Nineties Pop

1 of 7 Pages     Next ›

(Vocal group, 1996–2001) The launch point for the career of Justin Timberlake, *NSYNC formed in Florida in 1996. J.C. Chasez, Chris Kilpatrick, Joey Fatone and James Lance Bass scored their first hits in Europe with ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘Tearing Up My Heart’. America fell for their good looks and vocal charms in 1998 and by No Strings Attached (2000) they were platinum-selling artists. Timberlake and Kilpatrick even enjoyed a ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
92 Words Read More

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1974) This Canadian singer recorded two teen-oriented albums that went nowhere in 1990 and 1992. Signed to Madonna’s Maverick label, major debut Jagged Little Pill (1995) was a multi-platinum success. Music aside, it was Morissette’s abrasive, honest, sharp lyrical concerns, ranging from anger at being jilted to confessional, that captivated. Singles like ‘Ironic’ and the Chilis-esque rock power of ‘You Oughta Know’ were huge hits. Second album Supposed Former ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
100 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1992–present) Hailing from Northern Ireland, Ash comprise Tim Wheeler, (vocals, guitar), Mark Hamilton (bass) and Rick McMurray (drums). Initially trading as teenagers, their infectious blend of indie rock was captured on their debut album 1977 (1996). They had expanded to a wider palette on Nu-Clear Sound (1998) by which time they had added Charlotte Hatherley on additional guitar. Fourth album Meltdown (2005) was a mature rock album. In 2006, ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
90 Words Read More

‘Spaceman’, 1996 Another case of Levi’s jeans popularizing a song into a hit single – something they had done, not only with new songs, but also with reissues of classic soul songs in the 1980s – Babylon Zoo’s ‘Spaceman’ was an electro-pop hit that appealed instantly to a mid-1990s crowd, but would seem dated and clumsy today. Jas Mann (pronounced ‘jazz man’) was the group’s driving force, and he/they were pretentious ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
114 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1992–present) Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson (left 2006). An American boy band, their first taste of success came in Europe in 1996 with soft-focus ballads like ‘Get Down (You’re The One For Me)’. They conquered the US in 1998, and albums like Millennium (1999) – the obligatory Christmas album – and Black & Blue (2000) sold in their millions. ‘Quit Playing Games (With ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
101 Words Read More

(Vocals, b. 1970) By making music that incorporates eclectic influences from folk, hip hop, rock, electronica and studio prowess, Beck Hansen has become one of the most influential American solo artists. Early EPs, albums and singles like the classic ‘Loser’ were released on a variety of labels. When Beck signed to Geffen he retained the unheard-of right to release material on other labels. Odelay (1996) delivered every promise. Mutations (1998) was ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
94 Words Read More

‘Achy Breaky Heart’, 1992 Known as much for this song as he was for his mullet hairstyle, Billy Ray Cyrus has never been able to escape – nor replicate – the success of this lightweight country pop tune. About as genuine as The Eagles and Garth Brooks combined, it spent 17 weeks at the top of the US country chart, marking a depressing moment when insincere country was more popular than ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
124 Words Read More

(Vocals, b. 1965) Lead singer with native Icelandic band The Sugarcubes, Björk Gudmundsdóttir went solo in 1991. Debut (1993) was a starting collection of songs yielding hits like the dance entrancing ‘Human Behaviour’ and ‘Venus As A Boy’ complete with Indian soundtrack string arrangements. Björk’s unique keening and infectiously enthusiastic singing style was a refreshing change and Debut charted internationally. Always with an ear to the UK club scene – and ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
172 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1993–2000) This Irish answer to Take That racked up seven Top 10 singles and spawned an equally successful solo star in Ronan Keating. Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Stephen Gately (1976–2009) and Keating were mustered by future X-Factor svengali Louis Walsh in 1993. Their first UK hit was a cover version of The Osmonds’ ‘Love Me For A Reason’. After that, hits and photo-shoots came thick and fast ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
98 Words Read More

(Vocals, b. 1968) Dion had already released a handful of French-language albums in her native Canada before her English-singing debut Unison (1990). Hit ballads like ‘Where Does My Heart Beat Now’ revealed a potent singer. Her emotional duet with Peabo Bryson on The Beauty And The Beast movie theme (1992) was a monster hit and the first of many successful soundtrack songs including ‘My Heart Must Go On’ (Titanic, 1997). Albums like ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
156 Words Read More

‘The One And Only’, 1991 Born to famous parents, Len ‘Chip’ Hawkes of 1960s group The Tremeloes, and TV host Carol Hawkes, Chesney is perhaps the greatest definition of a one-hit wonder. Although Hawkes continues to try and restart his career (he is currently writing songs with British comedian Tony Hawks), everyone will remember him for his brief stint singing the Nik Kershaw-penned ‘The One And Only’. A Top 10 hit ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
114 Words Read More

‘Groove Is In The Heart’, 1990 With the legendary P-Funk bassist Bootsy Collins on bass, the equally legendary Maceo Parker (of James Brown fame – as, incidentally, so was Bootsy) on saxophone, and A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip as a guest vocalist, all the elements were in place for a modern funk anthem. ‘Groove Is In The Heart’ was pop-funk perfection that reached No. 4 in the States, and No. 2 ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
126 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1992–97, 2006–present) Named after their Walthamstow postal district, Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell were a ‘bad’ boy vocal band who took style and attitude from America. Musically they racked up an impressive number of Top 40 hits between 1992 and 1997 – mostly penned by Mortimer – ranging from dance rap to balladry. Harvey was thrown out in 1997 for comments about drugs. When Mortimer ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
105 Words Read More

‘A Girl Like You’, 1995 When ‘A Girl Like You’ became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, not many remembered that Edwyn Collins used to be part of the talented Scottish pop group Orange Juice. The song was Collins’ biggest hit since Orange Juice’s ‘Rip It Up’ in 1983, and it is a standout pop tune that has allowed Collins to remain a household name. His recording career has ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
97 Words Read More

(Producer, b. 1963) Norman Cook, former bassist with The Housemartins, has since operated under a number of guises with huge success. As Fatboy Slim he managed to combine the engine room of dance with great rock sounds – including The Who – to create some of the greatest anthems of the 1990s. You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby (1998) remains the best shop window to his addictive sound. Subsequent Fatboy albums ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
97 Words Read More
1 of 7 Pages     Next ›

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.