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Whatever happened to... Atomic Kitten?

Published Monday, May 4 2009, 05:58 BST | By David Balls | 16 comments
Having failed to set the charts alight with their first three singles, it looked as though Atomic Kitten would suffer the fate of so many other turn-of-the-millennium girlbands. But after 'Whole Again' stormed straight to the top of the charts in 2001, the Scouse three-piece managed to turn it all around. Racking up four top five albums and selling over 12 million records across the globe, they became one of our most successful pop exports. We caught up with Liz McClarnon to reminisce about the group's glory days.

How were Atomic Kitten different from other girlbands?
"I think Atomic Kitten were really successful because we had a truly global reach. We went to Japan to launch ourselves before we even released anything in Britain. When our second single was coming out over here, we were already releasing our first single in Germany and other parts of Europe. It was really nuts. If you look at Girls Aloud for example, they don't really go abroad, which is alien to me."

'Whole Again' really turned things around for you, didn't it?
"Yeah, it was our fourth single but it saved us from the brink. I remember our manager phoned us early in the week asking if we wanted to know the midweeks and I panicked a little bit. His voice was really monotone but then he told us we'd gone to number one. U2 had a single out that week and we were miles ahead! I literally felt ill and could have been sick. Tash was in the adjoining room in the hotel and came through and went nuts. It sold more each of the four weeks it was at number one which is normally unheard of."

What moment do you look back on most fondly?
"Probably when we played Party In The Palace and afterwards we watched the fireworks in the Queen's garden with all our family and friends. We then went into the Palace for drinks and got to meet the Queen. I can't remember if she was a fan of us but the two Princes certainly were!"

Are you going to work with the girls again any time soon?
"Certainly not for a little while, but it's not been ruled out for the future. We do some mini-gigs because we don't get to see each other all that often. Sometimes we get a concert in somewhere like China, Russia or Dubai. We leave our families at home, take our dancers and band and head out for a mad weekend. We pretend we're 20 and get completely drunk together and have a wicked time! I've known the girls for most of my life now so we're really close."

Which songs go down best when you perform them live?
"Songs like 'The Tide Is High' and 'Be With You' are still really popular. We often end with 'Whole Again' because everyone still sings along to it. I still look back really fondly on songs like 'See Ya' and 'Someone Like Me', which I both wrote - maybe because they're still making money for me! I'm really grateful for learning songwriting skills at such a young age because it is really helping me out now."

Press play below to watch the video to 'Whole Again':



What are your memories of Atomic Kitten? Should they attempt a reunion? Use the space below to leave your comments.

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16 Comments
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Your Responses
jules (scotland), on May 7th, 2009
I met them in edinburgh at a hmv signing and have to say one of the most nicest and downto earth groups ever.we had all been standing in line for ages and the security dudes were being awful saying not to talk to them and not to ask for photos and attomic kitten was great they told us to take no notice of the security people and in front of them lol and took time to speak to everyone and take pics etc loved this band and still do they had great songs ,hope they come back anf bring out more music as there was always something truely one of a kind with their music
Mandy, Yarm, on May 7th, 2009
Whatever happened to Kerry Katona? Actually, I think I know...
Matt, Oldham, on May 7th, 2009
Interesting isn't it that they have forgotten to mention that the single was initially released with Kerry Katona on vocal, then hasitly re-recorded just after it broke with her replacement lol
Jay -Eire, on May 5th, 2009
I love their albums.So many of their album tracks are even stronger than the singles. 'I Won't Be There' and 'Feel So Good' could have been big hit singles !! I'm surprised that there have been no solo albums (yet?)
Rodger Moore, on May 5th, 2009
because we had a truly global reach?? LOL. 3 of them in the same place??? Snipers at the ready!!! Ha ha ha.
Jack, Merseyside, on May 5th, 2009
Yess come back atomic kitten and show people what you are made of =) your the best girl band after the spice girls :), people you should listen to there albums before you dis them, they are amazing and there songs are so greatt !!! ATOMIC KITTEN 4EVER :D XXXXXXXX
jen london, on May 5th, 2009
no thank u. their songs are just to cheesy
tom glasgow, on May 4th, 2009
kittens are great all three should
Ami, Bristol , on May 4th, 2009
they were annoying bu funnily quite catchy and good! lol
Cal, Leicester, on May 4th, 2009
Where is that video for Whole Again from? It's not the UK version. )(Ed - It's the US video)
Daniel, Birmingham, on May 4th, 2009
I actually think they were a great girl band, theres so many of their tracks that I still like, Whole Again of course, Be With You, It's OK and Last Goodbye just to name a few
Beth, Hampshire, on May 4th, 2009
don't think atomic kitten should reunite, they were a pain when they first came out.
Izzy, Exmouth, on May 4th, 2009
I love Atomic Kitten! Saw them live 3 times. It would make my life complete to get to see them live again at least one more time. I do hope they do a UK tour in the future, even if it is just a one off.
Stacey Birmingham , on May 4th, 2009
I love tide is high such a good tune
April, Liverpool, on May 4th, 2009
I love atomic kitten, all there albums were amazing and i hope one day they will come back with another number one single !! x
Liam Norwich, on May 4th, 2009
They Should have a reunion they are great ive got all of ther albums

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