Liberty X
Encyclopedia
Liberty X were a British pop vocal group formed by the five contestants eliminated from the final ten qualifiers from the 2001 ITV
show Popstars
. The group consisted of Tony Lundon
, Kevin Simm
, Michelle Heaton
, Kelli Young
and Jessica Taylor
. The group went on to achieve ten consecutive UK Top 20 singles, and various charting singles worldwide, meaning that these runners-up of Popstars were commercially more successful than the winners, Hear'Say
.
They disbanded in early 2007 but re-formed a year later in 2008 for a one-off performance in Belfast
performing their greatest hits.
formed Hear'Say
, the five rejects (who would have been the "backup" had there been a problem with any members in Hear'Say) formed the group Liberty. The name Liberty was chosen to reflect the freedom they enjoyed from not being under the rigid enforcements of the television company and record label that was put upon Hear'Say. Their runner-up status led to them being dubbed "Flopstars" by some commentators. However, this tag was dropped when they signed a multi-million pound record contract with Richard Branson
's independent record label, V2
records and they soon became seen as a "cool" alternative to Hear'Say.
Shortly after forming, Liberty received a legal challenge in the UK High Court from a funk R&B band called Liberty who had success in the 1990s, won Capital Radio Band of the Year, played Wembley Arena, toured Europe and released albums in the USA, Europe & UK. The original Liberty claimed that the new Liberty were taking advantage of the goodwill that they had created in the name Liberty (which in English law
is the tort
of passing off
). The judge agreed with the original Liberty and so the new group asked readers of UK tabloid newspaper, "The Sun
" to pick them a new name. The winning name was X Liberty, though the group chose to use Liberty X.
. The follow-up single "Doin' It", released December 2001, didn't do quite as well and charted and peaked at number 14. There was a gap of 5 months between "Doin' It" and the follow-up "Just a Little
" due to the band being involved in a court case. The track indeed took the band straight to the top of the UK charts and became the 9th best selling single of 2002. 'Just a Little' was also a hit worldwide, reaching the Top 5 and Top 10 music charts in several countries. It is the single they are best known for inside and outside the United Kingdom. One good thing that came out of the whole name change court case is that in the 5 month break between releases, the band recorded "Just a Little" and the next single "Got To Have Your Love", and the original intended 3rd single "Wanting Me Tonight" was cancelled. This release was proceeded by their debut album, Thinking It Over
(originally due to be called To Those Who Wait). The album was a huge success, peaking at number 3 in the UK, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. Two further top 5 singles were released from the album - "Got To Have Your Love
" produced by UK Producer Rod Gammons (Mark Morrison
, Beverley Knight
), a cover of the 1990 track by electro funk
group Mantronix
(Mantronix's founding member, Kurtis Mantronik, also remixed the Liberty X version for the single release), which peaked at number 2 in the United Kingdom. The final single to be taken from the album, was 'Holding On for You', released in December 2002. The single debuted and peaked at number 5 before falling to number 14 the following week.
", a mash-up of Chaka Khan
's "Ain't Nobody
" and The Human League
's "Being Boiled
". The single was produced by Richard X
and released under the name of Richard X vs Liberty X. The track followed the momentum caused by Richard X's other mainstream production, Freak Like Me
for the Sugababes
, which topped the charts the previous year. Both tracks featured on Richard X's album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
. Despite the band's love for "Freak Like Me" the guys never thought of finding the mastermind behind the track but they were approached by Richard X who asked if they wanted to collaborate. The band had just finished a sell-out tour when the single was to be released. "Being Nobody" reached number three in the UK singles chart. Proceeding their second album, Being Somebody
, the group released "Jumpin", which managed to peak at number 6 and spent just 4 weeks on the UK Top 40 chart. 'Jumpin' was co-written by UK singer-songwriter, Lucie Silvas
and ms J Ugono. 'Being Somebody' was released on 3 November 2003, debuting at number 12 on the UK album chart, but fell to number 27 the following week. The album sold around 200,000 copies, significantly lower than sales of their debut. The album received a lot of criticism from fans for containing too many emotional ballads, distancing themselves from their initial R&B sound. The group released the albums final single 'Everybody Cries' in January 2004. The music video saw the group walking along disused railway lines, which they were criticized for by safety organizations. The single missed the UK Top 10, reaching a disappointing number 13, and spent just 3 weeks on the UK Top 40.
The group took a hiatus following record label issues and each member decided to work on different individual projects. Kevin Simm
appeared on Channel 4
's The Games, competing in a series of sporting events (in which he placed second overall, behind Philip Olivier
). Michelle Heaton
appeared on ITV
's ill-fated "Celebrity Wrestling
". Jessica Taylor
appeared on the ITV
's Dancing on Ice
. Tony Lundon
and Kelli Young
took the time to work on new tracks for the band's third album, whilst both contributing on other artists album in both producing and writing. Tony featured on D-Side
's debut album, writing and featuring on a song entitled "Fix You" and Kelli collaborated with Billy Crawford
on a track on his album "Big City" called Go, Go. This track has now gone on to be sampled by Jamelia for a song that was not used for her latest album Walk With Me. During this period, The Sun newspaper reported that the group were to re-release 'Being Somebody', and was to feature a cover of the 1990 hit 'Back To Life', however this failed to materialise. They also released a cover version of the Kool & The Gang
song 'Fresh' which was released in a selection of European countries, but not the United Kingdom. It peaked at number 35 on the French music charts.
, and had signed to independent label Unique Corp records. Their third album was announced as being titled, X
to be released in October 2005. Not owning the rights to certain songs (including collaborations with Richard X
), the band had to write new material. The first single, "Song 4 Lovers" however, had been recorded when they were signed to V2 Records
back in 2004. They re-recorded it as V2 never saw the fit for them and the song. It was finally released in September 2005 and it features Rev Run of Run DMC, who also co-wrote the track. The single was well received, achieving a large amount of airplay on British music channels, as well as radio. During its first week of release, midweek figures showed that the single was to debut at either number 2 or 3, but finished the week at number 5, their first Top 10 hit in nearly two years in the United Kingdom. It spent 4 consecutive weeks inside the Top 10. The video for the song, directed by Bill Schacht for Aestheticom, reached broadcast airplay chart positions of #2 Box UK and #4 MTV UK, as well as heavy rotation on other music channels.
Their third album 'X' was released in October 2005, but to a lukewarm reception, despite the top 5 success of the single which preceded the album. It peaked at number 27, leaving the top 40 after just one week. People were unimpressed with the content of the album as it contained four previous singles (Just A Little, Got To Have Your Love, Being Nobody, Holding On For You), plus the current single (Song 4 Lovers), and a track ("Yo DJ") which was used as a b-side to Song 4 Lovers. 'X' went on to sell an extremely poor 10,000 copies in the UK, and saw a strictly limited release around the world.
In late October, following the top 5 success of their single, the group announced they had been asked to record the official 2005 Children in Need
single, so they teamed up with producer Rod Gammons again to record "A Night to Remember, a cover of the Shalamar
classic, backed with another disco/soul classic, "Everybody Dance." The group performed both singles live on the night, 18 November 2005. The double a-side single entered and peaked at number 6 in the official British singles chart; it also peaked at number 16 in France, their biggest hit there since "Just a Little".
On 7 May 2006, the band were featured in the line up of Aberystwyth University May ball
, alongside Chesney Hawkes
and BodyRockers
. However their set was cut short when a 'smoke bomb' was set off during the first two minutes, filling the room with smoke. Firefighters gave the all clear after 50 minutes, but Liberty X failed to reappear. Students were told the band were not returning to finish their set, met by jeers from the crowd – Students had paid £37 for the evening.
Liberty X returned in June 2006 with a slightly remixed new single "X". The song was a fan favourite, but due to a lack of promotion and lack of airplay and video play (the video itself was attacked for being considerably low-budget), the song failed to hit the Top 40, peaking at a low number 47. The re-release of the album, which contained the new version of X and A Night To Remember which was planned, still went ahead, unknown to the public. 'X' also peaked at number 89 in France, their lowest chart placing there, just ahead of 'Holding On For You' which reached number 109.
Despite rumours of splitting, members leaving and being dropped by their label, Liberty X announced that they were still together but each doing separate things. Michelle posted on the group's official site stating they were still together and would be releasing a new single in the new year (of 2007) with a song from a forthcoming film. However, this failed to materialise. Michelle Heaton
since then has married her lover of four years, Andy Scott-Lee
who is best known for making the final seven in the second series of Pop Idol (although now they are separated). Jessica Taylor
got engaged to cricket star, Kevin Pietersen
, Kevin Simm
has appeared on Channel 4
's The Games: Champion of Champions, competing for his team, and Tony Lundon
was busy writing tracks for what would have been the band's fourth album.
The group performed their last gig on 2 September 2007 alongside Liz McClarnon, Lisa Scott-Lee and Stonefoxx at the Wiltshire Crime Stoppers charity event held in the grounds of Bowood House near Chippenham in Wiltshire. The Wiltshire Times newspaper was granted the last ever on-camera interview with the five band members before they took to the stage. Footage of their performance and the interview is featured on its website.
The band reunited in August 2008 to play at Belfast
's gay pride celebrations singing their main hits, the first time they were on stage together in over a year.
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
show Popstars
Popstars (UK series 1)
Popstars was a UK talent show series that was broadcast on ITV in early 2001. It was the first UK series of the international Popstars franchise, and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a modern pop group. The series began with audition rounds of aspiring singers performing songs...
. The group consisted of Tony Lundon
Tony Lundon
Anthony William James "Tony" Lundon born 13 April 1979 in Galway, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish pop singer-songwriter and dancer. He is best known as a member of the successful pop group Liberty X which also consisted of Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
, Kevin Simm
Kevin Simm
Kevin Ian Simm , is an English pop singer and former member of the group, Liberty X.-Biography:...
, Michelle Heaton
Michelle Heaton
Michelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:...
, Kelli Young
Kelli Young
Kelli Young is an English pop singer. She was a member of British pop group, Liberty X which also consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Jessica Taylor....
and Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor (Liberty X)
Jessica Taylor is an English singer, previously with the Brit Award winning pop group, Liberty X. The group consisted of herself, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Kelli Young.-Personal life:...
. The group went on to achieve ten consecutive UK Top 20 singles, and various charting singles worldwide, meaning that these runners-up of Popstars were commercially more successful than the winners, Hear'Say
Hear'Say
Hear'Say were a British manufactured pop group created in February 2001 from the winners of Popstars, an ITV reality TV show based on a New Zealand show of the same name. They enjoyed huge success with their debut single "Pure and Simple", helped by the publicity surrounding Popstars, the first of...
.
They disbanded in early 2007 but re-formed a year later in 2008 for a one-off performance in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
performing their greatest hits.
2001–02: Popstars and Formation
While the five winning contestants of PopstarsPopstars (UK series 1)
Popstars was a UK talent show series that was broadcast on ITV in early 2001. It was the first UK series of the international Popstars franchise, and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a modern pop group. The series began with audition rounds of aspiring singers performing songs...
formed Hear'Say
Hear'Say
Hear'Say were a British manufactured pop group created in February 2001 from the winners of Popstars, an ITV reality TV show based on a New Zealand show of the same name. They enjoyed huge success with their debut single "Pure and Simple", helped by the publicity surrounding Popstars, the first of...
, the five rejects (who would have been the "backup" had there been a problem with any members in Hear'Say) formed the group Liberty. The name Liberty was chosen to reflect the freedom they enjoyed from not being under the rigid enforcements of the television company and record label that was put upon Hear'Say. Their runner-up status led to them being dubbed "Flopstars" by some commentators. However, this tag was dropped when they signed a multi-million pound record contract with Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
's independent record label, V2
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
records and they soon became seen as a "cool" alternative to Hear'Say.
Shortly after forming, Liberty received a legal challenge in the UK High Court from a funk R&B band called Liberty who had success in the 1990s, won Capital Radio Band of the Year, played Wembley Arena, toured Europe and released albums in the USA, Europe & UK. The original Liberty claimed that the new Liberty were taking advantage of the goodwill that they had created in the name Liberty (which in English law
English law
English law is the legal system of England and Wales, and is the basis of common law legal systems used in most Commonwealth countries and the United States except Louisiana...
is the tort
Tort
A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a wrong that involves a breach of a civil duty owed to someone else. It is differentiated from a crime, which involves a breach of a duty owed to society in general...
of passing off
Passing off
Passing off is a common law tort which can be used to enforce unregistered trademark rights. The tort of passing off protects the goodwill of a trader from a misrepresentation that causes damage to goodwill....
). The judge agreed with the original Liberty and so the new group asked readers of UK tabloid newspaper, "The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
" to pick them a new name. The winning name was X Liberty, though the group chose to use Liberty X.
2002–03: Thinking It Over
The group's first two singles "Thinking It Over" and "Doin' It" launched them to fame, both released whilst the group were known as Liberty. "Thinking It Over" shot to number 5 in the UK Top 40 singles chart, and the single featured remixes by the Wideboys and Boy GeorgeBoy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
. The follow-up single "Doin' It", released December 2001, didn't do quite as well and charted and peaked at number 14. There was a gap of 5 months between "Doin' It" and the follow-up "Just a Little
Just a Little
"Just a Little" is a single by Liberty X, released in 2002. The song debuted at number one in the UK when released, selling over 100,000 copies in its first week. It only stayed at number one for a week, being replaced by Eminem's "Without Me". Despite this the record remained in the chart all...
" due to the band being involved in a court case. The track indeed took the band straight to the top of the UK charts and became the 9th best selling single of 2002. 'Just a Little' was also a hit worldwide, reaching the Top 5 and Top 10 music charts in several countries. It is the single they are best known for inside and outside the United Kingdom. One good thing that came out of the whole name change court case is that in the 5 month break between releases, the band recorded "Just a Little" and the next single "Got To Have Your Love", and the original intended 3rd single "Wanting Me Tonight" was cancelled. This release was proceeded by their debut album, Thinking It Over
Thinking It Over
Thinking It Over is the debut studio album released by British pop group Liberty X. The album was released in the UK on May 27, 2002. The album was the biggest selling release of the band's career, selling nearly 750,000 copies. The album took over a year to record...
(originally due to be called To Those Who Wait). The album was a huge success, peaking at number 3 in the UK, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. Two further top 5 singles were released from the album - "Got To Have Your Love
Got to Have Your Love
"Got to Have Your Love" is a song by American old school hip hop/electro funk group Mantronix that was released as a single in 1990. It was taken from their fourth studio album This Should Move Ya. The original song featured Wondress as a vocalist. The single reached number four in the UK Singles...
" produced by UK Producer Rod Gammons (Mark Morrison
Mark Morrison
Mark Morrison is a British R&B singer. He was the most successful UK R&B singer of the mid-90s and the first black male solo artist to reach number one in the 90s. His single "Return of the Mack" became a #1 or Top 10 hit in several European countries in 1996...
, Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight MBE is a British soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who released her debut album in 1995. Heavily influenced by soul greats such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released six studio albums to date...
), a cover of the 1990 track by electro funk
Electro (music)
Electro is a genre of electronic dance music directly influenced by the use of TR-808 drum machines, Moog keytar synthesizers and funk sampling...
group Mantronix
Mantronix
Mantronix was an influential 1980s hip hop and electro funk music group founded by DJ Kurtis Mantronik , and rapper MC Tee...
(Mantronix's founding member, Kurtis Mantronik, also remixed the Liberty X version for the single release), which peaked at number 2 in the United Kingdom. The final single to be taken from the album, was 'Holding On for You', released in December 2002. The single debuted and peaked at number 5 before falling to number 14 the following week.
2003–05: Being Somebody
Following a short break, the group released "Being NobodyBeing Nobody
Being Nobody is a 2003 song by British pop-group Liberty X, released as the debut single from the group's second album, Being Somebody. The song was produced by Richard X, and was released under the name of Richard X vs. Liberty X...
", a mash-up of Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
's "Ain't Nobody
Ain't Nobody
"Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
" and The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
's "Being Boiled
Being Boiled
"Being Boiled" is a song composed by Sheffield musicians Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, with lyrics by Philip Oakey, and recorded by them as The Human League...
". The single was produced by Richard X
Richard X
Richard Philips, best known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens...
and released under the name of Richard X vs Liberty X. The track followed the momentum caused by Richard X's other mainstream production, Freak Like Me
Freak Like Me
"Freak like Me" is the first single from Adina Howard's 1995 R&B debut album Do You Wanna Ride?. Like Howard's image, the song can be best described as hypersexual. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA....
for the Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
, which topped the charts the previous year. Both tracks featured on Richard X's album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1 is the debut compilation album by British pop producer Richard X. The album features 15 tracks all produced by Richard X, most of which feature guest vocals....
. Despite the band's love for "Freak Like Me" the guys never thought of finding the mastermind behind the track but they were approached by Richard X who asked if they wanted to collaborate. The band had just finished a sell-out tour when the single was to be released. "Being Nobody" reached number three in the UK singles chart. Proceeding their second album, Being Somebody
Being Somebody
Being Somebody is the second studio album released by British pop vocal group Liberty X. The album was released in the UK on November 3, 2003. The album featured the singles "Being Nobody", "Jumpin", "Everybody Cries" and "Fresh", which only appeared on versions of the album released in France,...
, the group released "Jumpin", which managed to peak at number 6 and spent just 4 weeks on the UK Top 40 chart. 'Jumpin' was co-written by UK singer-songwriter, Lucie Silvas
Lucie Silvas
Lucie Silvas is a British singer-songwriter.- Early life :...
and ms J Ugono. 'Being Somebody' was released on 3 November 2003, debuting at number 12 on the UK album chart, but fell to number 27 the following week. The album sold around 200,000 copies, significantly lower than sales of their debut. The album received a lot of criticism from fans for containing too many emotional ballads, distancing themselves from their initial R&B sound. The group released the albums final single 'Everybody Cries' in January 2004. The music video saw the group walking along disused railway lines, which they were criticized for by safety organizations. The single missed the UK Top 10, reaching a disappointing number 13, and spent just 3 weeks on the UK Top 40.
The group took a hiatus following record label issues and each member decided to work on different individual projects. Kevin Simm
Kevin Simm
Kevin Ian Simm , is an English pop singer and former member of the group, Liberty X.-Biography:...
appeared on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's The Games, competing in a series of sporting events (in which he placed second overall, behind Philip Olivier
Philip Olivier
Philip Olivier is an English actor, model and stage performer best known for playing the role of Tim O'Leary in the soap opera Brookside.-Early life:...
). Michelle Heaton
Michelle Heaton
Michelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:...
appeared on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's ill-fated "Celebrity Wrestling
Celebrity Wrestling
Celebrity Wrestling is a British television programme, broadcast on ITV in 2005. It involved two teams of celebrities, competing against each other in wrestling style events. The series was presented by Kate Thornton and Rowdy Roddy Piper...
". Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor (Liberty X)
Jessica Taylor is an English singer, previously with the Brit Award winning pop group, Liberty X. The group consisted of herself, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Kelli Young.-Personal life:...
appeared on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's Dancing on Ice
Dancing on Ice
Dancing on Ice is a British television show co-hosted by Christine Bleakley and Philip Schofield, in which celebrities and their professional partners figure skate in front of a panel of judges. The format, devised by LWT and Granada Television, has been a prime-time hit in eight different...
. Tony Lundon
Tony Lundon
Anthony William James "Tony" Lundon born 13 April 1979 in Galway, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish pop singer-songwriter and dancer. He is best known as a member of the successful pop group Liberty X which also consisted of Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
and Kelli Young
Kelli Young
Kelli Young is an English pop singer. She was a member of British pop group, Liberty X which also consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Jessica Taylor....
took the time to work on new tracks for the band's third album, whilst both contributing on other artists album in both producing and writing. Tony featured on D-Side
D-side
D-Side was an Irish boyband established in 2001, by twins Rory and Eoghan MacSweeney and they were signed to Edel Records. Edel brought in Kim Glover to manage the band after her success with New Kids on the Block, Ant & Dec, , B*Witched and Let Loose. Glover secured their entry into Japan getting...
's debut album, writing and featuring on a song entitled "Fix You" and Kelli collaborated with Billy Crawford
Billy Crawford
Billy Joe Crawford is a Filipino-American recording artist, singer-songwriter and philanthropist.Crawford is a Bilingual Filipino Singer. His second language is English and he is conversational in French. Crawford not only lived in New York City, USA, but also in Paris for five years and for one...
on a track on his album "Big City" called Go, Go. This track has now gone on to be sampled by Jamelia for a song that was not used for her latest album Walk With Me. During this period, The Sun newspaper reported that the group were to re-release 'Being Somebody', and was to feature a cover of the 1990 hit 'Back To Life', however this failed to materialise. They also released a cover version of the Kool & The Gang
Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
song 'Fresh' which was released in a selection of European countries, but not the United Kingdom. It peaked at number 35 on the French music charts.
2005–06: X and split speculations
In mid-2005 it was announced that Liberty X had left V2 RecordsV2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
, and had signed to independent label Unique Corp records. Their third album was announced as being titled, X
X (Liberty X album)
X is the third and final studio album released by British pop group Liberty X. The album was released on 10 October 2005, and was re-issued on 19 June 2006. The album featured the singles "Song 4 Lovers", the double A-side "A Night To Remember" / "Everybody Dance" and "X"...
to be released in October 2005. Not owning the rights to certain songs (including collaborations with Richard X
Richard X
Richard Philips, best known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens...
), the band had to write new material. The first single, "Song 4 Lovers" however, had been recorded when they were signed to V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
back in 2004. They re-recorded it as V2 never saw the fit for them and the song. It was finally released in September 2005 and it features Rev Run of Run DMC, who also co-wrote the track. The single was well received, achieving a large amount of airplay on British music channels, as well as radio. During its first week of release, midweek figures showed that the single was to debut at either number 2 or 3, but finished the week at number 5, their first Top 10 hit in nearly two years in the United Kingdom. It spent 4 consecutive weeks inside the Top 10. The video for the song, directed by Bill Schacht for Aestheticom, reached broadcast airplay chart positions of #2 Box UK and #4 MTV UK, as well as heavy rotation on other music channels.
Their third album 'X' was released in October 2005, but to a lukewarm reception, despite the top 5 success of the single which preceded the album. It peaked at number 27, leaving the top 40 after just one week. People were unimpressed with the content of the album as it contained four previous singles (Just A Little, Got To Have Your Love, Being Nobody, Holding On For You), plus the current single (Song 4 Lovers), and a track ("Yo DJ") which was used as a b-side to Song 4 Lovers. 'X' went on to sell an extremely poor 10,000 copies in the UK, and saw a strictly limited release around the world.
In late October, following the top 5 success of their single, the group announced they had been asked to record the official 2005 Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
single, so they teamed up with producer Rod Gammons again to record "A Night to Remember, a cover of the Shalamar
Shalamar
Shalamar was an American music group, primarily of the 1970s and 1980s, that was originally a disco-driven vehicle created by Soul Train booking agent Dick Griffey and show creator Don Cornelius. They went on to be an influential dance trio, masterminded by Soul Train producer Don Cornelius...
classic, backed with another disco/soul classic, "Everybody Dance." The group performed both singles live on the night, 18 November 2005. The double a-side single entered and peaked at number 6 in the official British singles chart; it also peaked at number 16 in France, their biggest hit there since "Just a Little".
May Ball
A May Ball is a ball at the end of the academic year that happens at any one of the colleges of the University of Cambridge. They are formal affairs, requiring evening dress, with ticket prices of around £65 to £200 , with some colleges selling tickets only in pairs...
, alongside Chesney Hawkes
Chesney Hawkes
Chesney Lee Hawkes , is an English pop singer, songwriter, and occasional actor. He is best known for his 1991 single "The One and Only", which topped the charts in the UK and reached the Top 10 in the U.S.-Life and career:...
and BodyRockers
BodyRockers
BodyRockers were an electronic music act, consisting of Dylan Burns and Kaz James. They are best known for their 2005 single, "I Like the Way".-Background:...
. However their set was cut short when a 'smoke bomb' was set off during the first two minutes, filling the room with smoke. Firefighters gave the all clear after 50 minutes, but Liberty X failed to reappear. Students were told the band were not returning to finish their set, met by jeers from the crowd – Students had paid £37 for the evening.
Liberty X returned in June 2006 with a slightly remixed new single "X". The song was a fan favourite, but due to a lack of promotion and lack of airplay and video play (the video itself was attacked for being considerably low-budget), the song failed to hit the Top 40, peaking at a low number 47. The re-release of the album, which contained the new version of X and A Night To Remember which was planned, still went ahead, unknown to the public. 'X' also peaked at number 89 in France, their lowest chart placing there, just ahead of 'Holding On For You' which reached number 109.
Despite rumours of splitting, members leaving and being dropped by their label, Liberty X announced that they were still together but each doing separate things. Michelle posted on the group's official site stating they were still together and would be releasing a new single in the new year (of 2007) with a song from a forthcoming film. However, this failed to materialise. Michelle Heaton
Michelle Heaton
Michelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:...
since then has married her lover of four years, Andy Scott-Lee
Andy Scott-Lee
Andy Scott-Lee is a Welsh pop star, who is an ex-member of the group 3SL. After the group broke up, he appeared in the second series of Pop Idol, making it to the final seven. Scott-Lee is now a member of the group G*Mania. Scott-Lee's estranged wife is the former Liberty X member, Michelle Heaton...
who is best known for making the final seven in the second series of Pop Idol (although now they are separated). Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor (Liberty X)
Jessica Taylor is an English singer, previously with the Brit Award winning pop group, Liberty X. The group consisted of herself, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Kelli Young.-Personal life:...
got engaged to cricket star, Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
, Kevin Simm
Kevin Simm
Kevin Ian Simm , is an English pop singer and former member of the group, Liberty X.-Biography:...
has appeared on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's The Games: Champion of Champions, competing for his team, and Tony Lundon
Tony Lundon
Anthony William James "Tony" Lundon born 13 April 1979 in Galway, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish pop singer-songwriter and dancer. He is best known as a member of the successful pop group Liberty X which also consisted of Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
was busy writing tracks for what would have been the band's fourth album.
2007–08: Split and one off appearances
On 20 May 2007, Liberty X posted a message on their website, saying that they would not be recording together anymore. They said "We want to let the fans know that Liberty X won't be doing any more recording together".The group performed their last gig on 2 September 2007 alongside Liz McClarnon, Lisa Scott-Lee and Stonefoxx at the Wiltshire Crime Stoppers charity event held in the grounds of Bowood House near Chippenham in Wiltshire. The Wiltshire Times newspaper was granted the last ever on-camera interview with the five band members before they took to the stage. Footage of their performance and the interview is featured on its website.
The band reunited in August 2008 to play at Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
's gay pride celebrations singing their main hits, the first time they were on stage together in over a year.
Solo careers
- Michelle HeatonMichelle HeatonMichelle Christine Heaton is a British pop singer, television personality, and recently a glamour model as well. She was married to former boyband member Andy Scott-Lee.-Career:...
has been on several reality shows one of them being Come Dine With MeCome Dine With MeCome Dine With Me is a popular Channel 4 television programme shown in the United Kingdom, produced by Granada Television and first broadcast in January 2005. The show has either four or five amateur chefs competing against each other hosting a dinner party for the other contestants...
in 2009 alongside ex rival boy band member Lee RyanLee RyanLee Ryan is an English singer-songwriter, actor and member of the British boy band Blue.-Early life:...
. She appeared in the sixth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2009Celebrity Big Brother 2009 (UK)Celebrity Big Brother 2009 was the sixth series of Celebrity Big Brother. It began on 2 January 2009 and ran for 22 days until 23 January 2009. It was broadcast on Channel 4. The launch show was watched by approximately 6.4 million people...
where she was the third celebrity to be evicted. Heaton appears frequently in best friend Katie Price's TV shows on ITV2ITV2ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
. In July 2010, she married for the second time to her partner of 2 years Hugh Hanley.
- Tony LundonTony LundonAnthony William James "Tony" Lundon born 13 April 1979 in Galway, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish pop singer-songwriter and dancer. He is best known as a member of the successful pop group Liberty X which also consisted of Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
presenting the TOAST quiz series on The DenThe Den (television)The Den was the brand of the children's television strand on Irish public broadcaster RTÉ Two. It first broadcast on 29 September 1986 on RTÉ One, before moving to RTÉ Two in September 1988. The strand began to diversify throughout the late 1990s and the 2000s...
on Irish Television Network RTÉ TwoRTÉ TwoRTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
on Sunday mornings.
- Kevin SimmKevin SimmKevin Ian Simm , is an English pop singer and former member of the group, Liberty X.-Biography:...
focusing on his solo career, created his own Myspace music profile, uploading demo tracks for his fans to hear his progress as a solo artist. In a March 2008 interview with Gordon McCully, he stated, “I’ve been very busy in the studio recording new solo tracks which I’ll hopefully be able to share with people very soon.” Simm has signed to JamDown Music, which his track “Brand New” is featured on their official website’s music player. On 3 October 2008, Kevin's debut album, titled "Brand New", was released in Japan. The album has since appeared for purchase on iTunes
- Jessica TaylorJessica Taylor (Liberty X)Jessica Taylor is an English singer, previously with the Brit Award winning pop group, Liberty X. The group consisted of herself, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Kelli Young.-Personal life:...
took part in BBC's one-off Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
in 2005 and came in second place. Taylor also participated in the fourth series of Dancing on IceDancing on Ice (UK)Dancing on Ice is a British television show co-hosted by Christine Bleakley and Philip Schofield, in which celebrities and their professional partners figure skate in front of a panel of judges. The format, devised by LWT and Granada Television, has been a prime-time hit in eight different...
, partnered with Pavel Aubrecht in 2009. They made it to the final, finishing in third place. She subsequently toured with Torvill and Dean on their 25th Anniversary Bolero Tour, performing in arenas across the UK. Jessica was signed in 2009 as the face and body of 'Diamond Boutique' lingerie by Ultimo.
- Kelli YoungKelli YoungKelli Young is an English pop singer. She was a member of British pop group, Liberty X which also consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Jessica Taylor....
has kept quiet since the band split she starred in the ITV show Britain Sings Christmas in 2007, performing a cover version of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You". Apart from this Young has not done anything else in the public although she did announce in 2008 she had formed a duo with other member Taylor in several magazine interviews, but material never surfaced.
Discography
- 2002: Thinking It OverThinking It OverThinking It Over is the debut studio album released by British pop group Liberty X. The album was released in the UK on May 27, 2002. The album was the biggest selling release of the band's career, selling nearly 750,000 copies. The album took over a year to record...
(2002) - 2003: Being SomebodyBeing SomebodyBeing Somebody is the second studio album released by British pop vocal group Liberty X. The album was released in the UK on November 3, 2003. The album featured the singles "Being Nobody", "Jumpin", "Everybody Cries" and "Fresh", which only appeared on versions of the album released in France,...
(2003) - 2005: XX (Liberty X album)X is the third and final studio album released by British pop group Liberty X. The album was released on 10 October 2005, and was re-issued on 19 June 2006. The album featured the singles "Song 4 Lovers", the double A-side "A Night To Remember" / "Everybody Dance" and "X"...
(2005)