Kim Wilde(金懷德)

Kim Wilde - born Kim Smith on 18th Nov 1960 in Hertfordshire, UK, daughter of 50s singer Marty Wilde. Released her debut single ‘Kids In America’ in 1981 at the age of 21. The song was written by her dad and her brother Ricky, ironically Kim had never been to America at the time. ‘Kids in America’ was a huge success in the UK and around the world (UK no. 2 hit). Her debut album ‘Kim Wilde’(released on RAK records) was released in July 1981 and stayed in the UK album charts for 14 weeks, peaking at number 3. Two more hits from her debut were released ‘Chequered Love’ & ‘Water on Glass’. Her second album ‘Select’(released May 1982) contained more hits ‘Cambodia’ and ‘View From a Bridge’. Her 3rd album (and last album with RAK) ‘Catch as Catch Can’ was released in Nov 1983 and was not a huge success (‘Love Blonde’ and ‘Dancing In the Dark’ from the album were only minor hits). When Kim signed with MCA records in 1984, many believed that her run of hits were over - they were wrong. Kim’s first album with MCA ‘Teases & Dares’ (released Nov 1984)was not a huge commercial success but was a huge success with critics and fans alike. It included 3 hit singles including ‘Rage To Love’ her first top 20 hit in 2 years. In Oct 1986 Kim released a cover of the Supremes song ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ on’ - it was a huge hit, number 2 in the UK and in the singles chart for 14 weeks, even better the song got to number 1 in the USA. Kim was now a superstar around the globe. ‘Another Step’ (her 5th studio album) was released in Nov 1986 and spent 5 weeks in the UK charts. The title track (a duet with Junior) and ‘Say You Really Want me’ were also singles.