Mel and Kim
Mel and Kim - Bright Shining and Brief Stars
Mel and Kim Appleby, born to British and Jamaican parents, were noticed dancing in a nightclub in their native London and subsequently signed a recording contract with Supreme Records under the guidance of production team Stock Aitken Waterman. Mel and Kim's first release was "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)" which reached number three on the British charts in 1986 and number one on the USA Dance charts.
Their next single "Respectable" reached number one in Britain and became one of the year's biggest hits. They became well known celebrities, particularly in Britain, and were known for their visual style which combined urban street wear with high fashion.
Their third single "F.L.M reached number seven in the UK, while their final single "That's the Way It Is" reached number ten in March 1988, giving them 4 hit songs in a row in the top ten.
During a promotional visit to Japan in June 1987, Mel became ill with a suspected spinal disc herniation, after complaining of a back problem for several months. On returning to the UK, Mel was diagnosed with secondary cancer of the spine. She had previously been treated for liver cancer when she was 18, prior to the duo's rise to fame. Also prior to their music career Mel had worked as a glamour model. Kim was 5 years older than Mel and had a daughter Sharma, born in 1979. So in 1990 when Mel died, she was 23 and Kim was 28. Young Sharma would have been 11.
Mel's cancer was called malignant paraganglioma. The sisters withdrew from publicity while Mel underwent treatment, and footage from their Montreux Festival performance was used to compile the "FLM" music video.
Eventually, it was confirmed to the public that Mel had been diagnosed with cancer. In early 1988, Mel discharged herself from hospital to record the vocals for their last single "That's the way it is".
A second album was not able to be completed due to Mel's illness. Both sisters appeared on the Wogan show in April 1988 while Mel was still undergoing treatment, as part of European Cancer Week. Mel died of pneumonia on 18 January 1990, after contracting a cold, her immune system being too weakened by chemotherapy.
Mel Appleby - May She Rest in Peace
She was a wonderful singer, dancer and she was in the world spotlight for just a short time. But while she glowed, she was phenomenal. Her life may have been tragically cut short but her memory still remains.
Stock Aitken and Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They were very successful during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The three are considered to be one of the most successful songwriting and producing partnerships of all time, scoring more than 100 UK top 40 hits, selling 40 million records.
Bananarama had a number one hit in 1986 in the US pop charts with "venus", a song written by SAW. They went on to make Stock Aitken and Waterman their main producers, and would collaborate with them on some of their biggest hits, including "Love in the First Degree", "I Can't Help It", and "I Heard a Rumour".
The following SAW hit songs, made it to the very top of the UK pop charts.
1987 "Respectable", Mel and Kim
1987 "Never Gonna Give You Up", Rick Astley
1987 "I Should Be So Lucky", Kylie Minogue
1989 "Especially for You", Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan
1989 "Too Many Broken Hearts", Jason Donovan
1989 "Hand on Your Heart", Kylie Minogue
1989 "Sealed with a Kiss", Jason Donovan, a cover of the Brian Hyland single
1989 "Do They Know It's Christmas", Band Aid II
1990 "Tears on My Pillow", Kylie Minogue
Mel and Kim songs
Showing Out - Get Fresh at the Weekend - Mel & Kim's first top 10 hit in 1986
Respectable - TOTP - Top of the Pops on TV in 1987 - this song went to Number ONE
Respectable - the official video
FLM - concert in Montreux, Switzerland, 1987
FLM - the official video showing parts of the concert - by now Mel was too ill to be in any video
That's the way it is - version 1 - this song got to number 10 and was Mel & Kim's last Top 10 song
That's the way it is - version 2 - this video again incorporated previous videos because Mel was too ill to be in the video
Respectable Lyrics
Tay, tay, tay, tay, t-t-t-tay-tay, tay, tay
Take or leave us, only please believe us,
we aint ever gonna be respectable.
It's our occupation, we're a dancin' nation
We keep the pressure on every night
Explanations are complications
We don't need to know the where or why
Tay, tay, tay, tay, t-t-t-tay-tay, tay, tay
Takin' chances, bold advances,
Don't care if you think we're out of line
Conversation is interrogation,
Get out of here, we just don't have the time
Tay, tay, tay, tay, t-t-t-tay-tay, tay, tay
Take or leave us only please believe us
We aint ever gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us
We aint ever gonna be respectable
(respectable, respectable, respectable, respectable)
Hesitation is just frustration,
Give us the music and we're alright
On each occasion for your information
We can look after ourselves alright
Tay, tay, tay, tay, t-t-t-tay-tay, tay, tay
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We aint ever gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us
We aint ever going to be respectable
(respectable, respectable, respectable, respectable)
(music bridge)
Fascination is our sensation,
We like to put ourselves on the line
Recreation is our destination,
so don't wait up for us tonight
Tay, tay, tay, tay, t-t-t-tay-tay, tay, tay
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We aint ever gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us
We aint ever gonna be respectable (respectable)
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We aint ever gonna be respectable
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us
We aint ever gonna be respectable (respectable)
Choose your favourite song
Which Mel & Kim song is your favourite?
Mel and Kim interviews
Mel and Kim interview in 1988
Terry Wogan interview
Kim Appleby reminisces after Mel's death
So what do you really think of Mel & Kim?
Now that you have had a chance to listen to their music, seen their style, and heard them speaking - do you think they could have had a long career like Madonna? Or do you think they were just a flash in the pan?
