The Spice Girls are one of the best-selling pop group acts, the world has ever seen. Formed in 1994, they were on to become the biggest selling British pop group of all time, just behind The Beatles. They are also the best-selling female group of all time.
How were Spice Girls formed?
In the mid-90s, Chris Herbert and Bob Herbert wanted to create girl group that would compete with popular boy-bands of that time like Take That, Boyzone, and Backstreet Boys which dominated the music group at that time.
In February 1994, there was an ad placed in the trade magazine called ‘The Stage’ asking singers to audition for an all-girls pop band. More than 400 women attended the audition at Danceworks studios. Out of the twelve women shortlisted, the ones chosen were Melanie Brown, Victoria Adams, Melanie Chisholm and Michelle Stephenson. In the second round of audition, Geri Halliwell auditioned and was selected. During the course of training, Stephenson was fired and replaced with Emma Bunton. It was Emma who came up with the brand ‘Spice Girls’.
Spice Girls – Nicknames and reasons
The girls were given sobriquets wherein Melanie Brown was called Scary Spice, Melanie Chrisholm was called Sporty Spice, Emma Bunton became Baby Spice, Victoria Beckham (nee Adams) became Posh Spice and Geri Halliwell was called Ginger Spice.
Victoria Adams was called Posh Spice, because of her chic look, designer outfits, inclination to wear high-heeled footwear and bob-brunette hairstyle.
Emma Bunton was called Baby Spice, because she was the youngest in the group, had a girly aura and wore baby-doll outfits.
Melanie C was called Sporty Spice because she wore tracksuits, had an athletic figure, wore a pony tail and had tattoos on both her hands. She was also capable of doing back handsprings.
Melanie B was called Scary Spice, because she reflected an uninhibited, frank approach. She wore leopard print outfits, was distinguished by her Afro hair, had her tongue pierced and laughed huskily.
Geri Halliwell was called ‘Ginger Spice’ because she was lively, zestful and wore eye-catching outfits. Her red-hair was also an attractive part of her personality. She was believed to to be the leader of the group, she was also known for her articulate way of speaking.
Spice Girls – Age
Geri was born on April 6, 1972 in Watford. Victoria was born on April 17, 1974 in Harlow.
Melanie C was born on January 12, 1974 in Whiston, while Melanie B was born on May 29, 1975 in Leeds.
Emma was born on January 21, 1976 in n Finchley. While Geri was the eldest, Emma was the youngest.
The Success Story of Spice Girls
The band ‘Spice Girls’ was signed with Virgin Records, and they released their debut single called ‘Wannabe’ in 1996. The song went on to become number 1 in 37 countries. The songs that released would instantly become chart-busters and the band receives worldwide acclaim. The album ‘Spice’ went on to sell more than 31 million copies worldwide, which is an unbeaten record for the best-selling female-group album in his history. The second album ‘Spice World’ sold more than 20 million copies.
Most popular Spice Girls songs
The most popular tracks from Spice Girls are Wannabe, 2 Become 1, Mama, Say You’ll be There, Who do You Think You Are from the album ‘Spice’. The second album ‘Spiceworld’ had memorable songs like ‘Spice Up Your Life’, ‘Viva Forever’, ‘Stop’ and ‘Too Much’
Why did Spice Girls Break Up?
On November 7, 1997, the band performed ‘Spice Up Your Life’ in the MTV Europe Music Awards. Post this performance, the Spice Girls had decided to run the band themselves and fired their manager Simon Fuller. The firing was given front-page attention in news. It was a shock because Fuller was the influential force behind the success and marketing of the group. Post his eviction, Spice Girls began to lose its focus and the incentive to move ahead.
On May 31, 1998 Geri Halliwell release a statement through her lawyer, “Sadly, I would like to confirm that I have quit Spice Girls. This is due to differences between use. I am sure the group will continue to be successful as it was, and I wish them all the best’’. Geri’s break from the group was a shock to fans. There were reports that the fights and differences of opinion between Mel B and Geri was the reason for the breakup of the group. Geri went on to become a successful solo sensation for the initial part of her career. Viva Forever, the single, was made before Geri left the group, the video features the girls in the form of an animation.
In 1998, Melanie Brown and Victoria Adams became pregnant, their partners were Jimmy Gulzer (dancer) and David Beckham (Manchester United Football player) respectively. The Spice Girls came back to the studio in August 1999 and worked on their third and final group, called ‘Forever’. The album released in November 2000, had an edgier R&B sound, but it received lukewarm reception from critics. The album sold five million copies, which was not much in front of the first two albums.
Spice Girls – The Comeback
There was no doubt that the band enjoyed cult appeal, even after the turn of the millennium. The 2007-2008 Spice Girls reunion tour was a big event with top-line merchandising and girl-power symbolism. Halliwell’s famous ‘Union Jack’ dress symbolizing girl-power made headline news. In the year 2016, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Mel B reunited and launched a new website called ‘The Spice Girls – GEM’’ which eventually shut down.
The two concert tours, ‘The Return of the Spice Girls’ (2007 -2008) and Spice World (2019), both won the Billboard Live Music Award for the highest grossing live concert engagements.
Spice Girls – Net Worth
The combined net worth of the girls through record sales and appearances come to $75 to $85 million annually. During their peak period, between 1996 and 1998, Spice Girls had a net worth of $700 to $800 million.
