Abz Love

Last updated

Abz Love
Abs 5ive (2).jpg
Love performing in at Five tour in 2001.
Background information
Birth nameRichard Abidin Breen
Also known as
  • Abs
  • Abs Breen
Born (1979-06-29) 29 June 1979 (age 45)
London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1997–2003
2013–present
Member of Boyz on Block
Formerly of Five

Richard Abidin Breen (born 29 June 1979), better known as Abz Love, is an English singer, rapper, and songwriter. Love was a member of the boy band Five and is a current member of the supergroup Boyz on Block. [1]

Contents

In 2003, he released his debut solo album Abstract Theory , which earned him a further three top-ten hits. [2] In 2013, he appeared on All Star Mr & Mrs and became the runner-up for Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother 12 . In 2015, Love starred in BBC Two's documentary series Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, followed by a Christmas special titled Country Strife: Abz on the Christmas Farm.

Early life

Richard Abiden Breen was born in London to Turkish father Turan Sanveren and Irish mother Kathleen Breen. He was raised on a council estate in Hackney, East London where he was brought up until he left home at 16 to join boyband Five. [3] [4] He won a scholarship to attend the Italia Conti Stage School [5] where he studied acting. One day his teacher suggested he audition for a boy band that was being groomed by Simon Cowell.

After performing in front of Cowell and a panel of managers, Love was chosen from over 3,000 auditionees to be in the band Five (also known as 5ive). He changed his name to Abs in order avoid confusion with bandmate Ritchie Neville.

Five went on to have international success winning a Brit Award for Best Pop Act 2000, an MTV award and ASCAP awards for songwriting. Love and fellow Five members Jason "J" Brown and Sean Conlon were involved in writing many of the band's hits such as "Everybody Get Up", "Keep On Movin'" and "If Ya Gettin' Down".

Career

1997–2001: Five

In 1997, Love auditioned for Five, a new boy band-style group with "attitude and edge" and was eventually selected to be part of the band along with Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Sean Conlon and Jason "J" Brown. Five subsequently were signed by Simon Cowell and BMG/RCA for a six-album deal. Five went on to enjoy massive success worldwide, selling over 20 million records in their four years. [6] The group sold around 20 million copies worldwide. [7] The band split up on 27 September 2001. [8] In 2006 Five attempted a comeback without Conlon, but failed to sign with a new label and the band disbanded again. [9]

2002–2003: Abstract Theory and hiatus

After Five split, Love was signed to Sony BMG by Simon Cowell as a solo artist and became the only band member to release a solo album. Abstract Theory had three top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart with "What You Got" (No. 4), "Stop Sign" (No. 10), and "Miss Perfect" (No. 5). Abstract Theory reached No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart. Love was fired from Sony in December 2003, changed his name to Abz Love and took a long hiatus from his music career. [10]

2013–2018: Five reunion and television

In January 2013, Five returned to star the ITV2's reality show The Big Reunion . [11] Brown didn't want to rejoin the group and Five announced that they were considering a new fifth member for the comeback, but withdrew to continue with the original four-member lineup. [12] The band decided to continue as a four-piece performing live touring Europe. [13] Also in 2013, Love was runner-up of Celebrity Big Brother 12 . [14] [15] Love said he agreed to join the reality show because he was financially broke and living with his aunt Wendy. [16] In August 2014 Love left Five, citing creative differences – years later he said he was unhappy just singing the hit songs and not recording new material. [17]

In 2015 he starred in his own reality show Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, a docu-series aired on BBC Two about his rural life in a farm in Wales. [18] [19] The show became a cult hit with viewers and critics alike. [20] [21] [22] In January 2016, Abz released his first solo single in over a decade, "Cockadoodledoo". [23]

2019–present: Boyz on Block

Since 2019, he has been part of the supergroup Boyz on Block, along with Ben Ofoedu from Phats & Small, Dane Bowers from Another Level and Shane Lynch from Boyzone. [24] On 20 November 2020, the group released their first single, a cover of East 17's 1994 single "Stay Another Day", featuring Tony Mortimer. [25] [26] They have been performing live touring Europe ever since. [27]

In 2022, he joined the tenth series of dating reality show Celebs Go Dating , aired on Channel 4. [28]

Personal life

From 2009 to 2017, Love dated singer Vicky Fallon. In 2013 Love said that he has Asperger syndrome, a mild form of autism. [29]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[30]
SCO
[31]
Abstract Theory 2938
Golden [32]
  • Released: 21 July 2020
  • Label: DK
  • Format: Digital download
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

List of EPs
TitleEP details
The Starkid [33]
  • Released: 29 June 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Love VI [34]
  • Released: 1 November 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
SingleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[30]
AUS
[35]
BEL
[36]
EUR
[37]
IRL
[38]
ITA
[39]
NL
[40]
NZ
[41]
SCO
[42]
SWE
[43]
"What You Got"20024333520937377440Abstract Theory
"Shame"6435
"Stop Sign"20031056216
"Miss Perfect"
(featuring Nodesha)
5136
"Cockadoodledoo" [44]
(featuring Vicky Fallon)
2015non-album singles
"Tictok" [45] 2022
"Faith" [46]
"Evol" [47] 2023
"You" [48]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other appearances

SingleYearOther artistAlbum
"Hornz"2019Eastside GreenbacksE.S.G.B. [49]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013 The Big Reunion HimselfSeries 1
Celebrity Big Brother ContestantSeries 12
2015Country Strife: Abz on the FarmHimself BBC Two's reality show
Country Strife: Christmas Farm
2022 Celebs Go Dating Episode: "Abz Love"


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liberty X</span> British-Irish music group

Liberty X are an English/Irish pop group originally consisting of Michelle Heaton, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Jessica Taylor and Kelli Young. Since 2017, Heaton, Taylor and Young have performed as a girl group trio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B*Witched</span> Irish girl group

B*Witched are an Irish girl group consisting of twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O'Carroll. Originally active between 1997 and 2002, they enjoyed success in both Europe and North America between 1998 and 2002, releasing two albums and eight singles, all of which made the UK Top 20. Their first four singles, "C'est la Vie", "Rollercoaster", "To You I Belong" and "Blame It on the Weatherman", all reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and the group having sold over 3 million albums worldwide.

Jessica Pietersen is an English singer. She is best known as member of the pop group Liberty X.

Five are a British boy band from London consisting of members Sean Conlon, Ritchie Neville, and Scott Robinson. They were formed in 1997 by the same team that managed the Spice Girls before they launched their career. The group were mostly known as a five-piece, consisting of Robinson, Neville, Conlon, as well as previous members Abz Love and Jason "J" Brown. Five enjoyed moderate success worldwide, particularly in their native United Kingdom and most of Europe and Asia, as well as brief success in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue (English group)</span> English boy band

Blue are a British boy band consisting of members Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Lee Ryan. The group formed in 2000 and released three studio albums before announcing a hiatus in late 2004. In January 2011, the group reformed and represented the United Kingdom at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf with the song "I Can", coming in 11th place with 100 points. In 2013, it was confirmed that the group would be joining The Big Reunion, in which six groups from the past reform for a one-off gig. On 27 March 2013, the group announced they would embark on their first headlining tour later on in the year, their first tour in nearly ten years.

Kevin Ian Simm is an English singer and songwriter. He is best known as former member of Liberty X (2001–2007) and current vocalist of Wet Wet Wet. Simm also won The Voice UK in 2016.

The Honeyz are a British R&B girl group, currently composed of members Célena Cherry, Mariama Goodman and Heavenli Abdi. The group had five UK top 10 hits between 1998 and 2000, with "Finally Found" (1998), "End of the Line" (1998), "Love of a Lifetime" (1999), "Never Let You Down" (1999) and "Won't Take It Lying Down" (2000). Their debut album Wonder No.8 was certified Gold by the BPI. The Honeyz formed in 1997 with the original line-up of Célena Cherry, Heavenli Abdi and Naima Belkhiati. Former Solid Harmonie member Mariama Goodman replaced Abdi from April 1999 until Abdi rejoined the group in August 2000, before the group disbanded for the first time in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">911 (English group)</span> English boy band

911 are an English pop group consisting of Lee Brennan, Jimmy Constable and Simon "Spike" Dawbarn. They were formed in Glasgow in 1995 and released their debut single "Night to Remember" in May 1996. This was followed by their debut album The Journey in March 1997, which was certified Gold by the BPI in November 1997. 911 released two more Silver-certified albums, Moving On and There It Is, in 1998 and 1999, respectively. There It Is also produced their only UK number-one single, a cover of "A Little Bit More", which topped the UK Singles Chart in January 1999.

Scott James Timothy Robinson is an English singer and radio presenter. He is best known for being a member of the boy band Five. He currently presents the Drivetime show on Radio Essex.

Richard "Ritchie" Neville Dobson is a British singer and restaurateur from Solihull, England. He is most noted for being a member of the boy band Five.

Sean Kieran Conlon is an English singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of boy band Five.

Jason Paul "J" Brown is an English former singer. He is best known as a former member, singer and rapper of boy band Five.

Dane Bowers is an English singer, songwriter, producer and DJ. He was a part of R&B boy band Another Level between 1997 and 2000 when he performed on seven Top 10 singles, before taking up solo projects with True Steppers and Victoria Beckham. He has made TV appearances on Celebrity Big Brother 7 and the celebrity version of Come Dine with Me. He was part of the supergroup 5th Story, set up for the second series of The Big Reunion.

<i>Five</i> (Five album) 1998 studio album by Five

Five is the debut studio album by English boy band Five. It was released in the United Kingdom on 22 June 1998 and charted at number one the UK Albums Chart, becoming the band's only album to do so. The album was later released in the United States on 14 July 1998, where it charted at number 27 on the Billboard 200, making it the most successful album by the band in the region.

<i>Kingsize</i> (Five album) 2001 studio album by Five

Kingsize is the third studio album by English boy band Five. The album was released in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2001, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart. The album was later released in Australia on 2 December 2001. The album failed to chart in the United States. The album went on to be certified gold in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Let You Go</span> 2000 single by Five

"Don't Wanna Let You Go" is a song by British boy band Five. Written by producers Richard Stannard and Julian Gallagher with band members Abs Breen, and Jason "J" Brown, and Sean Conlon, the song was released on 14 February 2000 as the fourth single from Five's second studio album, Invincible (1999).

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Five album) 2001 compilation album by Five

Greatest Hits is the first compilation album by English boy band Five. It was released in the United Kingdom through RCA Records on 19 November 2001, just three months after the release of their third studio album, Kingsize. "Closer to Me" and "Rock the Party" was released as double single on United Kingdom and Ireland. The album was executively produced by Simon Cowell and Richard "Biff" Stannard. In other countries, the songs were released as separate singles. The songs was included in the previous album Kingsize (2001).

<i>The Big Reunion</i> British TV series or programme

The Big Reunion is a British reality-documentary series that began airing on ITV2 on 31 January 2013. The show featured chart-topping bands who were big in the UK pop music scene between the 1990s and early 2000s, and the programme followed them as they reunited for the first time in a decade and went through their two weeks of intensive rehearsals before finally stepping back on stage for a comeback performance.

The Loud and Intimate Tour was a 2015 concert tour by British boy band Five. Following their comeback success on The Big Reunion and the 5ive Greatest Hits Tour, the band played at theatre venues around England, performing selections from their back catalogue. This is the band's first full concert tour without former founding member Abz Love, thus making it their first as a trio.

Vicky Fallon, also known as Fa11on, is an English singer, songwriter, talent manager and television personality. She was previously engaged to ex 5ive star Abz Love and co-starred with him in their hit documentary series Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, which aired on BBC Two in 2015 and on the subsequent Christmas special Country Strife: Abz on the Christmas Farm.

References

  1. MTV. "Abs Breen". Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  2. O'Callaghan, Bren (8 September 2003). "Abs Abstract Theory Review". BBC. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  3. Hurriyet. "Five grubunun Türk yıldızı" . Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  4. Netter, Matt (1999). Five: A Biography . Pocket Books. p.  65. ISBN   0671036394.
  5. Italia Conti. "Celebrating 100 Years: 1911-2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  6. "Certified Awards". Bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  7. Sunner, Amber (31 October 2021). "Everything you need to know about Abz Love". Bristol Post . Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  8. . Apple.com. Retrieved on 4 August 2023.
  9. "5ive: "We're gay"". MTV. 27 September 2006. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2007.
  10. "5ive (Five) - BBC Radio One Interview for The Big Reunion [HD]" via www.youtube.com.
  11. Robinson, Scott [@Scottlarock5] (18 October 2012). "I can confirm that five we'll take part in the big reunion on @itv2 Sometime next year We are all Looking forward to the show #willbegreat" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  12. "Boy band 5ive hunting for new member". MSN. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  13. Duncan, Amy (17 January 2013). "5ive post plea for fifth member on Facebook ahead of reunion 12 years after parting ways". Metro. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  14. Buchanan, Daisy (22 August 2013). "Abz Love profiled: Big Reunion star and 5ive frontman revealed as Celebrity Big Brother 2013 housemate". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  15. Leigh, Rob (13 September 2013). "Charlotte Crosby wins Celebrity Big Brother 2013". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  16. Williams, Helen (30 January 2020). "What is Abz's net worth? Five singer appears on Celebrity Come Dine with Me!". Reality Titbit. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  17. Brad S. (1 September 2014). "INTERVIEW : Abz (5ive)". auspOp. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  18. Kathryn Williams (20 May 2015). "Former Five star Abz swaps the stage for a farm in Wales in new BBC Two show". walesonline.
  19. "5ive's Abz Love and girlfriend Vicky Fallon to star in own TV show". Reveal. Nat Mags.
  20. Wollaston, Sam (17 August 2015). "Country Strife: Abz on the Farm review – braving cabbages in a hilarious escapade". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  21. Jones, Ellen E. (16 August 2015). "Abz on the Farm: Five's former rapper is a star reborn" . The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  22. O'Donovasn, Gerard (16 August 2015). "Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, BBC Two, review: 'hilarious'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  23. Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (9 September 2015). "Abz from 5ive can't believe his Brit Award has raised more than £1m on eBay: 'All I needed was a bit of soil and it's gone nuts'" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  24. "Boyz on Block lift lid on trashing hotels and 'freeing zoo animals' in 90s". Daily Mirror. 22 September 2021.
  25. Copsey, Rob. "Boyband supergroup Boyz on Block unveil their first single, a cover of East 17's Stay Another Day". Official Charts . Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  26. "Boyz on Block - Stay Another Day". Spotify . Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  27. "Boyz on Block to cover East 17's Christmas classic 'Stay Another Day'" . Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  28. "Celebs Go Dating announce Ulrika Jonsson, Abz Love, Chloe Brockett, Miles Nazaire, Nikita Jasmine & Ryan-Mark Parsons as they re-enter the dating game and begin their search for love | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  29. Daniels, Colin (27 August 2013). "CBB star Abz Love: 'I have Asperger's'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  30. 1 2 "The Official Charts Company — Abz Love". The Official Charts Company. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011.
  31. "Scottish Albums Chart - 6 September 2003 - 12 September 2003". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  32. "Golden". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  33. "The Starkid". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  34. "Love VI". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  35. "Chartifacts — Wednesday 14th November 2012". ARIA Charts. 11 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  36. "Ultratop Discografie". Ultratop.be/nl/. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  37. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 20, no. 37. 7 September 2002. p. 11.
  38. "Discography on Ireland". Irishcharts.ie. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  39. "Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  40. "Dutch chart history". charts.org. Dutch Singles Chart / Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  41. "Chart history: New Zealand". charts.org. New Zealand Singles Chart / Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  42. "Swedish Singles Charts". Sverigetopplistan Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  43. "Cockadoodledoo". Spotify. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  44. "Tictok". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  45. "Faith". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  46. "Evol". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  47. "You". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  48. "E.S.G.B." Spotify. Retrieved 20 August 2023.