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Eternal (Girlgroup)

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Vorlage:Infobox musical artist Eternal was a London based 1990s R&B girl group that found fame in 1993 and went on to become one of the UK's most successful girl groups of all time, achieving both domestic and global success.

The group was made up of church-going sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett and school friends Kéllé Bryan and Louise Nurding (also known as Louise and Louise Redknapp), who both went to the famous Italia Conti Academy stage school.

Biography

Launched in 1993 with the Top 5 smash Stay, Eternal became the first girl group to have a million-selling album in the UK, with their debut set, Always & Forever. It was 1994's fourth biggest selling LP and spawned six Top 15 singles. Eternal's success was quickly recognised - they were named Best Group at the 1993 Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party and in 1995 they earned four BRIT Award nominations, including Best Album for Always & Forever.

In 1995, Louise left the band amid marked controversy over the fact that Louise was the only white member; some quarters suggested Louise was dumped to improve Eternal's chances of breaking America. Eternal's management, however, denied this was the case. Louise has stated on many occasions that she simply wanted to pursue a solo career and had signed a solo deal with EMI six months prior to her official departure.

As Louise embarked on her (what was to be considerably successful) solo career, Eternal continued to enjoy success as a trio with their second album Power of a Woman, which gave them four Top 10 hits. In 1996, they were asked to sing the theme song for Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Someday. However, whilst this seemed like the ideal opportunity for the group to break America, for some reason Eternal's version was used everywhere except the USA (where American soul group All-4-One took the vocal honours).

In May 1997, the group joined forces with US singer BeBe Winans to score their first - and only - UK chart-topper, I Wanna be the Only One. Taken from their third LP, Before the Rain, it became Eternal's biggest hit to date: it was the third most played song on British radio in 1997 and earned them a MOBO Award and Capital FM Award for Best Single. It was also nominated for Best Single at the BRIT Awards; although the gong went to All Saints, unofficial reports suggest that winner Never Ever was closely challenged by two acts: Eternal and Spice Girls.

After a further Top 5 single, Angel of Mine (which went on to become a U.S. no.1 for R&B singer Monica in 1999), Eternal released their Greatest Hits package in October 1997. The compilation contained fourteen consecutive Top 15 hit songs - an unprecedented record for a British girl group - and rocketed to no.2 on the British album charts. It sold in excess of a million copies (the biggest-selling LP of 1997 not to reach no.1), making it 1997's ninth best-selling album and the biggest hits package from any act that year.

In 1998 Kéllé departed in yet another debacle when it became apparent that Kéllé had been asked to leave the group by Easther and Vernie via a letter from their solicitor, following a reported breakdown of professional relations between the sisters and Kéllé.

Easther and Vernie recruited for a replacement and appointed a singer named TJ, who subsequently left the group after only a brief stint, leaving just the two founding Bennett sisters once again. The now duo released one final single, What'cha Gonna Do (which reached a disappointing no.16) in 1999, and a critically acclaimed self-titled album that performed dismally - it failed to even make the Top 75 - before being dropped by EMI in 2000.


In less than seven years, Eternal became the most successful British R&B female group ever, achieving notable popularity in Japan, where their song Who are You? was used in a Toyota advert, south-east Asia, Australia and parts of Europe. They even managed to score a Top 20 hit in the US with Stay - a big achievement for a British female act in the pre-Spice era of the mid-90s. They also scored a string of hits in both Australia and New Zealand where both I Wanna Be the Only One and The best achieved platinum sales. Globally, Eternal's total sales stands at over 9million.

After Eternal

1999

Kéllé Bryan experienced limited post-Eternal success in the form of one no.14 single called Higher Than Heaven in October 1999. She also presented The N List on Nickelodeon with Dave Berry for a while. There were rumours that Kéllé had recorded a track with Slash from Guns N' Roses called Wait A Minute for her solo album Breakfast In Bed, which was, unfortunately, never to be released. It was later confirmed, however, that Slash had never met Kelle and knew nothing of a track with Kelle. The track 'Wait A Minute' was written by a singer/songwriter called Jack Blades. The same plight struck her second single, I Wanna Know, which was cancelled due to lack of media interest and personal health issues, following her diagnosis as a sufferer of lupus, an illness she now campaigns for awareness of.

2003-2004

In 2003, Easther Bennett recorded a cover of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" which was featured on a Valentine's Day love songs compilation CD. This sparked much interest amongst stalwart Eternal fans of a possible comeback from one of the UK's best female vocalists. Disappointingly nothing more came of this although the song was featured on several other compilation albums. Easther Also provided backing vocals on "Stay Another Day" which was a b-side track on no 1 Christmas single "Sound Of The Underground" by Girls Aloud. That same year, Easther teamed up with reggae stars, Aswad, to record a cover of Diana King's "Shy Guy" which was released as a single. Unfortunately this failed to make an impact on the UK Charts (reaching no 62). In 2004, Easther recorded the classic song "We are Family" for the soundtrack to the film "Tooth". The song features in the end credits. Easther has also recorded backing vocals on material by girl group Clea, but all has gone quiet since.

2006

In March 2006 internet site www.ticketmaster.co.uk began advertising an "Arena Tour 2006" which featured Eternal alongside other acts such as Boyz II Men and En Vogue, however it was later cancelled. Eternal were to come back with only two original members, with the surprise announcement of Easther Bennett and Kelle Bryan being the two that reunited. The pair met up and have started to try and rebuild their relationship again. Vernie however couldn't take part in the reunion as she was pregnant at the time, and has since had the child.

Kelle Bryan recently took part in ITV's " Love Island " as one of 11 contestants. Kelle became runner-up in the show.

2007

Kelle Bryan will be hosting a new ITV PLAY gameshow called Glitterball, which starts on Sunday 18th February, it will be on ITV1 at 12:00AM Sundays-Wednesdays. So make sure you tune in!

Members

Discography

Albums

Date Title UK chart Notes
28 November 1993 Always & Forever #2 76 weeks, million-seller, certified 4 x platinum (1,200,000+ copies sold), year end 1994 #4, year end 1995 #49, Australia #48, Germany #85, Japan #25 (86,940 copies sold), New Zealand #46, US #152, US urban #59, Netherlands #14 (certified gold)
30 March 1995 A Platinum Celebration - Non-UK release, Germany #43
Super Hits Non-UK release, Japan #80 (5,080 copies sold)
30 October 1995 Power of a Woman #6 31 weeks, certified 2 x platinum (600,000+ copies sold), year end 1995 #40, year end 1996 #67, Austalia #14, Japan #35 (79,120 copies sold), Netherlands #41
11 November 1996 Power of a Woman/The Number One Dance Mixes - Limited edition double CD
17 March 1997 Before the Rain #3 29 weeks, certified platinum (300,000+ copies sold), Australia Before the Rain #194 Before the Rain/Power of a Woman #36, Austria #10, Denmark #4, Germany #50, Japan #18 (77,400 copies sold), New Zealand #42, Norway #20, Sweden #33, Switzerland #21, Netherlands #1 (certified gold)
20 October 1997 Greatest Hits #2 27 weeks, million-seller, certified 3 x platinum (900,000+ copies sold), year end #9, Australia The Best #236, Denmark #12, Finland The Best #31, Germany The Best #47, Japan #35 (24,360 copies sold), New Zealand #4 (certified platinum), Norway The Best #4 (certified platinum), Sweden #42, The Best #20, Switzerland The Best #21, Spain (certified 3 x platinum), Netherlands #9 (certified gold)
11 November 1999 Eternal #87 1 week, Japan #43 (10,390 copies sold), Spain #30 (certified gold)
23 December 2002 Essential Eternal - Budget chart release
Unknown 2002 Stay: The Essential Eternal Collection - Budget Chart Release


Always & Forever

  1. "Stay"
  2. "Crazy"
  3. "Save Our Love"
  4. "Oh Baby I..."
  5. "I'll Be There"
  6. "Sweet Funky Thing"
  7. "Just A Step From Heaven"
  8. "Never Gonna Give You Up"
  9. "Let's Stay Together"
  10. "This Love Is For Real"
  11. "So Good"
  12. "If You Need Me Tonight"
  13. "Don't Say Goodbye"
  14. "Amazing Grace"

Power Of A Woman

  1. "Power Of A Woman"
  2. "I Am Blessed"
  3. "Good Thing"
  4. "Telling You Now"
  5. "Hurry Up"
  6. "Redemption Song"
  7. "It Will Never End"
  8. "Who Are You"
  9. "Secrets"
  10. "Your Smile"
  11. "Don't Make Me Wait"
  12. "Up To You"
  13. "Faith In Love"

Before The Rain

  1. "Don't You Love Me"
  2. "I Wanna Be The Only One" (featuring BeBe Winans)
  3. "How Many Tears"
  4. "Grace Under Pressure"
  5. "Someday"
  6. "Think About Me"
  7. "Promises"
  8. "I'm Still Crying"
  9. "All My Love"
  10. "What Do You Mean When You Say"
  11. "Why Am I Waiting"
  12. "It's Never Too Late"
    Japanese bonus tracks
  13. "12 Months"
  14. "I'll Take A Pass On Love"
  15. "I Wanna Be The Only One" (Easther on Lead vocal)

The Greatest Hits

  1. "Angel Of Mine"
  2. "Stay"
  3. "Save Our Love"
  4. "Just A Step From Heaven"
  5. "So Good"
  6. "Oh Baby I..."
  7. "Crazy"
  8. "Power Of A Woman"
  9. "I Am Blessed"
  10. "Good Thing"
  11. "Someday"
  12. "Secrets"
  13. "Don't You Love Me"
  14. "I Wanna Be The Only One"
  15. "Who Are you"
  16. "Finally"
  17. "Might As Well Be Me"
    Japanese bonus tracks
  18. "Think About Me"
  19. "Talk About It"

Stay: The Essential Eternal Collection

  1. "Stay"
  2. "Save Our Love"
  3. "Never Gonna Give You Up"
  4. "Just A Step From Heaven"
  5. "Power Of A Woman"
  6. "Hurry Up"
  7. "Who Are You"
  8. "So Good"
  9. "Crazy"
  10. "It's Never Too Late"
  11. "Oh Baby I"
  12. "Why Am I Waiting"
  13. "Don't Say Goodbye"
  14. "I Am Blessed"
  15. "Amazing Grace"
  16. "Power Of A Woman (bottom dollor vox mix)"
  17. "Stay (12 mix)"
  18. "Save Our Love (Jervier Club Mix)"

Eternal

  1. "What'cha Gonna Do?"
  2. "Treat Me Like A Lady"
  3. "Sunday Morning"
  4. "I Cry Real Tears"
  5. "Pillow Talk"
  6. "Missing You"
  7. "Sensual Man"
  8. "Your Love Makes Me Weak"
  9. "If She Breaks Your Heart"
  10. "Absent From You"
  11. "A Melody"
  12. "He Is"
  13. "Keeping Me Down"
  14. "Libre Para Vivir"
  15. "Don't Let Go"

Essential Eternal

  1. "I Wanna Be The Only One"
  2. "Stay"
  3. "Good Thing"
  4. "Don't You Love Me"
  5. "Oh Baby I..."
  6. "Grace Under Pressure"
  7. "Telling You Now"
  8. "It Will Never End"
  9. "What'cha Gonna Do"
  10. "What Do You Mean When You Say"
  11. "Your Love Makes Me Weak"
  12. "Don't Make Me Wait"
  13. "If You Need Me Tonight"
  14. "Promises"
  15. "Just A Step From Heaven"
  16. "Power Of A Woman"
  17. "Good Thing"
  18. "Just A Step From Heaven"

Singles

Date Title UK chart Notes
20 September 1993 "Stay" #4 9 weeks, Dance #1, US #19, US mainstream #11, US urban #13, US hot dance/club play #12, US dance/maxi singles sales #33, US rhythmic top 40 #9, Australia #3 (41 weeks, certified platinum), Canada #3 (34 weeks), Canada airplay #7, Germany #79, Ireland #19, Israel #22, Japan #1
4 January 1994 "Save Our Love" #8 7 weeks, Australia #73, Germany #86, Ireland #20, Israel #5  
18 April 1994 "Just a Step From Heaven" #8 10 weeks, Dance #1, Australia #62, Ireland #26, Israel #6
July 1994 "Sweet Funky Thing" - US release, US urban #54
8 August 1994 "So Good" #13 Dance #1, Ireland #1, Israel #29
24 October 1994 "Oh Baby I..." #4 13 weeks, B side was "Sweet Funky Thing", Dance #1, certified silver (200,000+ copies sold), Ireland #11, Israel #4, New Zealand #11, Netherlands #10
12 December 1994 "Crazy" (The E.P.) #15 7 weeks, Dance #1, Ireland #23, Israel #5, New Zealand #25
9 October 1995 "Power of a Woman" #5 8 weeks, Dance #1, year end #77, Australia #8, Ireland #19, Israel #9, Japan #1 (3 weeks), New Zealand #33, Netherlands #35
October 1995 "Who Are You" - Japan #1, from Toyota advert
27 November 1995 "I Am Blessed" #7 12 weeks, certified silver (200,000+ copies sold), year end 1995 #84, year end 1996 #159, Australia #14, Ireland #7, Israel #29, New Zealand #31, Netherlands #29
26 February 1996 "Good Thing" #8 6 weeks, year end #187, Australia #82, Ireland #23, Israel #22
5 August 1996 "Someday" #4 9 weeks, From Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, year end #100, Austalia #27, Ireland #18
25 November 1996 "Secrets" #9 7 weeks, Israel #19
24 February 1997 "Don't You Love Me" #3 7 weeks, Airplay #1, certified silver (200,000+ copies sold), year end #81, Australia #25, Ireland #23, Israel #6, Latvia airplay #20, New Zealand #31, Netherlands #12
February 1997 "Finally" - Japan #1
16 May 1997 "I Wanna Be The Only One" (featuring BeBe Winans) #1 15 weeks, Airplay #1, certified gold (400,000+ copies sold) [1], year end #16, Australia #10 (47 weeks, certified gold), Austria #6, Denmark #2, Germany #14 (22 weeks), Ireland #3, Israel #5, New Zealand #4 (certified platinum), Norway #2 (certified platinum), Sweden #6 (26 weeks), Switzerland #7 (31 weeks), year end #11 (certified gold), Netherlands #3 (17 weeks, certified platinum), France #6
May 1997 "Think About Me" - Japan #4
29 September 1997 "Angel of Mine" #4 13 weeks, R&B #1, certified silver (200,000+ copies sold), year end #51, Germany #85, Ireland #12, Israel #8, Japan #20, New Zealand #17, Norway #3 (certified gold), Sweden #10, Switzerland #44, Netherlands #14 (13 weeks), Spain #1
18 October 1999 "What'cha Gonna Do" #16 4 weeks, Germany #84, Japan #29, Norway #84, Sweden #34, Netherlands #30

B-Sides & other tracks

  • 1993 "Don't Say Goodbye" (Stay B-Side/Always & Forever album track)
  • 1994 "Hey Baby" (Save Our Love Cassette B-Side)
  • 1994 "If You Need Me Tonight" (Save Our Love B-Side/Always & Forever album track)
  • 1994 "I've Got To Be With You" (Just A Step From Heaven B-Side)
  • 1994 "Fantasy" (Just A Step From Heaven B-Side)
  • 1994 "Ain't No How I'm Steppin" (So Good B-Side)
  • 1994 "Loving You" (So Good B-Side)
  • 1994 "Decisions" (Oh Baby I... B-Side)
  • 1994 "Something Inside (So Strong)" (Crazy B-Side)
  • 1994 "His Eye Is on The Sparrow" (Crazy B-Side)
  • 1994 "Amazing Grace" (Crazy B-Side)
  • 1995 "Hurry Up" (Power Of A Woman B-Side/Power Of A Woman album track)
  • 1995 "Oh Happy Day" (I Am Blessed B-Side)
  • 1996 "Stay" (Good Thing B-Side/Always & Forever album track)
  • 1996 "So Good" (Good Thing B-Side/Always & Forever album track)
  • 1996 "Oh Baby I..." (Good Thing B-Side/Always & Forever album track)
  • 1996 "When You Wish Upon A Star" (Someday B-Side)
  • 1996 "A Whole New World" (Someday B-Side)
  • 1996 "Oh Baby I... (Live for Radio 1 at Manchester Apollo '96)" (Someday B-Side)
  • 1996 "Power Of A Woman (Live for Radio 1 at Manchester Apollo '96)" (Someday B-Side)
  • 1996 "Good Thing (Live for Radio 1 at Manchester Apollo '96)" (Someday B-Side)
  • 1996 "I Feel The Earth Move" (Secrets B-Side)
  • 1996 "Redemption Song (Chicco Secci Mix)" (Secrets B-Side/original version on Power Of A Woman)
  • 1996 "Who Are You (Cut Father & Joe Mastermix)" (Secrets B-Side/original version on Power Of A Woman)
  • 1996 "Black Cat (Live)" (Secrets B-Side)
  • 1996 "Still In Love (Live)" (Secrets B-Side)
  • 1997 "I'll Take A Pass On Love" (Don't You Love Me B-Side)
  • 1997 "This Life's Not For Me" (Don't You Love Me B-Side/Finally B-Side)
  • 1997 "Don't You Love Me" (Finally B-Side/Before The Rain single)
  • 1997 "A Friend Is A Friend" (I Wanna Be The Only One B-Side/Think About Me B-Side)
  • 1997 "Show Me" (I Wanna Be The Only One B-Side)
  • 1997 "I Wanna Be The Only One" (Think About Me B-Side/Before The Rain single)
  • 1997 "12 Months" (Angel Of Mine B-Side)
  • 1997 "Talk About It" (Angel Of Mine B-Side)
  • 1997 "Dreams (Remix)" (Angel Of Mine B-Side)
  • 1999 "We're Not Making Love Anymore" (What'cha Gonna Do B-Side)
  • 1999 "Got To Be The One" (What'cha Gonna Do B-Side)

Unreleased Tracks

  • 1999 "Throw My Love Away"
  • 1999 "Summer Love"
  • 1999 "We Got It"
  • 1999 "Let Us Run Free"

References

  1. ↑ BPI.co.uk Certification "I Wanna Be The Only One" Accessed: October 29, 2006
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