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Steps (pop group)

Band members

The group, consisting of Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian Watkins (known as H), Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee, formed on May 7, 1997. They were seen performing by producer Pete Waterman (formerly of Stock Aitken Waterman) and signed to a recording contract on his EBUL label.

History

Waterman's stated intention was to try to recreate the sound of ABBA and blend it with a more modern style, however their first single "5,6,7,8" was a techno line dance and though not typical of what would become their style, it became their first hit.

The hit singles continued, with their cover versionofBananarama's "Last Thing On My Mind", and the most ABBA flavoured of their singles, "One For Sorrow", reaching the UK Top 10. Their next single, a cover version of the Bee Gees "Tragedy" became their first number one single in January 1999.

Over the next year they hit the top 10 several times, with songs such as "Better Best Forgotten", "Love's Got A Hold On My Heart", "Deeper Shade of Blue" (originally intended for Tina Cousins) and a double A sided single of "Say You'll Be Mine" with their version of Kylie Minogue's "Better The Devil You Know". Their second, and final number one single Stomp reached the number one position in October 2000. They continued releasing singles and reached number two with both "It's The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Chain Reaction" (originally recorded by Diana Ross) before disbanding on December 26, 2001.

Steps were part of the ensemble that released "Thank ABBA for the Music" (a medley of ABBA's "Take A Chance On Me", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and "Thank You for the Music") in March 1999, as perfomed at the Brit Awards. The other artists singing were Tina Cousins, Cleopatra, B*Witched, and Billie. In the same year, Steps were at the centre of a controversy surrounding the 'Best Newcomer' gong at the Brit Awards. Pete Waterman, the mastermind behind the group, claimed to have been told days before the ceremony that Steps had won the award, as voted for by listeners of BBC Radio 1. However, on the night the award was handed to the Scottish band Belle & Sebastian, who were assumed to be rank outsiders. Despite the allegation that a significant amount of votes for Belle & Sebastian were traced to one location (two computers sited in a particular UK university campus), the band held onto their award as foul-play was denied by organisers of the Brit Awards. In 2000, Steps were handed a special Brit Award for being the both the best selling tour act and albums act of 1999.

Discography

Albums

• Step One (1998) #2 UK
• Steptacular (1999) #1 UK
• Buzz (2000) #4 UK
• Gold - The Greatest Hits (2001) #1 UK
• The Last Dance (2002) #50+ UK

Singles

• "5, 6, 7, 8" (1997) #14 UK
• "Last Thing On My Mind" (1998) #6 UK
• "One For Sorrow" (1998) #2 UK
• "Heartbeat"/"Tragedy" (1998) #1 UK
• "Better Best Forgotten" (1998) #2 UK
• "Thank ABBA For The Music" (with Tina Cousins, Cleopatra, B*Witched and Billie) (1999) #4 UK
• "Love's Got A Hold On My Heart" (1999) #2 UK
• "After The Love Has Gone" (1999) #5 UK
• "Say You'll Be Mine"/"Better The Devil You Know" (1999) #4 UK
• "Deeper Shade Of Blue" (2000) #4 UK
• "When I Said Goodbye"/"Summer Of Love" (2000) #5 UK
• "Stomp" (2000) #1 UK
• "It's The Way You Make Me Feel"/"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" (2001) #2 UK
• "Here And Now"/"You'll Be Sorry" (2001) #4 UK
• "Chain Reaction"/"One For Sorrow" (2001) #2 UK
• "Words Are Not Enough"/"I Know Him So Well" (2001) #5 UK