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Pick at the pops: 29 May 2007

Our weekly round-up of the weird and wonderful world of pop music...

All good things come to an end, but to see them come to an end twice is almost too much to bear. Last week, reanimated boyband 5ive announced they were splitting up again after only seven months back in the saddle - despite “considerable interest” in a potential TV series, a half-completed new album and a world tour “in final stages of confirmation”. How could they throw all of that away? Well, the words “interest”, “potential”, “half-completed” and “stages of confirmation” roughly translate as “they’ve done absolutely bugger-all and nobody cares”.

A more enthusiastic example is being set by The Police, who made an art out of in-fighting and backbiting in their first incarnation. They’re about to embark on an elephantine world tour, but the bickering has returned – although they claim to thrive on the tension now. Drummer Stewart Copeland has remarked: “In this band we are both blessed and cursed that we have within the three of us an 800-pound gorilla. He takes a lot of feeding, but he earns his keep.” It’s the nicest thing anyone’s said about Sting in 30 years.

Some collaborations will never be repeated: legendary producer Quincy Jones, in London to pick up an Ivor Novello award, has ruled out any chance of recreating that Thriller magic with Michael Jackson. Says Quince: “Man please, I’ve got enough to do. I’ve got 900 products, I’m 74 years old. Give me a break.” He then dashed out in desperate search of 900 products for an alibi.

A partnership definitely off the reunion agenda is Lennon and McCartney, and Sir Paul has spoken with some poignancy recently about being “a little bit spoiled” by working with Lennon. He said there was a “sense of disappointment” with any collaboration after that - which must be a kick in the teeth for Michael Jackson (again), Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, The Christians, Holly Johnson, Gerry Marsden, Stock Aitken Waterman, the artists on the Band Aid b-side and the Frog Chorus. Jackson’s nose is said to be particularly out of joint.

Matthew Horton

• 21/05/2007: Lily vs Cheryl in catfight nirvana >>
• 14/05/2007: Eurovision carve-up shame >>
• 08/05/2007: How is Kurt Cobain still writing diaries? >>
• 30/04/2007: Bez and Mani? It's 1990 all over again >>
• 23/04/2007: MC Hammer inspires Arctic Monkeys >>
• 16/04/2007: Your planet is safe in Madonna's hands >>
• 10/04/2007: Kaiser Ricky fights for pop double standards >>
• 02/04/2007: Weller vs Sting in battle of the spittle >>
• 26/03/2007: Jagger and Trousersnake snubbed >>
• 19/03/2007: Ray Quinn and the death of pop >>
• 12/03/2007: The Jackson Five eye some filthy lucre >>
• 05/03/2007: George is on his way to Wembley >>
• 26/02/2007: Mel C holds up Spice reunion >>
• 19/02/2007: Joss Stone's big love >>
• 12/02/2007: Lily conquers America >>
• 05/02/2007: Oasis to meet Ringo at last >>
• 29/01/2007: Amy Winehouse wows the Savoy >>
• 22/01/2007: Chris Martin: the B-Boy >>
• 15/01/2007: Whitney auctions her belongings >>
• 08/01/2007: The Police to reform? >>
• 02/01/2007: James Brown RIP >>
• 2006 archive >>