ParentGuide^® Spotlight Interview with The Wiggles

Grab your featherswords and red roses and head to the St. Pete Times Forum on November 22nd to see The Wiggles stage show, “Pop Go the Wiggles Live!”

In advance of the show, ParentGuide^® was granted this exclusive interview with Murray Cook (aka the Red Wiggle).

The Australian Invasion

By Pamela Settle

It’s the mid 1960s and four mop-topped British musicians are invading the United States, and the world, with their music, eventually leaving a mark on history that no one predicted.

It’s 40 years later and four bright-shirted Australian musicians are invading the United States, and the world, with their music, currently creating a history of their own.

Music aficionados may be cringing at the comparison, but attend a Wiggles live show and see enough singing, yelling, jumping, dancing and laughing to be convinced that these young children love the Wiggles the way Boomers loved the Beatles back in their heyday.

The Wiggles story begins humbly on a college campus in Australia where a group of young men turned their childhood education music project into a record. Their original goal was to match the local competition by selling at least 3,000 copies.

In 1991, that self-titled first release sold 100,000 copies and quickly exploded into the global phenomenon that is The Wiggles. According to Murray Cook, better known as the Red Wiggle, they never imagined their simple desire to connect with young children through music would make them superstars.

“We didn’t look much further than the first record,” said Cook. “It wasn’t a business exercise for us, we just wanted to do something fun that used our education. Looking back, I see that the key to our success has been that we always keep our audience in mind.”

With nearly two decades of videos, tours and TV shows behind them, The Wiggles have earned status as childhood icons. Young people throughout the world have grown up wiggling, singing and dancing to this special brand of wiggly fun.

So how does it feel to know that young people will someday soon share happy, wiggly memories with children of their own? “It’s a great privilege and I feel really proud to be a part of this work that is making such enduring connections,” replied Cook.

“It also makes me feel quite old. I recently met a grandmother who took her child to shows and now that same woman is taking her grandchildren,” added Cook.

Cook is quite aware that the world is full of teenagers who grew up watching The Wiggles. His own children are 12 and 14 and while his son would never admit that it’s cool to have the Red Wiggle as a dad, his daughter and her friends are big fans.

The Wiggles longevity can be attributed to their mutual love of music and their sincere desire to influence children in a positive way. “We want children to learn through participation and to know that whether they are dancing, clapping, singing or playing an instrument that every one of them can be involved in music,” said Cook.

An unintentional by product of all the musical wiggling is some much-needed exercise at a time when childhood obesity is a serious concern in the United States. “It’s definitely not sedentary TV. We get them moving!” he added.

On top of their significant contribution to the entertainment of pre-schoolers, The Wiggles are also helping underprivileged children through Unicef. As Ambassadors, they held a benefit concert in their native Australia and have recently recorded a song for the charity about the importance of washing hands.

“In my ideal world, all children would be free from disease, war and poverty and would live long, fruitful lives,” said Cook when asked what he wishes for all children. “Our work with Unicef is one way we can help children be safe and happy.”

The Wiggles’ worldwide influence is massive, but it starts with an individual family every time a parent introduces a young child to their musical entertainment. If given the opportunity to speak to that parent, what would Murray the Red Wiggle say?

“Cherish them now. There may be difficulties with young children from time to time, but don’t lose sight of where you are. Make the most of this time.”

October is the season to Trick or Treat for Unicef. For more information about this annual event visit their website at www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat.