Mel and Kim were a pop duo, comprising sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. They achieved success between 1986 and 1988, before Melanie, who had been diagnosed with cancer, died in January 1990 at the age of 23.
The duo reached number one in the UK singles chart with their 1987 single "Respectable", which also topped the US dance chart. They had three other UK Top 10 hits with "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)" (1986), "F.L.M." (1987) and "That's the Way It Is" (1988). In 1988, the were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act. After Mel's death, Kim embarked on a solo career and had two UK Top 10 hits with "Don't Worry" (1990) and "G.L.A.D." (1991).
"System" was intended as their first single, but they and the producers were unhappy with it, and it became the "B-side" of their first release "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)", which reached number three on the British charts in 1986 and number one on the USA Dance charts. Their next single "Respectable" reached number one in Britain and became one of the year's biggest hits.
They became well-known celebrities, particularly in Britain, and were known for their visual style which combined urban street wear with high fashion (prior to their music career Mel had worked as a glamour model).
Their third single "F.L.M." reached number seven in the UK, while their final single "That's the Way It Is" reached number ten, giving them an unbroken run of top ten hits.[1] In February 1988, they were nominated for Best British Breakthrough Act at the Brit Awards, Losing out toWet Wet Wet.
In December 1985, prior to the duo's rise to fame, Mel was treated for malignant paraganglioma, a form of cancer, on her liver. By January 1987,Mel was experiencing back problems, delaying the filming of the Respectable music video.
During a promotional visit to Japan in June 1987, the severity of Mel's back problem became apparent. Upon returning to the UK, she was diagnosed with a recurrence of the cancer in her spine. The sisters withdrew from publicity while Mel underwent treatment, and footage from theirMontreux Festival performance was used to compile the "F.L.M." music video. While the media speculated that Mel was terminally ill, both sisters categorically denied this, stating that Mel had suffered a debilitating back injury.
Eventually, it was confirmed that Mel had been diagnosed with cancer, following the release of "That's the Way it Is" in February 1988. Mel discharged herself from hospital to record the vocals for the track. Work on a second album was not continued, due to Mel's illness. Both sisters appeared on the Wogan show in April 1988 while Mel was still undergoing treatment, as part of European Cancer Week. She died of pneumonia on 18 January 1990, after contracting a cold; her immune system weakened by chemotherapy.
With the aid of her then boyfriend, ex-Bros bassist Craig Logan, Kim launched a solo career with much of her debut solo album composed of songs co-written with Mel, for what was intended to be the next "Mel and Kim" album. The album, Kim Appleby, contained her debut solo single "Don't Worry".
MEL & KIM website
http://www.melandkim.com/
MEL & KIM ON LAST FM http://www.last.fm/music/Mel+&+Kim
MEL & KIM ALL MUSIC http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-mel-kim-mw0000418530
MEL & KIM TUMBLR http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/mel-and-kim
MEL & KIM TUNE IN http://tunein.com/artist/Mel--Kim-m161416/
MEL & KIM AMAZON http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mel-Kim/e/B000APC7BK
MEL & KIM ON VIRGIN http://www.virginmedia.com/music/pictures/toptens/girl-bands-where-are-they-now.php?ssid=11
MEL & KIM TWITTER https://twitter.com/melandkimweb
MEL & KIM BRIT AWARDS http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/mel-kim