Classic Music Opinion #2: There's a 10-Year Curse with Singing Groups
Why don't girl groups and boy bands slump after three albums
I recently talked with my sister about girl groups and why some are more successful. I chatted about how girl groups and boy bands have at least ten years to stay commercially relevant. It gave her something to think about TLC (her favorite girl group) struggling to make hits after Left Eye’s death.
If we look at history, we’ll see why this and other reasons are why groups fall off. Either one member leaves due to controversy or creative differences, one member goes solo, or like TLC - one member dies. All this happens within ten years. For this article, I’ll be digging into some girl groups and boy bands that lasted within a decade and explain why the 10-year curse is real.
The Supremes
Reasons disbanded: two members left, one went solo
The Supremes were one of the first groups signed to Motown in 1961. However, the classic girl group had their share of mishaps that caused them to split in the '70s. Original member, Florence Ballard had left the group in 1967 after the name changed to Diana Ross & The Supremes. This was within six years of being signed. Her controversial behavior led to her release from Motown. After leaving the group, Diana took over for a few years until she left to do her solo career in the early 70s. The group carried for several years after Diana’s absence but their records were never the same.
The Jackson 5/The Jacksons
Reasons disbanded: main leader left, became a huge solo star
Now, most people know of the Jacksons. They were another Motown turned CBS/Epic group that was successful throughout the 70s. From the Jackson 5, they saw success as a soulful youth band and then as teens as the Jacksons. Even though they lasted past ten years, they had their fair share of Michael releasing solo albums during the families run. Once Thriller dropped, it was clear his music overshadowed the Jackson group. There was a dispute between making Michael a full-time soloist and a reoccurring member of the Jacksons. Despite The Victory tour sales, Michael knew to leave the Jacksons permanently because of his explosive Thriller album.
New Edition
Reasons for changes: one member left and went solo due to controversy, new members added, spinoff trio
New Edition is an interesting case study of a group that never broke up. The R&B group had its interruptions, but they carried on years later. Within their third album, Bobby Brown was voted out of the group. Bobby caused controversy for risqué moves on stage and for skipping performances. After Bobby's absence, he carried a successful solo career in the late 80s. Despite Bobby’s temporary departure, New Edition added Johnny Gill to the group as a replacement. Three members of New Edition also started the spinoff group, Bell Biv DeVoe. Years later, after personal trials, all members returned (including Bobby) to continue touring.
Take That
Reasons for changes: one member left, went solo, brief return as five-piece, then a four-piece
England had their hit boy band with Take That in the 1990s. There trajectory went similar to New Edition. This time, things shook up within the first two albums. After the hit success of their Everything Changes album, Robbie Williams drug habit caused them to let him go. Robbie’s solo career took off in the late 90s. He later admitted that he was jealous of Gary Barlow and the lack of creativity he was allowed also in the band. Decades later, Robbie would briefly reunite to record some songs for Take That, then leave again. Today, Take That (sans Robbie Williams) are still occasionally active.
Backstreet Boys & NSYNC
Reasons for changes: hiatus due to personal issues, solo ventures,
I grouped NSYNC and Backstreet Boys because they took a hiatus around similar times. In less than ten years, they had drama. In 2002, NSYNC took a hiatus due to Justin Timberlake going solo. However, in 2004, it was announced by Lance Bass, the group split for good. Backstreet took a hiatus in 2003 because of solo plans and AJ McLean’s drug issues. In recent years, both groups have come back for tours, new albums, and singles.
Destinys Child
Reasons for changes: hiatus, member going to solo
Despite Destiny Child’s success, the group went through alterations. The girl group originated as a quartet, but the second album shrunk to a trio. Like the other groups, they had a three-year hiatus. Within that hiatus, Beyoncé released her hit debut album. Like Michael, it was clear the group wouldn't last long after that. Three years later, Destiny Fulfilled dropped with their last hit songs, and the rest was history. Destiny Child occasionally makes appearances for their fans at the Super Bowl and Coachella.
Fifth Harmony
Reasons for changes: one member left the group
Fifth Harmony took a hiatus after Camila left the group within four years. After that, it seemed useless for the group to continue when you become a “fourth” harmony. However, the four girls released one more album before splitting up.
It’s sad knowing that not only did the group lack chemistry, but they lacked the means to have longevity as soloists. While Camila’s solo career has been successful, it’s now having its challenges. Normani’s delayed debut didn’t help her as an alumnus of Fifth Harmony either. The other girls released EPs since then.
Little Mix
Reasons for changes: one member left the group due to controversy and mental health battles, hiatus after children
Little Mix became super successful in the UK, but unfortunately fell in the 10-year curse after Jesy Nelson left the group. I used to root for them at some point, thinking that they would last a while, but things changed. Jesy leaving was a surprise after I stopped following them. Perrie and Leigh-Anne being moms was also understandable for the hiatus ahead of them.
Groups Today
Look, the 10-year anniversary curse is real whether you believe it or not. Groups just can’t last for ten years without some dramatic shakeup. Blame it on the record industry dictating rules to them or everyday life. Let's realize that not every artist in a group/band gets along, and that’s okay. I see groups as boot camps for artists to become great soloists. We’ve seen it in Diana Ross, Beyonce, and Justin Timberlake. They may be brief, but they are an easy way for artists to understand the industry.
Flo seems to be the new girl group hanging around. They came into the spotlight as an organic girl group with the talent to move forward. I don’t know how long they are going to last, but I at least hope they make enough moves in the next ten years. My only question is how many albums they can get done by the end of the decade, and how long would a hiatus happen? I only hope for the best with them.