The Wiggles

Anthony Field is a registered breeder of Miniature Fox Terriers. As an artist, Charles topped the Hot 100 three times in the 1960s, but always with other writers' songs. However, there has never been a legitimate article stating this as fact. By reaching number-one, "Gold Digger" gave Charles his first Hot 100 chart-topper as a songwriter, credited as a result of the "I Got a Woman" sample. There is an occasional Internet urban legend that Anthony Field is a very distant cousin of New York father-and-son TV weathercasters Frank Field and Storm Field. On the Pop 100, "Gold Digger" also broke a record by jumping from number 94 to number-two, giving West the record for the biggest ever jump on that chart. It can be argued that the Wiggles are among the first cultural influences on the yet-unnamed generation that follows the Millenials, that is, the children of Generation Z. "Gold Digger" also became West's first Top 10 single on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, peaking at number-two.

In the United States, these series are broadcast on the Disney Channel. The song spent ten weeks at the top of the Hot 100 until rising Hip-Hop/R&B star Chris Brown's hit "Run It!" shot up to the pole position for the week of November 19. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has produced several series of Wiggles television programs. The jump ended the fourteen-week run of Carey's "We Belong Together" at number-one, and kept Carey's "Shake It Off" from replacing "We Belong Together" as the number-one single. What are The Wiggles' middle names?:. The high digital download sales helped propel the song from number-nineteen to number-one in one week, the fifth highest jump ever to that position on the Hot 100. Are The Wiggles married and do they have any children?:. "Gold Digger" has sold over 1,000,000 downloads during its seven weeks of release.

How Tall are The Wiggles:. The song broke the record for the most digital downloads sold in one week, and the record for the fastest selling digital single of all time, both previously held by Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl". The Wiggles' Birthdays:. Approximately 80,000 digital downloads of "Gold Digger" were sold through on legal music services such as iTunes and Napster in that first week, making it the most successful digital sales debut ever. The Wiggles recently appeared in the telemovie special Da Kath & Kim Code as guest stars. When Late Registration was released, the album version of "Gold Digger" was first made available for download. A mention is also made in the popular TV series Scrubs in which Doctor Cox makes a reference to "Jeff that Wiggle that sleeps too darn much" while speaking to another cast member. Their concerns were unfounded as "Gold Digger" became a success, hitting number one on the Hot 100, Pop 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and the Hot Rap Tracks charts.

A measure of the Wiggles' growing fame in America is the fact that Captain Feathersword was mentioned in an episode of the acclaimed political TV drama The West Wing. Following the chart performance of "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", which failed to crack the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, West's label became concerned with how a follow up single would perform. By guest-starring on their show, the Wiggles have also introduced non-Australian audiences to performers such as Jimmy Little, Kamahl, and Christine Anu (though many will recognize her by face if not by name). Foxx is also present, lip-synching both his own parts and the Ray Charles vocal sample. They have also recorded with numerous Australian and international music stars including John Fogerty, Tim Finn and Ross Wilson. The titles of the magazines the women appear on the cover of reflect the correlating verses in the song. [1] The group is currently franchising its concept to non-English speaking countries, with the idea already successfully sold in Taiwan, which now has its own Taiwanese Wiggles. Shot in a CinemaScope letterbox format, using stylized art direction with few props, the video features performances shots of West intercut with footage of Williams' trademark female video models depicted as "pin-up" cover models from fictional vintage magazines.

In 2001 The Wiggles were reported to have earned more than A$14 million, a sum which had grown to A$45 million by 2004. The song's music video was directed by Hype Williams, who also directed West's previous video, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone". All the members play a musical instrument, which has become an important educational aspect of their shows. In an ironic final twist which punctuates the sarcasm inherent in the song, West points out that when that hopeful and ambitious broke man finally gets "put on", however, he is very likely to "leave your ass for a white girl.". The Wiggles' music and performances were given an additional strength by the members' interest and experience in live pop music, skills which they incorporate into their CDs, videos and live shows. West urges his female listeners to stick with their man, even if he is a dishwasher or cook at a fast-food restaurant, instead of going after the men with the money. Informed by their studies and teaching expertise, they brought a fresh approach to the genre which, at its worst, could be simplistic, old-fashioned and sometimes downright patronising in both style and content. She even lies to her man about the paternity of her child, resulting in the man supporting the child for 18 years until he discovers he is not the father.

The quality of content was another crucial factor in The Wiggles' success. "Now I ain't saying she a gold digger," West tells his audience, "but she ain't messin with no broke niggas." The woman spends money her man gives her to buy her kid's toys on liposuction and plastic surgery (West comments that the woman was "supposed to buy your shorty (child) tyco wit' your money", but instead "went to the doctor and got "lipo" wit' your money"). Increasing reliability, falling cost and simplicity of operation saw many children in this age group learning how to operate CD players and VCRs themselves. In the song, West and Foxx deliver a tongue-in-cheek criticism of a woman who falsely seduces a man under the true pretense of spending his money, playing into the stereotype of African-American young women as being gold diggers. Crucially for the Wiggles, both the VCR and the CD player were ideally suited to repeat playing, and like TV before them, both technologies were almost immediately harnessed to entertain the preschool children of the late Baby Boomer generation (most of whom had grown up with TV as a constant childhood companion and babysitter). The two also worked on Foxx's latest album, and West features on Foxx's song "Extravaganza". By the early 1990s, the introduction of the new compact disc technology saw CD players emulating the near-universal market penetration of TVs and VCRs. The song is the second collaboration between Foxx and West, following "Slow Jamz" with Twista.

Just as they did with television in the 1960s, Australians took up the domestic video cassette recorder in the 1980s with extraordinary speed, with the result that, by the end of the 1980s there was both a TV and a VCR in more than 90% of Australian households. Though he is given full credit as a featured artist on "Gold Digger," Jamie Foxx's only vocal contribution is the a cappella introduction to the song, an interpolation of Charles's "I Got a Woman" (Foxx opens the song with the line "She take my money/when I'm in need/Yeah she's a trifling/friend indeed," a twist on Charles' original lyrics, "She gives me money/when I'm in need/Yeah she's a kind/of friend to me." A sample of Charles singing the original is repeated throughout the song). By the time the Wiggles became established, two important changes had taken place in the Australian household. The song is built around both a vocal interpolation and a sample of "I Got a Woman", originally performed by Ray Charles and written by Charles and Renald Charles. But they are very good dancers, and help out when they want to. "Gold Digger" was written by Kanye West, and co-produced by West and Jon Brion. They don't speak at all, and they are very mischievous and cheeky. .

The Wagglets are Wags the Dog's 'children' as such, in which he takes care of them in his house. As of December 10th 2005, "Gold Digger" was nominated for "Record of the Year" for the 2006 Grammy Awards. The Wiggles have a rather unusual house, mainly because it's alive! The house can be very moody and stubborn, and in the movie didn't even recognise the wiggles! When the password 'sillypants' is stated, the house opens up like a lolly wrapper, much to the house's dislike, as he says he thinks he's falling apart. It is 2005's second-longest running #1 on The Billboard Hot 100 at 10 weeks, behind Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together". She was only featured in the video/DVD appropriately named 'Wiggle Bay'. The single broke a record for the most digital downloads in a week, selling over 80,000 digital downloads, and is also the fastest selling digital download of all time. She helped the wiggles find their adrift rowing boat when they visited the bay. Based upon elements of the Ray Charles song "I Got a Woman", "Gold Digger" features Jamie Foxx, who portrayed Charles in the 2004 feature film Ray, imitating Charles' vocal style.

Magdelena is a mermaid who lives in the ocean near Wiggle Bay. The second single from West's second album, Late Registration, "Gold Digger" peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming West's and Foxx's second number-one single after 2003's "Slow Jamz" with Twista. In The Wiggles Movie: Magical Adventure, Officer Beaples had a speaking role. "Gold Digger" is a 2005 number-one single recorded by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx, and released by Roc-a-Fella Records. The part is typically mimed; she usually communicates through her whistle, and has many young police officers to teach (As seen on the Wiggles Live Video). Dressed resembling a British bobby, Officer Beaples is played by a woman in drag.

He longs to be like his grandfather Waldo the Great, and finally realized his dream after winning a magic competition in the Wiggles Movie. Wally is a children's magician who, despite his regular tries, fails at being a great magician. Vanessa taught Dorothy how to dance, but was only featured in one video. (A special note is that the video 'Toot Toot Chugga Chugga' Video had a special note at the end acknowledging John's death).

The first Wiggles Chef was John Field Snr., until his death. He was played by former Crowded House drummer Paul Hester until his death in 2005. A friendly cook who taught the wiggles how to cook cold spaghetti, mashed bananas, and hot potatoes.
There are also some minor extra characters featured in some of the videos/DVDs:.

Originally played by Anthony Field and his brother Paul Field, Captain Feathersword is now permanently played by Paul Paddick. A running joke with Captain Feathersword is his use of the phrase "Well, blow me down!", which usually results in the characters nearest him obeying his wishes by blowing him to the ground with a gust of breath. His catch-phrase is "Ahoy There, Me Hearties". Captain Feathersword is a friendly pirate, and is characterised by his pirate coat and hat, eyepatch and eponymous sword made of feathers.

. He is said to have a bubbly personality and loves a good joke. Henry lives under the sea and is the leader of the Underwater Big Band. Henry likes to wave to all his friends simultaneously, an easily accomplished feat considering his eight tentacles.

He wears tartan clothes, a straw hat and black polished shoes on the end of every tentacle. Henry is a fun-loving octopus with purple skin.
. He believes everyone is his friend and is said to love having a good time.

Wags is a skilled Tango dancer. Wags cannot talk, but The Wiggles understand him when he barks. Wags also enjoys digging in his garden. He enjoys eating, and is said to keep The Wiggles up all night if he gets hungry.

Wags is a tall, brown, furry dog with floppy ears and a happy face. Dorothy has a heart of gold and is a very friendly dinosaur. She loves her birthday as The Wiggles always make it a very special fun day for her. She loves dancing, and is known to do ballet, Irish, Scottish, and line dancing.

Dorothy is 5 Dinosaur years old, and is very wise for her age. She wears a floppy white hat and enjoys eating roses. Dorothy is a large green dinosaur with yellow spots. Occasionally touring without The Wiggles as "Dorothy The Dinosaur And Friends", they enable the group to maintain a touring presence even when The Wiggles themselves are off the road.

They were developed in the early 1990s, and were originally played by group members and by Anthony's brother Paul, but are now played by hired actors. Aside from the four Wiggles, there are many secondary characters that appear in their many songs and shows. American audiences responded warmly to the freewheeling Wiggles style and they now regularly sell out major venues around the country. audiences with the same easygoing presentation style that they had used in Australia.

Their early experiences touring in the USA with the 'Barney' shows -- which reportedly featured high production values but lacked spontaneity -- showed The Wiggles that they could break through to U.S. Their stage routines are often augmented by some gentle ironic humour aimed at the adults, although this is never done cynically, or at the expense of the children. They have, notably, made few concessions to the cultural imperatives supposedly prevalent in the American media, and they still display the same relaxed, accessible and good-natured performance style that was evident in their earlier Australian work. Although their live shows have lately become increasingly sophisticated, the Wiggles' basic style has changed little since their earliest days and a Wiggles concert can be enjoyed by parents and children alike.

Aside from their commitment, dedication and sheer hard work, a crucial aspect in The Wiggles' American success has been their on-stage spontaneity, humour and talent for improvisation. They now regularly play to packed houses across the USA, have performed at both Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, and have appeared on TV shows such as the NBC "Today" show and the Regis Philbin talk show, as well as featuring in several Thanksgiving Parades in New York City. Since it was originally shown from 1997 to 1999, and in 2002 (also entitled Network Wiggles or Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles!) on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Kids, The Wiggles are now seen nationally in the USA on the Disney Channel and as a result their popularity has sky-rocketed. After an initial slow entry into the United States market (touring with the organization that produces the Barney & Friends children's show), the Wiggles secured a breakthrough deal with The Walt Disney Company, and saw their videos and TV series screened to preschool children across America.

that they had their first major international success. Their first overseas tours brought the Wiggles to the United States and Britain in the mid-1990s, but like many other Australian acts, it was in the U.S. They performed literally hundreds of shows each year, their videos and CDs sold in ever increasing numbers and they regularly won every major industry award in their category. After several years of relentless touring around Australia, the group were firmly established as the most successful children's entertainment act Australia had ever seen.

With international exposure, the group became extremely popular in the United States and elsewhere in the 2000s. Their first CD, released in 1991, is the only recording to feature founding member Philip Wilcher, who left the group soon after the CD's release. Their combination of kid-friendly songs, videos and characters were a quick hit in Australia in the early 1990s. The group was able to capitalise on the contacts and goodwill that The Cockroaches had built up during the 1980s -- that band toured regularly and successfully throughout Australia -- and they also built up their performance expertise and public exposure with occasional busking around Sydney, although they would undoubtedly be mobbed if they were to attempt this today.

They developed a hugely successful system where receipts for their shows were split with the centres, who were able to use the popular Wiggles concerts as lucrative fund-raising events. Originally a five-piece group, the Wiggles began their career playing at pre-schools and childcare centres. They have also been able to successfully respond to criticism of the content of their act by pointing out the sound theoretical and educational bases of their work. They have been (unfairly) accused of pandering to allegedly 'trendy' notions of political correctness, but the Wiggles were in that case able to defend themselves by pointing out that the composition of the group -- including the Chinese-Australian Jeff Fatt -- was a matter of pure happenstance which arose out of a simple necessity, rather than being a concept deliberately created to try and exploit a market or imitate an existing act (e.g Hi-5).

Although there is now regular coverage of their ongoing financial success, The Wiggles near-universal popularity has meant that they have only rarely been victims of the so-called "tall poppy syndrome", though they have occasionally come in for some mild criticism. In the process their success has spawned a slew of lesser imitators including The Hooley Dooleys and the 'concept' children's group Hi-5. Thanks to a productive (if occasionally difficult) alliance with the ABC, the Wiggles created a distinctive blend of music, comedy and educational content that saw them rise over the course of the 1990s to become the most popular and successful children's group in Australian entertainment history, and then in turn become one of the most successful Australian entertainment exports of all time. Children's entertainment was up to this time dominated by presence of the long-running ABC-TV children's program Playschool, who marketed much of the most successful children's material, and whose various presenters often performed at children's concerts and similar events.

In Australia it had become a small but profitable "cottage industry" which operated in fairly traditional styles. Up to this time, the mass-market potential of entertainment for preschool children had yet to be tapped to its full extent. Their shows were such a hit with young audiences that they soon found themselves in regular demand and they soon discovered that could earn considerably more working as children's entertainers than as preschool teachers (a profession that is notoriously underpaid in Australia). The original five Wiggles initially teamed up to produce a music performance project for their studies.

Like Field, Cook had experience playing on the booming Sydney live rock scene of that period; he had played bass in a minor Sydney 1980s pop band, Finger Guns, while working as a clerk at the Australian Taxation Office. Page, the youngest of the group, had come into the course straight from high school, but Cook, Field and Wilcher were all mature-age students. Field enrolled in early childhood studies at Macquarie University in Sydney in the late 1980s, and it was here that he met three other students who were also musicians -- classically trained pianist Philip Wilcher, guitarist and singer Murray Cook and vocalist Greg Page. Anthony Field (vocals, guitar) and Jeff Fatt (vocals, keyboards) had been members of The Cockroaches, a popular eighties pub rock band who toured widely and had a number of Top 40 hits in Australia.

The animal characters also enabled them to create a (hugely successful) range of merchandising items that did not have to rely exclusively on the Wiggles own personae. The inclusion of the Dorothy character was one of their most successful innovations, since it enabled them to tap into the massive expansion of interest of dinosaurs among young children. The basic act was later augmented with popular supporting characters -- the parodic pirate Captain Feathersword (Paul Paddick) and the animal characters Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus and Wags the Dog. This simple device also allows the Wiggles to go about in public (at least in Australia) with relative ease, since children rarely recognise them without their trademark colors.

The colour coding is -- Greg, yellow; Murray, red; Anthony, blue; Jeff, purple. Very early on, they adopted differently coloured shirts for each member, which assisted their recognition by very young children, and they invariably wear the Wiggles 'uniform' when appearing as The Wiggles in the media or in public. The Wiggles originally consisted of five people, but for almost all of their career the lineup has consisted of the remaining four founder members. The Wiggles also adapted the Bob Wills tune "Silver Bells That Ring In The Night" with a duck-like "quack quack-quack" in the refrain.

Much of the Wiggles' music was written by John Field, the brother of the blue wiggle - Anthony. Another distinctive feature of the group's songs is easy-to-repeat gestures, such as the "romp bomp a chomp" hand motions in the song "Dorothy the Dinosaur". These costumed characters include Dorothy the Dinosaur (a horticulturalist dinosaur who eats only roses), Captain Feathersword (a harmless pirate), Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, and Officer Beaples (a female police officer who communicates through mime). Wiggles songs are often about simple topics that children can relate to: sleeping ("Rock A Bye Bear", "Wake Up Jeff"), eating ("Fruit Salad"), animals ("Do the Monkey", "Rockabye Your Bear", "Ponies") or the cast of characters created for their home videos and TV shows.

. The Wiggles are an Australian band who specialise in creating and performing music for preschool children. Anthony Wiggle Field. Jeff Wiggle Fatt.

Murray Wiggle Cook. Greg Wiggle Page. Jeff - single with no children. Anthony - married with two children.

Greg - married with two children. Murray - married with two children. Jeff: 177 cm (5'10"). Anthony: 182cm (6').

Murray: 192 cm (6'3 1/2"). Greg: 194 cm (6'4 1/2"). Jeff: 21st July. Murray: 30th June.

Anthony: 8th May. Greg: 16th January. Greg wears a yellow shirt, drives the Big Red Car, and often performs magic tricks. Originally, he wore a green shirt but switched to blue because Dorothy is green.

Anthony eats healthy food, especially fruit salad. Murray wears a red shirt and plays a guitar. Jeff wears a purple shirt and falls asleep (children are asked to shout 'Wake Up Jeff!').