2007
THE SPICE GIRLS
Scary, Sporty, Posh, Baby, and Ginger – these are the nicknames of one of the biggest selling and globally successful acts to come out of England since The Beatles.
Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham (Adams) had explosive success with their first single release Wannabe in 1996. The song hit #1 in over 31 countries and launched a global phenomenon of pre-teens girls asserting "Girl Power" and pubescent (and probably not so pubescent) boys’ visions filled with Union Jack mini dresses.
On the back of the immense hype and publicity, the group had two further hits with Say You’ll Be There and 2 Become 1. The group’s management capitalised on the popularity and began brokering sponsorship deals and merchandising. A book, videos and eventually a rockumentary type movie called Spice World were released to feed the somewhat insatiable hunger of fans.
Their second album, Spiceworld produced their fifth and sixth #1s in the form of Spice Up Your Life and Too Much. But the media and public began to turn on the group claiming oversaturation. In 1998, Halliwell left the group.
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The remaining members returned to the studio to commence work on a third album called Forever. The single Holler hit #1 in the UK however failed to make a ripple in the States. The girls decided to split “indefinitely” in 2001 in order to pursue solo careers.
Each girl had success as a solo artist or remained in the limelight in their own special way. Melanie Chisholm released several successful albums in Europe and North America. Melanie Brown also released moderately successful albums. Geri Halliwell had some big hits in the late 90s and leading into the 2000s. She also became a children’s book author, graced tabloid covers regularly and often did television appearances. Emma Bunton became a popular radio DJ with the Heart FM network. Victoria Beckham (Adams) became a model, WAG and Hollywood fashionista.
Six years later, rumours of a reunion were put to rest when the announcement went out that The Spice Girls would indeed reunite for a world tour. Tickets flew out of the box offices and they performed a total of 47 sell out shows despite cancelling some dates in Asia, Africa and South America. A greatest hits album was also released to coincide with the reunion tour.
Sources: Juanita Appleby; Mary Alice Adams
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you.Content@rokpool.com
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THE POLICE
The Police was a three-piece British pop band who came into prominence in the wake of the punk rock phenomenon. The trio formed in 1977, consisting of Sting (bass and lead vocals), Stewart Copeland (drummer) and Henri Padovani (guitarist). This line-up issued the band’s first single, "Fall Out" in May 1977. Following this Andy Summers joined the band, who now toured as a four piece. Summers told Padovani that he wanted to experiment with 'new sounds, so Padovani quit the band (He probably regrets his hastiness.)
For The Police, their first album, "Outlandos d'Amour" was difficult working on a small budget, with no manager or record deal. Copeland's older brother, Miles, heard "Roxanne" and immediately got them a record deal with A&M Records. The single was re-released in 1979, and it was then that The Police achieved widespread fame in England. In October 1979, the group released their second album "Regatta de Blanc", giving way to reggae-influenced hit "Walking on the Moon".
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In March of 1980, The Police decided to embark on their first World Tour, and soon became a world famous act. Pressured by their record company for a new record, The Police quickly released their third album, "Zenyatta Mondatta" in 1980. The album gave the group a U.K. No. 1 with "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", (what?), which charted successfully across the world. As Sting would later put it, this was the last album they worked on 'as a band.'
Their fourth album, "Ghost in the Machine", released in 1981, featured a thicker sound and vocal textures, holding the hit singles, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Spirits In The Material World".
They released their last, and classic, album, "Synchronicity", in 1983. Notable songs from that album include "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger". Shortly after, each band member gradually began his own solo career. A short-lived attempt to reunite in 1986 produced a re-recording of their song "Don't Stand So Close to Me". On 10th March 2003, The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Police have reformed recently however after touring and earning shed loads of money say they will not tour again.
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
