Kiddie a Go-Go post #3: UK’s Ricky Wilde

I am on X-Mas holiday and so here I am with a few more posts than usual!

Continuing on our Rock n’ roll children’s theme, I figured it would be nearly impossible to not post about Ricky Wilde. Ricky Wilde is the tops! In fact, this is so good, every other “kiddie a Go-Go” posting I will do after this will pale in comparison. But it’s just so great, I couldn’t wait until the end!

Born November 6, 1961 in the UK, Ricky was/is the brother of singer Kim Wilde, and the son of Marty Wilde.

This was his first single released in 1972 (at the age of 11), called “I Am An Astronaut” with the freakin’ fantastic B-Side “The Hertfordshire Rock”. Both these songs are so great that I’m amazed they didn’t do well. Was it because they were sung by a child? What the hell is wrong with you, world?!

“I am an Astronaut” has that innocent quality mixed with superb Bowie-esque arrangements and is just a great tune on its own. “The Hertfordshire Rock” is its evil rock and roll B-Side with intense guitars and lyrics no one can really make out (or is that just me?). If only René Simard would have gotten quality tunes like these!

Anyhoo, other later titles by Ricky included the quality glam tunes “I Wanna Go to a Disco” and “Teen Wave” (both my favorite of his). Unfortunately, things didn’t go so well for Ricky saleswise and stardom did not come a-knockin’ at the door in the UK, but he did find a fan base in Sweden (where this single originates from – thanks Sasha!).

Ricky Wilde produced his sister’s mega hit song “Kids in America” and continued to work in the music industry as a songwriter and producer. I sincerely hope you enjoy these!

Photo of young Ricky taken from Pop45

Ricky Wilde – I am an Astronaut
Ricky Wilde – The Hertfordshire Rock

Un rayon de soleil

So just the other day at work I was happily singing out loud “Un rayo de sol, woh-oh-oh! La la la la la, woh-oh-oh!” over and over, until my boss finally snapped and asked “What the HELL are you singing??”. I had no clue what to answer, even though I knew I was singing La Pendilla’s version of Un rayo de sol. What could I say? “Well, it’s this Spanish children’s album I have and uh….”. Oh no, trust me, I now know when to avoid the blank stares of complete incomprehension. So I just said “something to bring in the…uh…sun?” (since it’s been raining every day for a month here now anyway).

Last week I thought I should start posting more, and that’s when I decided I would start posting a new series of mp3s: kiddie a go-go! Before you cringe and decide to no longer visit this blog, ever, listen to La Pendilla’s “A-chi-li-pu”. It kind of kicks ass.

La Pendilla was the brainchild of Pepe Aguirre, and most of the band members were his children or nieces and nephews. The band was originally from Spain but was most popular in South America. I can’t say I know more about this cute bunch, so if anyone wants to chip in, please feel free.

Next week: Keith Green!

La Pendilla – A-chi-li-pu
La Pendilla – Canciones
La Pendilla – Un rayo de sol