For the first time since the 1988 Brit Awards, the pop trio are set to share the stage once again in a Bananarama reunion!
Once one of the biggest pop groups around, Banarama have announced a UK tour, 29 years since they last performed together. The band first formed in 1979 and enjoyed some huge hits including “Venus” and “Love in the First Degree”. The group never formally split but they did lose original member Siobhan Fahey who departed in 1989 under sour circumstances.
Who are the Bananarama members?
For the UK tour the original Bananarama team will reunite. Just in case you forgot the Eighties pop legends, here is a quick reminder.
1. Sara Dallin
Sara was an original member of the group. She co-founded the group in 1979 with her childhood friend Keren Westwood. She was born in Bristol and studied journalism before embarking on her muscial career.
2. Keren Westwood
Keren was also one of the original band members. She has known Sara since she was four as they went to the same primary school. From 1991 Keren and Sara performed as a duo. Keren and Sara were childhood friends, this led to tension with other band member Siobhan Fahey.
3. Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan was the third original member to the group. She left in 1989 after she said she felt isolated by the other members. Jacquie O’Sullivan replaced Siobhan but left in 1991. Siobhan is set to reunite with Sara and Keren for the UK tour.
The original band’s last performance as a trio was at the 1988 Brit Awards.
During an interview with the Sun, Sara said: “We first had a chat about it over Christmas and before we knew it the whole thing snowballed. Keren and I called Siobhan to chat about it and things went from there.”
Siobhan admitted that she was nervous about the reunion. She said: “I didn’t say ‘yes’ immediately. I was in complete shock but my heart felt a sense of absolute joy and I just felt it was the right time in my life.”
She added: “Emotionally it felt like something I needed to revisit, to go back to my roots and that time with my best friends. We’re going to go back and celebrate that extraordinary life we led together in our twenties.”
Speaking to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 this morning, Keren said: “This is the first time we’ve performed live together – with the exception of getting onstage with a cassette when we were 18!”
The UK tour will take place from 12 November to 2 December. Tickets will be released on Wednesday from the Bananarama website and the AEG ticketing website.
If you want to reminisce and get yourself prepped for the tour we recommend adding these Bananarama hits to your playlist.
Top 10 Bananarama songs:
1. Cruel Summer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ePIZugahFc
2. Venus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkcU2_Vs7Xw
3. Love in the First Degree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiy5HO4VKEA
4. I Heard A Rumour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgqPpdluoes
5. I Want You Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LmnP7wZUck
6. Na Na Hey Hey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IUIYwrMyiQ
7. Robert De Niro’s Waiting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhWE0we4FaQ
8. I Can’t Help It
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_dtG1arNhc
9. Shy Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPEu7G2wv4
10. Rough Justice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDmCQ8asvM
