Richard O’Brien, creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, said the Spice Girls "couldn’t sing" despite appearing in their 1997 film Spice World. Photo / Getty Images
Richard O’Brien, creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, said the Spice Girls "couldn’t sing" despite appearing in their 1997 film Spice World. Photo / Getty Images
Richard O’Brien is not a fan of the Spice Girls – despite having appeared in their movie.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show musical creator played a photographer in the 1997 film Spice World, even though he believed the 1990s girl band – formed of Melanie C, Mel B, Victoria Beckham,Geri Halliwell-Horner and Emma Bunton – “couldn’t sing”.
O’Brien, 83, who was born in England and grew up in Tauranga and Hamilton, told The Guardian: “I’ve not met them since we did the movie. Am I a fan? Not particularly. They couldn’t sing.”
O’Brien thinks the Spice Girls’ debut single Wannabe – the best-selling track by a girl group and which topped the charts in 37 countries – is a “chant” and not a song.
He explained: “‘I’ll tell you what I want / What I really, really want.’ It’s not singing.”
But despite not liking their music, the star enjoyed spending time with Melanie C, Mel B, Victoria, Geri and Emma on the set of Spice World.
Rocky Horror creator said he had fun on Spice World set – even if he’s not a fan. Photo / Getty Images
He said: “The Spice Girls were put together and became a very successful pop group. No shame in that. As great singers, they don’t qualify. But lovely girls.”
Spice World saw the band members zip around London on tour in their plush double-decker tour bus, but their experience turns into a real adventure.
And O’Brien took a liking to Emma – nicknamed Baby Spice.
Asked in what order O’Brien would like to photograph the Spice Girls – referencing his role of a photographer in the comedy-musical film – he replied: “I don’t know, really. I know, um – what’s her lovely name? Baby Spice.
“Emma Bunton, she’s delightful.”
Elsewhere in his interview with the publication, O’Brien said he is kept alive by music.
He explained: “Singing is the purest art form. The first song ever sung was a mother cooing to her baby. What a delightful origin to something so delicious.
“When a great, unaffected singer like Billie Holiday is singing, without any kind of showing off, it’s just delightful. I love good singing.”
