The world’s biggest children’s band The Wiggles took to Primeville SXSW Sydney on Thursday, October 19, before the official premiere of their highly-anticipated documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles.
During an interview with Mediaweek at the event Wiggle Simon Pryce reflected on the huge impact The Wiggles has had on children and explained the intention behind their documentary.
“To be part of The Wiggles, which has been going for over 32 years, and part of that legacy [is crazy],” Pryce said. “I’ve got to the age now where people think I’m an OG which happens all the time now.”
The Wiggles.
Pryce joined The Wiggles in 2002, 11 years after the group formed. He explained that their documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles explores the foundations of the group.
“What this documentary gives is an understanding of what the original guys [intended], the philosophy behind early childhood and the teaching, the learning and the entertainment.
“That foundation is really special and that’s what holds us all together today. That’s the legacy of The Wiggles which is continuing with eight of us now, which is incredibly exciting.”
“OG” Wiggle Murray Cook on the group’s organic success
Murray Cook was one of the founding members of The Wiggles, along with Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, Greg Page and Phillip Wilcher. Wilcher left shortly after their inception in 1992 and Cook, Fatt and Page retired in 2012. Field is the only original member still currently in The Wiggles.
Greg Page, Anthony Field, Murray Cook, and Jeff Fatt
Looking back at the group’s journey over the past three decades, Cook explained that their formation was organic, which he believes helped amplify their success.
“We started in such a humble way, we weren’t really trying to forge a career, we just thought we’d recorded an album of music for children, and we just followed where it went,” Cook said.
“We worked hard and there were always new adventures, and we just followed them. So to look back at where we began, it’s, I’m really proud that I’m surrounded by all these people who are new Wiggles, and some have been around for a while.
“It’s just so amazing, this little thing that we created back in 1991 seems to have a life of its own.”
Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles will premiere globally on Prime Video on October 24, in more than 240 countries and territories.