|
Wiggles One Sheet - Back To Top
Tour:
- Ticket sales are up 10% from last year
- The Wiggles perform more than 200 shows around the world each year; across 4 continents visiting countries from the US to New Zealand to the UK
- More sold out shows than ever – including top markets, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Columbus, St. Louis, San Diego, Sacramento
Merchandise:
Album:
- Over 2.25 million albums sold in the US
- Yummy, Yummy achieved gold status, selling over 500,000 copies
- Yummy, Yummy was named Billboard’s Children’s Album of the Year in 2004
DVD:
- Over 13 million DVDs and VHS sold in the US
- Yummy, Yummy has sold over 1 million VHS/DVD to date
Publishing:
- More than 7 million books sold in the US
Toy:
- The Wiggles Musical Guitar was the # 1 rated non-TV promoted toy in 4th quarter 2003 (Source: The NPD Group/NPD Funworld/TRSTS)
General:
- The Wiggles have 40+ licensees producing 60+ product categories from audio to apparel
Overall:
- The Wiggles are the World’s # 1 Preschool band
- The Wiggles were Australia’s highest earning entertainers in 2004 (Source: BRW Magazine)
- The Wiggles air 17 times a week on Disney Channel
Wiggle Bio - Back To Top
Greg Page
Greg is the lead singer who enjoys singing and dancing because it makes him happy. He
wears a yellow long sleeve shirt, black trousers and a very kind smiling face. Greg is the driver of the Big Red Car and when he drives he sings "Scooby-doo-ah!" Greg loves to play the popular sport, cricket and has been playing in bands since he was 14.
Anthony Field
Anthony wears a blue long sleeve shirt with black trousers. Anthony sings and plays the guitar and drums, instruments he learned to play by listening to musicians like Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones. Anthony likes dancing and having fun with the audience. His favorite food is fruit salad and he especially loves apples. When Anthony is happy, he says "Wahoo!"
Murray Cook
Murray wears a red long sleeve shirt, black trousers and an enormous smile from ear to ear. Murray loves to sing and dance but what he loves most is to play his guitar, and has been playing since he was 11 years old. Murray is the king of guitars!
Jeff Fatt
Jeff plays the keyboards. He also sings and dances. He wears a purple long sleeve shirt, black trousers and lots of wacky grins. Jeff loves sleeping and when he dreams, he even dreams of being asleep! Jeff is a huge fan of Ray Charles and music from the '60s.
Cast of Characters
Dorothy the Dinosaur(TM)
Dorothy is a friendly green dinosaur. Her skin has big yellow spots and she wears white gloves and a white floppy hat. She is 5 dinosaur years old, loves roses and especially loves to make rosy tea. Very wise for her age, Dorothy is always kind and generous with friends and people
she meets. Dorothy loves all types of dancing and her favorite type of dance is ballet!
Henry the Octopus(TM)
Henry the Octopus is a fun-loving octopus with purple skin. Henry is a smart dresser and loves his tartan outfit, shiny black shoes, bow tie and boater hat. He is the leader of the underwater Big Band and loves to sing and dance with The Wiggles. When he dances, he twirls around and around.
Wags the Dog(TM)
Wags the Dog is a dancing dog and when he dances he likes to shake his hips. He loves
eating, dancing the shake shake, digging in his garden and having a good time. The Wiggles understand him when he says "Woof!"
Captain Feathersword(TM)
Captain Feathersword is a friendly pirate who has a feather as a sword, which he uses to
tickle everyone. Captain Feathersword has magical, musical pirate buttons, which help the Captain sing and dance like anyone and anything in the world! Whenever he sees his Wiggly friends he says, "Ahoy there me hearties!"
The Wiggles Backgrounder - Back To Top
WHAT'S RED, BLUE, YELLOW AND PURPLE AND LOT'S OF FUN?
THE FAB FOUR OF THE TODDLER SET…….THE WIGGLES!
The New York Post said ‘PARENTAL ADVISORY! Yummy Yummy Fruit Salad may soon eclipse La Vida Loca in your mental tape recorder – but this video is guaranteed to mesmerise toddlers. It also passes the repetition test – Adults can watch it five times without wanting to rip it out.
Time Magazine said “Its the quality of course, that kids, parents and educators love. The Wiggles promote social behavior urging children to engage with a world that is becoming increasingly virtual.
The New York Times called The Wiggles THE BAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.
While at home, The Telegraph said “The Wiggles are a bright spot in an often confusing jumble of children’s entertainment options.
So how did it all begin, Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page met while studying Early Childhood Education at Sydney’s Macquarie University. The three began writing children’s songs as one of their music projects. They enlisted the assistance of Jeff Fatt who played with Anthony in the popular 80’s band The Cockroaches, and THE WIGGLES were born.
The band’s Early Childhood training continues to influence the approach they take with their live shows. Recordings and videos. Anthony Field feels that a lot of The Wiggles’ success comes from their knowledge of child development. “A lot of what we do comes from a child’s perspective’ says Anthony. “it’s got a lot to do with what the songs are about and the language we use, and I like to think we know how to write pretty catchy tunes. Right from the start we gave a lot of thought to what was appropriate for children’s music.”
That was in 1991 and now 15 years later they were presented with the Australian Exporter of The Year Award. The Wiggles have now sold over 17 million videos and 4 million CDs worldwide. They have appeared in the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York three times. In November 2005 they performed to over 250,000 people.
HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS
To date The Wiggles have sold in excess of 4 million Cds and 17 million videos/DVDs worldwide.
The Wiggles videos were launched in the US at the famous Wall Mart in June 1999.
The Wiggles have tour America three times a year.
The Wiggles have been the Highest Selling Children’s Sell Through Video 8 years in a row. In 2002 GFK presented the band with a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
The Wiggles have a massive 39.1% of the total Children’s Video market in Australia and hold an incredible 7.3% of the overall video/DVD sell through market.
The Wiggles have won 4 ARIA MUSIC AWARDS for Best Australian Children’s Album.
The Wiggles have won 4 APRA MUSIC AWARDS for Most Performed Children’s Work.
The Wiggles first full length feature film THE WIGGLES MOVIE achieved record breaking sales with it’s video release in 1999.
The Wiggles were presented with the Starlight Children’s Foundation Awards. This presentation was made by The Governor General of Australia Sir William Deane.
Wiggy Safari featuring the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was the highest selling children’s video and DVD in 2002.
The Wiggles were presented with the GFK Awards for BEST CONTRIBUTION TO RETAIL and Highest Selling Video.
October 2003, The Wiggles were presented with the ARIA AWARDS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for their success in the US.
November 2003 – The Wiggles performed to 72,000 people at 12 sold out shows in New York’s Madison Square Gardens Theatre.
December 2003 - The Wiggles – LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION SHOW! will play to over 120,000 people in all capital cities. The tour is a sell out with more shows having to be added.
In 2004 The Wiggles were named Australia’s highest earning entertainers in Business Review Magazine.
In 2005 Wiggles World – their first Wiggly Theme Park was opened at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast in Australia.
In 2005 the first Wiggly Play Centre was opening in Sydney’s West.
In 2005 The Wiggles were named Australian Exporters Of The Year
In 2006 The Wiggles celebrate their 15 th year.
GOLD AND PLATINUM RECORD AWARDS
APRIL 1994 THE WIGGLES GOLD
DECEMBER 1994 YUMMY YUMMY GOLD
OCTOBER 1995 YUMMY YUMMY PLATINUM
HERE COMES A SONG GOLD
BIG RED CAR GOLD
MARCH 1996 BIG RED CAR PLATINUM
AUGUST 1996 WAKE UP JEFF GOLD
NOVEMBER 1996 WIGGLY WIGGLY CHRISTMAS GOLD
DECEMBER 1996 WIGGLY WIGGLY CHRISTMAS PLATINUM
JULY 1997 WAKE UP JEFF PLATINUM
OCTOEBR 1997 MOVIE SOUNDTRACK GOLD
MARCH 1998 HERE COMES A SONG PLATINUM
MAY 1998 TOOT TOOT GOLD
NOVEMBER 1998 YUMMY YUMMY DOUBLE PLATINUM
SEPTEMBER 1999 HERE COMES A SONG PLATINUM
BIG RED CAR DOUBLE PLATINUM
JANUARY 2000 MOVIE SOUNDTRACK PLATINUM
MAY 2002 BIG RED CAR DOUBLE PLATINUM
APRIL 2000 IT’S A WIGGLY WIGGLY WORLD GOLD
NOVEMBER 2000 YULE BE WIGGLING GOLD
APRIL 2001 HOOP DEE DOO GOLD
FEBRUARY 2002 WIGGLY SAFARI GOLD
NOVEMBER 2005 TOP OF THE TOTS GOLD
VIDEO SALES AWARDS
1996 WAKE UP JEFF MULTI PLATINUM
1997 WIGGLE DANCE MULTI PLATINUM
WIGGLY WIGGLY CHRISTMAS MULTI PLATINUM
1998 WIGGLE TIME MULTI PLATINUM
1998 YUMMY YUMMY MULTI PLATINUM
TOOT TOOT MULTI PLATINUM
1999 WIGGLY BIG SHOW MULTI PLATINUM
2000 BIG RED CAR MULTI PLATINUM
WIGGLY WIGGLY WORLD MULTI PLATINUM
2001 HOOP DEE DO DOUBLE PLATINUM
WIGGLY TV PLATINUM
DOROTHY THE DINOSAUR PLATINUM
2002 WIGGLY SAFARI MULTI PLATINUM
DVD SALES AWARDS
2000 WIGGLY TV GOLD
2001 HOOP DEE DO GOLD
2002 WIGGLE TIME/YUMMY YUMMY PLATINUM
WIGGLY SAFARI PLATINUM
2003 SPACE DANCING GOLD
WHOO HOO WIGGLY GREMLINS GOLD
WEBSITE
Over 500,000 SINGLE HITS A MONTH WORLDWIDE. (figure taken from 1 st August)
FAMOUS FANS
Some of the people attending shows in the US coming backstage to meet the band include:
JERRY SEINFIELD
JOEY FATONE (N*SYNC)
CYNDI LAUPER
JOHN TRAVOLTA
RIKKI LAKE
JOHN FOGERTY
ROBERT DE NIRO
CINDY CRAWFORD
ANDRE AGASSI
STEVE ZAHN (RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS)
ROSIE O’DONNELL
JERRY LEWIS
JOHN EDWARD
HUGH JACKMAN AND DEBORAH LEE FURNESS
CHRIS ROCK
CATE BLANCHETT
SHAQUILE O’NEAL (LA LAKERS)
SARAH JESSICA PARKER AND MATTHEW BRODERICK
KATE HUDSON
METALLICA
COURTNEY COX-ARGUETTE AND DAVID ARQUETTE
Brief Interview with the Wiggles - Back To Top
Q: How did you get started as a music group?
A: (Anthony Field) We all had musical background as we had oil been in bands before going to University. Jeff and I had some success in The Cockroaches selling a gold and platinum album. We were at University together and decided to bring together our musical backgrounds with the things we had learned about children and their view of the world. We made a tape like a university project and rook it to the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Things started to slowly grow from there as people got to hear our music and liked what they heard and saw.
Q: You've been associated with certain color shirts from the beginning. How did you choose the color you wear?
A: (Greg Page) Jeff and Murray already had purple and red shirts, so Anthony and I went shopping and just picked out some bright colors."
We love our colored skivvies. It's pretty awesome waking up in the morning and knowing exactly what you are going to wear that day!
Q: What is the source of your inspiration? Do you have children yourselves ?
A: (Anthony) We have been inspired by the early childhood education we received at University. We always wanted to offer something of quality and something new to children in the world of music to allow them to discover things about themselves and the world around them. Two of us do, Murray and Greg are married and have two children each.
Q: Who o r what were your influences as you created the Wiggles?
A: (Anthony) Our influences are: our Early Childhood Education and lecturers, rock 'n' roll, Gilbert & Sullivan and classical music. We have universal tastes.
(Greg) "We love that '60s feel. There were so many great grooves and different styles of music then. That's what's wonderful about doing children's music like we do. We don't have to stick to one style of music. We can do folk, rock, reggae or pop."
Q: You sing songs from many different countries. Did any of you live someplace other than Australia?
A: (Anthony) Australia is a multicultural society with people from all around the world and The Wiggles reflect that community. We've traveled all around the world but still call Australia home.
Q: The Wiggles songs include many words or phrases unique to your Australian homeland. Have you considered changing any of your vocabulary for American audiences?
A: (Greg) People find it kind of exotic. Initially, we were concerned about whether we should adapt it, but people find it interesting to hear "nappy" instead of "diaper" or "footpath" instead of sidewalk.
(Murray Cook) I had a theory fairly early on that children don't learn those cultural differences until they're a bit older. They're just learning about language anyway, so they can handle the differences, especially in the age group we're dealing with. They're still learning what things are called. We say things differently, and they seem to accept that quite readily.
Q: How much singing and musical training did you have as children?
A: (Anthony) I learned violin as a child. I started lessons at 5 years old and took them until I was 15. I also played in the school orchestra and took up guitar and discovered rock 'n' roll music. Jeff's been playing keyboards in bands since high school and Murray and Greg have both played guitar in band's since high school.
Q: The dancers have become something of a trademark for you. How did that come about? Do you bring the dancers on the road with you?
A: (Anthony) We started using little children in our videos as children love to see others dancing. We have used various groups over the years, some trained others not. It is good to keep the mixture of those that are choreographed and those that are not. We want the children watching to be able to emulate what takes place on the video. We have taken young performers on the road but we generally don't as it involves taking parents and others to assist. We now use adults as dancers for our big shows.
Q: Your songs have a lot dances that go with them. How do you choreograph the steps?
A: (Greg) We're not professional dancers. We have a test-if we can't do it the kids won't be able to do it either.
Q: How do you keep your energy and enthusiasm levels so high?
A: (Greg) We began doing what we do because we enjoyed it and that s reason why we're able to sustain it, and we've combined cur musical background with our teaching background.
Q: Do you ever feel a bit silly while your per forming as a Wiggle?
A: (Greg) Never! When you are an early childhood teacher it is like you're a performer. Your class is the audience. You have to lose all inhibitions and capture their imaginations and their attention because this is how children learn. So naturally, as a children's entertainer, you must lose all inhibitions and self-consciousness.
Q: How has your life changed since becoming a Wiggle?
A: (Greg) The biggest change has been in terms of traveling. Prior to performing with The Wiggles, I traveled only within Australia. Now touring commitments take me all over the world, which is very exciting, but also having a family makes life challenging as well.
Q: Did you ever imagine how popular you'd be?
A: (Greg) No, we never imagined the success The Wiggles would have. Nor did we imagine that 12 years after recording our first album that we would be traveling the world and performing for millions of people. It has been the most fantastic adventure, one that we are very grateful for. One that we are enjoying and will continue to enjoy for years to come.
We gauge our success on 'are we producing good quality videos and shows and CDs '" The other stuff we treat as a joke, in fun.
Q: Talk about the Wiggles' transition from a band to a brand.
A: (Murray) Well, as with most things we do, it happened gradually. Until fairly recently, we haven't really been that great on having meetings and stuff like that (laughs). Things happen fairly organically with us. But yeah, early on, we just wore colored shirts, and now we've got the Wiggles logo on there. That was so people could see us straight away and know that that was us. And in Australia, any merchandising we've done has mainly been a response to people asking us for things.
Q: Do you find that audiences differ in the US and from Australian
audiences?
A: (Anthony) There are obviously some cultural differences like our pronunciation of banana, but in general, they enjoy the show just as much. If there is a difference, it's that American audiences are a little more enthusiastic in their responses.
(Jeff Fatt) In America, we've found the audiences really enthusiastic. It took us by surprise that so many people wanted to come and see us here in America. It's fantastic.
Q: What songs do audiences demand the most?
A: (Anthony) The Wiggles have 11 years of songs to choose from, so a lot are requested. The most requested would be "Point Your Finger;" "Hot Potato ' and "Monkey Dance."
Q: You toured with Barney the dinosaur a few years ago. Did you learn anything from that experience?
A: (Anthony) We made a lot of friends on the Barney tour and were amazed to see touring on such a big scale.
Q: The Wiggles have achieved a lot through collaboration with other entertainers. Are there plans for further team-ups with other celebrities?
A: (Greg;) I don't think there's any firm plans at this stage. However, now that we are doing fairly well in the USA guess we would like to collaborate with some of our Idols from the US, like maybe John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones.
Q: Although your sound hasn't Changed much, you've integrated a lot of new media/animation techniques and computer technologies into your videos and television shows over the last year. Do you think that the nature of children's entertainment is continuing to evolve and change?
A: (Anthony) New technology has enabled us to do some things we couldn't have in the past such as animation. So this is an area that affords us a flexibility that we didn't have before. People can sometimes forget that entertaining children can also be kept very simple. Children may have many more avenues of access but the fundamentals of child behavior and understanding remain the same.
Q: How can parents ensure that their children are getting the most out of children's entertainment like CDs, videos and television?
A: (Anthony) By making them a part of their lives, (such as) the trip in the car with music playing. Parents and other siblings can take the time to share in the fun and learning experience.
Q: Do you attach a lot of importance to your status as male role models?
A: (Greg) "Studying to be teachers, we were amazed to learn how many children have single mothers, don't have father figures."
Q: Why is Jeff always falling asleep?
A: (Greg) Jeff likes dreaming, therefore to dream, the best thing to do is to sleep. So, that’s why he always falls asleep.
Q: What are Crunchy Munchy Honeycakes?
A: (Anthony) Crunchy Munchy Honeycakes are an old recipe of Grandma Wiggle. You can find it at www.thewiggles.com.au.
2006 Tour Release - Back To Top
THE WORLD’S # 1 PRESCHOOL BAND SETS SAIL FOR THE HIGH SEAS THIS APRIL
WITH THE ALL-NEW LIVE CONCERT TOUR
ALLEN, TX – February 23, 2006 – Ahoy there me hearties! All aboard the S.S. Feathersword with the world’s # 1 preschool band, The Wiggles, as they set sail on the wavy seas with the ALL-NEW live concert tour, Sailing Around the World Live!. The Fab Four from Down Under, along with their friends Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus, will navigate the country embarking on the final leg of their NEW live concert tour on April 14, 2006 in Tacoma, Washington!
Wigglemania is returning to the US this Spring and fans can purchase tickets for their local shows at local box offices, through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling local Ticketmaster offices. For on sale dates in each market of the final leg of the tour, see chart below.
Get set for some around-the-world wiggly fun as Captain Feathersword does his pirate dance on the S.S. Feathersword! With new traveling tunes, including Sailing Around the World, The Wiggles favorite songs, new sets, new scenery and much more, The Wiggles shows are sure to have children and parents rockin’ and rollin’ on the high seas!
In addition, every Wiggles fan can celebrate The Wiggles Sailing Around The World Live! tour,in the comfort of their own home with the full-length feature Sailing Around The World DVD and VHS . Filmed on location from “London Town” to Sicily and San Francisco, everyone will have a great time on this wiggly, giggly global trip.
Following up The Wiggles Yummy Yummy album, which was named the #1 children’s album of 2004, according to Billboard Magazine, the companion Sailing Around the World CD will introduce 13 splish splash’n fun new songs and is available in stores now.
About The Wiggles
The Wiggles , the world’s #1 preschool band, performed over 150 shows to more than 700,000 fans in 2004. On stage, The Wiggles integrate their experience in early childhood education with creativity and interaction resulting in a dynamic combination of live action and audience participation – all with help from a variety of costumed characters. Fans can catch The Wiggles twice daily on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney ™ block. |
