Steps (pop group)

Lore & Background

Steps were formed by Steve Crosby and Barry Upton alongside manager Tim Byrne after auditions advertised in The Stage newspaper. The original line-up included Watkins, Scott-Lee, Derek O'Brien, Maddy Chan, and Mitch Stevens, but O'Brien, Chan, and Stevens left, fearing the group would be a one-hit wonder. New auditions on 7 May 1997 selected Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans, and Claire Richards. The group's name came from a marketing plan: dance steps for their music videos would be included with their singles.

Their first single '5,6,7,8' peaked at number 14 in the UK but achieved longevity and became their first number one in Australia. Steps then released a cover of Bananarama's 'Last Thing on My Mind', which became their first UK top ten. Their double A-side 'Tragedy'/'Heartbeat' became their first UK number one in January 1999. The group supported Britney Spears on her debut American tour in 1999 and earned a BRIT Award nomination for Best Newcomer.

Steps disbanded on 26 December 2001 due to internal tensions and a desire to move on; Richards and Watkins left to pursue solo projects and a stage career. They re-formed in May 2011 for a Sky Living documentary series and released a second greatest-hits album that debuted at number one. The group re-formed again on 1 January 2017 for their 20th anniversary, releasing the album 'Tears on the Dancefloor'. Their sixth studio album 'What the Future Holds' was released in 2020, followed by 'What the Future Holds Pt. 2' in 2021. Their compilation 'Platinum Collection' debuted at number one in 2022.

Reader's Guide

Steps were a defining act of the late-1990s British pop resurgence, known for their polished dance-pop sound and choreographed music videos. Their commercial peak saw 14 consecutive UK top-5 singles and two number-one albums, with total record sales exceeding 22 million worldwide. The group's ability to reunite successfully in 2011 and 2017, releasing albums that topped the UK charts, demonstrated enduring appeal. Their achievement of four number-one albums in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s) is a unique milestone for a British mixed-gender group. Steps also contributed to the Brit Awards ensemble 'Thank ABBA for the Music' and were nominated for Best British Newcomer in 1999. Their legacy includes influencing later pop acts and maintaining a loyal fanbase through multiple reunions and tours.

Did You Know?

• Their single '5,6,7,8' remains one of the highest-selling UK singles never to reach the top 10.
• Steps have achieved number-one albums in three decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s), but their 2020 album 'What the Future Holds' peaked at number 2.
• The group disbanded on 26 December 2001 due to internal tensions and a desire to move on, not because two members left to form a duo.