As far back as 1927, girl groups have been a major feature in music in America. One of the first major groups was the Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce(later known as the Three X Sisters), and they were a huge influence in shaping the world for the future girl bands that would come.
Decades later, there have been so many girl groups, too many to name actually. However, of these groups, several have set themselves apart for their iconic discography and the huge impact they had on the music industry and the world.
The saddest thing about girl bands is when their unity breaks by members deciding to strike out and build a solo career. As is the norm, this almost always leads to the eventual disbandment of the entire group, and nothing could be more devastating to their fans.
In memory of all the amazing girl bands that have come and gone, here are the four best American girl bands that have disbanded.
Spice Girls
When people talk about American girl bands, Spice Girls is one of the first to come out. When you ask about successful girl bands that had a cultural impact and produced a solid discography, it’s always the Spice Girls.
With songs like “Wannabe,” “Viva Forever,” “Stop,” and many others, the Spice Girls, dominated the music scenes from the late 90s into the early 2000s and are still culturally relevant now.
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The public adored the five-member group for their hit songs, lovable characters, and crazy fashion sense. Everything they wore became a trend, from platform boots to pigtails and their iconic Union Jack dress.
With over 80 million albums sold during their career, the Spice Girls remain one of the most iconic and successful groups in music history. They have inspired many of today’s successful female artists and groups, such as Girls Aloud, Little Mix, and even Adele, and it doesn’t seem like there will ever be a time when they aren’t relevant.
Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child was a hugely successful girl band that took the music industry by storm. They were originally called Girls Tyme in 1997, but after some members were switched and record deals were signed, they became the legendary Destiny’s Child.
Two albums later and a member down, the trio that took Destiny’s Child was solidified; Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michele Williams. They released No.1 hits such as “Bills,” “Survivor,” “Say My Name,” and “Bootylicious,” which solidified them as the ultimate music group.
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By the time they separated, they had sold over 60 million records and had topped every music chart in America and several countries in the world. The three members went on to release solo albums, with Béyonce gaining immediate global attention (and eventually becoming one of the greatest musicians in the world).
The group got together and released one final album in 2004, for which they had a very successful tour. They later announced their final and official separation in 2006 but have remained good friends, occasionally featuring in each other’s songs and shows.
The Pussycat Dolls
The female group, The Pussycat Dolls, was another iconic all-female music group. They released hit songs such as “Don’t Cha,” “Stickwitu,” “Buttons,” and “Jai Ho” that were so good that they still hit today.
The group sold over 40 million records globally. Still, they were often the hot topic in blogs and magazines due to the public opinion that the group was just a platform for one member, Nicole Scherzinger, to show off her amazing vocal skills.
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In many of their hit songs and videos, fans could hear only Scherzinger’s voice, and she was often the main focus in interviews, shows, and many media platforms. Eventually, many other members walked away after “Jai Ho” became such a global hit, and recognition was largely given to Scherzinger.
Today, members of the group such as Ashley Robers and Kimberly Wyatt have become successful in their own right. Many of the girl group fans have clamored over the years for a reunion where other members are interactive with the songs, and that hope still burns bright; maybe one day it’ll happen.
Fifth Harmony
The youngest girl group on this list is Fifth Harmony, a girl band formed by Simon Cowell in 2012 on “The X Factor USA.” The group began with five members; Normani, Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Dinah Jane, and Lauren Jauregui.
The group was originally known as Lylas (Love You Like A Sister) but had to change it because another group already had that name. They tried 1432 (meaning I Love You Too) but eventually settled on Fifth Harmony, and the name stuck.
They released hit songs such as “BO$$,” “Sledgehammer,” and “Worth It,” which quickly topped charts and became global hits. After releasing an EP and two very successful albums, Cabello decided to leave the group and soon launched her successful solo career.
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The remaining four members continued and released another album that also did very well. However, with the decision by Normani to also strike out on her own, the other three announced that the group would go on a hiatus, effectively ending the success that was Fifth Harmony.
