thepenandthesword
According to a Legal Deposit of documents archived by one of Australia's most reputable institutes, the NLA, the costs incurred for the recording of the debut album The Wiggles, recorded at Tracking Station in 1991 and featuring the Fifth Wiggle Phillip Wilcher, totaled $1650.00. The greater portion of those expenses were met by Wilcher.
An archived typed document,presumably from Wiggles Management at that time,lists the following reimbursements made to each member :
$825.00 reimbursed recording costs to Wilcher
$750.00 reimbursed recording costs to Field
$50 reimbursed tape stock to Page
$25 reimbursed tape stock to Cook
There were nil reimbursements to Fatt.Fatt did not contribute any money to the recording of the debut album. It would appear that Fatt was brought in towards the end of the recording sessions at the request of Field to sequence all the material.
It would appear that Cook and Page only contributed towards the costs of tape stock and did not contribute financially to the actual recording costs incurred.
A legal document in the archive also verifies that Wilcher had loaned the group a further $1000.00 towards recording costs which was later reimbursed him. Wilcher's website states that he paid the majority of the recording costs because the other members of the group were still students studying at Macquarie University.
It would also appear that the debut album was not the result of any project assigned them as a part of their studies as some reports suggest,because Field and Cook were in their graduating year and Page was in his first year. Fatt was not a student at Macquarie University. Wilcher had been employed by Macquarie University as a music assistant to the early childhood music program.Wilcher's website confirms this.
The typed document also details the division of the $20,000.00 Publishing Advance offered them through EMI. Of the $20,000.00, 50% went to The Partnership less 20% to Management. Of the remaining balance, it is documented that Wilcher received the greater portion having contributed the most material to the debut album. The combined percentage of work done towards the debut album according to the breakdown sheet for Field, Page, Cook and Fatt totals 60.40%.Fatt contributed the least at just over 8% followed by Cook whose contribution were a little over 11%.The remaining balance is attributed to Wilcher although it would appear from documents archived, including press clippings and information from Wilcher's website that the majority of arrangements attributed to the Wiggles collectively on the album were mostly by Wilcher and performed by him. A manuscript for the arrangement of "Spot The Dalmation" in Wilcher's hand is part of the archived collection yet this is solely attributed to The Wiggles collectively on the debut album.Royalties from tracks such as this were divided equally between the members of the group.The same holds for "A Frog He Would A Wooing Go".
According to biographical notes and press clippings, Wilcher received a Gold Record Industry Award in April 1994 and a Platinum record Industry Award in October 1995.There is evidence to show that The Wiggles were presented their awards on The Midday Show by journalist and television presenter Deryn Hinch. Wilcher was excluded from the presentation and not mentioned.A legal document confirms Wilcher's receipt of the Platinum Award with an explanation from the ABC that there would be no public presentation to The Wiggles for the debut album having achieved Platinum status. At the time the debut album was re-recorded with Wilcher's work erased in 1998 (See "A Life Less Wiggly", Steve Dow) it was estimated that the debut album had almost reached Double Platinum Status. A Wiggles time line suggests that the debut album was phased out soon after Wilcher was discovered by Aussie Post Magazine as The Fifth Wiggle in September 1997.Wilcher was not informed by The Wiggles or the ABC that the debut album was being phased out and re-recorded with his original work removed.
There is evidence that Wilcher did indeed write a letter of resignation from the group in late 1991. According to his website he felt friendships had changed and that he no longer felt comfortable performing with the group.It would appear that he wrote the letter of resignation having been advised that if he did not he could incur expenses for future recordings. It would appear it was later decided that he would stay as a writer for future albums, (a behind the scenes Wiggle), most notably the second cd release titled "Here Comes A Song".
A legal document indicates that a variation to The Partnership Agreement was drafted in 1992 with the intention of varying Wilcher's duties to The Partnership. It provided that his duties excluded him from performing publicly unless he chose to, and that he would be restricted to writing and composing. Wilcher had been invited to be in the film clip for Dorothy The Dinosaur by Field, which was filmed early 1992 after Wilcher's initial letter of resignation. Wilcher appeared in the film clip. The variation being drawn up altering his duties to The Partnership however was not executed. It is unclear whether Wilcher knew moves had been made to draw up the variation. It was his understanding he had a verbal agreement to stay as a writer for the album "Here Comes A Song".
A Consummer Affairs document dates Wilcher's cessation of membership from The Partnership as July 6th 1992,almost a year after his initial resigning from the group.The date is in Wilcher's own hand. However, the document was not signed by Wilcher until November 26th 1992. Evidence archived indicates that Wilcher had refused to sign the document forwarded him by Fatt without a full explanation from Fatt of its purpose and ramifications.There is a letter from Fatt to Wilcher apologizing for the long delay in replying. The reason Fatt gave for this delay was that he was busy renovating his house.
Wilcher also refused to sign a document from The Wiggles forwarded him by Fatt saying that the reason the music he had written for the second album "Here Comes A Song", although being considered of a high standard by The Wiggles, was because his work was not in keeping with the direction the band was going.It would appear that Wilcher was not informed of any new direction.There is evidence that shows only Field had heard some of the material Wilcher had written.Wilcher refused to sign the document because The Wiggles as a group collectively had not seen or heard the material he had written.The material was later self published by Wilcher as a collection of early childhood music activities called "A Musical Offering". It comprises two songs to teach children to differentiate differences in pitch and aural awareness, various pieces of poetry, a pantomime called "Beebop", several songs and there were also two lullabies for violin and piano. The lullabies were recorded at an earlier recording session at which it is believed Field was present. The recording took place again at Tracking Station in Sydney. Steve Pomfrett was the engineer. Pomfrett was also the sound engineer for the Wiggles debut album.
It was understood that Wilcher would record the remainder of the material he had written for the second album "here Comes A Song" after his return from the States in June 1992.Wilcher had been invited to perform in Las Vegas at celebrations honouring the legendary showman/pianist Liberace.Wilcher had performed at similar celebrations in Las Vegas in 1989 and 1990 before meeting Field,and again in 1992 and 1994.There is a document which states that Wilcher was informed by Field by phone on June 23rd 1992 that the second album, "Here Comes A Song" had been recorded during the three weeks he was away and that he was no longer needed.
Curiously, Wilcher incurred expenses for the recording of "Here Comes A Song", presumably because he was still a member of The Partnership.The costs incurred were taken out of his royalties for the debut album.The ABC later rectified this and he was reimbursed the amount through future royalty payments.
Wilcher,an accomplished musician and composer,appears to be highly respected by his peers.At 14 years of age he was the youngest published composer in Australia.Steve Dow in his article "A Life Less Wiggly" refers to him at 14 years of age as a "wunderkind".The word "genius" has also been used in describing him. Wilcher appears to be self effacing and claims that fame and fortune are not his goals,making music is.He has said he would not want to be anyone other than the person he is and that he is utterly satisfied by his own creativity.He continues to live an active life as a composer and has been a mentor and role model to many young aspiring musicians.
In 2005 Wilcher announced he was selling off his remaining Wiggles memorabilia. There is evidence to suggest he wanted to raise money to establish a foundation for cancer research in his mother's name.A signed document by his Solicitor supports this. Among those items he intended to put up for auction were personal items from his own collection of signed photos,letters and musical memorabilia as well as limited and signed editions of books and music.
It could be argued that if was not for him, The Wiggles might not be where they are today.
An archived typed document,presumably from Wiggles Management at that time,lists the following reimbursements made to each member :
$825.00 reimbursed recording costs to Wilcher
$750.00 reimbursed recording costs to Field
$50 reimbursed tape stock to Page
$25 reimbursed tape stock to Cook
There were nil reimbursements to Fatt.Fatt did not contribute any money to the recording of the debut album. It would appear that Fatt was brought in towards the end of the recording sessions at the request of Field to sequence all the material.
It would appear that Cook and Page only contributed towards the costs of tape stock and did not contribute financially to the actual recording costs incurred.
A legal document in the archive also verifies that Wilcher had loaned the group a further $1000.00 towards recording costs which was later reimbursed him. Wilcher's website states that he paid the majority of the recording costs because the other members of the group were still students studying at Macquarie University.
It would also appear that the debut album was not the result of any project assigned them as a part of their studies as some reports suggest,because Field and Cook were in their graduating year and Page was in his first year. Fatt was not a student at Macquarie University. Wilcher had been employed by Macquarie University as a music assistant to the early childhood music program.Wilcher's website confirms this.
The typed document also details the division of the $20,000.00 Publishing Advance offered them through EMI. Of the $20,000.00, 50% went to The Partnership less 20% to Management. Of the remaining balance, it is documented that Wilcher received the greater portion having contributed the most material to the debut album. The combined percentage of work done towards the debut album according to the breakdown sheet for Field, Page, Cook and Fatt totals 60.40%.Fatt contributed the least at just over 8% followed by Cook whose contribution were a little over 11%.The remaining balance is attributed to Wilcher although it would appear from documents archived, including press clippings and information from Wilcher's website that the majority of arrangements attributed to the Wiggles collectively on the album were mostly by Wilcher and performed by him. A manuscript for the arrangement of "Spot The Dalmation" in Wilcher's hand is part of the archived collection yet this is solely attributed to The Wiggles collectively on the debut album.Royalties from tracks such as this were divided equally between the members of the group.The same holds for "A Frog He Would A Wooing Go".
According to biographical notes and press clippings, Wilcher received a Gold Record Industry Award in April 1994 and a Platinum record Industry Award in October 1995.There is evidence to show that The Wiggles were presented their awards on The Midday Show by journalist and television presenter Deryn Hinch. Wilcher was excluded from the presentation and not mentioned.A legal document confirms Wilcher's receipt of the Platinum Award with an explanation from the ABC that there would be no public presentation to The Wiggles for the debut album having achieved Platinum status. At the time the debut album was re-recorded with Wilcher's work erased in 1998 (See "A Life Less Wiggly", Steve Dow) it was estimated that the debut album had almost reached Double Platinum Status. A Wiggles time line suggests that the debut album was phased out soon after Wilcher was discovered by Aussie Post Magazine as The Fifth Wiggle in September 1997.Wilcher was not informed by The Wiggles or the ABC that the debut album was being phased out and re-recorded with his original work removed.
There is evidence that Wilcher did indeed write a letter of resignation from the group in late 1991. According to his website he felt friendships had changed and that he no longer felt comfortable performing with the group.It would appear that he wrote the letter of resignation having been advised that if he did not he could incur expenses for future recordings. It would appear it was later decided that he would stay as a writer for future albums, (a behind the scenes Wiggle), most notably the second cd release titled "Here Comes A Song".
A legal document indicates that a variation to The Partnership Agreement was drafted in 1992 with the intention of varying Wilcher's duties to The Partnership. It provided that his duties excluded him from performing publicly unless he chose to, and that he would be restricted to writing and composing. Wilcher had been invited to be in the film clip for Dorothy The Dinosaur by Field, which was filmed early 1992 after Wilcher's initial letter of resignation. Wilcher appeared in the film clip. The variation being drawn up altering his duties to The Partnership however was not executed. It is unclear whether Wilcher knew moves had been made to draw up the variation. It was his understanding he had a verbal agreement to stay as a writer for the album "Here Comes A Song".
A Consummer Affairs document dates Wilcher's cessation of membership from The Partnership as July 6th 1992,almost a year after his initial resigning from the group.The date is in Wilcher's own hand. However, the document was not signed by Wilcher until November 26th 1992. Evidence archived indicates that Wilcher had refused to sign the document forwarded him by Fatt without a full explanation from Fatt of its purpose and ramifications.There is a letter from Fatt to Wilcher apologizing for the long delay in replying. The reason Fatt gave for this delay was that he was busy renovating his house.
Wilcher also refused to sign a document from The Wiggles forwarded him by Fatt saying that the reason the music he had written for the second album "Here Comes A Song", although being considered of a high standard by The Wiggles, was because his work was not in keeping with the direction the band was going.It would appear that Wilcher was not informed of any new direction.There is evidence that shows only Field had heard some of the material Wilcher had written.Wilcher refused to sign the document because The Wiggles as a group collectively had not seen or heard the material he had written.The material was later self published by Wilcher as a collection of early childhood music activities called "A Musical Offering". It comprises two songs to teach children to differentiate differences in pitch and aural awareness, various pieces of poetry, a pantomime called "Beebop", several songs and there were also two lullabies for violin and piano. The lullabies were recorded at an earlier recording session at which it is believed Field was present. The recording took place again at Tracking Station in Sydney. Steve Pomfrett was the engineer. Pomfrett was also the sound engineer for the Wiggles debut album.
It was understood that Wilcher would record the remainder of the material he had written for the second album "here Comes A Song" after his return from the States in June 1992.Wilcher had been invited to perform in Las Vegas at celebrations honouring the legendary showman/pianist Liberace.Wilcher had performed at similar celebrations in Las Vegas in 1989 and 1990 before meeting Field,and again in 1992 and 1994.There is a document which states that Wilcher was informed by Field by phone on June 23rd 1992 that the second album, "Here Comes A Song" had been recorded during the three weeks he was away and that he was no longer needed.
Curiously, Wilcher incurred expenses for the recording of "Here Comes A Song", presumably because he was still a member of The Partnership.The costs incurred were taken out of his royalties for the debut album.The ABC later rectified this and he was reimbursed the amount through future royalty payments.
Wilcher,an accomplished musician and composer,appears to be highly respected by his peers.At 14 years of age he was the youngest published composer in Australia.Steve Dow in his article "A Life Less Wiggly" refers to him at 14 years of age as a "wunderkind".The word "genius" has also been used in describing him. Wilcher appears to be self effacing and claims that fame and fortune are not his goals,making music is.He has said he would not want to be anyone other than the person he is and that he is utterly satisfied by his own creativity.He continues to live an active life as a composer and has been a mentor and role model to many young aspiring musicians.
In 2005 Wilcher announced he was selling off his remaining Wiggles memorabilia. There is evidence to suggest he wanted to raise money to establish a foundation for cancer research in his mother's name.A signed document by his Solicitor supports this. Among those items he intended to put up for auction were personal items from his own collection of signed photos,letters and musical memorabilia as well as limited and signed editions of books and music.
It could be argued that if was not for him, The Wiggles might not be where they are today.