THEY were the biggest girl group of the 1980s and hold the record for being the all-female group with the most singles entered into the charts - yet when they played in Southampton, they failed to impress everyone.
The British female pop group Bananarama enjoyed a slew of UK Top 10 hits including Cruel Summer, Robert De Niro’s Waiting and Love in the First Degree, all before playing for fans at the Mayflower Theatre in May 1989.
The group at the time consisted of Sara Dallin, Karen Woodward and Jacquie O’Sullivan.
In a review published in The Daily Echo at the time, Debbie Hay wrote: “Bananarama are a prime product of a music scene becoming increasingly shallow and spineless. Techno pop - no apparent musical ability or vocal talent needed.
“Banana-brained fans were lulled by catchy studio-hyped tunes and blinded by glamour.
“An endless flow of happy hits, gutless but guaranteed chart sensations.”
Despite Hay’s obvious distaste for the girl group, young adoring fans were clearly having a good time, requiring security to keep them at bay.
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