Podunkian Music Club

Spice Girls—Wannabe




Well, we can’t let such a momentous occasion as the reunion of the Spice Girls to pass by without a commemoration on the Music Club.

Tomorrow evening the gals, Emma, Mel C, Mel B, Geri and the always in the papers Victoria, launch their comeback tour from Vancouver’s GM Place. A long delayed trip through the carefree youth of their fans (now probably heading to their mid twenties and in most cases well beyond). Vancouver's tickets went fast and have commanded some pretty crazy prices for a band that hasn't tested a vocal chord in nearly ten years.

It’s retro time, as once again the one time creation of British music industry legend Simon Fuller (he who brought us American Idol and curmudgeon Simon Cowell), will travel the world in a quest to rejuvenate the immortal Girl power and perhaps recapture their youth as well.

Born in a blitz of commercialism they at one time were compared to the Beatles, (well they had a movie didn’t they) though by pure volume of product and uh, hmmm, social worth of production, not to mention that talent thing, they kind of came up short of Paul George, John and Ringo.

But oh they had fans; the teenybopper generation of the day, were slaves to Girl Power, mere putty in the merchandising hands of Fuller.

The screaming index rivaled those early Beatles days at least, pure decibolic pandemonium greeted every show. Each show an event, fully documented by a mass media entranced by the story.

Even the famous were known to be Spice Girl fans, music and movie stars, business leaders, royalty and politicians alike were quick for a photo op whenever the opportunity arose.

Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman once penned a sorrowful letter imploring the Gals to put their differences aside to save a Toronto show, interestingly enough Lastman would soon no longer be mayor, but we suspect that the roots of that despair were a bit deeper than the agnst over a cancelled Spice Girls show.

Alas, egos would lay asunder what mass marketing had brought together and solo projects, film and television would scatter the Girls to their different paths. Somewhat better known for the tabloid exploits, it is interesting to note that for opening night, Victoria Beckham (Posh , I think) told football hubby David to stay at home, cause the girls need a night out (or two or three) you know.

That may be a bit disappointing to the crowd of well-wishers that are expected to greet the Spice lasses in Vancouver Sunday. But perhaps the music will soothe those disappointed hearts.

Of course, Mother Nature may have cast a vote on the reunion tomorrow, Vancouver was hit with the first large snow storm of the year today, with more problems on the way for Sunday. And as anyone who has been to the big city knows, that just causes chaos for the folks of the Lower Mainland.

While the heart may be willing, the wheels may be spinning, leaving a few former boppers having flashbacks to other disappointing times of their youth.

Cautionary note: video above may not represent current state of exertion for the Spice Girls, a few years, a few pounds and a few kids; and a lot of that limbo, karate kick, hip hopping may be hard to find again.

But the wild fashions and that Girl Power attitude should save the day, providing anyone can make it to the show!

Artist--The Spice Girls
Recording--Spice Girls