Five (5ive) – The British Boyband That Dominated Late-90s Pop
FIVE (5ive)
From: United Kingdom
Members: Sean Conlon, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Abz Love (Richard Breen), Jason “J” Brown
Years active: 1997 – 2001, 2006 – present (with line-up changes)
Big in... United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and parts of Asia {alertInfo}
The Story of Five
Five, often stylized as 5ive, is a British boyband that became one of the most successful pop acts of the late 1990s. The group was formed in 1997 after a massive audition process organized by the same management team that helped launch the Spice Girls. More than 3,000 hopeful singers auditioned before Sean Conlon, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Abz Love and Jason “J” Brown were selected to form the final line-up.
Unlike many boybands of the era, Five developed a distinctive sound that combined pop melodies with elements of hip-hop, R&B and dance music. Their energetic style, rebellious attitude and street-inspired image set them apart from other groups such as Take That or Backstreet Boys. This edgy approach helped them attract both pop audiences and fans of more urban-influenced music.
The band released their debut single “Slam Dunk (Da Funk)” in 1997, which quickly became a hit in the United Kingdom and other countries. Their first album, Five (1998), achieved major commercial success and produced several popular singles including “When the Lights Go Out,” “Everybody Get Up,” and “Got the Feelin’.” “When the Lights Go Out” also became their biggest success in the United States, reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Five continued their momentum with their second album Invincible in 1999. The album included some of their most iconic songs, including “If Ya Gettin’ Down,” “Keep On Movin’,” and “Don’t Wanna Let You Go.” “Keep On Movin’” became one of their biggest hits and topped the UK Singles Chart. During this period, the group toured internationally and built a massive fan base across Europe, Asia and Australia.
Peak Success and Global Hits
By the end of the 1990s, Five had become one of the leading boybands in the world. Their energetic performances, catchy pop hooks and charismatic personalities helped them sell more than 20 million records worldwide. Their music videos were heavily played on MTV and other music television networks, further boosting their popularity.
In 2001 the group released their third studio album, Kingsize. One of the most notable tracks from the album was “Let’s Dance,” which famously sampled Queen’s legendary song “We Will Rock You.” The track featured Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and became a massive hit across Europe. Despite the album’s success, tensions and exhaustion from years of intense touring led the band to announce their breakup later that year.
At the time of their split, Five had achieved numerous awards and chart-topping singles, establishing themselves as one of the defining pop groups of the late 1990s.
Reunions and Later Years
In the mid-2000s, the members attempted several reunions. A partial reunion took place in 2006, although it did not lead to a full comeback at the time. Years later, four members of the group reunited to participate in the British television show The Big Reunion in 2013. The program brought together several iconic pop groups from the 1990s and early 2000s and led to a successful concert tour across the United Kingdom.
The show helped introduce Five to a new generation of fans while reconnecting them with audiences who had grown up listening to their music. Following the program, the group continued touring internationally, performing their classic hits at festivals, nostalgic pop tours and special events.
Although the lineup has changed over time, Five remain an important part of late-1990s pop culture. Their blend of catchy pop songs, energetic choreography and bold image helped define the sound and style of the boyband era.
Discography
Slam Dunk (Da Funk) (1997)
When the Lights Go Out (1998)
Everybody Get Up (1998)
Got the Feelin’ (1998)
Five (Album, 1998)
If Ya Gettin’ Down (1999)
Keep On Movin’ (1999)
Don’t Wanna Let You Go (2000)
Invincible (Album, 1999)
Let’s Dance (2001)
Kingsize (Album, 2001) {alertSuccess}