By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
December 18, 1992
Webb Wilder, 6 feet 3 inches tall, has a wardrobe so unusual that even director Peter Bogdanovich was impressed.
But more on that later. The Tennessee rock ‘n’ roller performs tonight at China Club and tomorrow at FitzGerald’s. His latest album’s called “Doo Dad,” and he’ll have a small role on the big screen opposite River Phoenix next year. What more could he ask for?
“Maybe a hit single,” Wilder says, laughing. “God only knows I’ve got all it takes to be a teen idol.”
WHOSE MUSE?: Although his album “Doo Dad” is critically acclaimed, Wilder’s been receiving more ink these days for his thespian skills. It all started in the early ’80s with “Webb Wilder, Private Eye: The Saucer’s Reign.” He played a department store security guard-cum-private eye. Other independent films included “Horror Hayride” and “Paradise Park.” Wilder’s hit the big-time with a bit role in Peter Bogdanovich’s latest film, “The Thing Called Love.” He plays an eccentric motel owner named Ned. The movie stars in this picture are River Phoenix and Samantha Mathis. Jonathan Demme and David Lynch took wannabe actor Chris Isaak under their wings. Perhaps Wilder could become Bogdanovich’s muse? “That would be fantastic,” Wilder says. “But more likely, the movie will open (next spring) and Peter will say, `You’ll never work in films again.’ And he’ll probably be right.”
OUT OF THE CLOSET: He predicts his entire on-screen time will be less than 15 minutes, but when he appears, there will be a lot of Webb in Ned. The wardrobe lady was impressed by Wilder’s vintage wardrobe and raided his closest to dress Ned. “Even Peter liked my clothes,” he says. “When we first met, he looked at me not like I’m odd, which I am, but like I had the right kind of anti-chic to play Ned. “It was great ’cause the (wardrobe department) fancied up a lot of my stuff. And I get to keep them!”
ACTING VS. SINGING: “I’ll take whatever I can get,” Wilder says. “At this point, I happen to be able to do both. I think, though, that I probably had to work harder at music than I did at acting. I don’t consider myself a richly gifted person like Wynton or Branford Marsalis, but I always had a lot of enthusiasm for making music.
MOTHER’S CHILD: “My mom’s funny,” he says. “I don’t think I work with anyone she knows. I played with Bo Diddley once, and she had no clue who he was.” Pausing, he adds, “Wait, I did play with Kris Kristofferson (at Farm Aid) and he impressed her. She knew who he was.”
NAME GAME: His full name is John Webb Wilder, but even without the John, the moniker isn’t that unusual – not in the Wilder clan. His family includes Esco (mother), Montressa (aunt), Seth (grandfather), Montez (aunt), Garland (uncle) and Palmadge (uncle). Even the physician who delivered Wilder had a colorful name: Dr. Theopolis Erskin Ross.
WEBB’S BON MOTS: “Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big and wear glasses if you need them.”
