The Spice Girls formed back in 1994. Scary, right? Eighteen years, 74 million album sales and four solo careers later, they reunited yesterday for the Olympics Closing Ceremony. Part business plan and part musical endeavour, girl groups have been spicing up our lives (sorry) since the 50s. Wonderland thought we’d pay our respects to some of the greats.
(1) The Supremes
The Motown super-group that made Diana Ross a star were the first all-black, all-female act to flaunt their femininity through high fashion, wigs and dance routines, changing how the world perceived African-American women. Kudos, ladies, kudos.
(2) Destiny’s Child
This list just wouldn’t be complete without the R&B trio that introduced the world to Beyoncé. Although some of their style choices fall into the questionable side of the noughties, these girls earned their power. Can you handle it?
(3) TLC
TLC won success for their sleek hip hop and R&B, their fame peaking in the golden age of the wind machine. Fun fact: the name TLC is derived from the girls’ nicknames – T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli.
(4) The Spice Girls
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The Spice Girls are officially the most successful girl group of all time. Scary, Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger shot to superstardom in the mid-90s, and the world never looked back. You know all the words – don’t deny it. Even Boris was dancing.
(5) Bananarama
In all their camp 80s glory, Bananarama have enjoyed more chart entries than any other girl group in the world. One member, Siobhan Fahey, went on to form Shakespears Sister. Here’s the most accurate representation of life behind bars since The Jailhouse Rock.
(6) Sugababes
The Sugababes’ line-up has been revolving like a carousel since their formation in 1998, but every incarnation has brought us big hits and big glamour. Their original trio recently reunited under the name Mutya Keisha Siobhan. Let the battle commence.
(7) Girls’ Generation
Reigning as K-Pop’s most successful exports, these girls never step an inch out of place, and the West is having no trouble embracing their high-budget videos and glossy, cutesy approach to pop. All tongues in cheeks for this.
Words: Mark Izatt
