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Ricki Wilde

 
Artist: Ricki Wilde
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Similar Artists:

The Rats

Worked With:

Kim Wilde
  • Active: '70s, '80s, '90s
  • Genres: Rock
  • Instrument: Producer
  • Representative Songs: "I Wanna Go to a Disco", "Teen Wave", "I Am an Astronaut

Biography

Adolescent glitter rocker Ricky (sometimes "Ricki") Wilde was born Richard James Reginald Steven Smith in London on November 6, 1961. The son of pre-Beatles pop star Marty Wilde and former Vernons Girls member Joyce Barker, he made his recorded debut at the age of 11, issuing "I Am an Astronaut" -- a marvelously weird homage to Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie, made all the remarkable by Wilde's squeaky, prepubescent vocal stylings -- on convicted pedophile Jonathan King's UK label in 1972. Despite starring in a BBC documentary titled Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and earning considerable ink in teen magazines both at home and abroad, the record cracked the Swedish Top Ten but was a flop everywhere else; a similar fate befell the follow-up, a 1973 reading of Pat Boone's "April Love."

After the little-noticed "Do It Again, a Little Bit Slower," Wilde resurfaced in 1974 with "Mrs. Malinski," a tribute to a beloved teacher; with the would-be anthem "Teen Wave" the singer reached his creative zenith, delivering a glam classic notable for its prescient employment of the synthesizer. Yet again the public wasn't buying, however, and after one last stab at chart success with "I Wanna Go to a Disco," Wilde effectively retired at the age of 13. A 1980 comeback attempt proved most notable for launching the career of his older sister, Kim -- Wilde and dad Marty went on to co-write and co-produce Kim's biggest hits, most famously the '80s-era anthem "Kids in America." In 1982, Wilde also co-produced "Sensitive," the debut solo single by ex-Japan member Mick Karn. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Ricki Wilde
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Ricki Wilde (often spelled Ricky Wilde) (born 6 November 1961) is a British songwriter, musician, record producer and brother of singer Kim Wilde, and son of the singer and actor, Marty Wilde.

At the age of eleven, Wilde was signed by record producer Jonathan King to King's UK record label, and released his first single in November, 1972, called "I Am An Astronaut". King became his mentor and had great faith in Wilde and groomed him for stardom as the teenybopper star of 1973. Subsequent singles were "Do It Again, a Little Bit Slower", "I Wanna Go to a Disco" and "Teen Wave". [1] However, the singles were not successful in the UK, although he was featured in youth magazines at the time and appeared with his father alongside eleven years old pop rival Darren Burn in BBC Television's Man Alive documentary film Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, made in July, 1973. [2] He had some hits in Scandinavia and Spain at the time.

Recordings of new material in 1980 led to the 'discovery' of his sister Kim. Wilde's new role was that of producer and co-writer, a role he has fulfilled up until now. By his own admission, he was happy to be more in the background as of that moment. [3] After Kim Wilde paused her career in pop music, Ricki Wilde continued to work in the music industry. In 2005 he was one of the initiators of the band, Sonic Hub, and of the record label Sonic Hub Records.

With his wife Mandy he has two sons, Marty III (born in 1986) and Mason (born in 1997), and one daughter, Scarlett (born in 1989).

He is currently directing the film 'Shoot The DJ' as well as continuing his studio work. [4]

"I Am an Astronaut" was covered by Snow Patrol for the Save the Children compilation album, Colours Are Brighter; it also featured as a b-side to their single " Open Your Eyes". It was translated into Swedish, and recorded by 9-year-old Linus Wahlgren in 1985. The Swedish version was later covered by Wahlgren’s nephew Benjamin Ingrosso Wahlgren in 2007, also at 9 years of age. [5]

References

  1. ^ The Boy Choir & Soloist directory
  2. ^ BFI website
  3. ^ Oh Brother, Daily Mail Weekend (UK), April 11, 1998
  4. ^ "Diarmuid Gavin, Kim Wilde". Ready, Steady, Cook. 2008-05-19.
  5. ^ Wilde Life Encyclopedia

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

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