InfoAnda - Australia's Wiggles still on song after 20 years

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Taiwan ex-president back in jail as probe wraps up | International | | 19 November 2008
Jewish settlers given 72 hours to leave Hebron house | 16 November 2008
Bag With $100,000 Falls Off Armored Truck, Only $13,000 Returned | 26 March 2010

US jobless claims rise for second week | 18 December 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Australia's Wiggles still on song after 20 years

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Australia's Wiggles still on song after 20 years AFP - Monday, September 20 Send IM Story Print Australia's Wiggles still on song after 20 years SYDNEY (AFP) - – They went from student project to global fame, out-selling Kylie Minogue, but Australian children's band The Wiggles say they're amazed by their success as they prepare to celebrate 20 years. "All we wanted was to (make) really great theatre for children, great music for children," says Blue Wiggle Anthony Field. "But it wasn't a career, we didn't want to make money from it, we had no vision to travel." The colourful quartet, dressed in their trademark blue, red, yellow and purple high-necked shirts, are so beloved by children they can fill Madison Square Garden and reap tens of millions of US dollars in annual sales. Their success made them Australia's most profitable entertainers for four years in a row, outstripping Minogue, Keith Urban and rockers AC/DC, and made household names of characters Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog. "It's all been a great surprise for us, how it's gone and where it's gone -- all over the world now. It's amazing for us," Field tells AFP. The simple formula of catchy children's tunes with sing-along lyrics and entertaining dances was born in 1991, when Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page were studying to become pre-school teachers. Among just a handful of men in their Macquarie University course of about 500 women, the trio bonded over their love of music, and decided to record an album for a class project. Field was in an established rock band called "The Cockroaches", and asked bandmate Jeff Fatt if he'd mind helping with the home-recorded album, which cost 4,000 dollars (3,700 US) to make but sold 100,000 copies. "How long will it take?" asked Fatt, who was renovating his house at the time. Twenty years later, and Fatt is still turning out as the famously sleepy Purple Wiggle, who has excitable young audiences screaming, "Wake up Jeff!" and laughing at his headstands. The keen surfer and cyclist, now greying at the temples and just past his 57th birthday, says "staying fit and healthy" is the secret to keeping up with the boisterous young audiences. "Just doing the shows is enough, because they're very physical and very demanding. You do have to watch what you eat," he says. Field knew they had stumbled on something special when he lent their first recording to parents at a pre-school and one mother returned it the next day because her son was playing it non-stop. "We've always tried to speak to children in a language that they understand and that they can relate to, we sing about things that are in their world, not the world of adults," said Field, 47. "Children really do think differently to adults and we've tried to accommodate that, we haven't tried to make them think like us." Field, a one-time soldier and army medic, also has a strong following among mothers and was named Australia's 1999 Bachelor of the Year by Cleo Magazine. He named the band after a Cockroaches song, "Mr Wiggle's Back in Town" and dedicated their self-titled first album to his niece whose sudden cot-death in 1988 prompted his pre-school studies. The Wiggles are now a global cultural force with CD, DVD, ticket and merchandise sales to match, and will be the subject of an exhibition at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum to celebrate their 20th year in 2011. The success is hard-earned: The Wiggles spend between seven and eight months a year on the road. Cook, 50, says the time away from their partners and children is not easy, but the rewards are worth it. "We hear a lot from families with children that have autism that we really make a connection with them, and they communicate much more in some cases after they've experienced The Wiggles. It's really rewarding and wonderful," he said. His 13-year-old son doesn't always appreciate the fame ("mainly because it draws attention to me and by association to him") but Cook says most young Australians have an affectionate place in their heart for the group. "It's kind of like nostalgia, they remember when they were little," he said. Sam Moran, 32, replaced a chronically ill Page as the Yellow Wiggle in 2006, and he brought a new sound to the troupe, with classical training and a background in musical theatre. He says simply taking off their signature long-sleeved shirts is the band's "best disguise". "I wore a yellow T-shirt accidentally once, not thinking. I never wore it again," he says, remembering attracting intense attention. And of the next 20 years? "Aching bones!" exclaims Field. "No, we love it." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles China ups pressure on Japan over boat row AFP - 18 minutes ago Muslim rebels clash with Phillipine troops AFP - 31 minutes ago Ghost of communal riots haunts India mosque verdict Reuters - 54 minutes ago Fijian dies 'suddenly' at Sydney immigration centre AFP - 54 minutes ago After pummelling Taiwan, storm Fanapi hits China AFP - 1 hour 6 minutes ago News Search Top Stories IMF-EU delay Greek bank tests: report BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead' Australia warns of C.Games terror attack 'risk' Pakistan cricket chief says England threw game Cancer: New gene clues point to women's 'silent killers' More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Lindsay Lohan fails drug test, faces jail again Sunderland deny Arsenal win in Premier League Samsung takes aim at Apple's iPad, iTunes BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead' Wall Street ends week up, awaits Fed meeting More Most Viewed » Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss US pastor puts Koran-burning on hold 'Time bomb' superbug requires global response: doctor Japanese rider Tomizawa dies in San Marino Moto2 GP Vitamin B 'could delay Alzheimer's onset' More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 20 September 2010
Egypt's spy chief meets Hamas leader in Saudi
Dutch police arrest terror suspect at airport: prosecutors
Iran denies detaining seven US troops
Ahmadinejad calls on U.S. to release 8 Iranians |
Germany's HRE bank defends millions in bonus payments
Four die as woman opens fire in German town |
Boxer Hatton denies cocaine problem
ETA says ready to go further for peace
United, Continental Airlines Stockholders Approve Merger
Florida Couple Plead Guilty To Forcing Foreigners Into Cheap Labor
Virginia Governor Refuses To Call Off Woman's Execution
Police Fear Group Suicide Plot In LA Area
Nigeria security adviser quits to challenge Jonathan |
Iran Denies Arresting U.S. Troops
Dutch arrest terrorism suspect at Schiphol |
Electronic Payment Solution Processes $6 Billion
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Ben Affleck steals box office crown with "Town"
Yemen Outlaws Motorcycles
England cricketer appears naked in gay magazine
Germany's beer fest deploys stench-eating bacteria
UK police leader says: 'decriminalise cannabis'
S.African maize may feed Chinese chickens
China's Sinochem asks government to back Potash bid
Global brands face growing labour militancy in Asia
Ben Affleck steals box office crown with Town |
King's Speech wins top Toronto film fest prize |
Twin Baghdad car bombs kill 29
US hiker feels 'one-third free' as friends stay in Iran jail
Sweden coalition lose majority as far-right surge
China media warn Japan over escalating sea row |
US-TECH Summary
Four killed in Germany shootings: police
BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead'
American released from Iran prison says she's no spy |
Ahmadinejad calls on U.S. to release 8 Iranians
Apple's latest iPhone to go on sale in China on Saturday
Australia warns of C.Games terror attack 'risk'
Oracle unveils new hardware for managing cloud computing
'Serious concern' over fraud at Afghan elections
Swedish center-right wins vote, losses majority |
American Detained In Iran Arrives Home
Pakistan cricket chief says England threw game
Toyota Settles Runaway Lexus Accident Claims With Relatives Of Dead Victims
Cancer: New gene clues point to women's 'silent killers'
Dutch arrest British terrorism suspect at Schiphol |
"Modern Family" Releasing Complete 1st Season Blu-Ray, DVD
Facebook denies plans to build its own phone
Missing ‘Cult’ Members Found Praying In Park
'Hacktivity 2010' tackles computer security in Hungary
EU acts to extend digital switchover to remote and elderly
Strong German opposition to Google Street View: report
Moral search engines squeeze out sin on Internet
Ghost of communal riots haunts India mosque verdict |
Tajikistan blames Islamist militants for ambush |
After pummelling Taiwan, storm Fanapi hits China
Hurricane Igor passes Bermuda with no direct hit
Rich donors urge rethink of aid at U.N. poverty meet |
Lockerbie bomber 'can get out of bed, walk'
13 dead in India train crash: officials
Pope, ending his trip, recalls Nazi terror in WW2 |
Top Mideast officials fly to US as peace talks crisis looms
Q+A
Woman opens fire in German town, four killed |
Seven held in China over new tainted milk find: report
Indonesian anti-terror squad kills three suspects
Randy Quaid arrested for squatting in old home
Police probe Delhi shooting amid fear for C.Games
Italian press blasts "Eat Pray Love" as kitsch
Powerful typhoon heads for China after lashing Taiwan
'The King's Speech' wins Toronto film fest award
Australia warns 'high risk of terrorism' at C.Games
Affleck heist film tops US box office
Malaysia buys China bonds in boost for renminbi: report
Australia's Wiggles still on song after 20 years
Oracle unveils new hardware for managing cloud computing |
Protesters urge Madrid to adopt debate on bullfighting ban
Typhoon injures 107, shuts plants in Taiwan; China next
Facebook denies plans to build its own phone |
"King's Speech" wins top Toronto film fest prize
Seoul shares rangebound in light pre-holiday trade
Apple's latest iPhone to go on sale in China on Saturday |
S.Korean bonds edge up in thin pre-holiday trade
Seoul shares open lower;caution before holiday
RPT-PREVIEW-Taiwan August export orders seen up 20.2 pct y/y
NZ services sector growth picks up in August
Indian group weighs MGM bid: report
China a beacon for foreign clean tech firms
Indonesian companies cash in on boom times
China central bank adviser says no to yuan pressure: report
Randy Quaid arrested for squatting in old home |
Lindsay Lohan tweets that she failed drug test |
YouTube and Guggenheim showcase video artists |
Italian press blasts Eat Pray Love as kitsch |
Special report
Competition watchdog fines French banks 384 mln euros
Karzai believes too early to judge Afghan election |
Dell to invest $100 billion in China by 2020
Iran hits at U.N. nuclear watchdog, defies West
Iran hits at U.N. nuclear watchdog, defies West |
New film to chronicle the birth of Facebook
BP oil spill costs hit $9.5 bln
UK forces hand over Afghan district to US
IMF-EU delay Greek bank tests: report
Bill Clinton philanthropy meeting eyes Haiti, Pakistan |
Pastor Terry Jones Billed $180K For Security Surrounding Protest
Israel angered over Russian plan to sell Syria missiles
Special report: Tracking Iran's nuclear money trail to Turkey |
Fraud claims cast shadow over Afghan poll
Senate Candidate Dabbled In Occult
Mladic arrest vital for war crimes courts: prosecutor |
Missing Georgia Boy May Be In Danger
Iran presses US as freed American returns
IBM To Buy Netezza For $1.7 Billion
U.N. chief urges donors not to divert aid from poor |
Abercrombie Up Against Hawaii Lt. Gov. In November Governor Race
Ireland needs to rethink budget plan: central bank government |
Afghan vote observers: Fraud must be investigated
Canadian Aborigine Leaders Want U.S. To Stop "Dirty Oil" Flow
Many Cases Of Childhood Obesity Could Be Caused By Viruses
Kids With H1N1 Had More Seizures Than Those With Seasonal Flu
British troops leave volatile Afghan district
India snubbed by Kashmir separatists
UK hands over violent Afghan district to U.S. troops |
Japan calls for calm as China boat row escalates
Homes Destroyed After Guardmen's Training Sparks Fire
"The Town" Finishes First Place, "Easy A" Debuts Strong At Second
Ousted Malaysian sultan mounts legal challenge
New TV thriller "Event" a test of viewer patience
Australia and U.S. warn citizens as India probes shooting
Lady Gaga, Katy Perry lead MTV Europe nominations
China media warn Japan over escalating sea row
"Monsters" sets standard for guerrilla filmmaking
World powers to tackle climate amid skepticism
Anwar loses bid to strike out sodomy charges
YouTube and Guggenheim showcase video artists
Thai army says grenades missing
India seeks upgrades for BlackBerry monitoring: sources |
Muslim rebels clash with Phillipine troops
Verizon names new COO, likely CEO successor |
BUY OR SELL-S.Korean retailers: How long can they outperform?
Ghost of communal riots haunts India mosque verdict
Special Report: Welcome to Nokia, Mr Elop |
Cambodian PM to urge Obama to cancel "dirty" debt
Vietnam's mooncakes 'grease wheels of commerce'
IBM to buy analytics firm Netezza for $1.7 billion |
Seoul shares end slightly up in pre-holiday trade
Q+A-How China trade will help Taiwan retool its economy
Germany debating privacy with Google and peers |
PAKISTAN
NZ consumer confidence flat in Sept
New TV thriller Event a test of viewer patience |
Fashion world bids farewell to Alexander McQueen |
Lady Gaga, Katy Perry lead MTV Europe nominations |
King's Speech wins top Toronto film fest prize |
India seeks upgrades for BlackBerry monitoring: sources
Monsters sets standard for guerrilla filmmaking |
Germany debating privacy with Google and peers
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01