Kim Wilde -

Kim Wilde (born Nov. 18, 1960) is an English pop and dance singer who shot to fame with “Kids in America” from her debut album, followed by the 1982/83 RAK discs Select and Catch as Catch Can. She is the daughter of Fifties rock sensation Marty Wilde and the sister of musician, songwriter, and producer Ricky Wilde: the team behind her early hits, which also include “Chequered Love” “Water on Glass” “View from a Bridge” and the epic “Cambodia.”

In 1986, Wilde scored her second US hit with a Hi-NRG remake of the Supremes classic “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” included on her fifth album Another Step along with “Say You Really Want Me,” noted for its racy 1987 video.

Background

Kim Wilde was born Kim Smith on November 18, 1960, in Chiswick, West London, England. Her parents were singer-songwriter Marty Wilde, born Reginald Smith, and Joyce Baker, a former member of the Vernons Girls. Her younger brother Ricky Wilde began a child-singer career for UK Records under producer Jonathan King. Kim sang backing vocals on his 1972 debut single, “I Am an Astronaut.”

After the family moved from Greenwich to Hertfordshire, Smith transferred from Oakfield boarding school in Dulwich to Tewin Cowper Church of England Primary School. Music teacher Mr Webster encouraged her singing at Tewin Cowper, where the Wilde family also performed benefit concerts for the school. Smith entered Presdales School, a girls’ grammar school in Ware, and left with five O-levels, including an A in art. Joyce Baker practiced vocal harmonies with her daughter at home. Kim also accompanied Marty Wilde on concert dates and studio sessions as a backing singer.

Smith completed a foundation course at St Albans College of Art and Design, where she earned an A in art and sought musicians for a band. Ricky began writing and recording his own songs as Kim finished art college. He used her on backing vocals for the 1980 demos “Tearaway” and “Falling Out,” then presented the recordings to several London record companies. RAK Records founder Mickie Most heard the demos and invited Ricky to remake two songs at the label. Kim returned to RAK to redo her backing parts. Most met her at the session and proposed recording her with RAK songwriters-producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman.

Ricky and Marty Wilde wrote “Kids in America” for Kim after Most expressed interest in her as a solo singer. Ricky and Enid guitarist Stephen Stewart produced the demo at The Lodge. Most signed Smith to RAK Records as Kim Wilde after hearing the recording. RAK issued “Kids in America” in January 1981 as Wilde’s debut single. Ricky Wilde continued production on the recordings that formed her self-titled debut album.

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