November 16th 2024.
In the world of pop music, there is often a fine line between fame and fortune and the dark side of the industry. This is something that is explored in the new documentary, Boybands Forever, featuring some of the biggest names from the 90s and 00s. One of the stars of the film is Ritchie Neville, who was a member of the chart-topping group Five alongside Abz Love, Scott Robinson, Sean Conlon, and Jason Paul Brown, also known as 'J'.
Five had a meteoric rise to fame with their debut single, Slam Dunk Da Funk, in 1998, and went on to achieve three number one singles and a number one album. They were also one of the few UK boybands to make a mark in America, which was almost unheard of at the time. The group was signed by Simon Cowell to RCA, before he became known for his harsh criticism on shows like Pop Idol and The X Factor.
However, just three years after their debut, Five disbanded. According to the members, the pressure of being at the top of the charts was too much to handle. They were exhausted and felt exploited by the industry. In the documentary, Cowell admits that Five was the band that got away. Ritchie recalls how Cowell would often tell them, "You guys are an absolute nightmare offstage, but when you five go on stage, you're incredible."
Despite their success, Ritchie believes that Five could have achieved even more. He feels that there was untapped potential and that they could have gone farther if they had been managed differently. The cracks in the group became more apparent when they were told they couldn't go home for Christmas because of an opportunity in America. This caused a heated argument between Scott and the record label, with Scott even pinning one of the executives against the desk with his foot. He wanted to quit the band, but was told that Five would not become Four.
Scott wasn't the only member struggling with the pressures of fame. Sean, the youngest bandmate, was placed on gardening leave and was not allowed to contact the other members. The group was preparing for a performance on Top of the Pops when it became clear that they couldn't go on. Scott broke down in tears, and Ritchie and Jay comforted him while Sean was on their minds.
Looking back, Ritchie believes that if they had been given more time to relax and be with their families, the group could have continued for years. However, the pressure from the record label and the constant media scrutiny took its toll. Ritchie himself experienced this when he began dating popstar Billie Piper. Their relationship was scrutinized by the tabloids, and Ritchie was even set up by a group of women to cheat on Billie. This ultimately led to the end of their relationship and left Ritchie questioning who he could trust.
Even after the disbandment of Five, Ritchie found it difficult to adjust to a normal life. He had become accustomed to the constant attention and paranoia that came with being in the public eye. It wasn't until years later that he was able to let go of the anger he felt towards the industry and appreciate the friendships and relationships he had formed.
The documentary also features other boyband members, such as Robbie Williams, from groups like 911, Damage, Westlife, Blue, and East 17. They all share similar experiences of the grueling and often exploitative nature of the music industry. Boybands Forever serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of fame and the toll it can take on young artists.
In conclusion, Boybands Forever sheds light on the harsh reality of the music industry and the toll it can take on young artists. It also serves as a reminder to appreciate the sacrifices and struggles that come with fame and fortune. The documentary is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of pop stardom. It airs tonight at 9:15 pm on BBC Two and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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