Nearly three decades before they became an international pop sensation, the Spice Girls faced significant challenges as an emerging musical group, including internal disagreements and management disputes, according to a new BBC radio series titled ERAs: Spice Girls.

Formed in 1994 by the father-and-son management team Bob and Chris Herbert, alongside entrepreneur Chic Murphy, the goal was to create a female group that could rival the popularity of boy band Take That. The Herberts held extensive auditions, selecting Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Adams, and initially Michelle Stephenson, with Geri Halliwell’s entry into the group being less straightforward. Chris Herbert explained that Halliwell repeatedly missed auditions, seemingly by design, until she finally attended a workshop and disrupted the prearranged lineup.

Michelle Stephenson’s early involvement was short-lived as she reportedly struggled to integrate with the group dynamic. Chris Herbert noted she “just felt slightly… not part of the gang,” which prompted the search for a replacement. Vocal coach Pepi Lemer, who worked closely with the singers, recalled recommending Emma Bunton, an 18-year-old former student, who joined the group swiftly and was quickly embraced by the others.

Throughout their initial months, the group engaged in rigorous rehearsals and training sessions under the Herberts’ management, working to prepare for the music industry. However, frustration grew within the band, especially with Geri Halliwell, who believed their progress was too slow. Halliwell advocated for moving quickly into recording and releasing music, encouraging the others to challenge the existing management’s cautious approach.

Chris Herbert acknowledged that Halliwell's push for faster action and her influence on the group set the stage for internal dissent. The turning point came when Herbert canceled a planned recording session with Sheffield songwriter Eliot Kennedy. Undeterred, the women reportedly arranged the session themselves without their managers’ involvement, marking a decisive break. They subsequently parted ways with the Herberts and hired Simon Fuller as their new manager, soon signing with Virgin Records.

Industry observers recall the group’s early confidence and ambitious outlook. Peter Loraine, former editor of Top of the Pops magazine, recounted a meeting with the band during which Halliwell confidently outlined their future success, predicting hit singles, a feature film, and world tours. Those predictions ultimately reflected the trajectory that made the Spice Girls a global phenomenon.

The BBC’s four-part series ERAs: Spice Girls offers a detailed look at these formative episodes, shedding light on the early struggles, strategic decisions, and interpersonal dynamics that shaped the group before their breakthrough with the 1996 hit single "Wannabe." The series is available on BBC Sounds and airs weekly on BBC Radio 2.