Five (band)

Infobox musical artist |
Name = 5ive


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = London, United Kingdom
Genre = Pop Rap
Dance
Rap Rock
Teen pop, Pop Funky
Years_active = 1997-2001
2006-2007
Label = Sony BMG (UK), RCA/Arista (USA) (1997-2001)
Associated_acts = Abs
URL = [http://www.WorldofFive.com Official site]
Current_members =
Past_members = Jason 'J' Brown (1997-2001, 2006-2007)
Richard 'Abs' Breen (1997-2001, 2006-2007)
Ritchie Neville (1997-2001, 2006-2007)
Scott Robinson (1997-2001, 2006-2007)
Sean Conlon (1997-2001)

Five (originally rendered 5ive) were a British boy band put together in 1997 by the same team that formed the Spice Girls, Bob Herbert and his son Chris. Signed by Simon Cowell, they enjoyed fair success worldwide, but particularly in the UK, parts of Europe, Russia, parts of Asia, Brazil, Israel, Australia, New Zealand and USA. They disbanded on September 27, 2001, after selling almost 20 million records, and having 11 top ten singles and 4 top ten albums in the UK. The five members were Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville, Jason 'J' Brown, Richard 'Abs' Breen and Sean Conlon. Four of the five original members briefly reformed the group on September 27, 2006, but only 7 months after announcing a comeback, Five made an announcement via their official website they would again disband.

Biography

"5ive": the debut

In 1997, an advertisement was placed in the UK performing arts newspaper "The Stage", asking for young male singers/dancers to audition for a boy band-style group with "attitude and edge". Bob and Chris Herbert, the two men who had earlier created the Spice Girls, thought the time was right for a male group. Over three thousand hopefuls auditioned and they were finally narrowed down to only fourteen, five (5ive) of whom had arranged themselves into a group while waiting for their audition and subsequently were signed with BMG/RCA for a six-album deal.

In November 1997, the band released their first single in the UK, "Slam Dunk (Da Funk)", which debuted at #10. The song was also released in the US in 1998 but had little chart success, although it was chosen as the new theme song by the NBA. In 1998 Five earned their first major international hit, "When The Lights Go Out", which cracked the US top 10 and earned Gold status there soon after. Five then went on an eight-day tour to promote their upcoming album, appearing in a concert special for the Disney Channel with Irish girl group B*Witched, in Times Square in New York City, and on MTV's TRL. The debut album peaked at #27 in the US, and topped the charts in other countries worldwide, including the UK. "It's The Things You Do" was released in late 1998 in the US, only to receive a lukewarm reception. The group embarked upon a US tour with boy band *NSYNC, but soon after pulled out due to exhaustion, flying back to England to rest and start work on a new album. Still mining the first record, "Got The Feelin'", "Everybody Get Up", and "Until The Time Is Through" were all released as singles throughout 1998. Reaching the top 5 in different countries around the world, the latter two singles each rose to the number two spot in the UK, and Five had well and truly made their mark in the world of boy band mania. A significant element in 5ive's popularity was their resemblance to American boy bands such as New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync in their musical style and 'street' image, in contrast to Take That and Boyzone, who were primarily known for their ballads.

= "Invincible": the new millennium =

In August 1999, the first single of their second album, the catchy dance tune "If Ya Gettin' Down", was released and became a major hit worldwide but yet again failed top go to #1 in their home country, kept out of the top spot by Ricky Martin. Finally in October 1999, after three consecutive number-two peaks, "Keep on Movin'" became their first UK #1, as well as their biggest selling single to date. The second album hit the top five shortly thereafter. "Don't Wanna Let You Go" was released in early March 2000, peaking at #9. On March 3, 2000, Five opened at the BRIT Awards with rock legends Queen, performing an updated version of that band's hit, "We Will Rock You". That night Five won their first BRIT Award, as "Best Pop Act", and their cover of the Queen song went on to become their second #1 in the UK in July 2000. The first half of 2000 found Five on a successful world tour, performing concerts in the UK, Europe, Russia, Australasia and—as a foursome—South America, after band member Ritchie contracted Chicken Pox and had to be flown back to England.

After finishing the tour, the group continued to perform at many concerts in the UK, including Party in the Park with Queen. A re-issue of their album "Invincible" included remixed versions of a couple of songs and five live tracks from their tour, as well as a bonus track, "Don't Fight It Baby". Due for release in July 2000 in the US, the song was pulled from release after the group was dropped by their stateside label, Arista Records. Five also had problems with their Asian record company, and subsequently cancelled their Asian tour.

Suffering from this major blow, the lads headed back to the studio and started writing songs for their next album. They continued to win awards in the UK and Europe, and in December 2000 launched their second big tour, in their home country. In January 2001, Five went to perform at one of the biggest festivals in the world, "Rock In Rio" in Rio de Janeiro and Caracas, to an audience of almost half a million people.

"Kingsize" and the end of an era

In May 2001, after many months of creative writing and "developing their own personal sound," "Kingsize" was completed. When it was time to begin filming the video for the debut single off the album, however, band member Sean had fallen ill with glandular fever. The "Let's Dance" video was released with a life-size cardboard cut-out standing in for the ailing singer, and rumours that he had in fact left the band had to be quashed. Scott also temporarily left the band for a few weeks to be with his then-fiancée Kerry Oaker, who was having troubles with her pregnancy. Their son, Brennan Rhys, was born on July 11, 2001, five weeks premature. The remaining three members, J, Abz and Ritchie, pressed on with heavy promotion of the group's third album and the "Let's Dance" single. Whilst performing at a concert in Belgium in July, Ritch ripped the tendons in his left foot, putting a halt to all promotion and prompting the group to have a few meetings to re-think their options and future. "Let's Dance" was released in mid August 2001, however, and became their third UK #1, holding the top spot for two weeks. "Kingsize" debuted two weeks later at #3, going on to achieve Gold status.

After a month of serious meetings with record management, Five came to the decision that they were "calling it a day", and the group disbanded on September 27, 2001, via an announcement on MTV Select. On September 28, a day after the announcement, Scott married his childhood sweetheart, Kerry Oaker, at a ceremony with all of his former bandmates in attendance.

In November 2001, "Closer To Me", featuring rare footage of the band, and "Rock The Party", with an animated video, were released as a double-A-side single. A greatest hits album followed.

In the band's short life-span, they experienced success around the world, racking up three number-one singles in the UK and selling an estimate of 15-20 million records worldwide,cite web |title=5iveUSA |work=Discography |url=http://www.5iveusa.com/Disco.htm |accessmonthday=November 10 |accessyear=2005] including 7 million albums worldwide and two million in the United States, and picking up numerous awards along the way.

Life after Five/Future

In November 2001, Five member Abs went to Australia for the major pop festival Rumba! and performed on stage with boy band Blue. About a year after the breakup, he enjoyed a brief but fairly successful solo career, releasing the album "Abstract Theory" in 2003, which produced three top 10 singles in the UK.

Ritchie Neville and Sean Conlon also initially attempted solo musical careers which seemed to stop almost before they began, although Ritchie has made occasional appearances as a TV guest star, presenter, actor and reality show celebrity contestant. Scott Robinson joined a local Essex radio station, EssexFM, in 2002 for a few months as a radio DJ. He starred in the UK regional theatre musical "Boogie Nights 2" from late 2004 through most of 2005. Scott also became a father for a second time, with the birth of his second son on September 13, 2006.cite web |title=Official Website, September 2006 |work=Birth of new son |url=http://scott-robinson.co.uk/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=668 |accessmonthday=September 17 |accessyear=2006] J Brown had all but disappeared from public view for nearly 4 years but has recently resurfaced as a writer and producer, and also came third in the 2007 series of "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!". Sean Conlon ultimately became the second group member to sign a solo recording deal, with Sony, and began work toward a new album.

On September 17, 2006, an announcement was made via Five's official MySpace page that a press conference was to be held at The Scala in central London, England, on September 27, 2006, at around 11am GMT.cite web |title=Official Myspace Page, September 2006 |work=Major Announcement on 27/09/2006 |url=http://www.myspace.com/worldoffive |accessmonthday=September 17 |accessyear=2006] After a venue change due to a shooting at The Scala, the conference was moved to the Bar Academy Islington. It was rumoured that four of the five members would be reuniting (Sean now being committed to his Sony deal),cite web |title=The Sun.co.uk |work=Five are back... as Four |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2006440270,00.html |accessmonthday=September 23 |accessyear=2006] and this was confirmed at the press conference. Five recorded new material for what was to be their fourth studio album, working with Guy Chambers, Swedish producer/songwriter Anders Bagge, and French DJs Trak Invaders, and also planned to tour in 2007.cite web |title=MTV.co.uk |work=5ive: "we're gay" |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/27092006/5ive_we_re_gay |accessmonthday=September 29 |accessyear=2006] As of January 2007, Five had completed half of their album and were looking to sign up to a record company. The album was expected to be released within the next few months.cite web |title=Official Myspace profile |work=Message from Five |url=http://warringtonwarrior.com/5/gossip07.html |accessmonthday=January 26 |accessyear=2007] On March 8, 2007, at midnight, Five premiered one-minute clips of two brand new songs that were to have been on the new album. The songs, titled "70 Days" and "Settle Down," can be heard on the band's official webpage and also on their MySpace page.

Only 7 months after reforming, having failed attempts at securing a record deal, Five announced on May 20, 2007, via their official website that the group will no longer be pursuing a comeback.cite web |title=Five Fan Site |work=Five no more |url=http://www.warringtonwarrior.com/5/gossip07.html |accessmonthday=May 20 |accessyear=2007]

Discography

Albums

* 1998: "5ive"
* 1999: "Invincible"
* 2001: "Kingsize"
* 2001: "Greatest Hits"

Singles

* (1997) "Slam Dunk Da Funk"
* (1998) "When the Lights Go Out"
* (1998) "Got the Feeling"
* (1998) "Until the Time is Through"
* (1999) "Everybody Get Up"
* (1999) "It's the Things You Do"
* (1999) "If Ya Gettin' Down"
* (1999) "Keep on Movin"
* (1999) "How Do Ya Feel"
* (2000) "Don't Wanna Let You Go"
* (2000) "We Will Rock You"
* (2001) "Let's Dance"
* (2001) "Closer to Me"
* (2001) "Rock the Party"

Unreleased songs (due for release in the failed comeback)

* (2007) "Are You Coming"
* (2008) "70 Days"
* (2008) "Settle Down"

Number-one singles

Tours

* Invincible Tour "(February - May 2000)"

Awards

(*) For source, see References.

"BRIT Awards"
* Best Pop Act - 2000

"MTV Europe Music Awards"
* The MTV Select Award - 1998

"Silver Clef Awards"
* Best Newcomer - 2000

"Smash Hits Poll Winners Party"
* Best New Act - 1997
* Best Haircut (Scott) - 1997, 1998, 1999
* Best British Band - 1998, 1999, 2000
* Best Album - 1998
* Best Cover - 1998

"TMF Awards (Holland)"
* Best Single - 2000
* Best Album - 2000
* Best International Group - 2000

"TV Hits Awards"
* Best New Band - 1999
* Best Single (We Will Rock You (Queen cover)) - 2000

References

;General
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20011221012950/www.5iveweb.com/info/achievement.shtml 5iveweb.com - Achievements] — archived December 21, 2001; retrieved November 10, 2005;Specific

See also

* List of 1990s one-hit wonders in the United States
* List of Number 1 singles from the 1990s (UK)
* List of Number 1 singles from the 2000s (UK)

External links

* [http://www.WorldofFive.com World of Five] - official website
* [http://www.myspace.com/worldoffive Five's Official MySpace]
* [http://www.5iveusa.com 5iveUSA]
* [http://www.warringtonwarrior.com/5/index.html Five Fansite]
* [http://www.billboard.com Billboard charts]
* [http://www.aria.com.au ARIA charts]
* [http://www.theofficialcharts.com The Official UK Charts]
* [http://www.sonybmg.com.uk SonyBMG]
* [http://www.rcarecords.com RCA Records]