East 17
East 17 are an English pop boy band started by Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey, John Hendy, and Terry Coldwell in 1991. As of 2020, the group consists of Coldwell, Robbie Craig and Joe Livermore. East 17 have undergone multiple lineup changes, with Coldwell remaining the only constant member.
East 17
E-17 (1998–1999)
Walthamstow, London, England
- 1991–1997
- 1998–1999
- 2006–2013
- 2014–present
- Terry Coldwell
- Robbie Craig
- Joe Livermore
- John Hendy
- Brian Harvey
- Tony Mortimer
- Blair Dreelan
- Terry John
The group has released 18 top-20 singles and four top-10 albums and was one of the UK's most popular boy bands during the early- to mid-1990s, aided by strong tabloid interest in their 'bad boy' image, compared to the clean-cut style of rivals Take That. Their style blended pop and hip hop in songs such as "House of Love" and "Let It Rain".
East 17 has sold over 18 million albums worldwide and according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the group has been certified with sales of 1.8 million albums and 2.6 million singles in the UK.[1] Their biggest hit, "Stay Another Day", was the UK Christmas number one in 1994.
The group continues today under the lineup of Terry Coldwell, Joe Livermore, and former Artful Dodger collaborator Robbie Craig.[2]
History[edit]
Formation (1991)[edit]
East 17 began in 1991 when Tony Mortimer was promised a record deal with London Records after he presented his own material. The deal was granted under the condition that he form a group, which would be in the format that London Records were looking for. Mortimer recruited Brian Harvey, John Hendy, and Terry Coldwell.
The group was named East 17 after the postcode of their hometown, Walthamstow.[3]
Walthamstow (1992–1993)[edit]
The group was usually seen as a grittier, more political and hip hop or rap-aligned ensemble than rival boy band Take That, as noted by Guy Adams of The Independent:[4]
Main
Supporting