Dear Poptastic Readers,
Glorious news! The original lineup of Bananarama have reformed! Sara, Keren, and Siobhan are back as Bananarama and they are going on tour! HOORAY!
Bananarama 2017: Keren, Sara, and Siobhan
Back in the early 80s, Bananarama were formed by Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin (who were childhood friends), and Siobhan Fahey who Sara met in journalism school. Before they were a group, they used to jump up on stage with the Sex Pistols and do backing vocals. Their first single was a Swahili cover of Black Blood's "Aie A Mwana." Since it was somewhat tropical, they chose the name Bananarama.
Bananarama in 1981: Keren, Siobhan, and Sara
Around that time, Bananarama got their photo in the magazine The Face, which caught the eye of former The Specials singer Terry Hall, who then had a new group called Fun Boy Three. Terry asked Bananarama to sing on their next record "It Ain't What You Do." The result a top 5 hit in the UK!
Bananarama in 1987: Keren, Sara, and Siobhan
That led to a string of hits through the 80s including "Really Saying Something", "Shy Boy", "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)", "Cruel Summer", "Robert De Niro's Waiting", "Rough Justice", "Venus", "I Heard A Rumour", "Love In The First Degree", and "I Can't Help It."
Shakespear's Sister in 1992: Siobhan and Marcella
Siobhan married Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and then she left Bananarama in February of 1988 to create Shakespear's Sister with Marcella Detroit. They went on to have hits like "You're History", "Stay", "I Don't Care", and "Hello (Turn Your Radio On)." After 1993, Siobhan carried on making music both under her name as well as Shakespears Sister.
Bananarama in 1991: Sara, Keren, and Jacquie
After Siobhan's departure, Bananarama hired former Shillelagh Sisters lead singer Jacquie O'Sullivan to be the third member. Together with Jacquie they had the hits "I Want You Back", "Love, Truth & Honesty", "Nathan Jones", "Help!", "Cruel Summer '89", "Only Your Love", "Preacher Man", and "Long Train Running." Jacquie left Bananarama in 1991.
Bananarama in 2009: Sara and Keren
After Jacquie left, Sara and Keren continued Bananarama as a duo having these singles: "Movin' On", "More, More, More", "Every Shade Of Blue", "Move In My Direction", "Look On The Floor (Hypnotic Tango)", "Love Comes", "Love Don't Live Here", and "Now Or Never."
And now the original trio are back and on tour. Let's hope they decide to make more music. Sara, Keren, and Siobhan briefly reunited as Bananarama in 1998 for a cover of ABBA's "Waterloo." Let's hope we get more than one new song from them this time around.
For the latest information about tour dates, please check out their official website at Bananarama.co.uk. Like their official Facebook page, and you can follow them on Twitter here. Plus, Instagram!
Cheers then,
—Davearama
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