How to form a chart-topping pop-dance outfit

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A mag editor friend once cynically suggested the formula for success involves a Diva, a Poofter and a Musician. Or some derivative thereof. He was refering at the time to Oceanic, M People, S-Express and that whole bunch of UK/Euro crossover bands ca. 1989-91.

Do you think the same still basically applies, or is it a bunch of arse, or a little/lot of both? How have things changed/not changed?

― Stephen Stockwell (Stephen Stockwell), Thursday, 1 July 2004 01:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Back in the day, you could get away with a homeboy, a hippie and a funkii dredd.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Thursday, 1 July 2004 01:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Ace of Base, the Vengaboys, and Erasure (diva=poofter in this case), but the formula seems to have dried up once the boy bands hit. I can't think of any present day examples ...

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 1 July 2004 01:38 (twenty-one years ago)

It's changed. You don't need the diva anymore. Based on Fast Food Rockers and their scum-pop ilk, you need a poofter, a blonde and a dance routine...

― Jacob (Jacob), Thursday, 1 July 2004 01:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I meant to write AoB, Vengas, Erasure *come to mind*, although I'm rethinking the Vengaboys. They didn't have a diva, they had a musician, a poofter, and two club rats.

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 1 July 2004 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

But did HHFD have much of a stint in Britain's top 40 like those other guys? I thought they were more on the periphery than that.

And yeah, I agree Diva's aren't 'needed' anymore, but still include groups who just fall into one or two categories.

― Stephen Stockwell (Stephen Stockwell), Thursday, 1 July 2004 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes Stephen, you're right, I just checked Everyhit.com and it didn't even make the top 40 according to them. That's weird, I thought it was a big hit.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Thursday, 1 July 2004 02:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh - still include groups who just fall into one or two categories is a bit dumb - that's all-inclusive

― Stephen Stockwell (Stephen Stockwell), Thursday, 1 July 2004 02:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I suppose 15 years ago, there was more of a thing about having your Musician upfront and wearing shades in pop promos and photos - toward some semblence of a 'band' - whereas today, a Musician doesn't even need to be a part of the act.

― Stephen Stockwell (Stephen Stockwell), Thursday, 1 July 2004 03:20 (twenty-one years ago)

did HHFD have much of a stint in Britain's top 40

We had "Two Men, a Drum Machine and a Trumpet" instead!

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Thursday, 1 July 2004 07:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Meh, perhaps I should read Bill Drummond's Manual and find out instead...he would know!

― Ian Moraine (Eastern Mantra), Thursday, 1 July 2004 13:27 (twenty-one years ago)

What's a "poofter"?

― Atnevon (Atnevon), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:28 (twenty-one years ago)

H from steps.

At least that's what it should mean - bleach-blonde euro boy in ill-advised outfits and with an irritatingly cheerful stage persona.

Redefine the language!

― Jacob (Jacob), Thursday, 1 July 2004 15:31 (twenty-one years ago)

That's it. Is there room in the top 40 for a dance-act that DOESN'T feature a bimbo-slash-diva and/or boy in ill-advised outfits and with an irritatingly cheerful stage persona?

Was there ever?

― Stephen Stockwell (Stephen Stockwell), Thursday, 1 July 2004 23:34 (twenty-one years ago)

A 'poofter' is what Australian's (among others) often call a gay man.

― Stephen Stockwell (Stephen Stockwell), Friday, 2 July 2004 02:40 (twenty-one years ago)

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