Chris Martin Pays Tribute To George Michael At BRIT Awards

George Michael’s former musical partner Andrew Ridgley from Wham! joined Chris Martin on stage at the BRIT Awards last night to perform a tribute for the late singer.

WHAM! & CHRIS MARTIN PAY TRIBUTE TO GEORGE MICHAEL

Martin’s set with his backup dancers Pepsi and Shirlie, and spoke about Michael and his contributions. “On Christmas Day 2016, the greatest singer-songwriter of his generation, an icon of his era, and my beloved friend, George Michael, was lost,” he told the crowd.

“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,” he continued. “In 1975 we were two boys who happened to share a mutual sense of humor, a love of life-affirming music, the artists and record it gave birth to, and a shared sense that we understood it.”

Pepsi shared her story of becoming part of the act. “His voice was stunning, pitch-perfect, and his performances spell-binding. George, Andrew, and Shirlie changed my life by choosing me to join Wham!” Shirlie chimed in as well: “Anyone who asked for George’s help eventually got it … George was like a brother to me and I will always be so proud of his incredible achievements.”

Following their tear-filled speeches, Ridgley introduced Martin as “one of the finest singer-songwriters of his generation,” and the whole group joined together and performed Michael’s song “A Different Corner.”

Halfway through, archival footage of Michael appeared on screen, and Martin harmonized with the original.