Hello ONTD!
So, recently there has been some talk about boybands and which groups was more famous than the other, and as usual, I kept thinking about this idea I’ve had for a while about groups that were mainly famous in Europe back then, you know, before the internet and when you learned about new music from, gasp, MTV (and/or VIVA).
Which is why I’m bringing you this (long) list of any group I could think of.
Also, small disclaimers: I honestly don’t know the music of all of them, there are some names that I know only by name, and their wiki is kinda lacking. So instead of doing a write up after each group, about their history and stuff, I thought it would be funnier if I’d just write down whatever I can remember and if some kind ONTDers has the knowledge to fill up the gaps, you’re most welcome to do so. Also, I’m aware that a few of these names are linked to some sad stuff and because I’d feel weird discussing a tragedy in one group and then skipping to the next one being all cheery, I preferred to omit sad things overall, but if you want to, feel free to mention them in the comments.
FIVE – Let’s dance
Let’s start with my favorites, lol.
Five were an english band, from the late 90s. 5 members: ABS, Scott, Richie, J and Sean. I actually really enjoy their discography, even today, Keep on movin’ is probably one of the most played songs in my head. You may have heard of their manager, this dude called Simon Cowell. And you know the phrase any publicity is good publicity? From what I remember, I think it was born when Sean decided to leave the group right before their comeback, which is why he is not seen in the video above, but they use a cutout of him. Back then they said he was absent because of fever, and silly young me believed them. Also, Ritchie used to date Billie Piper back when she was still a singer! They took part of The Big Reunions many years ago, along with other bands (some of them will be mentioned down). Last minute edit: I went to check something on their wiki page, and turns out that when they were doing the auditions for a new boy group that would later become Five, Russell Brand auditioned?????
Boyzone – Love Me For A Reason
Do they have more famous songs? Yes, but Love me for a reason is my favorite. 5 boys, from Ireland, their manager is Louis Walsh, you may have heard of him as well (and we will hear from him again). I remember them being pretty famous, they performed more slower songs, they also did the OST for the first Mr Bean movie. Ronan Keating ended up going solo and did the Notting Hill song.
Caught In The Act aka C.I.T.A. – Love Is Everywhere
Ok, here I have to admit, my knowledge is pretty low (but in my defense, I was still in kindergarten when they debuted). I know the members were from two different countries, Netherlands and the UK and I know that one of them is gay, because I think he ended up dating Stephen from Boyzone?
Blue – All Rise
Four boys: Lee, Duncan, Simon and Antony. I remember them being pretty huge in Italy, they even rerecorded one of their singles in Italian (but lets not talk about that, because… no). Duncan was labeled Brad Pitt’s look-alike, he came out as bisexual and later as gay and EXCUSE ME WHAT, he and Lee had a thing going on????? They reunited to perform at the Eurovision but to noone’s surprise, the UK still didn’t win (but they got some points). Again, LEE AND DUNCAN?????
Westliffe – My Love
Once again, I’m linking my favorite song. Another boyband managed by mister Louis Walsh. They started as five, but then one left, at one point they went on hiatus, got back together. They are the KINGS of standing up from the stool in sync, Shane and Mark’s voices are fantastic, Nicky competed at Eurovision a couple years ago (justice for his song, it was cute), Brian (the dude in the thumbnail)left at one point, released a solo album (featuring one song called Walking Disaster, which I really like). Fun fact: they are featured on Mariah Carey’s Rainbow album for the cover of Against all odds.
Atomic Kitten – If You Come To Me
They were always 3 of them, but I know the members kept changing. And I know the first one to leave was Kerry Katona because she got pregnant with Brian from Westlife. They also took part of The Big Reunion, which I actually watched, and remember being shocked finding out Liz was back then engaged with Lee Ryan from Blue.
Take That – Relight My Fire
Whatever you saw in Derry Girls, multiply it by 100 times. Hysteria everywhere they would go, when Robbie left they had to start a hotline because fans were so devastated, OP couldn’t look at Robbie’s face for a year because she was so mad at him. The fact they were huge only in Europe remains on of the history’s biggest misteries, lbr.
Vengaboys – Kiss (When The Sun Don’t Shine)
WE LIKE TO PARTY! We liked to party so much, that Vengaboys (dutch group, btw) had actually a long list of hits all around the continent. I owned their second album, and I loved it.
Sugababes – Overload
The original trio! Som Sugababes, always a trio but in total they had 3 members. They pretty much kept playing switching with members until they returned to the original trio. They had a heck lots of hits, I really like their single discography, but instead of linking my favorite i decided to be fair and used their first hit with the OG3. Also, Heidi, one of the ex members was at one point a member of Atomic Kitten. Is anyone even keeping track of all these connections?
The Kelly Family – An Angel
Please ONTD, PLEASE, tell me someone here was into them? I was suddenly aware of their existence around the age of 7/8, they exploded all around me, suddenly everyone had the Kelly fever and I had no clue what the heck was going on, who were they, were they related? Who was Kelly (bb me only knew Kelly from Beverly Hills)? Why were they talking in german but singing in english and one of them had an italian boys name but looked cute like a girl! My little brain was so confused, and the video above had a part that would literally freak me out, and I still had no idea if these people were related or not, were they siblings or cousins? Where were the parents? Was it a cult? And just like they came, they disappeared.
Last but not least, one hit wonders that I honestly can’t recall anything about except the song.
B*Witched – C’est la Vie
ULTRA – Say it once
East 17 – Stay another day
Liberty X – Just a little
No Angels – Daylight In Your Eyes
A1 – Caught In The Middle
Sources – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10
So, ONTD, what (unknown) groups were you listening to in the 90s and 00s? And who else did I forget, because I already have two names in my head.
anachan87
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