Memories.....The Spice Girls

It is true that music can evoke memories, can take you back to a time gone by and make you feel the same way you did then.

Recently I have been listening to a lot of the Spice Girls, the greatest hits to be precise. No matter what mood I am in I can guarantee that after listening to Wannabe, Who do you think you are or Spice up your life I have a happy glow and feel instantly better.

I was 10 when the Spice Girls came out in 1996. I remember a girl in my class had printed off the lyrics to Wannabe, I didn't have sky or music channels at home so had no idea who they were but we sung the songs and made up dance routines.

When I did see them for the first time I was hooked and my obsession grew over the next few years. I had everything Spice Girls; the dolls, a cardboard cut out of Scary Spice (each of the girls had nicknames created by Smash Hits magazine - Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger), stickers, an alarm clock, pillows, you name it I had it still have it I hope up in my loft.

Spice Girls were the face of Pepsi, Walkers crisps and Cadbury's chocolate so no other brand would do, if it was good enough for them it was good enough for me.


I had platform trainers, one pair were black trainers with a white flatform heel, which I defaced. In the Move Over video/Pepsi advert Geri had a similar pair with Pepsi written on, so I did the same with permanent maker. My mum was not happy. I also, shamefully, had a neon green PVC pair of platform trainers that I even wore to school! My best friend at the time even tried to nick them, I loved them but looking back they were a thing of their time.

I remember being late for school once as me and my friend were waiting for the premiere of the Spice up your life video on MTV, the only time I was late for school.

If they were in any magazine be it Smash Hits, Top of the Pops or TV Hits I bought it and cut out each page and picture. I had folders full of interviews and even got the inflatable dolls from Smash Hits.

I remember being jealous of my sister's neon coloured Spice Girls puffa jackets.

I never got to see them live at the time but did see their comeback gig at the O2 a few years ago, a massive concert highlight for me.

Growing up Girl Power was a big thing to me, the Spice Girls made you realise 'yer you are a girl and you can be yourself and be who you want to be'. They were my idols and I think without Girl Power 90s I wouldn't be the person I am today.

I am going to see the Spice Girls musical in December - Viva Forever written by Jennifer Saunders, I can't wait, even just to hear the tunes sung live again.

Whenever I hear a Spice Girls song I can't help but smile, they were the first band I truly became obsessed with and are a part of me and growing up. I will also make sure my kids know all the words and love them.

So...

Viva the Spice Girls!!!!

Mel C, Mel B, Emma, Geri and Victoria!

Miss Kylie Minogue

I have been writing this blog for well over a year and I am very surprised that I have never written a post on my idol. I mentioned her in the idol post briefly but nothing just about my idol, who is..... Miss Kylie Minogue.


I have liked Kylie for as long as I can remember. My mum has always watched Neighbours so even as a small child in the 80s I can remember seeing her as Charlene with the gorgeous Scott. As much as I was obsessed with Kylie I was convinced I would marry Jason Donovan. I remember taking his cassette (yes I'm that old) to school just so I could look at his picture sa but true, but then I was only five. I can remember going to my cousin's house in Kidderminster and we would watch her Kylie video and my Jason one.


I will admit I dropped out of my Kylie phase a little in the 90s, during her impossible princess stage when I was being a Pop Princess. I fell in love with Take That and the Spice Girls. Then nearing the millennium Kylie released the pop hit Spinning Around and I was hooked.


That was it really, I do love Kylie Minogue I'm not obsessed, but I think she is amazing. I love the X album and Confide in Me and Love at First Sight are my all time favourite songs.


In all my years of Kylie mania I never had the opportunity to see her live. During her Showgirl tour over five years ago I hinted so much for tickets but no one picked up the hint. Then she was diagnosed with cancer.


I was thrilled when I got to go to the V&A and see all her costumes and clothes over the years: seeing in the flesh the iconic symbols that have made Kylie who she is today.




I watched the White Diamond documentary with a tear in my eye, bought the books and was mildly shocked when she parted ways with her visionary ill Baker (they are ok now though).


Finally in 2008 I got tickets to see Kylie's X tour, to say I was overjoyed is putting it lightly I was ecstatic. Finally after all these years I would see her concerts in the flesh rather than on my TV. When I saw a competition in a magazine to win tickets to see Kylie, I thought I would enter, who knows if I don't win then I'm already going if I do I can go twice.


Now, I was at work and I received a load of missed calls from an unknown number. When I finally picked up I was told I had won a competition. I had no idea what they meant. So when the woman then told me what I had won I went into, what I can only describe as shock. She said: "You have won a night stay in a five star hotel in London, travel to and from London, a new mobile phone, a spa treatment at the hotel, tickets for the gig and a meet and greet with Kylie before the gig. Are you free to do this?" I just muttered yes, not quite knowing what the hell was going on.


As soon as I hung up the phone I'll admit it, I burst into tears. The five year old in me running about like a crazy person. Then I rung everyone I could think of and asked my manager for the day off.


I saw the first gig on the Sunday, which was amazing. Then a couple of days later I was back at the O2 after having an amazing back massage, all ready and scared that meeting my idol was not going to happen. When we sat down in the room full of a load of Kylie fans I could not keep my eyes off the door. And then it happened, Miss Minogue walked through and I had to hold back the tears.


To be honest it was a bit of a blur, she was stood in front of me, the complexion of a china doll, tiny frame and loads of stage make up. I talked to her about the concert and not much else but it was really good.


We had our photo taken with her, Kylie was amazing saying how to pose, with a pout and a smile.It was the best thing ever to happen to me. Afterwards I was jumping around singing "I've met Kylie Minogue!" As you can tell from the photo I am just a little bit happy at being stood so close to my idol.




I have tickets for the Les Follies tour, I am so excited, seen a little bit and it looks amazing! Look out for a gig review in April.


Here is the proof by the way....