Blog by Sean Gehon, Thursday, March 01, 2007

Ever since I left Regina, Saskatchewan to move to Toronto, Ontario (the big city) my mother has been calling me as often as she can to update me on her adventures on the prairies. Often, Mom shares her stories of the concerts that my father is taking her to. Lately a lot of bands that were popular back in the 60’s and 70’s have been starting up on reunion tours. Mom has called me on several occasions telling me how excited she is to see The Powder Blues, Jerry and the Pacemakers, and Herman’s Hermits. Trust me, you’re not alone if you have no idea who any of the above are. It’s not unusual for groups to reunite after being apart for a decade or two, but is there a time where enough is enough and we should just call it quits after one reunion?

One of today’s most popular musicians is the former front woman of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé Knowles. Most recently, Beyoncé topped the charts with her sophomore solo release B-Day and the hit single Irreplaceable. Before achieving solo success, Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child were the highest selling female group of all time. In 2005, the group announced this would be their final album together. Destiny’s Child’s final performance was on Jimmy Kimmel. Since then the girls have opted to pursue solo endeavors.

Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and Beyoncé Knowles all attempted solo records during the first Destiny’s Child split. Beyoncé’s release earned her five Grammy Awards and sold nine million copies world wide. Kelly Rowland’s debut album Simply Deep earned her a gold certification in America. Michelle Williams’ recorded a Christian Album that went straight to the top of the American Gospel Charts. Since their first solo album attempts, Kelly is getting ready to release her second album, and Michelle is prepping for her third.

For a group that announced their split two years ago, and performed together for the final time just one year ago, isn’t it a little soon to be hinting at a reunion? We certainly haven’t heard a lot from anyone other than Beyoncé. Sure, Kelly Rowland had a few hits, but since the official split, we’re only getting ready to embrace her new album Miss Kelly. Maybe Kelly and Michelle have spent most of their millions they earned during their time in the female super group. I’m not sure what would posses the girls to hint at a reunion this early.

Beyoncé and the girls recently reunited for a music video shoot for the reissue of Beyoncé’s album B-Day. During an interview, the Destiny’s Child frontwoman said how great it was to hang out with the girls again. The real question, are we starving for a Destiny’s Child reunion or is Beyoncé’s solo career enough? Let’s face it, during the prime of the group, we really only focused on Beyoncé.  She did after all pretty much carry the group a la Diana Ross. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of Destiny’s Child. I think the group is smart, sassy, talented, and you have to respect the most popular all-female group of all time. Do I miss them? Not really. Solo Beyoncé has really managed to fill that void.

Only time will tell if the group will really get back together.  I, for one, am excited to hear Kelly Rowland’s second solo effort. Miss Knowles has broken out of her former girl group to become one of today’s biggest powerhouses, so does she really need or want to go back? I’m fine with whatever decision the girls make.  They were never as big as the Spice Girls to me anyway.

Sean (Kelly Rowland’s Miss Kelly comes out June 26, 2007. I’m excited.)

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