Murray Cook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Murray Cook
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Cook in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Murray James Cook |
| Born | 30 June 1960 Cowra, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | ABC Music |
Murray James Cook (born June 30, 1960) is an Australian musician, actor, and DJ. He is best known as one of the founding members of the popular children's music group, the Wiggles. Murray played guitar and sang for the group from 1991 until 2012.
Even after leaving the Wiggles, Murray stayed involved in their creative work. He also continued to work on many other music projects. He writes and performs with the Sydney soul-rock band The Soul Movers. Murray is also the father of Georgia Munro-Cook, a talented wheelchair basketball player. In 2015, he helped judge the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
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Murray Cook and The Wiggles
Murray Cook went back to university to study early childhood education. There, he met Anthony Field and Greg Page. Together, they formed the Wiggles in 1991. Before the Wiggles became super famous, Murray worked as a preschool teacher. He loved teaching and was great with kids.
As a Wiggle, Murray wore a bright red skivvy. He played guitar and sang many of the group's songs. He even came up with the Wiggles' famous finger-wagging move! He saw professional bowlers do it on TV and thought it would be fun. Murray was known as the thoughtful member of the group. He often helped everyone agree on decisions.
In 2006, the Wiggles received special honorary degrees. Murray gave a speech to the graduates. On May 17, 2012, it was announced that Murray, along with Greg Page and Jeff Fatt, would retire from the Wiggles. Simon Pryce took Murray's place. Murray continued to help with the Wiggles' creative and production work. In 2013, he even worked as their tour manager.
Other Music Projects
After leaving the Wiggles, Murray explored other music. He continued to play with his band, Bang Shang A Lang. He also played lead guitar for a band called The Proposition. They released an album in 2015. Murray also helped with a play about music producer Sam Phillips. In 2017, he played guitar for a tribute show in Newcastle.
Murray met Lizzie Mack, a singer in the band The Soul Movers. He started writing songs with her in 2015. The Soul Movers became his main creative project. In 2017, they recorded an album called Testify. It was full of energetic blues, soul, and rock music. Jeff Fatt from the Wiggles even played keyboards on the album!
In 2019, The Soul Movers released another album, Bona Fide. This album included more roots-style songs. They recorded it in famous studios in the U.S., like Sun Studios in Memphis. Murray also performed with The Soul Movers at a big rock festival called Splendour in the Grass.
Murray's Life Outside Music
In 1986, Murray joined the band Bang Shang a Lang. His favorite musicians growing up were the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton. Murray is married to Meg Munro. They have two children, including his daughter, Georgia Munro-Cook, who is a wheelchair basketball player.
In 2020, Murray shared that he had a serious health scare. This led to him having open heart surgery. He spoke about it 11 months after his former bandmate, Greg Page, also had a health issue.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Murray Cook and the other three original Wiggles members received a special honor. They were made a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized their great service to the arts, especially children's entertainment. It also honored their support for many charities.
