Spice Girls
Their first managers placed the following ad in Stage Magazine: “WANTED: R.U. 18–23 with the ability to sing/dance? R.U. streetwise, outgoing, ambitious, and dedicated? Heart Management Ltd. are a widely successful music industry management consortium currently forming a choreographed, singing/dancing, all-female pop act for a recording deal. Open Audition. Danceworks, 16 Balderton Street. Friday 4 March. 11 am-5:30 pm. Please bring sheet music or backing cassette”. About 400 women answered the ad.
Geri Halliwell had seen the ad but went skiing in Spain and missed the audition because her face got sunburnt.
Before becoming The Spice Girls, the group was given the name Touch. They later recorded a track called “Sugar and Spice”, the source of their final band name.
Victoria Beckham was called Posh Spice because of her more upper-middle-class background.
Before starting her music career, Geri Halliwell had worked as a nightclub dancer in Majorca, a presenter on the Turkish version of Let’s Make a Deal, and as a glamour model. Following her rise to fame with the Spice Girls, nude photos of Halliwell were republished in a number of magazines in 1992 and 1996 including Playboy and Penthouse.
They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single “Wannabe” in 1996, which hit No.1 in 37 countries.
Their debut album Spice sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by a female group in history.
The Spice Girls have sold over 80 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling female group of all time, one of the best-selling pop groups of all time, and the biggest British pop phenomenon since Beatlemania.
“Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Sporty were the most widely recognised group of individuals since John, Paul, George, and Ringo.”
In 1997, Jack in the Box, an American fast-food chain restaurant, sought to capitalise on Spice Girl Mania in America, by launching a major advertising campaign using a fictional musical group called the ‘Spicy Crispy Chicks’
Their debut album sold over 3 million copies in Britain and is the biggest-selling album of all time in the UK by a female group.
Released in December 1997, Spiceworld: The Movie proved to be a hit at the box office, breaking the record for the highest-ever weekend debut for Super Bowl Weekend (25 January 1998) in the US, with box office sales of $10,527,222.
The group performed “Who Do You Think You Are” to open the 1997 BRIT Awards with Geri Halliwell wearing a Union Jack mini-dress, causing it to become one of pop history’s most famed outfits. The dress was sold at a charity auction to Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas for a record £41,320, giving Halliwell the Guinness World Record for the most expensive piece of pop star clothing ever sold.
The Spice Girls’ first book sold 200,000 copies within a day, and was eventually translated into more than 20 languages.
1997 saw the Spice Girls capitalising on their fame through a multi-million dollar phenomenon of merchandise, with hundreds of official products, including Chupa Chups, Walkers Crisps, Cadbury Chocolate, Polaroid, Impulse Deodorant, Aprilia Scooters, Domino Sugar, Spice Girls Dolls, a PlayStation video game, Sponsorship with ASDA Supermarket chain Channel 5, and signed contract with Pepsi earned the group over £5 million (US$10 million).
Their second album, Spiceworld was a global best seller. It set a new record for the fastest-selling album when it shipped seven million copies over the course of two weeks.
On 31 May 1998, Halliwell announced her departure from the Spice Girls, claiming that she was suffering from exhaustion and wanted to take a break. The news of Halliwell’s departure was covered as a major news story by media around the world.
Victoria Beckham married footballer David Beckham and they have four children. As of September 2015, the couple’s joint wealth is estimated at £508 million.
In 2006 Mel Brown became the subject of tabloid stories because of her relationship with Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy, who would eventually acknowledge he was the father of Brown’s then unborn second child.
Emma Bunton works as a radio presenter on the Heart Radio Network in the UK and television appearances include being a judge on the ITV skating show Dancing on Ice.
With 11 number one singles (seven as part of the Spice Girls and four as a solo artist) Geri Halliwell is the female singer with the third most No.1 singles in UK Singles Chart history.
In January 2015, Melanie Chisholm joined the judging panel for Asia’s Got Talent and has now released five solo albums.
Important Dates In The Life Of Spice Girls:
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5
Jan
2024
Royal Mail announced it was issuing a set of 15 stamps celebrating The Spice Girls. one of the world's most successful pop groups, as they marked their 30th anniversary. It was the first time Royal Mail had dedicated an entire stamp issue to a female pop group. The stamps were set to feature images from their performances from 1997 to 2012, including at the Brit Awards in 1997, and at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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11
Aug
2022
David Bowie was named Britain's most influential artist of the past 50 years in the Sky Arts list for his ability to transcend music, film and fashion. Other musicians in the list included the Spice Girls, Sir Elton John, Stormzy and Boy George.
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24
Dec
2021
LadBaby made chart history when his song 'Sausage Rolls for Everyone', a sausage roll-themed parody of Ed Sheeran and Elton John's No.1 single 'Merry Christmas' and also featuring Sheeran and John, debuted at No.1 in the UK Singles Chart. It gave the Nottingham-born YouTuber and musician his fourth consecutive Christmas No.1 single. LadBaby became only the second act in history, after The Beatles, to secure four Christmas No.1 singles, but was the very first to achieve four consecutive Christmas chart-toppers, surpassing the records of both The Beatles and The Spice Girls.
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21
Jun
2019
A report showed that The Spice Girls company funds had dwindled to just £86,000 before their recent concerts of this year. At their Nineties peak, the band’s firm was turning over more than £40million a year, latest accounts showed that Spice Girls Ltd had assets of just £135,450 with around £50,000 of debts yet to be paid. Geri’s Wonderful Productions made just £3,400, while Mel B’s Moneyspider Productions Limited gained only £13,300 in the year to August 2018. Melanie Chisholm – Mel C – also agreed to the reunion after her firm Red Girl Records went £850,000 into debt. But Emma Bunton’s Monsta Productions bucked the trend, with reserves doubling to just under £1m in the same year.
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20
Jun
2014
Songs by Elvis Presley, ABBA and the
Spice Girls were among those being used in research that hoped to unlock the secret of how our memory works. Researchers from the University of Amsterdam had created an online game in an attempt to shed light on why some tunes get stuck in your head.
Fans were asked to identify song clips and compare them by their catchiness.
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2
May
2013
It was announced that the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! was to close at the end of June 2013. The production, which was written by Jennifer Saunders, suffered poor ticket sales after damning reviews.
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12
Aug
2012
The London 2012 Olympics ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony. The three-hour show featured some of the biggest names of British music from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael, The Who, Take That, Muse, Jessie J, Emeli Sande, Elbow, Madness, The Pet Shop Boys, One Direction, Ray Davies, Liam Gallagher, and Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen.
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2
Feb
2008
The Spice Girls cut short their reunion world tour, blaming "family and personal commitments". The band said they would end their tour in Toronto on 26 February, with planned shows in Beijing, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires being axed. A spokesman for the group said: "Sadly, the tour needs to come to an end by the end of February due to family and personal commitments."
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18
Oct
2007
The Spice Girls US record label announced that their forthcoming greatest hits album would be made available exclusively at the lingerie chain Victoria's Secret shops in the US two months ahead of other outlets.
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1
Oct
2007
The Spice Girls London reunion concert sold out in 38 seconds after fans were notified tickets had gone on sale. More than one million people in the UK registered for the concert, on 15 December 2007 at the O2 arena, tickets cost £55-75. Three more London dates were added to the world tour which was kicking off in Vancouver on 2nd Dec.
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28
Jun
2007
The
Spice Girls confirmed they would reform for a world tour to take place in December 2007 and January 2008 with the original line-up who had not performed on stage since Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell quit in May 1998. The 11 dates announced included a London show on 15 December, eight days after the first date in Los Angeles. Other dates included Cologne, Madrid Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town. The tour was being put together by Simon Fuller, whose 19 company masterminded the group's global success more than a decade ago.
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26
Jul
2006
The final edition of Top Of The Pops was recorded at BBC Television Centre in London. Just under 200 members of the public were in the audience for the show which was co-hosted by veteran disc jockey Sir Jimmy Savile, its very first presenter. Classic performances from the Spice Girls, Wham, Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Robbie Williams featured in the show alongside The Rolling Stones who were the very first band to appear on Top of the Pops on New Year's Day in 1964.
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18
Jun
2003
Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller became the first British music manager since The Beatles Brian Epstein to hold the top three positions in the US singles chart. Fuller, who steered the Spice Girls and S Club 7 to success, was in charge of bestselling artists Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, together with the American Idol 2 Final 10. During 2003 Fuller sold more than ten million records around the world and has had 96 No.1 singles and 79 top-placed albums in both the US and UK during his career. He was named in the latest Sunday Times Rich List as the 359th wealthiest person in the UK with assets of £90 million ($153 million).
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8
Apr
2001
Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton scored her first UK No.1 single with 'What Took You So Long.' She became the fourth Spice Girl to have a solo No 1. Written by Richard Stannard who wrote six of the Spice Girls' UK No.1 hits.
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1
Nov
2000
All Saints came top of a poll to find the sexiest female act. 12,000 UK television viewers voted for the group, The Spice Girls came second and Atomic Kitten third. The 50s group The Beverley Sisters were voted into 11th place beating TLC.
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29
Oct
2000
The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Holler / Let Love Lead The Way'. The group made musical history by scoring their ninth No.1 making them joint fourth in the list of acts that have had nine UK No.1 singles.
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1
Sep
2000
The Spice Girls had five places in a list of the UK Top 20 earning celebrity directors. Monsta Productions (Emma), Moody Productions, (Posh), Red Girl Productions, (Mel C), Moneyspider Productions, (Mel B) and Geri Productions with £6m each.
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16
Jul
2000
The Corrs presented a petition to the European Commission demanding legislation to end piracy on the Internet. The Manic Street Preachers and The
Spice Girls
also added their names to the petition.
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13
Jun
2000
A roadie who worked for The Spice Girls, Oasis, Elton John and Whitney Houston was arrested and charged with smuggling millions of pounds worth of Ecstasy into the UK.
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3
Mar
2000
Tom Jones won the Best male artist at this year's Brit Awards. Other winners included Travis for Best band and Best album 'The Man Who.' Best single went to Robbie Williams for 'She's The One', Five won Best pop act, TLC won Best International group, Beck won Best International Male, Macy Gray won Best newcomer and Outstanding Contribution went to The Spice Girls.
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25
Feb
2000
The five original Spice Girls were facing a bill of up to £1 million ($1.7 million) after losing a legal battle against the sponsors of their 1988 world tour. The Aprilia Scoter Company had claimed the girls knew of Geri's impending departure.
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11
Feb
2000
Spice Girls Geri Halliwell appeared in court to give evidence over the dispute with Aprilla Motorcycles. The company were suing the Spice Girls for £1.6 million ($2.72 million) over lost advertising as sponsors for the 1998 Spiceworld World tour.
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18
Dec
1999
The Spice Girls unveiled their waxwork look-alikes at Madame Tussaud's, London. Each model had cost £35,000 to make.
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13
Dec
1999
Winners in the Smash Hits readers poll included Backstreet Boys who won Best Band, best album and best single, Britney Spears won best female singer, Robbie Williams best male singer, S Club 7 won best new band and the worst group went to the Spice Girls.
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13
Nov
1999
A report showed that The Spice Girls were the highest earners in pop during the 90s with their debut album 'Spice' selling over 20 million copies. Elton John was second with 14 million sales from 'The Lion King'.
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9
Aug
1999
Spice Girls manager Bob Herbert was killed in a car crash in Windsor, England. Herbert was behind the formation of The Spice Girls and Five and had managed Bros during the 80s.
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7
Jul
1999
It was reported that to attract young people to their mobile vans UK ice cream sellers would start to play pop hits as music instead of the traditional chimes. Spice Girls and Oasis hits would be the first to be played.
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26
Dec
1998
The Spice Girls scored their 8th UK No.1 single with 'Goodbye', (the first single without Geri Halliwell). It gave the group the Christmas No.1 for the third year in a row equaling the record set by The Beatles from 1963, 64 and 65.
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12
Nov
1998
Winners at the MTV Europe Awards included Madonna best female artist and album for 'Ray Of Light', The Spice Girls won best group, All Saints won breakthrough artist, Robbie Williams, best male artist and Natalie Imbruglia won best song with 'Torn.'
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28
Aug
1998
Geri Halliwell announced that she was selling off her Spice Girls clothes in a charity auction. The PVC cat suit she used to wear was up for £5000 knee high boots for £1200 and the Union Jack dress she wore to the Brit Awards for £8000.
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8
Aug
1998
The Spice Girls had the UK No.1 single with 'Viva Forever', their 7th UK chart topper. Brandy and Monica were at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Boy Is Mine'.
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1
Aug
1998
The Spice Girls scored their seventh UK No.1 single with 'Viva Forever'. The song was originally set to be released alongside the track 'Never Give Up on the Good Times' as a double A-Side which was pulled as member Geri Halliwell left the group.
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31
May
1998
Geri Halliwell announced she had quit The Spice Girls saying "This is because of differences between us. I am sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best."
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5
Apr
1998
The Spice Girls performed their first ever-live UK concert when they appeared in front of a 9,000 strong audience in Glasgow, Scotland.
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9
Feb
1998
Winners at this year's Brit Awards included Finley Quaye who won Best British Male Solo Artist, Best British Female Solo Artist went to Shola Ama, The Verve won British Group and Best British Album for 'Urban Hymns', British Dance Act went to The Prodigy, British Breakthrough Act was Stereophonics, Best Selling British Album Act was The Spice Girls International Male, Jon Bon Jovi, International Female, Bjork, International Group, U2 and Outstanding Contribution went to Fleetwood Mac. During the show Chumbawamba singer Danbert Nobacon threw a plastic bucket full of cold water over UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
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27
Dec
1997
The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Too Much'. The group set another new world record as their first six singles all made No.1.
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15
Dec
1997
'Spice World The Movie', featuring The Spice Girls premiered at The Empire, Leicester Sq, London. The following year it was nominated for the 'worst film' at the Golden Raspberry Awards.
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12
Nov
1997
The Spice Girls were at No.1 on the UK album chart with their second album 'Spiceworld', it was also the name of their tie-in film. The album became a huge hit worldwide, lengthening the so-called "Spicemania" fever at that time. It produced 4 singles all of which saw commercial success and has now sold over 20 million worldwide.
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25
Oct
1997
The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Spice Up Your Life'. Taken from their second album 'Spiceworld' the single set new record, making them the only act to have their first five singles reach No.1.
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14
Jul
1997
Walkers Spice Girls crisps went on sale in the UK, over 16 million bags were sold by the end of the year.
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29
May
1997
The Manic Street Preachers won the best song award for 'A Design For Life' at the 42nd Ivor Novello awards. Other winners included The
Spice Girls for Hit of the year with 'Wannabe', Elvis Costello for Outstanding contribution to music, George Michael won Songwriter Of The Year and Most Performed work for 'Fastlove.'
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24
May
1997
The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Spice', making them only the third all girl group to do so after
The Supremes and The Go-Go's and the first ever UK girl group to do so.
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15
Mar
1997
The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Mama', making them the first act ever to have their first four singles reach No.1 on the UK chart.
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24
Feb
1997
The Spice Girls won best single with 'Wannabe' at this year's Brit Awards held in London. Other winners included, Best Group for Manic Street Preachers, Best Dance Act went to The Prodigy, George Michael won Best Male, Best Female went to Gabrielle, Best Newcomer was won by Kula Shaker, International Male was Beck, International Female Sheryl Crow and
Best International Group was The Fugees.
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17
Nov
1996
The Spice Girls were at No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut release 'Spice Girls.' Five singles were released from the album: 'Wannabe', 'Say You'll Be There', '2 Become 1', 'Who Do You Think You Are' and 'Mama'. The first single, 'Wannabe', went to No.1 in 31 countries, and the next two singles, 'Say You'll Be There' and '2 Become 1', the top of the charts in 53 countries.
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26
Oct
1996
The Spice Girls had their second UK No.1 single when 'Say You'll Be There' started a two-week run at the top of the charts. The song included a harmonica solo, played by Judd Lander who also played the harmonica solo on Culture Club's 1984 hit 'Karma Chameleon'.
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27
Jul
1996
The Spice Girls scored their first No.1 UK single with 'Wannabe'. Seven weeks at No.1, the song won Best British-Written Single at the 1997 Ivor Novello Awards and Best Single at the 1997 Brit Awards. The Girl Power song became the best-selling single by a female group selling over six million copies worldwide.
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19
Jul
1996
The Spice Girls made their debut on UK TV music show Top Of The Pops performing their debut single ' Wannabe' which gave them their first of nine UK chart toppers.
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tia Sodeau
June 14, 2022 at 12:48 pm
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Millie R
June 14, 2022 at 12:50 pm
well wow