There is one German girl group that puts all others that have ever existed in the shade, and that is the unique, highly talented, wonderful - attention, drum roll - No Angels. More than 20 years have passed since Vanessa Petruo, Sandy Mölling, Jessica Wahls, Lucy Diakovska and Nadja Benaissa came together in the RTL II casting show "Popstars" to take the charts by storm. Much has changed since then, but one thing remains unchanged: Hits like "Daylight in Your Eyes", "Rivers of Joy", the Eurythmics cover "There Must Be an Angel" or "Something About Us" are still as stubbornly ingrained in the auditory canal today as they were back then.
The No Angels' career to date has sometimes been quite turbulent. Gigantic flights of fancy, two break-ups and two reunions as well as the departure of Vanessa characterise the band's history. Even the start was unusual: a girl band cast together in a reality television show - that had never been seen in this country before. With their first single "Daylight in Your Eyes" - the megahit of 2001 - the five band members immediately reached the top of the single charts. Their debut album "Elle'ments" also reached number one. From zero to one hundred - only very few newcomers manage that. Millions of fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland fall at the Angels' feet on their "Rivers of Joy" tour.
In 2002, the "Popstars" deliver their second studio album "Now ... Us!", which, how could it be otherwise, also makes itself comfortable in pole position. In the same year, the No Angels are on stage in Berlin in front of a selected audience with a big band. The result is recorded for eternity on the live album "When the Angels Swing". On the third album "Pure", released in 2003, only four Angels voices can be heard - Jess has taken a baby break and then devotes herself to her solo career. After this album is also a complete success, the announcement of the, at least temporary, end of the No Angels comes suddenly. Germany's number one girl group says goodbye with a best-of album.
Thank heaven: the Angels are back
Fans have to wait a good three years until the No Angels celebrate their comeback in 2007 - without Vanessa, but with Jessica again. "Goodbye to Yesterday" is the apt title of the first single, "Destiny" that of the accompanying album. With "Disappear", they compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, but fail to win. In 2009, the group is increasingly in the headlines because of a scandal involving Nadja. Nevertheless, the fifth No-Angels album "Welcome to the Dance" is released in 2009, but it does not quite match their earlier successes. Does this mean the final end for the No Angels? For a very long time it looks like it.
From 2011 onwards, the members devote more time to their solo careers and other activities. Soon no one believes in a reunion any more. In 2020, the music of the No Angels is finally available on streaming services - and triggers a new hype. 20 years after their formation, the group inspires as much as ever. Celebration versions of the greatest hits, TV appearances and finally the anniversary compilation "20", on which four new songs can also be heard, follow. Besides the great-sounding "Celebration Versions" of their unforgettable songs, the fans owe the comeback of Jess, Sandy, Lucy and Nadja above all to the fact that they can now finally experience the No Angels live again. It was really worth the wait!
