Pat Fernandes, Cheryl Harrison, and David Ridle reminisced about their experience filming the video and the lasting friendship it created.
The pop duo, Pepsi & Shirlie, appeared on This Morning to discuss the milestone anniversary, which will also be explored in BBC Two's upcoming documentary, Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped. The one-hour film delves into the behind-the-scenes stories and rare footage from the making of the music video, as well as its impact on the music industry and the lives of artists like Mary J Blige, Sir Bob Geldof, Neil Tennant, and Sam Smith.
As Pepsi and Shirlie reflected on their reunion, they couldn't help but feel like it was just yesterday they were filming in Saas-Fee. "The fact that we went back and we relived some of the moments with our old friends from the original video, we just fell right back in again," Pepsi shared. "But this time we got to appreciate Saas-Fee, the place where we actually filmed it, and it was full of giggles still, lots of fun. The community came out to sing the song with us. There was an unveiling of a monument, would you believe."
Shirlie added, "But it hasn't dated. The song hasn't dated, and the video hasn't dated," expressing her surprise at the video's enduring popularity. She also shared that George Michael had a special love for Christmas, often going carol singing with the group and disguising himself in the holiday spirit.
The documentary also features interviews with the Mayor of Saas-Fee, who played the band's driver in the video, and reveals what happened to the iconic diamante brooch worn by George Michael. As Andrew Ridgeley, co-founder of Wham!, stated, "George considered writing a Christmas classic one of the great achievements of his career. Only he will ever know quite what inspired him to such dizzying heights, but his songwriting genius led him to distill the quintessential essence of Christmas into a song whose breadth of appeal spans the generations."
It's evident that the impact of "Last Christmas" goes far beyond just a catchy holiday tune. It's a testament to the friendship, talent, and timeless charm of Wham!, and a reminder of the enduring power of music to bring people together. As we approach the holiday season, let's take a moment to reflect on the magic of this iconic music video and the legacy of the late George Michael.
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