Bands Reunited

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Bands Reunited was a television program produced by VH1 in 2004. Hosted by Aamer Haleem, the show documented the attempted reuniting of a formerly-popular musical ensemble for a special concert in either London or Los Angeles.

A show normally consisted of the crew first hunting down the ex-members of the band (often first in disguise) one-by-one, and convincing them to agree for the one-time concert; the members were "contracted" by signing a record album by their former band. The band members were then interviewed, usually focusing on the reasons of the breakup. The final segment would consist of the formal reunion of the band in the rehearsing studio, and a joint interview about why the group parted ways. If the reunion was successful, the episode ended with the final performance.

In 2005, VH1 attempted to get the British band The Smiths back together, but the show abandoned its attempt after its host Aamer Haleem was unsuccessful in his attempt to corner Morrissey before a show.

[edit] Bands which have appeared

Note: The bands that did the reunion performance are noted, as well.

Band Formed Disbanded Result
A Flock of Seagulls 1980 All members reunited, performed I Ran
ABC 1981 Only Martin Fry and David Palmer reunited, performed with Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo
The Alarm 1981 1992 All members reunited, performed 68 Guns
Berlin 1982 1987 All members reunited
Dramarama 1983 1994 All members reunited, performed "Anything, Anything"
The English Beat 1978 1983 David Steele and Andy Cox refused to participate, the remaining members reunited.
Extreme 1985 1996 Nuno Bettencourt refused to be filmed on camera. After a conversation with Gary Cherone (who wasn't sure on participating either), they decided it wasn't a good time to reunite. Since then, they have reunited in 2004 and 2006.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood 1980 1987 All members reunited, but Holly Johnson refused to perform
Haircut 100 1980 1983 All members reunited
Information Society 1985 1993 All members but Kurt Harland reunited, no performance. The band was eventually reformed in 2006 by Paul Robb and James Cassidy.
Kajagoogoo 1982 1985 All members reunited
Klymaxx 1979 All members reunited, but Cheryl Cooley did not participate in the performance due to friction between her and the other bandmates for starting up her own version of Klymaxx without permission. The original members have reformed and are performing as of 2006.
The Motels 1973 1987 All members reunited
New Kids on the Block 1984 1994 Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight agreed to reunite but Joe McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood declined to participate in the reunion. Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood declined on-camera interviews.
Romeo Void 1979 1984 Original Saxophonist Benjamin Bossi was unable to perform, due to hearing loss. He met with his former bandmates, however, and watched the taping of the band's reunion performance from a nearby trailer.
Scandal 1981 1985 All members reunited, but due to the death of bass player Ivan Elias, they were forced to hire a replacement.
Squeeze 1974 Jools Holland refused to participate, did not reunite.
Vixen 1981 All members reunited

[edit] Criticism of the show

The artificial nature of parts of the show and the contractual arrangements behind it have been criticised. Kurt Harland of Information Society detailed his own negative experiences with the program on his website.[1]

[edit] External links