Bananarama

Bananarama was formed in London in 1981 by Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, friends since childhood, and Siobhan Fahey, who Sara met while studying journalism at the London College of Fashion. Former Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook persuaded the girls to get a band together. The trio recorded a demo of "Aie A Mwana", a cover of a swahili song by Black Blood, produced by Cook. The tape was heard at Demon Records who offered the girls their first deal. The single was at first an underground club hit which was given a second chance when Bananarama signed with London Records.

Terry Hall, ex Specials, already liked the African influences in Bananarama's "Aie A Mwana" when he discovered the look of the yet unknown trio in the pages of The Face. Hall's new band The Fun Boy Three and Bananarama recorded together "It Ain't What You Do". The single was released in February 1982 and ended at number 4 in the UK charts. Bananarama's career was truly on track.

The next single, a cover of The Velvelettes Motown tune "Really Saying Something", went top five too. The single was followed by several more hits ("Shy Boy", "Na Na Hey Hey") and then the band's first album "Deep Sea Skiving" in 1983.

True international success came in 1984 with the band's second album "Bananarama" which features "Cruel Summer" and "Robert de Niro's Waiting".

Their cover of 'Venus' produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman, went to number 1 in many countries including the US. Bananarama consequently chose to have their fourth album "Wow!" entirely produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman. "Wow!" contained a string of hit singles such as "I Heard A Rumour" and "Love In The First Degree".

A few months before the release of the Bananarama's "Greatest Hits" package and their entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful All-Girl Group Ever, Siobhan Fahey, who wanted to take new artistic directions, left the group to form Shakespeare's Sister in 1988. She was replaced by their friend Jacquie O'Sullivan and in March 89 the band eventually kicked off the long awaited World Tour which sold out in all venues.

In 1991, Bananarama released "Pop Life". The critics gave them their best reviews ever. The sound of the album was definitely more pop-rock than the songs co-written with Stock Aitken and Waterman and features the hit singles "Preacher Man" and the cover of "Long Train Running" with Alma De Noche (formed by ex members of the Gypsie Kings).

At the end of the year Jacquie left the band and Sara and Keren have since continued as a duo, releasing in 1993 "Please Yourself", in 1995 released "Ultra Violet" (also titled "I Found Love" in Asia). Taken from this seventh album, the singles "Every Shade of Blue" and "Take Me To Your Heart" both entered the US dance chart.
In February 2002, Bananarama celebrated their 20th Anniversary in front of a crowd of 3.000 in London, joined on-stage by Siobhan, a memorable event for fans who travelled from around the globe.

In 2005, Bananarama were back in the charts with their ninth album "Drama". Packed with disco house tracks produced by Murlyn Music (Madonna, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez…), the album included the dance chart hits "Move In My Direction" and "Look On The Floor" which went to #2 in the US Bilboard dance charts.

Bananarama have just signed a new album deal with Fascination Records, premier pop label of Universal Music and home of Girls Aloud and the Saturdays. They have a new single- "Love Comes" which is set for release on September 6th. This single is taken from their 10th Studio album titled "Viva" which is to be released on the 14th September.

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Bananarama
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