The original members pictured left. Greg Page, the yellow wiggle, Murray Cook, the red wiggle, Jeff Fatt, the purple wiggle and Anthony Field the blue wiggle are the four main Wiggles. They are also accompanied by Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Henry the Octopus and Wags the Dog.
When I heard on the news yesterday that three of the four Wiggles would be retiring I, along with many others across the globe, were quite upset about it. The Wiggles have been entertaining the world since 1991 and have sold over 7 million CD's since then.
Songs like 'Big Red Car', 'Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy' and 'Hot Potato' have been entertaining children for what feels like an eternity. Those catchy tunes have been stuck in peoples minds for years and it will be sad to see three of the members depart.
The Wiggles have become a phenomenon across the world. Holding sell out tours, selling millions of CD's and DVD's (and back in the day cassette tapes and VHS) across the world they are one of the most successful 'bands' of all time.
Page, Cook and Field had a great advantage with playing for children. Having studied Early Childhood Education at University they were able to think of words and tunes that would be stuck in a child's mind for hours even days on end. This could be the main attribute to their success. Either way their music is one of a kind and cannot be copied in any way shape or form.
When Page got sick in 2006 he was forced into an early retirement. He was succeeded by his understudy Sam Moran who had huge shoes to fill but turned out to be quite capable of the job. In 2012 The Wiggles announced that Page would be returning to The Wiggles leaving Sam without a spot in the band.
While Page, Cook and Fatt are retiring it is not the end of The Wiggles... yet.
From left to right: Greg Page, Emma Watkins, Murray Cook, Simon Pryce, Jeff Fatt, Lachlan Gillespie and Anthony Field (front) |
The controversy and devastation surrounding the departure of three members of The Wiggles has left some people fuming about Page coming back and taking the job off Moran and now retiring at the end of the year anyway.
So while some people will be angry about the retirements and others will be upset one thing is for certain, there will be many tears shared across the world throughout their farewell tour. So long as the 'new' Wiggles continue making great sounding music for all kids to enjoy then they are still successful.
The original Wiggles legacy is set to live on in the hearts of millions for years to come.
Article:
Zavan, M 2012, The Wiggles announce retirements, 9NEWS, accessed 18 May 2012, <http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8469177/wiggles-announce-major-line-up-changes>.
Article/Picture:
Murphy, D & Sams, C 2012, Three original Wiggles to hang up their skivvies, Brisbane Times, accessed 18 May 2012, <http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/music/three-original-wiggles-to-hang-up-their-skivvies-20120517-1yto0.html>.
Picture:
Cuneo, C 2012, The Wiggles reveal new line-up after Jeff Fatt, Murry Cook and Greg Page announce retirement, Perth Now, accessed 18 May 2012, <http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/could-the-wiggles-be-ready-to-hang-up-skivvies/story-e6frg30l-1226359111632>.
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