Biography


The whole story of the Spice Girls started in 1993 with an ad in the London magazine, The Stage: "Are you 18-23 with the ability to sing/dance. Are you street wise, outgoing, ambitious and dedicated? All female act for a record deal"

400 girls responded to the ad. In March 1994 the auditions began at Trinity Studios, London for a new all girls pop group called "Touch" This group was supposed to be a female correspondence to Take That. After a few auditions the final five were selected. These five were Victoria Adams, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown and Michelle Stevenson.

But there was a problem. One of the girls, Michelle just didn't fit in to the group. Although she probably was the best singer of them all, she just hadn't got the right attitude. She decided to leave the group in May 1993. After that, the girls' singing teacher suggested an old student of her, Emma Bunton as the fifth member of thegroup.

These five girls returned to Trinity Studios to start the training. Between June 1993 and March 1994, the five girls lived together in a house in Maidenhead, England.

The group was still called Touch at this time but the name was changed in August 1993 after hearing a song dedicated to them, "Sugar 'n' Spice".

In October 1993, the girls left their original manager who had told them what material to sing and what to wear. The girls weren't allowed to write their own songs and had to wear more or less the same clothes. Now they took control of their own destiny.

In October 1994 it was time to find the right manager.

They signed up with 19 Management in March 1995. Now they set out together with their new manager, Simon Fuller to conquer the world!

In August 1995 the Spice Girls signed a record deal with Virgin records.

Their first single, "Wannabe" was released on 28th July 1996. It was an instant hit that made the girls famous all over the world. The single topped the charts in more than 30 countries.

On 14th October 1996, it was time for the second single, "Say You'll Be There" to be released. It topped the charts in more than 50 countries. Later, in May 1997, it entered the US charts at number 5 which is the highest entry in history by a European act!

The #1 day-view album, "Spice" was released on 4th November 1996. It has sold out more than 30 million copies today and during a period of six months, it sold in 12 million copies, making it the fastest selling UK album in history!

On 16th December 1996, the third Spice Girls single, "2 Become 1" was released. It became the third single in a row to top the charts and also the third single in a row to sell in more than one million copies. This had never been done before.

At the Brits Awards on 24th February 1997, the group won two awards, Best Song for "Wannabe" and Best Video for "Say You'll Be There".

On 3rd March 1997 the fourth UK #1 was a fact. The release of the double A-side single, "Mama / Who Do You Think You Are" resulted in another break of a record as the Spice Girls became the first act in history to top the charts with the four first singles.

In April 1997 the girls sang live for the very first time as they did a performance in the American show, Saturday Night Live. Also they signed a record deal with Pepsi Coke, not only the advert, also co-written a Pepsi song, "Step To Me".

After that, they started to film the first movie of the group, "Spice---the Movie"(temporary title), also started working on the second album.

In September, "Wannabe" won the Best Dance Video from MTV Music Awards 97.

In October 1997 the Spice Girls topped the UK charts for the fifth time in a row as the fifth Spice Girls single, "Spice Up Your Life" entered the charts at #1. It was also time for the girls' first ever concert in Istanbul, Turkey and proved that the girls really could do live performances.

On 3rd November 1997, the second Spice Girls album, "Spiceworld" was released.

November 6, the group won the award as Best Group at the 1997 MTV Europe Music Awards. At the same day they sacked their manager, Simon Fuller. The first speculations about the end of the Spice Girls started to spread around.

In December 1997, the sixth Spice Girls single, "Too Much" became the sixth UK #1 hit in a row!

Their movie, "Spiceworld - the Movie" premiered on Boxing Day 97. Then also became #2 of the America movie chart on 28th January 98 with US$ 11 millions tickets sales first week, just under Titanic.

In January 98, the girls won Best Group, Best New Act & Best Album "Spice" from Amercia Music Awards.

On 24th February 1998, the World tour kicked off in Dublin. Until the tour ended in September, the girls did over a hundred gigs all over Europe and the United States.

As the seventh Spice Girls single, "Stop", released on 16th March 1998 never topped the charts and "only" reached #2, the "breaking up" rumours began to circlulate again. Was the end near?

During the Europe tour, Geri told another 4 girls that she will leave the group after the Wembley stadium gig in September 98(the last show of the tour).

On 27th May, there was a statement from official that Geri will not appear the Oslo show on 28th as she was ill. If anyone want to money back, they could. It made many people disappointed. But there were some media said Geri was not ill, she leave UK herself, she leave the group already. The official denied.

Suddenly the Fab Five became Fab Four on May 31, 1998, as Geri Halliwell decided to leave the Spice Girls. This is her press statement:

"This message is for the fans.
Sadly, I would like to confirm that I have left the Spice Girls.
This is because of differences between us.
I'm sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best.
I have no immediate plans. I wish to apologize to all the fans and to thank them and everyone who's been there.

Lots of love

Geri.

PS I'll be back."

Medias said that Spice Girls is finished as Geri's left.

The first public performance after Geri's left was Pavarotte & Friends 98. The group performed "Stop" and the new single, "Viva Forever" with Pavarotte. Then, the girls rehearsed the new dance routine for the America tour in July.

The rumours about the end of the Spice Girls proved wrong as the eighth Spice Girls single to be released, "Viva Forever", went straight into #1 in the UK charts in July 1998, making it the seventh UK #1 hit.

After that, medias revealed that both Victoria and Mel B were pregnant for 3 months.

September 13, 1998, Melanie Brown became Melanie Gulzar as she married dancer Jimmy Gulzar. The wedding took place in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire. She also topped the charts with her first solo single, "I Want You Back" done together with Missy Elliott.

The world tour finished. At the MTV Europe Music Awards 1998 on November 12, 1998, the Spice Girls won two awards, Best Group and Best Pop. The group was nominated for two categories and won both. At the end of the same month, a single by Bryan Adams and Melanie C called "When You're Gone" was released.

On 7th December, "Goodbye", the first single without Geri's voice released. It became the third Christmas #1 hit in a row! The Beatles has only achieved this before in the 1960's. "Goodbye" also became Top 8 single of 99 while "Viva Forever" became #13.

February 19, 1999, Melanie G gave birth to a daughter. She and Jimmy named her Phoenix Chi.

March 4, 1999, it was Victoria's turn to become a mother. She gave birth to a son named Brooklyn Joseph.

On 28th June 1999, Melanie G released another solo single. This time she did a cover of the old Cameo song, "Word Up". But the sales were not very well, reached #14 only. The first single from the girls wasn't reached top 10.

July 4, 1999, Victoria married football player, David Beckham and is now therefore know as Victoria Beckham. The wedding took place at Luttrellstown Castle, Dublin.

In August, the girls were back in studio to record their 3rd album.

In September 1999, Melanie C's first real solo single, Goin' Down was released.

The following month, October 1999, Melanie's solo album called "Northern Star" was released. Although it sold out more than 100,000 copies, only reached #10. At the same month, she did a mini tour around the world to promote her solo album.

On 1st November, Emma released her first solo single, "What I Am" with Tin Tin Out. At the same day, her ex-mate Geri Halliwell also release her third solo single, "Lift Me Up". "What I Am" finally loss, just reached #2 while "Lift Me Up" reached #1. In the same month, the second Melanie Csingle with the same name as the album, "Northern Star" was released.

In the final month of the millennium, December 1999, the Spice Girls returned to the stage to do eight show, Ring Side Concert in the UK. 3 brand new Spice Girls songs were performed for the very first time.

At the end of January, Mel C and Geri also attended the Music For Life Concert. It was the first time the member of the Spice Girls and Geri attended to the same show after Geri's left. One week later, they finnally meet at the backstage of the charity show, also have a chat for 20 mins.

At this time, the Brits Awards annoced that the Spice Girls will be given a Lifttime Acievement Award. the spokemon said that hoped will get this award with the other 4 girls during the show, but Geri deny.
Not onlt that, the second battle occur! Both Mel C and Geri also nomineed the Best Female of Brits Awards.

In March 2000, the third battle took place. Mel C's third solo single, "Never Be The Same Again" which featuring TLC's Left Eyes was released on 20th while Geri Halliwell's fourth single, "Bag It Up" release on 13th.

Mel G decide to release her first solo album in Summer 2000.