La Bouche

La Bouche (French for "the mouth") was a Euro-dance\pop duo created by Frank Farian(of Milli Vanilli fame) in Germany whose members consisted of singer Melanie Thornton (born May 13, 1967 in Charleston, South Carolina) and rapper Lane McCray (born Lane McCray Jr on April 13, 1962 in Anchorage, Alaska).

Lane performed in musical theater and Melanie performed in talent shows and concerts during college. She also sang in a band called "Danger Zone."

In 1992, Melanie traveled to Germany and started singing in German nightclubs. Soon after, Melanie was recording demos and it was her recording of the song, "Sweet Dreams" that caught the eye of Frank Farian who took her under his wing & paired her up with Lane.
In 1994, La Bouche's first single, "Sweet Dreams" peaked at #63 on the UK Singles chart, but fared better in Germany, where it peaked at #8 on the German music charts. The song even topped the charts in Italy.
In 1995, La Bouche released their first album, "Sweet Dreams" which peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Their second single, "Be My Lover" became their biggest hit to date, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart, #7 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.

Internationally, the song was successful, topping the charts in Germany and Sweden, and was also moderately successful in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
The third single from the album, "Fallin' in Love" peaked at #18 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart, #34 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #38 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart, #11 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.
The last single from the album, "I Love To Love" peaked at #6 on Australia's ARIA Singles chart, #21 on the German Singles chart, and was moderately successful on the Belgian, French, Swedish, and Finnish music charts.
In 1996, La Bouche released their second album, "All Mixed Up" which didn't chart at all on the Billboard 200.
A remix version of their first single, "Sweet Dreams" was released in the US and managed to peak at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard's dance charts, #4 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart, #13 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #31 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart.
In 1998, the duo released their sophomore album, "S.O.S." which peaked at #194 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The first single, "Bolingo (Love is in the Air)" peaked at #26 on the German Singles chart, #23 on the Swedish Singles chart, #19 on Austria's music charts, and #15 on the Swiss Singles chart.
The second single, "You Won't Forget Me" failed to meet expectations in the US, peaking only at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was moderately successful in Germany and Sweden.
The third single from the album, "A Moment of Love" flopped in Germany and the US, failing to chart at all.
The last single, the title song also failed to chart at all in the US or internationally. In 2000, Melanie left La Bouche to start a solo career and was replaced with singer Natacha Wright. In April of that same year, a new single, "All I Want" flopped and Farian decided to end the group.
Meanwhile, Melanie's solo career was moderately successful. In 2000, she released her first single, "Love How You Love Me" which was successful in Germany. Her follow-up singles were also moderately successful.
In May 2001, Melanie released her solo debut album, "Ready to Fly" and continued to perform in clubs under the name "Melanie Thornton, formerly of La Bouche." On November 24, 2001, Melanie tragically died in a plane crash on the Crossair Flight 3597 near Bassersdorf near Zurich in Switzerland. She was only 34 years old.
At the time of her death, Melanie gave her final performance in Leipzig and took the plane from Berlin to Zurich for radio & television appearances to promote her album and her single, "Wonderful Dream (Holidays Are Coming)" which was recorded for a German Coca-Cola television commercial.

The commercial with Melanie's song has been aired in Germany during Christmas since 2001 and has also been in the German Singles chart every year.
In November 2002, a year after Melanie's death, the song, "In Your Life" was dedicated to her and to commemorate the first anniversary of her death. Melanie is buried in Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

After Melanie's death, Lane faded away from the spotlight to mourn the loss of his friend and music partner.

These days, Lane is working with new music partner Dana Rayne and as of January 2009, they are working on new music and putting the touches on their upcoming debut album, "Life in the Fast Lane."

Lane also devotes his time to support AIDS victims through local, national, and international foundations. He is also an active member of the USANG Band of the Gulf Coast.

La Bouche's two greatest hits albums were released in 2002 and 2007.

To see Lane McCray's MySpace page, go to:
www.myspace.com/lanemccrayjr

To see the music video for "Be My Lover," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P0_v__IOrE

To see the music video for "SOS," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzBMOTnII8

To see the music video for "Sweet Dreams," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpTcRV5_MjY

To see the music video for "Fallin In Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6A_AnU3F68

To see the music video for "I Love to Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VUgYrOolT8

To see the music video for "Bolingo (Love is in The Air)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbN-Ro-W_Ew

To see the music video for "You Won't Forget Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4jSEuBjOUU

To see the music video for "A Moment of Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrph9Nw2Lls

To see the music video for "SOS," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzBMOTnII8

To see the music video for "All I Want," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93ZUY3Sdt_Q

To see the music video for "In Your Life," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prHR8NAt630

As a bonus, here are videos featuring the late Melanie Thornton:

To see the music video for "Love How You Love Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Wu9tFvgCM

To see a video of Melanie performing her song, "Wonderful Dream" live in her last live performance, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAQ3ZyIfJoA

Davina

Davina (born Davina Bussey in Detroit, Michigan on December 31, 1966) is a female R&B singer.

Before her singing career, Davina worked as a recording engineer and ran her own dance music record label. Davina released a few solo singles from 1983 to 1994 before releasing an album.
In 1997, Davina released her first single from her upcoming album, "So Good" which became her biggest hit to date, peaking at #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

The song was the theme song for the movie, "Hoodlum" and rappers Raekwon (from the Wu Tang Clan) and Xzhibit appeared on remixed versions of the song.
A year later in 1998, Davina released her debut album, "Best of Both Worlds" which peaked at #180 on the Billboard 200, #7 on Billboard's Heatseekers albums chart, and #34 on Billboard's R&B albums chart.
Davina's second single, "Come Over To My Place" peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #38 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. After that, it seemed that Davina faded into obscurity.
These days,  Davina continues to perform. In 2007, she released her second album in 9 years "Return to Soul."

To see Davina's MySpace page, go to:
www.myspace.com/idavinamusic

To see the music video for "So Good," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1OEEA-OZtQ

To see the music video for "Come Over to My Place," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVhqCZ4JjQ

Sa-Deuce

Sa-Deuce was an R&B female duo whose members were Janai Abercrombie and Asiah Pierre-Lewis. The two were part of a girl group called "4 Shades of Black."

When the group broke up, Asiah and Janai formed the duo. The duo's name means "the two" and they signed a record deal with Mecca Don Entertainment\Elektra Records.
In 1996, the duo released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #79 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. They were only 17 years old when they released their first single.
The duo's first and biggest hit to date, "Don't Waste My Time" which peaked at #42 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles chart. Another single, "Body Knockin" was also released, but failed to chart.

After that, Janai and Asiah graduated from high school and decided to pursue their own separate careers. It looked as if the two had seemingly faded into obscurity.

Today, Asiah and Janai have recently started recording new music under their new personas: "Gemini" (Janai) and "Aquarious" (Asiah). It's unknown when or if they'll be releasing a new album, but hopefully soon.

To see the music video for "Don't Waste My Time," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jvk-mwUsw0

To see the music video for "Body Knockin," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urYPuE9nTyU

N II U

N II U was a New Jersey male R&B group from the mid-90's whose members consisted of Chuck Howard, Chris Herbert, Don Carlis, and Craig Hill.
In 1994, the group released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #39 on Billboard's Heatseekers albums chart and #90 on Billboard's R&B albums chart.
The group's first single and only biggest hit to date, "I Miss You" peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Another single, "There Will Never Be" was released, but failed to chart at all. After that, it seemed as if the group faded into obscurity.

To see the music video for "I Miss You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BPmlcOQtpg

Girl Talk

Girl Talk was a British girl duo who had moderate success in the UK and little moderate success in the US. The duo consisted of members Karen Wright and Leigh Pearce.

By 1984, Leigh was replaced by Karen's sister, Julie. They were signed to Innervision Records
In 1983, the duo released their first single, "Can the Beat" to little success at first, but in 1984, the song managed to peak at #92 on the UK Singles chart and by 1985, a re-recorded version of the song peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in the US.


Their second single, "Marvellous Guy" failed to chart at all. In 1987, the Wright sisters moved to WEA Records and released two more singles, "Falling For You" and "I Will Give You Love" also to failed to chart at all.

Soon after, the duo faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since 1987.

To see a fan-made video for the extended version of "Can the Rhythm," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ONZiNRD-7o

Pepsi & Shirlie

Pepsi (born Helen DeMacque on December 10, 1958 in Paddington, London) & Shirlie (born Shirlie Holliman on April 18, 1962 in Watford, Hertfordshire) were a female pop British duo who scored moderate success in both the UK and US. The women were both backing vocalists for Wham!
In 1987, the duo released their debut album, "All Right Now" which peaked at #69 on the UK Albums chart and #133 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Their first single, "Heartache" became their biggest hit to date, peaking at #2 on the UK Singles chart. In the US, the song peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.
The second single from the album, "Goodbye Stranger" peaked at #9 on the UK Singles chart, becoming another successful hit for the duo.
The third single from the album, "Can't Give Me Love" was less than successful, peaking only at #58 on the UK Singles chart.
The fourth single, the title song peaked at #50 on the UK Singles Chart and in the US, the song became their biggest hit there to date, peaking at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The last single, "High Time" failed to chart at all on the UK charts or even in the US. The song was written by singer\actress Nia Peeples. The song was featured on Nia's debut album.
In 1991, Pepsi & Shirlie released their sophomore album, "Change" which didn't chart at all in the UK.
The only single released, "Someday" failed to chart at all on the UK Singles chart and after that, the duo quietly retired.

Today, Pespi lives in Norwich, England with her husband and Shirlie is married to Spandau Ballet member, Martin Kemp. In 2000, the duo reunited to record back-up vocals for Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's #1 UK single, "Bag It Up."

Pepsi was a part of the 1993 London revival play of "Hair" and toured with Mike Oldfield as a solo singer on his European tour. Shirlie is no longer active in the music biz and manages a business with music and entertainment production called Aegean.

To see the video for "Can't Give Me Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OLOh049t1Q

To see a video for Pepsi & Shirlie performing "All Right Now" live, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6e3nWAo9y4

To see a video of Pepsi & Shirlie performing "Heartache" live, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE9gdwznsqg

To see a video of Pepsi & Shirlie performing "Goodbye Stranger" on Top of the Pops, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaDOLDGfcSU

Boy Krazy

Boy Krazy was a female pop group from New York City that consisted of members Kimberly Blake, Josselyne Jones, Johnna Lee Cummings, Renee Veneziale, and former Miss Junior America, Ruth Ann Roberts.

Their first single, "That's What Love Can Do" was released in 1991, but the song first failed to make any impact, peaking only at #86 on the UK Singles chart and soon after, Renee left the group.
A year later in 1992, "That's What Love Can Do" was remixed and soon became successful in the US nightclubs. The song peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #33 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #19 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. But in the UK, the song still wasn't a hit, peaking only at #80 on the UK Singles chart.
In 1993, Boy Krazy released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #25 on Billboard's Heatseekers albums chart. The second single, "All You Have to Do" peaked at #91 on the UK Singles chart, but didn't chart in the US.
Their last single, "Good Times With Bad Boys" peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #31 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart. The song wasn't released in the UK, but it was also released in continental Asia and Europe.

Soon after, Johnna left the group after the release of their last single. The remaining members of Boy Krazy tried to develop a new album, but were unable to and soon disbanded.

Today, Ruth Roberts works in the wrestling community, going under the name "Rue DeBona." Johnna Cummings signed a solo deal with PWL International Ltd. under the name "Johnna" and released two singles to moderate success.

Josselyne works now as a producer and agent in New York. Renee sang with other bands and now works as a yoga teacher.

To see the music video for "That's What Love Can Do," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERQM11osFac

To see the music video for "Good Times with Bad Boys," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb2MRZRq7XA

Sonia

Sonia (born Sonia Evans on February 13, 1971 in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, England; raised in Liverpool) is a female English pop singer, who had moderate success in the US, but was very popular in the UK.

Sonia started her singing career in 1989 when it was launched by songwriting group Stock Aitken Waterman and was signed to Chrysalis Records after badgering Pete Waterman (of Stock Aitken Waterman) to listen to her sing outside a recording studio in Liverpool. Waterman had Sonia sing on his weekly radio broadcast.
In June of 1989, Sonia released her debut single, "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" which topped the UK Singles chart for two weeks, making it Sonia's one and only #1 hit.

In the U.S., the song was also successful on the Billboard dance charts, peaking at #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
A year later, Sonia released her debut album, "Everybody Knows" which was released in the UK and Germany.
The second single from the album, "Listen to Your Heart" peaked at #10 on the UK Singles chart, #22 on the Irish Singles chart, and #39 on the French Singles chart.
The third single from the album, "Counting Every Minute" peaked at #16 on the UK Singles chart and #18 on the Irish Singles chart.
The fourth single from the album, "Can't Forget You" peaked at #17 on the UK Singles chart, #5 on the Irish Singles chart, and #17 on the Spanish Singles chart.
The last single from the album, a cover version of Skeeter Davis' song, "End of the World" peaked at #18 on the UK Singles chart and #18 on the Irish Singles chart. Despite the album reaching the top 10 the UK, Sonia was dropped from Chrysalis Records after releasing her debut album.
In June 1990, Sonia was featured on the single, "You've Got a Friend" with English boy-band, Big Fun which peaked at #14 on the UK Singles chart and #12 on the Irish Singles chart.
In October of 1991, Sonia released her self-titled sophomore album on independent record label, IQ. A year later in 1992, the album was repackaged and re-released in the US as Sonia's debut album.
The first single from the album, "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love)" peaked at #10 on the UK Singles chart and #6 on the Irish Singles chart.
The second single from the album, "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" peaked at #22 on the UK Singles chart, #23 on the Irish Singles chart, and in the US, it peaked at #13 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.
The last single from the album, "You to Me Are Everything" peaked at #13 on the UK Singles chart and #14 on the Irish Singles chart.

After the release of her second album, Sonia signed a new record deal with Arista Records when she agreed to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In 1992, Sonia released the single, "We've Got the Power" which didn't chart, but was in connection with the launch of the UK television series, "Gladiators."
In 1993, Sonia released her third album, "Better the Devil You Know" that May following her appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The first single from the album, a cover of Heatwave's song, "Boogie Nights" peaked at #30 on the UK Singles chart.
The second and final single, the title song peaked at #15 on the UK Singles chart and Sonia performed the song in the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest as the UK's entry.
In 1994, Sonia released a cover version of Olivia Newton-John's song, "Hopelessly Devoted to You" which peaked at #61 on the UK Singles chart.
In 1995, Sonia released a cover version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' song, "Wake Up Everybody" which flopped, peaking at #155 on the UK Singles chart.
In 1998, Sonia's third and last album, "Love Train: The Philly Album" was released as a promo due to Sonia being unhappy that the lead single from the album, "Wake Up Everybody" flopped.

In 2003, Sonia was a part of the UK reality show, "Reborn in the USA," but was voted off in the fifth week of the show. In January 2007, Sonia starred in a pantomine version of "Jack and the Beanstalk" in Horsham, West Sussex.
In June 2009, Sonia released her first single in fourteen years, "Fool for Love" on Energise Records and will be featured on a compliation album with other singers from the 80's and 90's.

To see the music video for "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUmFD8_0q9U

To see the music video for "Listen to Your Heart," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaUE-4Qc0P8

To see the music video for "Counting Every Minute," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhruxf_S9mk

To see the music video for "End of the World," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOVLE9EC5H8

To see the music video for "Only Fools (Never Fall in Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joc3K2Y0BP4

To see the music video for "Can't Forget You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOWu8G5Fyc4

To see the music video for "You To Me Are Everything," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qq4gp9lklk

To see a fan-made video for "Boogie Nights," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIHhEn3hv4c

To see a fan-made video for "Better the Devil You Know," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36CDETjS_iU