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With the blonde hair, pouty good looks and new wave pop cool, Kim Wilde burst into the charts in the 1980s, styled as the UK's answer to Debbie Harry. The daughter of 1950s rock & roller Marty Wilde, Kim's first single 'Kids in America' became one of the catchiest pop anthems of the era, reaching number two in the UK and propelling her self-titled debut album to great success across Europe. With her brother Ricky writing the songs for her, Kim went on to have a string of hits including 'Chequered Love', 'Cambodia' and 'View from a Bridge', before touring as a support act for Michael Jackson and David Bowie. Just as her popularity started to dwindle, she bounced back with her biggest hit, a cover of The Supremes' 'You Keep Me Hangin' On', which shot to number one in the US. Seventh album 'Close' (1988) became her most acclaimed work, reaching platinum status and cementing a loyal following in Europe (particularly in Germany) that still sustains her music career. In later years Wilde became famous in Britain as a gardener, appearing on BBC's 'Garden Invaders' and at flower shows and releasing books on the subject. Yet it's the image of her as a fresh-faced blonde pop hearthrob that still endures and she continues to perform in 80s revival shows around the world. In 2006 she released her tenth album, 'You Came 2006', which charted in the top 20 across Europe and Asia. Her eleventh album 'Come Out and Play' was released in 2010 and she followed this up with a European tour. 'Snapshots' followed in 2011 with a selection of cover versions of some of her favourite songs of the last five decades. 'Wilde Winter Songbook' (2013) became her 13th studio album and featured classic Christmas and seasonal songs. 2018 saw her release her 14th album 'Here Come the Aliens' inspired by her apparent alien encounter in 2009.Artist biography compiled by BDS/West 10. All rights reserved
