IT WAS a night like no other – and a true one-off, as it turned out.
When the Spice Girls exploded on to the stage at the SECC in April 1998, Glasgow loved every second of it.
But fans in the city were left bereft as, less than a month later, Geri Halliwell had left the group, and the world’s most famous all-female quintet was no more.
Those two nights in April 1998 were to be the Spice Girls’ only Glasgow gig and if you were there, we’d love to hear about it. Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories and photos.
A shimmering, silvery spaceship on giant screens; glorious frocks and multiple costume changes; and all the hits… Wannabe, Say You’ll Be There, 2 Become 1, Mama …
The first Spice Girls tour (aka Spiceworld, aka Girl Power ’98 aka Spice Girls in Concert) was an ear-splitting, eye-popping extravaganza with backing dancers (the Spice Boys), Geri on rollerskates, covers of classic hits and more.
Fans went wild, and loved Geri, Mel C, Mel B, Emma and Victoria even more when they revealed in an STV interview that Scotland had a special place in their hearts.
“We have a lot of fond memories of Scotland, of when we were starting out, when we made a video here for a press kit, and did lots at the beginning,” said Geri.
While in Glasgow, Geri was photographed on her way to the Apartment nightclub, and the group stayed at the plush One Devonshire Gardens, where press photographers camped outside to catch a glimpse of the stars before they left the city.
It is 25 years (25 YEARS!) since The Spice Girls released their debut single Wannabe, which went on to reach number one on 37 countries. Formed in 1994 through a series of auditons in a bid to create a ‘girl group’ to rival the likes of boy bands Take That and Boyzone, the Spice Girls were Melanie Brown, or Scary Spice; Melanie Chisholm, Sporty Spice; Emma Bunton, Baby Spice; Geri Halliwell, Ginger Spice: and Victoria Beckham, Posh Spice.
Girl Power was the message, and it struck a chord with young female fans across the UK, helping to fuel the return of teen pop in the charts.
Their debut album, Spice, in 1996, sold more than 23 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by a female group in history.
The follow-up, Spiceworld, which came out the following year, sold more than 14 million copies and was swiftly followed by a film of the same name.
Starring all five women, it was panned by the critics but adored by just about everyone else.
READ MORE: When the 'Harrods of Glasgow' opened its doors on Buchanan Street
After Geri’s departure, the group continued but by 2000, the remaining four had decided to take a break to focus on their solo careers. Mel C returned to Glasgow several times, and was warmly welcomed at signings and gigs in the city.
The Spice Girls have sold 100 million records worldwide making them the most successful British pop act since the Beatles.
Did you see the Spice Girls in Glasgow?
What is the best gig you have ever seen in the city?
Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories and photos.
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