VANILLA
Girl group VANILLA
Girl group VANILLA
Background information
OriginBarnet, London, England
GenresPop
Years active1996–1998
LabelsEMI
Past membersFrances Potter
Alison Potter
Alida Swart
Sharon Selby

Vanilla were a British pop girl group from Barnet, London, England, formed in 1996.[1]

History

The band members were sisters Frances and Alison Potter, Alida Swart and Sharon Selby. They released two singles for EMI in the late 1990s.

The band's first single was "No Way, No Way", released in December 1997 and based on Piero Umiliani's "Mah Nà Mah Nà". The song peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 24 in New Zealand. It was later featured on several compilations, including Now That's What I Call Music! volume 39 and Dancemania 8, both released in 1998. The accompanying music video was filmed at Brockwell Lido in Brixton, South London. The clip won the title of "Worst Music Video Ever" on the 1997 ITV Chart Show end-of-year special and was voted number 26 on Channel 4's "100 Worst Pop Records". The follow-up was "True to Us", released in April 1998, which rose to number 36 in the UK. Although mocked on Channel 4's morning programme The Big Breakfast, the group regularly took part in the show's "Vanilla's Thrillers" feature, including making a return for Johnny Vaughan and Denise van Outen's final week hosting the show.

While promoting their two singles with EMI, Vanilla made media appearances, including a performance of "No Way, No Way" on Top of the Pops, and performing a spoof version of "True to Us" on Blue Peter. They also obtained a feature on Men & Motors. They embarked on a tour of schools around the UK and were a minor act on the 1998 Disney Channel UK tour. After their contract with EMI ended, Vanilla continued to perform. They made various appearances at London's PopShow Party events where they played a cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" as well as promotional single "Realise", with temporary member Ashley.

In 2011, Frances appeared on the identity parade segment in Episode No. 25.8 of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, hosted by James Blunt. In 2014, Swart was interviewed for an article in The Guardian about the pitfalls of having a hit novelty record.[2]

In 2021, an EP titled "Vanilla" containing promotional single "Realise" and two other tracks was briefly released to digital music outlets. [3]

Discography

Single title UK NZ SC
"No Way No Way" 14[4] 24[5] 12[6]
"True to Us" 36[4] 32 [7]
"Vanilla EP"

References

  1. ↑ "Were Vanilla really the worst girl "band" in the history of the Universe?". jarvt.livejournal.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Robinson, Peter (11 September 2014). "'You become an arse overnight': the pitfalls of having a hit novelty single". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. ↑ https://open.spotify.com/album/7rtFUmKbezdbfuX2vdDze7
  4. 1 2 "VANILLA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "charts.nz - Vanilla [UK] - "No Way, No Way"". charts.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "VANILLA | Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts. 21 December 1997.
  7. ↑ "VANILLA | Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts. 5 August 1998.
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