J.B. Gill, Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams. London, UK.
2006 – 2013.
“If I died yeah, would you come to my funeral? Would you cry?”
Oritsé Williams – brother to three, writer of single Wow Oh Wow for our lovable rapscallions Jedward.
Marvin Humes – from Greenwich and husband of Rochelle and father to be.
J.B. Gill – son to Cynthia and Keith, lover of Strictly Dancing at Christmas.
Aston Merrygold – one of seven children, judge on Got To Dance.
Today a dark cloud lingers above planet pop with the news that the highly influential four piece JLS (or Jack The Lad Swing as those of us on the inside know them) have decided to call time on their shining music career. Known for their highly original hits; like that time they remixed The Sound Of Music or that other one with where they were glad she came… oh wait no that was The Wanted… As individuals they transcended names, most knew them as the short one who likes to dance, the one with the hat, yer man married to The Saturday and the other fella.
Together they were so much more than X Factor runners up; they were entrepreneurs. The world will never forget the gift they gave us in the shape of condoms with their faces printed on them. Who exactly the target market was for them will now forever remain a mystery. They were film stars, indeed the were the first British act to release a 3D film (suck on that One Direction!), though JLS: Eyes Wide Open 3D was cruelly overlooked by the Oscars. JLS were authors, releasing not one, but two best selling books. Renaissance men I think we all will agree. They leave behind them a gap that can never be filled until the next season of X Factor gives us another boy band who sing about ladies and dancing.
Reposing on the scrap pile of no longer existent X Factor acts. Sadly missed by fans and RCA alike. Memorial mass to be served at a final tour date location near you, until then make sure to listen to their vast collection of hits below.
R.I.P. ye gods among men.