Then & now Mandy Smith, singer

SHE HAD IT ALL – model looks, party lifestyle and a rock-star boyfriend. Except that Mandy Smith was only 13 when she met and started dating former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman. When the relationship between the teenager and the grizzly rocker hit the headlines, Smith became notorious as the original wild child. [read the full article]

Rick Astley looks back on his career and explains why family is his priority

“You know what? I don’t want to do this any more,” Rick Astley told his manager. It was 1993 and the chart-topper had already won a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the first male solo artist to have his first eight singles in the UK Top Ten Charts.

A record that remains unbroken today. He was just 27.

...

In 1987 Rick’s album Whenever You Need Somebody sold more than 15m copies and he covered Nat King Cole’s When I Fall In Love. In 1989 second album, Hold Me In Your Arms went gold in America.

He had more hits singles such as She Wants To Dance With Me, Hold Me In Your Arms and Take Me To Your Heart, but he was unhappy about repeating the same kind of song and wanted to move on.

“Leaving Stock, Aitken, Waterman was the happiest day in my career. I’m not knocking them I just wanted to sing more of my own songs rather than all of theirs.”

RCA bought out his contract from PWL, but Rick had already decided to retire from the music industry. [read the full article]

Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers [BBC Radio 2 Acoustic Live Sessions]

This isn't a Stock, Aitken & Waterman production:

Sinitta - GTO - The Roxy

STEPS are set to reunite, and this time it's real.

From GenSteps web site:

"Yesterday we exclusively revealed the news and today ITV Studios have confirmed they are making a four part documentary for Sky Living, documenting the lead up to the release of STEPS' "Ultimate Collection" album.... Says Michael Kelpie of ITV Studios, "Steps came, they entertained and then went their separate ways. Their split was acrimonious, messy and played out on the front pages of the national newspapers." "This documentary series reveals the truths behind the polished pop façade that led to the break-up of one of the most successful pop acts in the UK." "Steps will face their demons as they try to rebuild both personal and working relationships. It will undoubtedly be explosive viewing." [read the full article on GenSteps web site]

Sinitta - Right Back Where We Started From - The Hitman and Her

The Hitman and Her. A 1989 remake of "Right Back Where We Started From" was included on the 1988 Sinitta album Wicked and was released as the album's second single in June 1989 reaching #2 in New Zealand, #4 UK, #5 in Ireland, #6 in Australia and #17 in Spain. Sinitta's "Right Back Where We Started From" also reached #48 in the Netherlands and became the singer's only chart item in her native US reaching #84 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #48 on the magazine's Hot Dance Chart (Maxi-single sales).

Rick Astley - Whenever You Need Somebody (TOTP '87)

Rick Astley - When I Fall In Love (TOTP '87)

Bananarama : Loose Women

Bananarama - Cruel Summer/Love Comes medley

Kim Appleby - Don't Worry (WMA Performance)

Mel & Kim interview on TV:AM

Kakko - We Should Be Dancing