The Kuip experience of Kim Wilde

It’s been weeks ago that Dutch presenter Jan Rietman staged a spectacle in the Rotterdam ‘Kuip’, the stadium of Feyenoord. Some say it was an exceptional pop happening, partly thanks to the very enthusiastic audience.

It seemed appropriate to show some of it on television. This happens tonight. The programme Kuipspektakel shows some highlights of the concert. Appearing on stage are Dolly Dots, Gerard Joling, Star Sisters, George Kooymans, Anita Meyer and Kim Wilde.

The latter international star was very enthusiastic about it. ‘This is a highlight in my career. It’s a great audience and a very professional organisation.’

Kim Wilde, now 25 years old, comes from a musical British family. Her brother Ricky was once launched in the pop scene, but he wasn’t too successful. He never got too far, partly because he didn’t want to. But father Marty wilde was already successful when rock and roll was still a new phenomenon. Although he can not be counted with the greatest names of his era, he still had a good career. It wasn’t that surprising that he pushed his children towards pop. With daughter Kim he succeeded well.

When she was just starting out, she was already interviewed by our reporer. She said: “I’ve always loved singing. I found out very early on in school that I wasn’t made for a regular 9 to 5 job, I hated getting up in the morning. I was always late in school. I realised I would be spinning round in circles downwards for the rest of my life if I didn’t end up in showbusiness, so it was the only natural thing I could do. Showbusiness fits my mood, my way of living, there’s an irregularity in this life that fits me well. And I am lazy, showbusiness was the only thing I could do well.”

A realistic child – and evidently less stupid than she doesn’t seem anyway. She’s also quite philosophical – although the interviewer might have had something to do with that. Kim Wilde: “I don’t have the idea that I’m a puppet, I have some things to learn and that’s good, because it gives me something to look forward to. Okay, when I think about this life I say: the chances that I will succeed for a long time are minimal. It’s like that with pop stars. You don’t give it too much thought, you always say ‘it won’t happen to me’.

Contrary to her brother she likes the glamour and glitter, being famous and being recognised on the street. ‘Guys want to sleep with me (see picture) and girls want to be like me.’