The Spice Girls infused the music with a fiercely independent, feminist stance that was equal parts Madonna, post-riot girl alternative rock feminism, and a co-opting of the good-times-all-the-time stance of England's new lad culture. The group also became chart-toppers throughout Europe in 1996, before concentrating in America in early 1997.The Spice Girls signed a contract to Virgin Records, but they were without a manager, which made recording a debut album nearly impossible. All five members moved into a house and went on the ‘dole’ as they searched for a manager. By the end of 1995, the group had signed with Annie Lennox's manager Simon Fuller, and began writing songs with Elliot Kennedy. "Wannabe," Spice Girls' first single, was released in the summer of 1996, and it became the first debut single by an all-female band to enter the charts at number one in England. It remained at number one for seven weeks, and by the end of the year, "Wannabe" had hit number one in 21 other countries. Their second single, "Say You'll Be There," entered the charts at number one in the fall, selling 200,000 copies a week. Spice, their debut album, was released at the end of the year, accompanied by their first ballad, "2 Become 1." Both the album and single went directly to #1, staying there for several weeks. Having topped the charts in virtually every other country in the Western world, The Spice Girls concentrated on America in early 1997, releasing "Wannabe" in January and the album Spice in February. The Spice Girls became massive stars in the U.S. as well and when Spiceworld, their second album, appeared later in the year in conjunction with their feature film of the same name they propelled to even bigger fame. However, in May 1998, Geri Halliwell departed from the band, not citing major reasons for leaving the group. Still not deterred by the absence of Ginger Spice, Spice Girls trudged on. By Christmas, Spice Girls scored a number one hit with Goodbye. Soon the Spice Girls because more noticeable for their social status than their singing, and they took a well-deserved break. The following year, the girls headed back into the studio with high-profile producers Rodney Jerkins, Terry Lewis, and Jimmy Jam to record a follow-up to their pop-friendly Spiceworld. Spice Girls' creative power overruled media scrutiny so that they could fully focus on the new R&B sound they were trying for and a the new collaboration united the foursome once again to release the third album Forever, which hit American shores in fall 2000. The group began to splinter not long after the release of Forever, which made little impact outside of the UK where it only had one hit single - the chart-topping double-sided single Holler/Let Love Lead the Way - before the Spice Girls stopped promoting the album. Just three months after the album's November 2000 release, the band announced that they were separating in February of 2001. Over the next few years, the Spice Girls may not have existed as a group but they were never out of various taboild headlines in the UK and the US. After years of persistent rumors of a reunion - peaking heavily yet never materializing for Bob Geldolf's 2005 charity event Live 8 -- the Spice Girls announced in June 2007 that they would be reuniting for an eleven-concert tour beginning that December in Los Angeles, which would be accompanied by a new greatest hits album and documentary. Make sure to buy your spice girls concert tickets early as they are sure to sellout fast with this limited engagement tour.
By Rich Stephenson [ 30/07/2007 ][ viewed 50 times ]
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