Posted July 5, 200718 yr Does it pay to go solo? Rachel Stevens Who is she, and what band was she in? Rachel Stevens was one of four girls in pop svengali Simon Fuller's manufactured group S Club 7. Formed off the back of a television show, S Club had 4 No.1s in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Although not the lead singer, Rachel took lead vocal duties on a few of their hits such as 2000’s 'Natural'. Why did she go solo? By 2003, the UK music scene had moved away from pop hits and the band came to a natural conclusion after the release of a greatest hits album and a film – Seeing Double. Always the pin-up of the band, Rachel signed a four-album deal with Polydor Records shortly after the band split. Was the solo career a success? Despite her first single 'Sweet Dreams (My LA Ex)' reaching No. 2 in the charts, Funky Dory, the album that followed it, was disappointing and surprised fans with its mature sound. After poor album sales, the Richard-X produced 'Some Girls' shot up the charts and signalled a move towards a more electronic sound. Her second album Come and Get It received rave reviews from pop critics but failed to sell well. Teetering on the edge of being dropped, the status of Rachel’s third album is as yet unknown. What happened to the rest of the band? Paul Cattermole left before the band split to join his nu-metal side project but nothing was ever heard of them. Lead singer Jo O’Meara attempted a solo career but was dropped after just one single then "starred" in Celebrity Big Brother, while Tina faded into obscurity. Hannah has starred in ITV1's Primeval, Jon has featured in musicals, and Bradley took part in MTV’s Totally Boyband. From Orange.co.uk
