The Story

S Club 7: The Story

In 1998, seven youngsters were brought together to form what was to be one of the biggest pop bands of all time. Jon Lee, Rachel Stevens, Jo O'Meara, Bradley McIntosh, Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole and Hannah Spearritt were brought together by pop Manager Simon Fuller to form S Club 7.

In April 1999, they hit our screens with their debut series, Miami 7. The band spent 3 months in Miami filming the series, and spending time to grow closer. In all, the series had 13 episodes, each telling the story of what the band got up to whilst trying to make it big in Miami. On S Club's return to England after filming the series, they released they're first single, Bring It All Back, which went straight into the UK Charts at Number One, S Club 7's first major hit. Good news also followed when they're TV Series, Miami 7, entered the Children's Television Chart at Number One. This resulted in the series being sold to hundreds of countries around the world, giving the chance for others around the world to hear S Club's music. Two spin off special program's were also filmed, Back To The Fifties and Boyfriends And Birthday's. Having come straight onto the scene and becoming successful, it was time for the guys to release they're first Album. "S Club" was released in October 1999, and like they're first hit single, went straight in to the Album chart at Number 1. It sold millions of copies and even went Platinum!

Things were getting better and better for the band. In the summer of 1999, due to they're success, they were asked to perform at Capital FM's Party In The Park, a huge event held in London, attended by 100,000 people. The biggest crowd the band had performed to yet. Other hits followed they're first hit, S Club Party was released and went in at Number 2, and in December 1999, You're My Number One/Two In A Million also went in at Number 2 making it a great Christmas hit.

The year 2000 came and what a better way for the band to kick it off than by winning they're first Brit Award. One of the biggest Music events in England, S Club 7 were given an award for best newcomers. S Club 7 were known growing bigger and bigger in the UK, which influenced the decision for a second TV Series. LA7, was filmed in 2000, and again, turned out to be a major hit. It focused more on the band trying to make it big in America, and how they coped whilst over there. The theme tune for the series was a song called Reach, which was soon released when the band returned to the UK. An up beat and fun song, Reach become one of S Club 7's great theme tunes. The song debuted at Number 2 when released in the UK, and was so close to becoming a Number 1. Album time came again, and S Club's second Album "7" was released in the UK. It went on to go in to the chart at Number 2, another great acheivement. Single's which followed that year were Natural, a song that showed S Club's slightly raunchier image, and that they were growing up. December 2000 came and S Club 7 were asked to have the theme song for Children In Need. Never Had A Dream Come True, a slow ballad sung on lead by Jo, sold millions all over the country raising millions for Charity, and giving S Club 7 they're second Number 1.

The year 2001 came, and S Club 7 had loads planned. More single's, a third Album, a third series and they were to go on they're first ever UK Tour. Giving they're millions of fans around the country a chance to see them live. Tickets came out and were sold out pratically within days. S Club 7 Party 2001 kicked off in May, and was to continue for 2 months. They started in Ireland and worked there way around England, finishing in London. The Tour got great reviews from everyone and gave the band an even bigger profile.

Also during May 2001, S Club 7 were to release they're biggest ever hit, little did they know that though! Don't Stop Movin' an upbeat funky disco track, showed everyone just how much S Club were growing up and also how they're music was changing with them. Once released in the UK, it went straight in at Number 1, becoming the summer anthem of 2001. This had given S Club they're third UK Number 1 hit. Around the time of the release, S Club 7 were to recieve they're first bit of bad publicity. The S Club boys were caught smoking cannabis in London and were arressted. This gave the Media a chance to claim that the band had lost they're "squeaky clean image". The boys were then made to apolgise for it all.

In September 2001, S Club 7's third series was to be screened, Hollywood 7. It told the story of the band finally making it big in America. This series was set to shock fans in a big way! One of the episode's was set to show a screen kiss, but between two of the bands members! Yep, Paul and Hannah! The couple soon announced after the episode was screened that they had been secretly dating, but now wanted to reveal they're relationship. They had been seeing each other for the past few months. The series went on to became another hit, making the year 2001 a great one for the band. The band then went on to release they're third Album, "Sunshine". It featured tracks from Hollywood 7, including they're Number 1 smash Don't Stop Movin'. It was coming to the end of the year, which meant Children In Need Time again. S Club 7 were again asked to be the song for the charity. Have You Ever, another great ballad sung by Jo, was released in November 2001 and went in at Number 1, raising millions for the Charity, and giving S Club they're fourth Number 1 hit! A brilliant acheivement. Towards the end of each year, the UK has to crown it's Record Of The Year. Since S Club had released Don't Stop Movin' they were entered in to the contest.... and won! Beating off Blue, they had been giving the title of Record Of The Year 2001! A brilliant end to a brilliant year.

2002 came and as usual, the guys were going to be very busy, bringing they're fans a lot of new exciting projects! They're second Tour had been announced, and tickets were again completely sold out within day's of being released. S Club 7 Carnival 2002 went on throughout February and early March, hitting Arena's around the UK and Ireland. During the time of the Tour, the band were also promoting they're ninth single, You. A definite pop song in every way, it entered the charts at Number 2.

Sad news was to come to all fans though, as member Paul Cattermole had decided he wanted to leave the band. After four years in S Club 7, he decided he was going to go back to his roots and start up with his old band Skua, a more rock type sound, which Paul prefered. S Club then had to decide whether they would carry on or not. And of course, they decided to stick together! The would carry on under the new name of S Club. The summer came and it was Paul's time to leave, and what better way to send him off than by the band being asked to performed at the Queen's Jubilee Party in Buckingham Palace. Party at the Palace featured many legands and S Club 7 said they felt honoured to have been asked to perform. It was the last time the band would perform as S Club 7, so of course they had to finish it off by singing they're biggest hit, Don't Stop Movin'! After the performance, the rest of the band wished Paul luck for the future.

Now under the name of S Club, the guys had to get back to business, with plans of a Movie in the pipeline, there was no time for a break. The guys started off by filming they're fourth TV Series. Viva S Club would be set in Barcelona, Spain, instead of the past three shows which were set in America. Also to be filmed in Spain, was the band's debut Movie! Seeing Double. Filming last a period of weeks, as S Club were on a tight schedule. During both set's of filming, Jo was struck down by bad pains in her back, caused by a condition she had inherited by her mum. Despite having pain, Jo carried on to film, but had to take it easy in some scene's of the Movie, as she was not able to carry on dancing. It was coming towards the end of the year and S Club were due to release they're first single without Paul. Because of Jo's problem, the band were now only down to five member's, as Jo was told to take out some time to help her back regain its strength.

Alive was the band's next single, a very upbeat track similar to Don't Stop Movin' it was a great way for the guys to return after being away filming. Rachel had to record over Jo's original vocal's, as Jo was not able to promote with the band. Released in November 2002, Alive went in the charts at Number 5. A few weeks later, the band's fourth Album was released, entitled Seeing Double, it would also be the Soundtrack to they're Movie. The Album entered the chats at Number 17, not a very good start but soon placed a better position as sales grew. For the next month or so, the band continued to do promotion, as a five peice, still missing Jo. This caused loads and loads of speculation that the band were to split, but the members denied reports and said they were still very much together.

Jo soon returned with the band just in time for they're very own special premiere for they're Movie, Seeing Double. The guys put on a united front and turned up all glam at London's Leicester Square greeted by thousands of fans, and assured them they were not splitting. The Movie was released soon after in Cinema's around the country and entered the UK Movie charts at Number 5! A great acheivement for the band's first ever Movie.

A third Tour had now been announced. Entitled The S Club United Tour, S Club would be sharing the stage with S Club Juniors. The Tour was going well, and the gang were wowing audiences around the country, until what all fan's had dreaded was to be announced. Live on stage at London's Docklands Arena, S Club announced that they were to split up in a month's time. The band said: "With any job there comes a time to move on and to face new challenges. We've had a fantastic four years in S Club. We've experienced so much more than we ever imagined and we've enjoyed a huge amount of success." The news then soon spread to TV and Radio. The last Tour came to an end, and S Club gave they're best performance yet, but a very sad one. With a couple of the band member's getting upset. BUT, we had one last month to carry on enjoying the Club, with them bringing out they're last single, a double a side called Say Goodbye/Love Ain't Gonna Wait For You. The last month they promoted loads, giving loads of Interviews on what they will all do for the future, and loads of TV appearences promoting they're singles.

The end of the month soon came though, and they're single had been released. It went it at Number 2, so close to being Number 1, Last TV appearences were recorded, and the band formally known as S Club gave they're last ever gig on May 27th. To sum it up, S Club 7 experienced years of success. 11 hit single's, 4 of them Number 1, 5 hit Albums, 4 hit TV Series', a string of Awards, AND a hit Movie! What more could a band ask for?! Thank you S Club for 4 fantastic years, we'll continue to support you all.