Ever wondered just how much STEPS know about line-dancing after that initial 5,6,7,8 experience? Well they talked to Linedancer magazine and told them all about their fave jig!
When five young hopefuls successfully passed an audition to join a new pop band little did they know that within a year they would be taking the charts by storm and introducing line dancing to the nations youth. In November 1997, after 12 months of rehersals, showcase presentations to record companies and a lot of hard work, the record ‘5-6-7-8’ by Steps was released and entered the top 40 at number 18. Steps are Ian watkins (known as ‘H’ for hyper), 21, Lisa Scott-Lee, 22, Faye Tozer, 21, Claire Richards, 20 and LeeLatchford, 22.
They have appeared on over 30 TV shows including talking Telephone Numbers, The Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, BBC’s Children In Need, Live and Kicking and Blue Peter as well as travelling around the country performing at under 18 night clubs and at radio station roadshows. Here’s what they have to say about their pop stardom:
H: It’s like a dream come true. Everyone dreams of doing this and I can’t believe that I really am! We’ve done so much in such a small space of time. Even though I’ve been involved with Steps right from the start I did have time out between rehearsals last year to tour with the British Line Dance Championships as a dance team member for Boot Scoot. But by the time the tour hit Wembley Arena, steps were up and running full throttle and I was performing on stage with the band. My family and friends all think it’s wonderful, especially my mother who is a line dance teacher herself in the Rhondda, South Wales and she plays ‘5-6-7-8’ non-stop at her classes. Line Dancing rules! It’s marvellous to see it so popular and it is growing with the youths too. it’s great!
Lisa: I’ve been dancing since the age of three and have studied every kind of dance, including line dancing which I absolutely love. I’m over the moon with our success. It’s been a life long dream which has now come true. The highlight of all the stuff we have done was being on Blue Peter. It was great to teach the children and presenters the ‘5-6-7-8’ dance. I think line dancing is here to stay. Watch out Spice Girls!
Faye: I just want to say a huge thank you for all the support we’ve been given by line dancers around the country. we didn’t know how well our song would go down and we’ve been knocked out by the reaction – what an exciting and fun way to get into the pop business! Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves doing the dance, even celebrities like the Backstreet Boys and Blue Peter presenters. I’m so thrilled everything is going so well and we’re getting more and more support each week. The public has spoken!
Claire: I was in a band before and toured with Boyzone, Peter Andre and Ant and Dec but it was never as successful as this so I’m glad all the hard work has paid off and the five of us get on so well. Performing at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party was one of the best days of my life and at rehearsals for the big day we actually taught 911 and ‘Aqua’ our dance! Cool!! The pop world knows all about line dancing now!
Lee: I started ‘treading the boards’ early at professional stage school and worked with tons of famous people like Celine Dion, Michael Barrymore and I even met Prince Charles at a Variety Show. But nothing feels better than entering the national charts in the top twenty and thanks to everyone who reads Linedancer and all the fan’s we’ve met it’s now possible to stay in the charts and continue this amazing career.
All five agree that line dancing is really cool and when they’re not popping into the BBC for another TV show or signing autographs for fans they find time to hit the hardwood floor themselves. So what are their favourite dances (apart from ‘5-6-7-8’ of course)?
H: I really like Swamp Thang ‘coz it’s great fun and it’s one of the dances we had to do at our audition so it has special memories. I also really like Cowgirl twist and falling which Rodeo Ruth choreographed for her last video and I was one of the dancers in it, so that’s special too even though it’s a really tough dance!
Lisa: Wow, there are so many it’s hard to say but I really like Dancing In Black and Ooh Aaah and the old favourite Tush Push.
Faye: That Irish one, Electric Reel, is a great dance and I like Jose Cuervo too. Actually I love most of the modern dances. It’s so much fun.
Claire: Like H, Swamp Thang means a lot to me because of the audition but I also love dancing to Kelly’s Kannibals and Hot Tomales is a real fun one.
Lee: Give me the tough ones! I love Electric Reel which has some terrific moves in it and Texas Romeo. I also like the more dramatic dances like the Paso Doble version of Midnight Waltz – I can really get into that. Mind you, I’m not saying that I always remember all of the steps!
So what’s next for Steps? Lisa tells us: “First and foremost we’re a pop band but you can rest assured that we’ll keep in close contact with line dancing because of the way it ‘s introduced us to everyone. Our next single will be out in the next month or so and we’ll make sure we have a great dance to go with that too. And we hope to be putting on an event for young line dancers some time in 1998 so watch this space!”
Read more classic STEPS interviews in our Interviews & Reports section here.