#brit awards 1997

[imaslave4u]

Victoria Beckham performing with the Spice Girls at the 17th BRIT Awards (February 24, 1997)

[littletroubledgrrrl]

[ollywears]

Olly Alexander wearing an Alexander McQueen A/W 1997 "It’s a Jungle Out There" Collection coat at the BRIT Awards 2024 red carpet (March 2, 2024).

[glittangrease]

spice girls @ the brit awards 1997

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Chumbawamba - Tubthumping 1997

"Tubthumping" is the lead single from Tubthumper, the eight studio album by British anarchist punk band Chumbawamba. It is the band's most successful single, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, held off the top spot by Will Smith's "Men in Black". It topped the charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and reached number six on the US Billboard Hot 100. At the 1998 Brit Awards, "Tubthumping" was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Single.

Vocalist Dunstan Bruce retrospectively observed that, before the group wrote it, they "were in a mess: we had become directionless and disparate". He credited "Tubthumping" with changing that, telling The Guardian, "It's not our most political or best song, but it brought us back together. The song is about us – as a class and as a band. The beauty of it was we had no idea how big it would be." Chumbawamba's anarcho-communist political leanings led them to have an irreverent attitude toward authority, and to espouse a variety of political and social causes including animal rights and pacifism (early in their career) and later regarding class struggle, Marxism, feminism, gay liberation, pop culture, and anti-fascism. In July 2012, Chumbawamba announced they were splitting up after 30 years.

"Tubthumping" recieved a total of 86,3% yes votes!

[workbtch]

SPICE GIRLS BRIT's Awards (1997)

[doomedtodestruction]

Ginger Spice Union Jack Dress

On February 24 of 1997, the Spice Girls performed at the BRIT Awards, with their newest song "Who Do You Think You Are". However, it was on that same night that Geri Halliwell [Ginger Spice] gave birth to one of the most iconic dresses in fashion history: the Union Jack dress.

Originally, Ginger was going to wear a Gucci-signed LBD, but quickly scrapped the idea and sketched out her union jack dress and asked her sister [Karen Jennings] to bring the dress to life. However, Ginger's idea was met with some reluctance, as her sister was afraid of causing trouble by defacing the flag. Karen wasn't the only one to question the idea of the dress, Gerri's stylist was concerned that the idea might sound racist, as the Union jack is the symbol of the National Front - a far-right political party in the UK.

This was no reason to intimidate Ginger Spice, who just in case asked for the peace symbol to be sewn on the back of the dress and it was done. Utilizing tea cloth as a fabric, the Union Jack Dress was born.

[freddieraimbow74]

Following Freddie Mercury's premature departure on 24 November 1991, the remaining members of Queen (John Deacon, Brian May and Roger Taylor) came together with their manager, Jim Beach, to organise a concert to celebrate the life and legacy of Mercury (and to raise money for AIDS research and spread awareness about the disease).

In the 1992 BRIT Awards ceremony, May and Taylor announced plans for the concert. When tickets finally went on sale, all 72,000 tickets sold out in just three hours, even though no performers were announced apart from the remaining members of Queen.

The concert, that celebrated the life and legacy of the legendary musician, was also a benefit concert for AIDS Awareness, with proceeds going to raise money for AIDS research and spread awareness about the disease.

It was held on Easter Monday, 20 April 1992, on the Easter Monday at Wembley Stadium in London, England, for an audience of 72,000. The concert was produced for television by Ray Burdis, directed by David Mallet and broadcast live on television and radio to 76 countries around the world, with an audience of up to one billion.

On May 15, 2020 Queen streamed the concert for 48 hours on their website in a bid to help raise funds for the World Health Organisation's COVID-19 relief fund.

The show marked John Deacon's final full-length concert with Queen (save a short live appearance with Brian May, Roger Taylor and Elton John in 1997). The profits from the concert were used to launch the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an AIDS charity organization.

"Good evening Wembley and the world. We are here tonight to celebrate the life, and work, and dreams, of one Freddie Mercury. We're gonna give him the biggest send off in history!"

Brian May.

The line-up at the concert was a veritable who's who of rock and pop music paying tribute to Freddie Mercury, with poignant tracks and covers of some of his greatest hits.

The concert opened with a message from the three remaining members of Queen in tribute to Mercury. The music then commenced with short sets from artists that were influenced by the music of Queen, including Metallica, Extreme (playing a Queen medley), Def Leppard (who brought Brian May onstage for a version of "Now I'm Here"), and Guns N' Roses. Between bands, several video clips honouring Freddie Mercury were shown while roadies changed the stage for the following act's performance. Elizabeth Taylor then gave an AIDS prevention speech, which was followed by a compilation of Mercury's various interactions with audiences.

The second half of the concert featured the three remaining Queen members – John Deacon (on bass), Brian May (on guitar) and Roger Taylor (on drums) – along with guest singers and guitarists, including Elton John, Roger Daltrey (of The Who), Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath), Ian Hunter, David Bowie, Mick Ronson, James Hetfield (of Metallica), George Michael, Seal, Paul Young, Annie Lennox, Lisa Stansfield, Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin), Joe Elliott and Phil Collen (of Def Leppard), Axl Rose and Slash (of Guns N' Roses), Liza Minnelli, and others. Via satellite from Sacramento, California, U2 dedicated a live performance of "Until the End of the World" to Mercury.

Highlights on the night included George Michael and Queen performing 'Someone To Love', (with the singer later revealing he was singing the song to his partner in the audience who was dying of AIDS), David Bowie and Annie Lennox singing 'Under Pressure' and Queen, Elton John and Axl Rose giving a stunning rendition of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Other notable moments saw Queen and Paul Young performing 'Radio Gaga', Seal singing 'I Want To Break Free', Elizabeth Taylor giving an AIDS prevention speech and David Bowie reciting the Lord's Prayer.

The huge list of other stars who gave performances or contributed to the concert included: Roger Daltrey, Spinal Tap, Bob Geldof, U2, Guns N' Roses, Def Leppard, Robert Plant, Metallica, Lisa Stansfield, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Gary Cherone and Tony Iommi.

The incredible show culminated in Liza Minnelli leading the full line-up of stars in a moving rendition of 'We Are The Champions' before the remaining band members of Queen led the crowd in a hugely emotional final chorus of 'God Save The Queen'.

Full list of performances:

Metallica – "Enter Sandman", "Sad but True", "Nothing Else Matters"

Extreme – Queen Medley, "More Than Words" (Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt)

Def Leppard – "Animal", "Let's Get Rocked", "Now I'm Here" (with Brian May)

Bob Geldof – "Too Late God"

Spinal Tap – "The Majesty of Rock"

U2 – "Until the End of the World" – played via satellite from Sacramento, California

Guns N' Roses – "Paradise City", "Only Women Bleed", "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"

Mango Groove – "Special Star" – played via satellite from Johannesburg, South Africa

Elizabeth Taylor – AIDS Prevention Speech

Freddie Mercury – compilation of various interactions with the audience

Queen + Joe Elliott and Slash – "Tie Your Mother Down"

Queen + Roger Daltrey and Tony Iommi – "Heaven and Hell" (intro), "Pinball Wizard" (intro), "I Want It All"

Queen + Zucchero – "Las Palabras de Amor"

Queen + Gary Cherone and Tony Iommi – "Hammer to Fall"

Queen + James Hetfield and Tony Iommi – "Stone Cold Crazy"

Queen + Robert Plant – "Innuendo" (including parts of "Kashmir"), "Thank You" (intro), "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

Brian May + Spike Edney – "Too Much Love Will Kill You"

Queen + Paul Young – "Radio Ga Ga"

Queen + Seal – "Who Wants to Live Forever"

Queen + Lisa Stansfield – "I Want to Break Free"

Queen + David Bowie and Annie Lennox – "Under Pressure"

Queen + Ian Hunter, David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Joe Elliott and Phil Collen – "All the Young Dudes"

Queen + David Bowie and Mick Ronson – "Heroes"

David Bowie – "Lord's Prayer"

Queen + George Michael – "'39"

Queen + George Michael and Lisa Stansfield – "These Are the Days of Our Lives"

Queen + George Michael – "Somebody to Love"

Queen + Elton John and Axl Rose – "Bohemian Rhapsody" using the same light show as The Magic Tour from 1986 for the opera section, and vocals played from a tape using the original 1970s’ studio recording featuring Freddie Mercury.

Queen + Elton John and Tony Iommi – "The Show Must Go On"

Queen + Axl Rose – "We Will Rock You"

Queen + Liza Minnelli, supported by everyone else who performed at the concert – "We Are the Champions"

Queen – "God Save the Queen" (taped outro)

Guest musicians

Elton John – piano on "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Slash – electric guitar on "Tie Your Mother Down"

Tony Iommi – electric guitar on "Heaven and Hell" (intro), "Pinball Wizard" (intro), "I Want It All", "Hammer to Fall", "Stone Cold Crazy" and "The Show Must Go On"

Ian Hunter – electric guitar on "All the Young Dudes"

Mick Ronson – electric guitar on "All the Young Dudes" and "Heroes"

David Bowie – alto saxophone, backing vocals on "All the Young Dudes"

Joe Elliott – backing vocals on "All the Young Dudes"

Phil Collen – backing vocals on "All the Young Dudes"

Backing musicians

Queen were backed by the following musicians:

Spike Edney – keyboards, piano, backing vocals

Mike Moran – piano on "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Somebody to Love"

Josh Macrae – percussion in some Queen tracks

Chris Thompson – backing vocals, acoustic guitar on "I Want It All", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Heroes", additional percussion

Maggie Ryder – backing vocals

Miriam Stockley – backing vocals

London Community Gospel Choir – backing vocals on "Somebody to Love" and "We Are the Champions"

John Jones – organ and backing vocals on "We Are the Champions".

Sources : en.m.wikipedia.org, smooth radio.com

[mermaidinthecity]

1997 Brit Awards - June 15, 1997

[scotianostra]

Birthday Musician Finley Quaye, born 25th March 1974, Edinburgh.

Quaye comes from a musical background with Ghanaian lineage - his father was the jazz singer/pianist Cab Kaye, while his brother Caleb Quaye played guitar for Hookfoot and Elton John in the 70s, followed by a stint with Hall And Oates in the 80s. Quaye was raised in Manchester and on leaving school he returned to Edinburgh, where he worked as a paint sprayer, and often drove to Newcastle to attend gigs by artists such as 808 State and Soft Cell.

Moving back to Manchester, he embarked on a BTEC course in music and sound engineering, but did not complete his tuition. He briefly relocated to London where he joined the Donga Tribe and practised drumming. His aspirations towards a singing career began when he returned to Manchester, where he voiced a track for A Guy Called Gerald in one take. Shortly after the session, he returned to Edinburgh, where he unexpectedly heard the track on the radio, and subsequently began listening to dub music. His initial inspiration came from an unorthodox source, the New York-based avant-gardist John Zorn’s ‘Black Hole Dub’, although he was later inspired by more conventional performers.

Quaye recorded his first solo outing on a four-track tape, singing and playing drums, bass and guitar. In March 1997, he released the Ultra Stimulation EP, which demonstrated his diverse influences, including Charles Mingus, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. He also embarked on the live circuit, debuting at Bristol’s Malcolm X centre, where he supported Luciano.

In June, he released ‘Sunday Shining’, which gave a nod to Bob Marley’s ‘Sun Is Shining’, as well as other reggae hits including Dennis Brown’s ‘Money In My Pocket’. The song, delivered in a style similar to that of a young Burning Spear, became his first UK chart hit and Quaye’s unique approach was much lauded by the critics. The promotional wheels were set in motion with appearances at the major summer festivals, including the Essential Roots Day alongside Everton Blender, Cocoa Tea and Anthony B. in Finsbury Park, London, and the release of his debut album. Further chart success followed with the singles ‘Even After All’, ‘It’s Great When We’re Together’, and ‘Your Love Gets Sweeter’, and he was voted Best Male Singer at the 1998 BRIT Awards.

I wish I could say Leither, Quaye had gone from strength to strength, but he has had a troubled life since then, appearing in several courts on various charges after unsavoury incidents, one was over an argument over Game Of Thrones.  He was once booed off stage halfway through a performance at a Madness festival in 1998, billed as a pre World Cup bash, Finley endeared himself to the English partisan audience by making derisory statements concerning the England football squad’s likely performance in the competition, just normal Scottish banter, but the English didn’t see it that way! 

In 2015 he played a gig in Gloucester, not turning up for the soundcheck, eventually the gig began at 9pm and Quaye started playing with his back to the audience, the gig promoter appeared and ended it, kicking him off stage telling the audience he had never seen a man act so unprofessionally and telling them he would refund their money. In 2019 he was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for punching a bar manager and threatening to stab him during an unprovoked drunken attack.

He was convicted of  of criminal damage after he admitted throwing sign through a bus door during a row over a fare that happened in 2020. 

He is back was back on stage a couple of years ago, as he celebrates the 25th Anniversary of his double-platinum debut album Maverick A Strike at Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms on Wednesday 1st June and Glasgow’s Oran Mor on Thursday 2nd June 2022, he is also playing The Garage, London on May 27th.

I've not found a lot oof Finley lately, I hope he is well, I guess he does struggle with his mental health, like I do and\many more of us.

[fuzzysparrow]

A member of which band threw a bucket of water over the British Deputy Prime Minister at the 1998 Brit Awards?

Danbert Nobacon of the band Chumbawamba achieved notoriety by throwing a bucket of water over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the 1998 Brit Awards. Nobacon claimed it did it on behalf of the striking dock workers in Liverpool. One witness reported that Nobacon then fled the scene while the president of the Sire Records Group, Seymour Stein, convinced Prescott to stay at the event, saying "If you leave now, they will have won."

The anarchist group Chumbawamba were dissatisfied with government officials, particularly Prime Minister Tony Blair, who according to the 'Times' newspaper, was boycotting the awards because Chumbawumba would be there. The lyrics of Chumbawumba's hit single 'Tubthumping' (1997) had expressed dissatisfaction with Blair's Labour Party.

John Prescott's office later issued a statement, calling the attack "cowardly" and said it was unfair to subject people attending the Brit Awards with Prescott to such terrifying behaviour.

The strike by dock workers in Liverpool dates back to 1995 when dockers were fired if they refused to work overtime. The hundreds of other dock workers who went on strike in protest were also fired.

[littletroubledgrrrl]

[freakingoutthesquares]

20 January 1997 it was announced that Russell Senior had left the band. This is what he said in June 2009.

'We became Jarvis's backing band' Russell Senior Guitarist-songwriter, Pulp, 1983-1997

After playing together for years, the Sheffield band were catapulted to success with 1995's No 2 hit Common People. The following year, singer Jarvis Cocker's personal fame hit supernova levels when he waggled his bottom in front of Michael Jackson at the Brits. Everyone around Pulp assumed the band would keep on getting bigger and bigger - but Senior decided to quit.

For years, we spent a lot of time in Transit vans. But suddenly it was all gold discs, condos, famous mates and people whose reality comes from cocaine, telling you you're great, night after night. I felt a revulsion for it. We were doing songs about Common People and it was, "Jarvis, Prada's on the phone, they've got your outfit."

The last concert I did with Pulp was a corporate gig for a lager company in Barcelona. We were put up in a fantastic hotel, there were supermodels hanging around, but we were playing for bored executives. I felt myself backing away.

There were other things, such as awards ceremonies where somebody's coke dealer has nicked your limo and you have to walk home because the record company are looking after Jarvis. We had become his backing band. Previously, the music always came collectively, from creative clashes, but I think Jarvis believed his own press and suddenly he was coming in with his own tunes. I didn't think Help the Aged was worthy of following Common People, so I sabotaged it by playing blues guitar in the studio.

Thereafter I thought, "All right, smartypants. Let's see how big a genius you are." I put myself up in a small hotel in London, asked Jarvis to meet me and told him I was leaving. I think the band were relieved, to be honest, because the atmosphere had become so poisonous - although treating my departure as if they had lost a plectrum was a bit hurtful. The day I left, I physically collapsed. I felt like one of those cartoon characters who have run off a cliff, and only start falling once they look down.

I've got a songwriting credit on Common People, but I'd be struggling if I didn't work at all now. I've produced bands, but nobody any good. I've sold antique glass and I am writing a novel. I've no regrets. It would have been harder if they had succeeded. [Pulp released just one more album, We Love Life, in 2001]* And I'd rather holiday in Scarborough than in Venezuela. I am proud of the records with my name on. But they say living well is the best revenge.

*Actually two albums This is Hardcore, 1998 & We Love Life, 2001.

[heavenboy09]

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To 1 Of The Most Incredible & Greatest Actors Of Our Times & Has Been Hailed The Face Of Versatility In Acting & 1 Of The Greatest Actora Of His Generation.

Hailing all the way from New Cross, England 🇬🇧

He is an English actor and filmmaker. Known for his versatility and intense acting style, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three British Academy Film Awards. His films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

Born On March 21st, 1958 In New Cross, London.

the son of Leonard Bertram  (1921–1985), a former sailor who also worked as a welder, and Kathleen (née Cheriton; 1919–2018). He said his father was an alcoholic who left the family when He was seven years old. His older sister, Maureen, is an actress better known as Laila Morse; she performed in His directorial debut Nil by Mouth (1997), before taking on her most famous role of Mo Harris in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

He attended West Greenwich School in Deptford, leaving at the age of 16 to work in a sports shop. He played piano as a child, but he gave up his musical aspirations to pursue an acting career after seeing Malcolm McDowell's performance in the film The Raging Moon (1971). In a 1995 interview with Charlie Rose, he said, "Something about Malcolm just arrested me, and I connected, and I said, 'I wanna do that.'"

He began acting in theatre in 1979 and made his film debut in Remembrance (1982). He continued to follow a stage career in London's Royal Court and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, with credits including Cabaret, Romeo and Juliet, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Saved, The Country Wife and Hamlet. He rose to prominence in British film with his portrayals of Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy (1986), Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990), while also attracting attention as the leader of a gang of football hooligans in the television film The Firm (1989). Regarded as a member of the "Brit Pack", he achieved greater recognition as a New York gangster in State of Grace (1990), Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK (1991) and 

He would have gained the greatest recognition of all when he starred in the Most Important Role of a Lifetime

As The Infamous Vampire 🧛‍♂️ In All Of History & Based On The Actual Person In Life but Fictionalised In Novels

Count Dracula

 in 

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992).

He portrayed the villains in films such as True Romance (1993), The Fifth Element (1997), Air Force One (1997) and The Contender (2000); corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield, whom he played in Léon: The Professional (1994), was called one of cinema's best villains. He also played Ludwig van Beethoven in Immortal Beloved (1994) and later appeared in franchise roles such as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series, 

&

Lieutenant / Commissioner James Gordon in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

Critics never fail to single Him out... he is one of a few truly great living actors—arguably, even, the best." Of his diversity, Yahoo! Movies noted that he had "gained a well-earned reputation as a brilliant chameleon"; the Houston Chronicle dubbed He Is "the face of versatility".He was regarded as one of the greatest actors never nominated for the award.

Please Wish This Distinguished & Devoted Actor Of English 🇬🇧 Filmmaking a Very Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊

You Know Him & You Already Love Him

The 1

& The Only

MR. GARY LEONARD OLDMAN 🇬🇧

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU MR. OLDMAN & HERE'S TO MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.

[ina-shumelim]

Hi, boys and girls, I’m Danbert Nobacon, I’m the inside joke of the group

The very real award for Most Fun Name Within Chumbawamba definitely went to Danbert Nobacon every year he was part of the collective and probably for some years thereafter. Danbert Nobacon. It’s just so fun to say. I think so. Chumbawamba definitely thought so. Because while I cannot think of any other member of the band being mentioned in any of their songs (excluding live versions such as their final performance of Add Me in 2012), Danbert’s name is, to use another word that is so very fun to say, ubiquitous in their discography. And because I love collecting stuff, I tried to collect every mention made of him in Chumbawamba’s songs (it’s not actually that many and I probably missed something) and also found some other fun things.

Danbert Nobacon, his name no doubt inspired by early Chumbawamba anti-meat attitude (consider, for example, No!). Musically, his main addition to the band’s discography were his “absolutely unembarrassed vocals”. Shhh credits what I can only assume to be his evil alter ego Bert Bacon with “vocals, elastic band, foam”. And then there’s also the 1998 Brit Awards that weirdly ended with British deputy prime minister John Prescott soaked in ice water. In summary, a man of many talents.

1. Because He’s a (Gender Nonconforming) He

Danbert’s first mention on a Chumbawamba record itself appears to have been on 1994’s Anarchy. Feminist Bad Dog is followed by a number of samples before the beginning of anti-fascist Enough Is Enough:

- Hi, boys and girls, I’m Danbert Nobacon, I’m the transvestite of the group.

- I like it, I like it.

At this point in time, Danbert was well known for wearing skirts. An anarchist blog recounts: “During his early gigs, he was known for exposing himself to his audiences, and he would often describe himself as a transvestite. During several gigs, he would often be seen wearing a nun’s habit.” A 1997 news article mentions his arrest by Italian police in “a short black skirt and panty hose, which I often wear … supposedly because I didn’t have my passport with me. But the real reason was that I offended their masculinity”. Appropriately, the live album Showbusiness (1994) credits Danbert with “vocals, tiny dresses”.

Above mentioned blog goes on to say: “In 1987, Danbert released ‘Bigger than Jesus’ on Mind Matter Records ... ‘Bigger than Jesus’ was sold inside brown bags in stores because he decided to use a photograph of his penis for the cover.” Bigger than Jesus features a song called Because I’m a He which reads more like a white cis man’s reflections on intersectional feminism than actual song lyrics, but honestly, good for him.

I would at this point also like to mention one of the stories behind the name Chumbawamba. Yes, there are different ones. Yes, they are all made up. Anyway, Danbert recalls a dream in which he was trying to use a public toilet. However, instead of the usual two genders, the rooms were separated into “Chumba” and “Wamba”, confusing Danbert. Note also the Spanish(-ish) plural: Las Chumbas Wambas.

2. Getting All Mixed Up with Raymond

The following year’s Swingin’ with Raymond (1995) presented us with anti-authoritarian All Mixed Up. I hadn’t paid much attention to this song until recently and I’m only slowly warming up to Swingin’ with Raymond as a whole. The song describes turning a “no-wit whose face fits” into a political puppet leader by the grace of “Queen Victoria of Grantham” Margaret Thatcher. The verses are shouted by Danbert (I think; he is only credited with “666”), who is then crowned king in the pre-chorus:

Good King Danbert at the helm

His face on every coin of the realm

Why Chumbawamba consequently ask Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin “Sirhan Sirhan, where have you gone?”, I will leave up to your, the reader’s, interpretation.

3. Of course, Tubthumping

I really don’t have much to say. You know Tubthumping (1997). There’s a “Danny boy” in Tubthumping. You do the maths.

4. He’s in Trouble Again

I’m in Trouble Again on 2000’s WYSIWYG ironically tackles Chumbawamba’s newfound mainstream success. The liner notes describe their songwriting process under EMI:

We ring up our record company and they tell us what sort of thing the kids are listening to these days, so that we can construct our pleasing and melodic tunes with one ear to the marketplace … It’s all so pleasant that we can’t understand why some hurtful, hateful people think that we’re nasty and mean.

In I’m in Trouble Again, the singer is just trying to live their “squeaky clean” life as a pop star, while the cops are digging up their cellar floor looking to get them in trouble again (note the parallel to the marionette in All Mixed Up who is described as “squeaky clean, no skeletons”). The height of mainstream success expressed thus:

Now I turn water into corporate pop

And Danbert is a friend of mine.

Danbert’s status of a meme within the collective (a term anachronistic to his time with Chumbawamba) seems perfectly embodied in his overly dramatic and simultaneously silly opening speech for their final concert in 2012. And in the sleeve notes to the respective DVD Going, Going, Chumbawamba singer and guitarist Boff Whalley remembers his first time meeting Danbert:

We talked, and I discovered a quiet introvert who collected stolen hubcaps and beer mats and wore a home-made straitjacket. That’s how Danbert is today, frankly – not hubcaps and beermats, no. But a bizarre (and beautiful) mix of unassuming everybloke and unpindownable show-off.

[doomedtodestruction]

The evolution of The Union Jack Dress

The Union Jack Dress, the dress worn by Ginger Spice [Gerri Halliwell] that marked a fashion moment in the 90s. Previously, I had already done a post about this dress, but I believe it deserves a second part since Gerri wore the dress - obviously in different versions - a few more times. So, I believe I need to bring a second part, as it is one of the most iconic dresses of all time.

The first version of this dress, and also the most famous of it, was used in February 1997, during a performance at the BRIT awards. The dress was designed by Ginger herself and made by her sister, Karen Jennings, who used a tea towel as fabric.

The second version of the dress was in 2007, during a Spice girls reunion tour. In this version the dress was made by Roberto Cavalli, making it more glamorous than the last version. This time, instead of a tea towel, thousands of crystals were used. Gerri tells in an interview with Vogue in 2020 that the dress was a little longer, but that she made a point of asking Cavalli to make it shorter.

The last version of the dress was in 2019, during - until then - a last Spice girls tour. Gabriella Slade was responsible for the outfits for the tour, giving Ginger a floor-length gown embroidered with royal designs and a crown to go with it. In this last version, Gerri wanted something more different than the last two, something timeless, like a queen's dress. Her wish was that the dress conveyed her new phase. Thus transmitting the evolution of Girl Power.

Alternative versions:

There are two more versions of the dress, particularly, i consider them more as alternative versions than a redesigner. Both versions are from 2012.

During a performance by the Spice Girls at the Olympics, Gerri was wearing a little red dress, with the Union Jack flag running the length of the back.

And at an Inauguration of her clothing collection with Street Next.