Ricky Wilde | |
|---|---|
 Wilde in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ricki Steven Reginald Smith |
| Also known as | Ricki Wilde |
| Born | (1961-11-06)6 November 1961 (age 63)[citation needed] |
| Origin | England, UK |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, musician, record producer |
| Labels | UK Records |
| Father | Marty Wilde |
| Relatives |
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Ricky Wilde (bornRicki Steven Reginald Smith, 6 November 1961, sometimes credited asRicki Wilde) is a British songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the younger brother of singerKim Wilde; their father is singer-actorMarty Wilde.
At the age of eleven, Wilde was signed by record producerJonathan King to King'sUK Records 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. The children's magazineLook-in featured Wilde andDonny Osmond on the cover in June 1973 with the headline "Is Ricky Wilde the new Donny?".[1] Subsequent singles were "Do It Again, a Little Bit Slower", "I Wanna Go to a Disco" and "Teen Wave". [2] However, the singles were not successful in the UK, although he was featured inyouth magazines at the time and appeared with his father alongside eleven years old pop rival Darren Burn inBBC Television'sMan Alive documentary filmTwinkle Twinkle Little Star, made in July 1973. [3] He had somehits inScandinavia and Spain at the time.
Recordings of new material in 1980 led to the 'discovery' of his sister Kim. Ricky'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. [4] After Kim Wilde paused her career in pop music, Ricky Wilde continued to work in themusic industry. In 2005 he was one of the initiators of the band, Sonic Hub, and of the record label Sonic Hub Records.
He co-directed the filmShoot The DJ, released in 2010.
"I Am an Astronaut" was covered bySnow Patrol for theSave the Childrencompilation albumColours Are Brighter; it also featured as aB-side to their single "Open Your Eyes". It was translated intoSwedish, and recorded by nine-year-oldLinus Wahlgren in 1985. The Swedish version was later covered by Wahlgren's nephewBenjamin Ingrosso in 2007, also at nine years of age. [5] Ricky started a podcast with famous blogger Lee Bennett and Eastenders soap star Jake Wood called 'Unsung Heroes', talking to songwriters and producers behind the scenes in the music industry.
Wilde has namedOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) as "heroes" and a key source of inspiration.[6][7] Other influences have includedUltravox,John Foxx,Gary Numan,Skids,Sex Pistols,the Clash,Kraftwerk andthe Stranglers.[8]
Wilde has writing and production credits onKim Wilde albums.
[Ricky Wilde:] Andy [McCluskey] appeared from nowhere and sat next to me, and I finally thanked him for all the inspiration.
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