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Blue were a successful English pop boy band consisting of four members: Lee Ryan, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Simon Webbe. Together the band sold over 11 million records. Currently all the members of the band have gone to pursue solo careers.

History

All Rise

The band released their debut single "All Rise" in May 2001 and it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. Blue followed this in August with the chart-topping "Too Close", a cover version of Next's US No 1 hit. Their second number one came in November with "If You Come Back". All three singles featured on debut album "All Rise", which was released in time for Christmas and reached number one, eventually selling in excess of 1,300,000 copies. Blue reached number six in March 2002 with their fourth single, "Fly By II" - a remix of album track "Fly By".The album was 30 in Portugal.

One Love

The band released a new single and album, in the summer of 2002, both called "One Love" which was the highest selling Blue album, selling more than 3,000,000 copies. Their next single, which also reached number one on the British Top 40, was a duet with Elton John entitled "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word", a cover version of one of Elton John's songs. This track was number one in Europe for six weeks.

Guilty

"Guilty" (the album and the single) was released in the fall of 2003. The next singles were "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" (sung with Stevie Wonder and Angie Stone), "Breathe Easy", and "Bubblin'". The album Guilty sold more than 600,000 copies.

Best of Blue

The band decided to split after Elton John suggested that their popularity was decreasing and that they should concentrate on their solo careers. They did so after releasing their Best Of Blue greatest hits compilation in 2004, which contained a few new tracks such as "Curtain Falls", "Get Down On It" and "Only Words I Know". The album went to #2 in Portugal with 2 platinum. Both of singles, "Curtain Falls" and "Get Down On It" went #1 in Portugal for more than a week.

Solo careers

Blue had sold 7 million albums and 4 million singles and split up in 2005, now all four members have since released solo singles.

Duncan released "I Believe My Heart" with Keedie in October 2004, reaching #2 in the UK Singles Chart and his solo album, Future Past was released in 2006 reaching #55 in the UK, selling more than 70,000 copies. Duncan has found more success in Italy, where his album peaked at #2 and the singles have been Top 5 hits.

Lee released "Army Of Lovers" in July 2005, reaching #3 and a self-titled solo album in August 2005 reaching #6. Lee's album was successful in Italy too, peaking at #3 and spending 5 weeks in the Italian Top 10. Around this time, however, Lee had a run in with notorious Inspiral Carpets keyboardist Clint Boon when he brought his live show to Boon's native Manchester. Apparently a drunk Boon got into the venue and, looking to cause trouble, got backstage where he found Lee taking a shower. Boon promptly locked the shower door which made Lee 20 minutes late for his on stage performance. Unwisely, Lee attempted to square up to Boon afterwards. The result was Boon knocking Lee out after a swift roundhouse kick to the head.

Simon released "Lay Your Hands" in August 2005, reaching #4, and his debut album reached #7 UK Album Chart, selling over 700,000 copies.

Antony had released a single, "Do You Ever Think Of Me", before going into acting and performing in Blood Brothers and in the new year had arranged to be touring with Boogie Nights. Costa's debut album, "Heart Full of Soul" was released on 3 July 2006 in the UK and Ireland.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Footnotes

1. http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php
2. "The Irish Charts". Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
3. "Blue and Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
4. "Blue - U Make Me Wanna". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
5. "Blue - Guilty". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
6. "Blue featuring Stevie Wonder and Angie Stone - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
7. "Blue - Breathe Easy". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
8. "Blue - Bubblin'". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
9. "Blue and Linkup (popstars Le Duel-gagnants) - You And Me Bubblin'". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
10. "Blue - Curtain Falls". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
11. "Blue - A Chi Mi Dice". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
12. "Blue - Get Down On It". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
13. "Blue - Only Words I Know". Music Square. Retrieved August 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

• Blue's official site (not updated since they disbanded)
• Blue Fan Website
• 4everblue.ch - Site dédié au groupe BLUE Template:Fr icon
• Bluefans- Fan web site of Blue

• Blue (boy band)
• 2000s music groups
• Boy bands
• BRIT Award winners
• British rhythm and blues musical groups
• English musical groups
• Music from London
• Musical groups established in 2001
• British pop music groups
• Quartets