First the Crocodile Hunter, and now the Yellow Wiggle?
Greg Page, the lead singer and “yellow” member of The Wiggles is officially leaving the group today, according to various news articles. The group will be holding a press conference in Australia to announce his departure, and presumably bring understudy Sam Moran into the group as a full-time member.
34 year old Greg has been suffering from a “mystery illness” for the last few months following his hernia surgery in December 2005. Apparently he has been fainting, using a cane to walk, and experiencing exhaustion so severe that he has been unable to perform in recent concerts. He has been undergoing tests, but so far doctors aren’t sure what is causing his debilitating symptoms. The good news is that he does not have cancer, as rumored. Hopefully with rest and medical attention he will be able to make a full recovery, and come back to fulfill his wiggly duties.
My kids aren’t that into The Wiggles anymore, but we have been to their concert and Babs knows who Greg is. Seeing the group without him as their front man will surely bring up questions. What will you say to your kids? How have your kids reacted to the loss of Steve Irwin? In the horrible, awful, heart-breaking event that Greg Wiggle passes away, would you tell your kids?
I think that maybe I am way too attached to these people. When I heard about the death of The Crocodile Hunter, it deflated me. I loved him. And I was really sad when Blue’s Clues Steve went away to “college”. The Wiggles have been part of the soundtrack of my kids’ childhoods, and for Greg to have to retire under these circumstances breaks my heart a little bit. Is it normal to care so much about people I’ve never met?
You’ll be missed, Greg Wiggle. Please get better.
Update: The press conference was held, and Greg did indeed announce his departure from The Wiggles. It turns out he has a condition called “orthostatic intolerance” which has something to do with his heart being unable to pump enough blood while he is standing. It is not life-threatening. Sam Moran will be the new lead singer.
We never watched either show….
Comment by Queen Beth — November 29, 2006 @ November 29, 2006 at 10:40 am
We watched the Wiggles Christmas DVD last night; it’s very sweet and my kids always get up and dance. And at the end, Charlie came into the kitchen and said, “Greg is the Wiggle who SINGS! I want to be Greg when I grow up.”
Sigh.
Comment by Susan — November 29, 2006 @ November 29, 2006 at 12:13 pm
I still miss Steve. (Like many other mommy’s I had a dream in which I kissed him-I was pregnant with baby #2 and will totally blame it on those weird pregnancy hormones.) My oldest DD took The Crocodile Hunter’s death very badly and I’m glad my kids never really got into The Wiggles right now. (But we do have 2 CD’s.)
Comment by Melessa — November 29, 2006 @ November 29, 2006 at 2:08 pm
That is very sad. I felt the same way about Steve leaving Blues Clues. Joe just doesn’t do it right.
Comment by Karen — November 29, 2006 @ November 29, 2006 at 5:17 pm
I’m feeling very sad too. Have included your post at Play Library where we’re having an unofficial Greg Page Wiggle Tribute Day.
Comment by Hsien Lei — November 30, 2006 @ November 30, 2006 at 2:27 am
I cannot look at the Wiggles without thinking Star Trek. That’s all.
But I know what you mean about being (possibly) ridiculously attached to people you’ve never met.
And amen on Blue’s Clues, Karen!
Comment by falwyn — November 30, 2006 @ November 30, 2006 at 3:24 pm