EXCLUSIVE: Despite being one of the biggest boybands in the 90s, Five have admitted people would be surprised by their time in the limelight, with J saying ‘ people will think that a lot more came our way ‘
They sold over 20 million records worldwide, but iconic nineties boyband Five have confessed their time in the limelight wasn’t all as it seemed.
Despite boasting huge success and gaining the public’s adulation with hits such as Slam Dunk (Da Funk), the quintet of Scott Robinson, Abz Love, Ritchie Neville, Sean Conlon and J Brown have revealed certain parts of their rise to fame will surprise their fans. The confession comes as the boys get ready for their eagerly awaited comeback tour almost 25 years after their last gig as a full band.
Ritchie has often been open about his money struggles following the band’s split in 2001. He previously claimed he was exploited in the music industry as he was only making £100 a week at the height of their fame. He also alleged he and his bandmates were only given “two days off in two years”.
Now, speaking to the Mirror ahead of their Keep On Movin’ 2025 Tour, he said: “Ultimately, people think when you join a band and you have number one hits and you make lots of money, and it always seemed to be to me that other bands made all the money.
” I’ve said it before, but yeah, I was flat broke after about 18 months after the band finished, so, yeah, “he shrugged.
J then jumped in to admit:” For what we achieved, for the units we sold and for how people see us, people will think that a lot more came our way. For whatever reasons, it didn’t. “However, he was keen to point out that in no way did that have any bearing on why the group decided to reform.
Instead, he admitted it was mainly to do with reconnecting with lost friends. He said the group had finally reconnected on a friendship level that helped roll back the years, saying the upcoming tour was simply “perfect timing”.
Ritchie went on to say he had no regrets with how things panned out back in the day”. Everything’s a learning curve, “he admitted, before J added:” It’s all led exactly back to this crest that we are perfectly surfing now.
“Basically, it wasn’t meant to happen]a different way] the first time around”, J went on. “I think this, how it’s happening now, is just utterly perfect”.
Scott also opened up about the excitement he is feeling about getting back on stage as a whole group. “I genuinely believe that this time around, we’re all in such good had space”, he said.
“We’re genuinely so excited about the prospect of being back out there because it’s been a long time since we shared the stage together”.
Abz interrupted to say the group will “appreciate it a lot more this time around”. “Personally to be rocking and rolling with these guys again is going to be amazing”, he added.
Explaining why this tour will be different for the band Sean said: “It’ll be nice to enjoy it with clarity this time. Last time we were really young and sort of rabbits trapped in the headlights, whereas now we can actually walk on stage really, really embrace it, look at each other in the eyes and it’s going to be a special moment”.
And the group have promised a show to remember for any fans in attendance. J vowed: “We’re going full throttle. We’re going to be putting on the best show genuinely that we’ve ever done”.
“We are having it, hard”!, Ritchie adamantly added, before Sean wholeheartedly agreed.
Tickets for Five’s upcoming tour are available now.
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