NFL
By: Greg Rector
Yes, here comes this old buzzard once again talking about a musical group that was formed back in the 80s. This band has stayed with me constantly, and yet again, it’s another all-lady group.
Bananarama, which consists of a duo now, but when they started, they were this cute trio of young ladies wearing dungarees, as you can see below, Siobhan Fahey, Sara Dallin, and Keren Woodward, with the latter two continuing to perform to this day.
They have outsold bands like The Go-Go’s, inducted in 2021, and The Bangles (Another all-lady group that deserves entrance), in worldwide album sales. I saw Bananrama perform live in the U.S. and their home nation of England three times, and every concert was superb. Now, forget the performance of Cruel Summer, as that was just the start of their career. Yet even with “Cruel Summer,” you could see the joy the three ladies had with each other.
When they hit number one for the first time in the U.S. with their cover version of Venus in 1986, some of us were very happy indeed. Venus was a hit song in 1970 for Shocking Blue. Except for me, with the shorter, darker-haired version that Keren Woodward displayed. Yes, guys and gals, I adore Keren Woodward. Yet again, the two blondes lose out to me for the brunette.
Bananarama was named after a song by Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music sang Pyjamarama, one day, Sara Dallin said Bananarama after listening to the Roxy Music song.
One other memorable performance for me and anyone alive at the time was Band-Aid and “Do They Know It’s Christmas. ” You can see Bananarama with the great Sade as the primary female vocals. The ladies showed right up to the studio after having been out the night before when Bob Geldof called.
The Influence
Bananarama has influenced many different artists over their 44-year career. Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin have continued to hit the charts in the U.K. with numerous hits, including “Love In The First Degree,” which came out as a new single in 2024, and you can see the two lifelong friends performing this at the London Palladium.
Don’t get me started yet again on the ageism question, as you see these two beautiful ladies perform. They are both 64, and they move masterfully around the stage. They write excellent pop songs and always have. There’s nothing wrong after 44 years of being together to be told time and again, how one of your songs helped anyone through a difficult time, as both of these ladies hear back constantly.
Siobhan Fahey left the group after moving to the U.S. with her husband, and then came back when asked to in 2017 and 2018 as they performed their early hits.
Here is another video of the three ladies performing another hit song called “Robert De Niro’s Waiting.”
So, for any musical fans out there, should Bananarama get at least mentioned as a possible Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee? You already know my vote is a resounding YES!!!
