The Wiggles (Band)

On an episode of Spicks and Specks in November 2008, The Wiggles covered U2's song Angel of Harlem.

According to a Sydney Morning Herald article, two of their earliest songs initially had different names. Hot Potato was originally Hot Tamale. Wiggle Bay was originally Moonlight Bay.

The Wiggles made their concert debut at a childcare center in Randwick in front of 20 kids. Their first tour following their eponymous album was around the different Westfield shopping mall areas in Sydney.

The Wiggles and Kylie Minogue teamed up in 2009 to record the song Monkey Man. The song appears on the Wiggles' release, The Wiggles Go Bananas.

As UNICEF Ambassadors, The Wiggles announced they are supporting Global Handwashing Day on October 15, 2008. They even wrote a song called "Wash your hands!" that was done to the tune of Frere Jacques.

The Wiggles have sponsored a scholarship to their alma mater Macquarie University for indigenous students majoring in Early Childhood Education.

In 2007, the Wiggles produced a video for the Mandarin Chinese speaking market called Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles.. This features four new Asian Wiggles: Arthur the Yellow Wiggle (guitar) Samuel the Blue Wiggle (drums) Danny the Purple Wiggle (plays guitar, falls asleep, and lead singer) Vivi the Red Wiggle (Vivi is a girl, plays keyboard/accordion) The video was filmed in the same Wiggles studio in Australia where they film the other Wiggles TV series and videos, and feature the same Wiggly dancers. They sing and speak in Mandarin Chinese, and mix in English phrases such as their names, the mascots, and common phrases "Ahoy there, Captain Feathersword" and "Get Ready to Wiggle". The Mandarin Wiggles have had their own official Wiggles TV series since 2002.

Several Wiggles tunes are based on songs from their former band The Cockroaches: Get Ready to Wiggle is from Mr. Wiggles Back in Town. Dorothy the Dinosaur is from Another Saturday Night (single, 1989). The Monkey Dance is from Do the Monkey (Best Of album, 1999) Caveland is from Caveman (Fingertips album, 1988) I Want to Wear That jacket is from I want a Leather Jacket (single, 1980). Sorry Again is from Sorry Again (Fingertips album, 1988). Bit By Bit (We're Building a Set) is from Bit By Bit, Little By Little (Positive Album, 1991).

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards Best Children's Album – Winner 2010 - Let's Eat! 2009 - The Wiggles Go Bananas 2008 - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing 2007 - Pop Go The Wiggles! 2006 – Racing to the Rainbow 2005 – Live! Hot Potatoes 1998 – Toot Toot 1996 – Wake Up Jeff 1995 – Big Red Car Best Children's Album – Nominated 2004 – Top of the Tots 2003 – Go To Sleep Jeff and Whoo Hoo! Wiggly Gremlins 2002 – Wiggly Safari 2001 – Hoop-Dee-Doo. It's a Wiggly Party 2000 – It's a Wiggly Wiggly World

Greg Page, the yellow Wiggle, has been diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance and retired from the Wiggles in November 2006.

The Wiggles have their own amusement park attraction area at Dreamworld which is located near Gold Coast, Australia. The Wiggles opened a show and attraction area called Wiggles World at the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park located in New Jersey. Rides include: Big Red Cars, Big Red Plane, Bouncing with Wags, Dorothy's Racing to the Rainbow balloon ride, Henry's Splish Splash Fountain, Yummy Yummy café, and Captain Feathersword's ship.

According to the Business Weekly Review article, 60% of their income in 2004 came from concerts and live performances. That leaves only 40% from the TV, records, and merchandise.

The Wiggles' had spun off another pre-school TV Show in Australia called The Dorothy the Dinosaur show.

The music at the Wiggles concerts is a combination of pre-recorded and live tracks, but the Wiggles do sing all their songs live.

There are plans to launch a Spanish version of The Wiggles.

The Wiggles were awarded an honorary doctorate from Australian Catholic University in April 2006.

The Wiggles are big fans of Elvis Presley. They do his hip swinging dance and don Elvis clothes in the song Shaky Shaky. They also do a lot of Elvis impressions and use the phrases "thank you very much" and "uh-hunh".

The choreographer for the current Wiggles seasons and concert tours is Leeanne Ashley.

The choreography for the early Wiggles shows was done by Leanne Halloran of the Halloran Dance Studio in New South Wales.

The band's producer, Paul Field, is the brother of Anthony, the Blue Wiggle.

Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, and their producer Paul Field were members of a popular Australian band called The Cockroaches. It is from this relationship that Jeff joined The Wiggles as a founding member.

The Wiggles album, Wake Up, Jeff! was one of their first albums to achieve gold status.

In the early videos, Anthony Field, the Blue Wiggle, wore a green polo shirt, and also played Captain Feathersword. He changed from green to blue so as to not to get him confused with Dorothy the Dinosaur.

The Wiggles were the richest entertainer out of Australia in 2004 with earnings estimated at AUS$45 million, besting Nicole Kidman at AUS$40 million, and Russell Crowe at AUS$27 million.

According to Business Review Weekly, The Wiggles were the richest entertainer out of Australia in 2005 with earnings estimated at AUS$50 million ($35.5 million US).

The "wiggle", or pointing and shaking of the fingers, was inspired by watching some guys bowling on TV.

According to Anthony Field, the origin of The Wiggles name is from Mr. Wiggles Back In Town, a song by their former band, The Cockroaches. This song was changed up to become their early hit, Get Ready to Wiggle.

Five of The Wiggles albums have gone platinum in Australia.

When The Wiggles started touring with HIT Entertainment, they were an opening act for Barney the Dinosaur.

It is estimated that one out of every two toddlers in Australia has been to a Wiggles concert, or have a Wiggles video.