They’re wild about Kim…

Kim Wilde, daughter of fifties idol Marty, is currently one of the music industry’s hottest properties. From Kids in America just two years ago she has grown into a pop phenomenon, Britain’s answer to Blondie bombshell Debbie Harry.
And on New Year’s Eve, a time when television normally unwraps entertainment stalwarts to man the Hogmanay ramparts, Miss Wilde gets her own documentary. First Time Out, which goes out on ITV early this evening, is a close up of the preparations and launch of Kim’s first British tour this autumn. It marks her baptism as a live performer – she did eight days in Denmark just before the UK tour – and people warned her against allowing the cameras to film it.
“They said I’d have enough to do just getting ready. But it was my first British tour. I wanted it documented.”
The young woman sitting in a small office at Rak Records in North West London didn’t look anything like a sex symbol and was treating a bad bout of flu by alternating sips of tea with sticks of bright pink chewing gum. The spiky blonde hair was pulled bac kfrom her face with a length of black lace ,her feet were encased in beige school socks and black trainers. She wore black baggy trousers, an old vest and two jumpers.

Natural

“It’s been a long, long year”, she explained, dosing herself with another piece of chewing gum. “The last three months have been really incredible.” She brings out her diary to illustrate the point. Concert dates, television appearances in this country and abroad, recording the video for a single.
“I’ve got nothing written down in November. That probably means I was working so hard I didn’t have time to write my diary.” Her laughter is warm and natural. She could be a girl from any London college and discussing her social life with a friend.

Kim might well have been studying for an art degree now, as the college she chose had not turned her down for a place. “It was Kingston Poly, I think. When I first went to look round I remember they were playing some really great music in the refectory.”
As it was, Kim got involved in the career of brother Ricky, hung around the recording studios, did backing vocals and tried to make a break into the music business.
“Ricky had written this single Kids in America and he asked me if I wanted to sing it. I was really taken aback.”
A demonstration tape was prepared and played to the man who is Rak Records, legendary pop manager Mickey Most. He liked the song and Kim – and her career – were launched with a chart success. Since then, hit has followed on hit and Kim has shown herself equal to the pace. It has brought its rewards. Kim now drives a BMW and had a two week exotic holiday before Christmas. But she is still very much a home bird. Christmas and New Year will be spent with the family and she still lives in the family home in Hertfordshire. She likes Joni Mitchell and her favourite single at the moment is Sexual Healing, by Marvin Gaye.

Lucky boots

She does admit to one lucky charm – a pair of black boots that accompany her on tour and continually appear in publicity stills. “You look at a picture of me and the chances are I’ve got them on. They’ve been round the world with me. I got them about five years ago. They had a high heel, were fairly pointed and they had mesh round the sides. When I bought them I was still at school and I suddenly thought ‘Where am I going to wear boots like this?’ I stuck them in the back of the wardrobe. Then with Kids in America and everything I started wearing them again. I picked all the glitter off. They were real disco boots. They’ve held up really well.”