The Spice Girls are a British girl band formed in 1994, consisting of Melanie Brown, born Melanie Brown (Scary Spice); Melanie Chisholm, born Melanie C (Sporty Spice); Emma Bunton, born Emma Chisholm (Baby Spice); Geri Halliwell, born Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice); and Victoria Beckham, born Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice). In the 1990s, they were a driving force in the teen pop revival, a major part of Cool Britannia, and iconic figures in pop culture. They redefined the girl-group concept by targeting young female fans with their “girl power” mantra.
Virgin Records signed the group and their debut single, “Wannabe”, which topped the charts in 37 countries. Their debut album, Spice (1996), sold more than 23 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album ever released by a female group. The follow-up, Spiceworld (1997), sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. With equally contributed vocals and songwriting on both albums, the group’s dance-pop style and message of female empowerment were encapsulated.
With 100 million records sold worldwide, the Spice Girls are the bestselling girl group, one of the top artists, and the most successful British pop act since the Beatles. The band won five Brit Awards, three American Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three MTV Europe Music Awards, and one MTV Video Music Award. They became the youngest recipients of the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2000.
Tim Roney took these beautiful photos of the Spice Girls in Paris on September 11, 1996.
