Liberty X (originally called Liberty) are a manufactured pop group formed from five contestants from the 2001 UK TV show Popstars. The group consists of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor.
Postars
Whilst the five winning contestants of Popstars formed Hear'Say, the five runners up (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 cruelly 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 another pop group called Liberty who had had a few minor hits in the 1980s. The original Liberty claimed that the new Liberty (now "Liberty X") 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 Liberty X (they retained the connotations of the word "Liberty," whilst adding an extra "X" factor to their name; much like Blink 182 had done years before).
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 ..5 in the UK top 40 singles chart, and the single featured remixes by the Wideboys and Boy George. A short break was followed by "Just A Little", the third single which took them straight to the top of the UK charts. This was proceeded by their debut album, Thinking It Over (originally due to be called To Those Who Wait. Two further top 5 singles were released from the album - "Got To Have Your Love" produced by UK Producer Rod Gammons (Mark Morrison, Beverly Knight)(a cover of the track by Kurtis Mantronix who also remixed the Liberty X version for the single release) and "Holding On For You".
Being Somebody
Following a short break, the group released "Being Nobody", a mash-up of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" and 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. "Being Nobody" reached number three in the UK singles chart. Proceeding their second album, Being Somebody, the group released "Jumpin", another top 10 single, co-written by UK singer-songwriter, Lucie Silvas. The final single from the album was the ballad, "Everybody Cries", produced by Marius DeVries, was released in January 2004, but this was less successful than previous singles.
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. Michelle Heaton appeared on ITV's ill-fated "Celebrity Wrestling". Jessica Taylor appeared on the BBC's "Come Ice Skating." Tony Lundon and Kelli Young took the time to work on new tracks for the band's third album.
X - The New Album
In mid-2005 it was announced that Liberty X had left V2 records, and had signed to independent label Unique Corp records. Their third album was announced as being titled, X to be released in October 2005. The first single, "Song 4 Lovers" was released in September and it features Rev Run of Run DMC, who also co-wrote the track.
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 ..27, leaving the top 40 after just one week.
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, 18th November 2005. The double a-side single entered at ..6 in the official British singles chart.
The group are currently taking a short break with Kevin appearing on The Games: Champion of Champions and they have been promoting in India. Their next single is X, the title track to their album. It is being re-recorded and remixed for single release. The video was shot on March 29th. This new remix of the single along with A Night To Remember will be included on the X album re-release which is to be released a week after the single has been released. Word is that the group are now working on a follow up album, and Michelle from the group posted a message on the group's offcial message board saying the group have NOT been dropped by their record label, that the pop music world is difficult right now & that they are not going away.
Just A Little
Back with a new name and a fantastic new album, Liberty X - Jessica, Tony, Kevin, Michelle and Kelli - look like proving they're the Popstars with real staying power. Backed up by the band's tremendous vocals and harmonies, debut album 'Thinking It Over' serves up thirteen cool, sensuous slices of cutting-edge pop; an impeccable fusion of US-styled r'n'b, funk and UK garage that manages to be very commercial - whilst at the same time keeping a foot firmly rooted on the dancefloor. Includes the singles 'Doin' It', 'Just A Little' and 'Thinking It Over'.
Being Somebody
Album number two for Liberty X, Being Somebody is a set that glides in on the back of a fair few perfectly placed, Liberty-sized successes. Not least of these was the Being Nobody track the band recorded for bootleg renovator Richard X, a track that melded the Human Leagues Being Boiled to Chaka Khans Aint Nobody. Naturally the track figures here as do fifteen other lovingly sculptured musical confections. The perfect band for interpreting and communicating the UK pop scene and the way it moves forward in these preter-Neptunes times, Liberty X are adaptable enough to be able to let loose straight-up ballads, squelchy twenty-third century electro and up-tempo party grooves without missing a beat. Progressive, brilliantly-executed and almost robot-esque in its pristine production, some day all records will be made this way. But, till then, Being Somebody will lead the UK pop field by a long, long way.
X
coming soon...
