Wilson at Lollapalooza 2005.

Ricky Wilson (born Charles Richard Wilson, 17 January 1978) is the lead singer of English band Kaiser Chiefs.

Wilson is well known for his style, particularly his blazers, waistcoats, turn-up jeans and winkle pickers, for which he won the 2006 Shockwaves NME Award For Best Dressed Person. He is also known for his ability to "pogo" about the stage frantically whilst simultaneously playing either the cowbell or the tambourine. At 2005's Glastonbury Festival Wilson dived into the audience to drag a large green inflatable dinosaur onstage, that has become known as the Kaisersaur, which he then draped his tie around. The same dinosaur could be seen in the crowd at the 2007 Glastonbury festival during sets by Kaiser Chiefs and The Magic Numbers. Wilson is often found 'surfing' the crowd at gigs, most often during "I Predict A Riot". As he says on the Enjoyment DVD, he likes to "get out and see the crowd, see what they smell like".

Ricky Wilson at Summercase

Wilson has also been on the panel of the BBC comedy series Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2005, and later became a guest host in 2006.

The Sun newspaper reported on June 27th 2007, that Ricky will appear on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2007.

Personal life

Wilson was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire. While at the Junior School of Leeds Grammar School, Wilson was in Smeaton house, named after the former pupil John Smeaton who is referred to in the Kaiser Chiefs song, "I Predict a Riot".

Wilson has a BA (Hons) and an MA in Graphic Design. He attained a first in both. He taught at the Leeds College of Art and Design. He was quoted on Soccer AM as being "a hard art teacher". Wilson also sang in a Rolling Stones tribute band, and was recruited by the other members of the Kaiser Chiefs (then known as Parva) to be the lead.

Frontman Wilson climbs into the crowd at 2006 Oxegen festival, Ireland.

Wilson's father is a producer for the BBC and was the television executive responsible for It's a Royal Knockout.

On May 22, 2006, Wilson survived a hit and run incident in Leeds by leaping with his trademark stage jump. He escaped with minor injuries but had to perform with his ankle in a plaster cast for much of the summer.

Wilson is a fan of Leeds United F.C.

External links

Ricky Wilson at the Internet Movie Database

gigshot.co.uk - Kaiser Chiefs at Paradiso Amsterdam May 29th 2007