After being given the name Touch they pwerformed for two weeks at the Trinity Studios, where with the songwriter Tim Hawes they conjured up the song "Sugar And Spice". In August 1994 Stephenson received the bad news that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and after being offered a place in university she decided to leave the group. She was in turn replaced by Emma Lee Bunton aka Baby Spice (born Jan 21^st 1978 Finchley Greater London) who had previously been a child model for mothercare and also starred briefly in the BBC serial Eastenders.

In 1995 the group swapped managers and signed for Simon Fuller's 19 Management Company and were renamed The spice Girls. They then teamed up with the producers Richard Stannard and Mat Rowe who had produced material for East 17 and also with Absolute and Elliot Kennedy.When a contract was laid in front of the band in September 1995 from Virgin Records with a £2 million advance they never looked back.

In May 1996 The Spices gave their first television appearance when they appeared on ITV's Surprise Surprise and they then followed that up with their first PA at the Glasgow Clothes show Roadshow. However, the ball really started rolling when the single "Wannabe" with it's slick video was released and hit the number 1 spot in the UK. After "Say you'll Be There" was released a couple of months later and followed "Wannabe" to the top it was already obvious that this girl power group were a group to be reckoned with. That was further confirmed when their maiden album "Spice" was released and stormed to the top of the charts. The same year they went on to make history with the single "2 Become 1" by becoming the first all girl group to send their first three releases to the top of the UK charts.

Fame and fortune always pays its price, however, and rivalry, specially between the Spice Girls and Oasis, hit the headlines. Oasis apparently claimed that they were better and in one report even compared themselves to God. Whilst the girls retaliated by saying that, if Oasis were God, then they must be better than Buddha.

1997 and it was the turn of the American charts to fill the musical prowess from the Spice Girls. "Wannabe" came straight into the U.S. single charts at number 11 and immediately tied with Alanis Morissette as being the highest new entry ever. Within weeks #11 was the past and #1 was the future, as they sat proudly on top of the American charts. Later the same year the band broke yet another record by becoming the first top act in the American charts since Tiffany in 1988 with "Mama" and "Who Do You Think You Are". After helping to launch the new English TV channel 5, with a recording of "5 4 3 2 1", they then went on to sign autographs in Manhatten for their new book "Girlpower". One new feat after the other now seemed to be the order of the day. And when "Say You'll Be There" went straight into the U.S. charts at no. 5, it beat the previous record held by the Beatles with "Let It Be" for the highest entry from an English group in the States. They also became the first ever all-female English band to hit the top of the charts there with the album "Spice". Still, despite all the glory, I guess you'll never please everyone. During a visit to Indonesia they upset a few people there by performing a war dance from the Maories which is only supposed to be performed by men.

Baby Spice also had a painful year when she broke an ankle, as she fell over on her platform shoes, when leaving a Turkish TV station. Bet she threw away her shoes afterwards!

A nice advertising offer came their way that particular year when they secured a deal with Pepsi Cola for a reported £1 million. Even Walkers Crisps got in on the act by bringing out a brand entitled 'Spice Girls Crisps'.

After meeting Prince Charles and Harry the group took part in the 'Two Nations In Concert Benefit' in Johannesburg, South Africa. A few days later, after a telephone call from Geri Halliwell to Simon Fuller, the Spices terminated their manegerial contract with him. Terminated contract or not, further success followed with "Too Much", "Spice Up Your Life" and the album "Spice World". "Spice World" actually went on to become the title of their movie which was released in December 1997. The film had a star-studded cast of cameo roles, inluded in these Roger Moore, Elton John, Elvis Costello and Richard E. Grant.

The following year proved to be a year of surprises, not least for Prince Charles, when the girls dropped in by helicopter at Highgrove House for tea after a sell-out concert at Wembley Stadium.
Posh Spice announced her engagement to footballer David Beckham, but certainly the biggest surprise must have been when it was made public that Ginger Spice was leaving the group after several disagreements with the other members. She then went on to pursue a solo career.

But in fact, all 4 remaining band members still perform together today, although they have all undertaken solo careers themselves.
Both Posh and Scary Spice got married and had babies, Posh having married Manchester United player David Beckham and Scary getting together with dancer Jimmy Gulzar. Unfortunately, in Scary Spice's case her marriage to Gulzar didn't last very long.
Over the past year Mel C has found solo success and duetted with Bryan Adams on the hit "When You're Gone". At present she's in the charts with "Never Be The Same Again" and a new single - "I Turn To You" - will be out soon.
Emma Bunton starred in a BBC production of Cinderella, has a record out called "What I Am" and is also working on solo album.
Meanwhile Victoria is also trying her luck in pop business on a solo basis with the track "Out Of Your Mind", while Mel B has just finished her album, no title known as yet. all 4 of the girls are working on a new album due out at the end of the year..