{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/602689a7d758171d944898c3/61c0829f8155d4001284a5aa?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Pepsi and Shirlie","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/602689a7d758171d944898c3/1640355272140-1cb0a9bbd5dea131420a7fc54dd15c36.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Pop icons Pepsi &amp; Shirlie met outside a tube station in London in 1985 when Pepsi –&nbsp;then Helen – auditioned to join Shirlie, Andrew Ridgely and George Michael as a backing singer in Wham!&nbsp;</p><p>In 1987 they released their debut solo single Heartache, which reached number 2 in the charts, and was followed by two studio albums (it was kept off the top spot by their close friend George, whose duet with Aretha Franklin – I Knew You Were Waiting – was at number 1). </p><p>They went their separate ways in the early 90s before working together again singing backing vocals for Geri Halliwell in 2000, following this up with a reunion tour in 2011 and various live performances in the years since.&nbsp;</p><p>In 2017, they paid tribute to George Michael, alongside Andrew Ridgely, at the Brit awards, following his shocking death on Christmas Day 2016. </p><p>Most recently they’ve penned&nbsp; their joint autobiography,<em> It's All in Black and White: Wham, Life and Friendship</em>, which was published by Welbeck in September this year.</p>","author_name":"Primadonna Festival"}