One Wilde year of fame

Arriving several minutes late at the London recording studios Kim Wilde, dressed in jeans and leather-studded jacket, launched breathlessly into a string of ingenuous excuses, bringing instant pardon.

‘I overslept… I couldn’t get my car started. I had a late night… went out to dinner… had a bit to drink. Anyway…’ she ran a hand through her spikey blonde hair, and the pouting lips broke into a big smile… ‘anyway, I’m sorry.’

Her life-style speeded up almost exactly a year ago, whe nshe was 20, with her first big hit ‘Kids in America’. Since then her name has never been out of the charts. There have been three further hits, and a Top Newcomer award. She has sold more than a million records in eight months.

‘My recording chief, Mickie Most, wants to make me an international star’, she said in a matter-of-fact voice. ‘I will also do my first concerts, probably in summer. That’s a big step,’

Kim’s songs are written for her by her father, while 19-year-old brother Rick produces the records. She went on: ‘I haven’t always been happy about being pointed out as a pop star’s daughter. There was a period when I felt my parents position was ruining my life. I had to learn to accept my background. I’m in no hurry to leave home, although I do like my privacy and have been advised it would be a good investment to get my own place’, she said. ‘I’m dubious about flat sharing. Even sharing with a girl friend is a bit stifling and destructive to friendships. I could not live with a boyfriend unless I were deeply in love.’

Wriggled

‘I don’t think my parents would object to that. They know about present-day attitudes, even though it was different in their time. My parents were married and I was bor nbefore my mother was my age and dad not much older.’

And what about her friendship with rock star Steve Strange? Kim wriggled uncomfortably. ‘We’re just good friends’, she said. As we talked Marty entered the room. He, too, is to have a record released soon, a very of the old Roy Orbison hit ‘In Dreams’. He listened as Kim continued: ‘I’m fairly pleased with my appearance. Quite like the way I look. It’s me, not an image. But I’m getting a bit bored with constantly seeing pictures of myself.’

Marty nodded approval. ‘I think success has made Kim a nicer person’, he said. ‘She is doing what she wants to do. And she is not conceited. Conceit is one thing I would not tolerate: not while she’s living under my roof.’