Five (group)

Formed in 1997 by Heart Management through a rigorous audition process, Five emerged as a potent force in the late 1990s pop music landscape. Comprising Sean Conlon, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Abz Love, and Jason 'J' Brown, the group was meticulously crafted for commercial appeal. Their signing with Simon Cowell and BMG/RCA signaled a strong belief in their potential.

The debut single, 'Slam Dunk (Da Funk),' released in November 1997, immediately established their presence by reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. This was swiftly followed by 'When the Lights Go Out,' a track that transcended national borders, achieving significant international success by peaking at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting within the top ten in six other countries. Their self-titled debut album, 'Five' (1998), became a commercial juggernaut, selling over 4 million copies worldwide.

This album was a consistent hit-maker, yielding three additional UK top 3 singles: 'Got the Feelin',' 'Everybody Get Up,' and 'It's the Things You Do.' This initial period showcased Five's ability to deliver infectious, high-energy pop music that resonated with a global audience, setting a high bar for their subsequent career.

Following their highly successful debut, Five aimed to solidify their position with their second album, 'Invincible,' released in 1999. This album proved that their initial success was no fluke, selling over one million copies worldwide. 'Invincible' contained a string of popular tracks, including the number 2 UK hit 'If Ya Gettin' Down.' However, the album's crowning achievements were the number one singles 'We Will Rock You' and 'Keep On Movin'.' The latter, in particular, became their biggest selling single, a testament to its widespread appeal and the band's knack for creating anthemic songs.

The success of 'Invincible' demonstrated Five's ability to evolve their sound while maintaining the energetic and catchy style that their fans adored. They consistently delivered music that dominated radio airwaves and music charts, reinforcing their status as one of the era's premier boy bands and proving their capacity for sustained commercial success in a competitive industry.

The period surrounding the release of their third album, 'Kingsize,' in 2001, was marked by increasing internal tensions within the group. These strains became publicly apparent when Sean Conlon was notably absent from the music video for the album's lead single, 'Let's Dance.' While the band's official explanation cited illness, this incident highlighted underlying discord. Despite these internal challenges, 'Let's Dance' achieved significant commercial success, reaching number one in the UK.

This paradoxical situation underscored the group's ability to produce hits even amidst personal friction. However, the cumulative pressure proved too much, and in September 2001, Five announced their decision to disband. The subsequent release of their 'Greatest Hits' album in November 2001 served as a retrospective of their career, marking the end of their initial run.

The narrative of Five continued beyond their initial disbandment. A brief reunion occurred in September 2006, though it was short-lived and notably without Sean Conlon. A more substantial reunion was announced in 2012, this time featuring Conlon but excluding Jason 'J' Brown.

The group decided to continue under the name Five, even with a modified lineup, indicating the strength of their brand identity. This reunion led to their participation in the popular ITV2 documentary series 'The Big Reunion' in 2013, which reignited public interest and was followed by a successful collaborative tour. In August 2014, Abz Love departed, leaving Conlon, Neville, and Robinson to continue as a trio.

The enduring nature of their bond and fan support culminated in the reformation of the original five-member lineup in February 2025, underscoring the lasting impact and appeal of Five in the pop music landscape.