By Ian Youngs
BBC News entertainment reporter |
 Busted scored their first hit single in September 2002 |
Pop band Busted have split after three years and eight UK top three singles. But what impact did the trio - a boy band who played their own instruments and wrote their own songs - have on the music scene?
In the history of British pop music, late 2002 may be remembered for two reasons.
Firstly, a boy band was manufactured via a TV talent show, Popstars: The Rivals, using a familiar formula used by other reality TV acts.
One True Voice's debut single, Sacred Trust, written by Bee Gee Barry Gibb, was a simple, soulful, slice of pop that came complete with matching suits and an easy dance routine. They rapidly sunk.
Meanwhile, another young band also had their first hit. Busted played pure pop with a punky edge, guitars and clothes and hairstyles which more resembled a rock band.
They became one of the most successful pop acts in the country and went on to have seven more hits, including four number ones.
Different and dangerous
That period has been identified as the moment boy band fans tired of squeaky clean, syrupy acts and opted for something more different and dangerous - and Busted took full advantage.
The trio brought "something fresh and new" to the scene, according to Peter Hart, editor of Top of the Pops magazine.
"It wasn't a band all wearing white doing highly choreographed dance routines to slightly cheesy pop tunes," he says.
"It was three guys who not only played their own instruments but also wrote their own songs - but still wanted to produce music that was fun and accessible by a fairly young fan base."
Mr Hart says the "more traditional pop" sound peaked at the turn of the millennium.
"Having reached its peak, the pop scene had to change. I don't know whether Busted or their management identified this particular gap or whether they just struck it lucky."
When boy bands hit the buffers, record companies looked for a fresh type of group - and came up with guitar-wielding pop stars, according to Simon Warner, lecturer in pop music at Leeds University.
"We could say Busted broke with that trend of the all-singing, all-dancing boy group that was around, and remains a force in the industry, but less so," he says.
 Pop band McFly have followed in Busted's footsteps |
"In broad terms, the guitar has definitely mounted a comeback.
"There seems to be a revival in interest in the guitar as a symbol of something - sexiness, rock 'n' roll. So Busted and McFly are part of that rise in interest."
'Manufactured rock'
In bringing rock and pop together, Busted have copied what went on in the charts in the days of The Beatles and The Monkees through to Duran Duran.
The difference between rock and pop has fluctuated over the years, but Busted reminded people the two could be compatible.
But Busted's achievements in "manufactured rock" do not match those of their predecessors, according to Mr Warner.
"I would rate what they're doing as terrifically insignificant. Artistically, these groups are of little consequence."
Before Busted, acts such as the Dum Dums and Catch tried to make a similar move - but either the time or the band was not right.
However, Busted's success has now opened the floodgates for guitar-playing pop stars, with McFly already following in their footsteps. Female equivalents The Faders and Love Bites are expected to make it big in 2005.
'Double-edged sword'
Some think the trend may be driving pop fans to the rock scene - especially as Busted singer Charlie Simpson is now focussing on his heavier rock band, Fightstar.
Ashley Bird, editor of rock magazine Kerrang!, which recently featured Fightstar, described Busted's influence as "a double-edged sword".
"On one hand, they're getting pop kids to look at guitars and music like that - but on the other hand they're also taking the stylings of the music we love and turning it into a pop thing.
"So you can look at it two ways - they're either helpful or the devil incarnate, depending on which way you look at it."
Mr Bird says he "hates" the music Busted played.
"But there are kids that hear Busted and are encouraged to pick up the Green Day album, and suddenly they're investigating proper guitar bands. Everybody's got to start somewhere."
Top of the Pops Magazine's Mr Hart says sales of guitars have "gone through the roof" and hordes of teenagers have turned to guitar lessons to be like Busted.
"But despite what Busted would like to think, their fans were still very, very young.
"So I don't know that there would actually be that crossover from Busted fans suddenly becoming interested in the more serious guitar groups."
But with distraught Busted fans reluctant to let go, Fightstar - who started their UK tour on the day the split was announced - may be the exception.
What does Busted's split mean to you? Is this a sad day for British pop music - or one to celebrate?
This discussion is now closed but you can read your comments below.
I think Busted were a really great group and nobody can ever change that.
I'm totally devastated, they seemed so happy but hopefully Matt and James will both have success in the future along with Charlie although I know I'm not going to buy Fightstar CDs - t hey aren't at all decent!
Samzy, England
Don't split up please
Peri, England
I'm like 37 and took my daughters to see them at Manchester! Unexpectedly it was a brilliant rock show and the tunes were well done. Why all the snobbery with what's credible or not - should whatever it is just be able to entertain?
Hey, I play guitar - forget Charlie I'll do it. They would have to change name to Absolutely Busted though
Mike, Blackburn, England
Both my kids, seven and nine, love Busted. I'm glad that they do because their songs are catchy and fun, they played their own instruments, and looked good. I find it hard to believe the snobbery in some of the replies here!
Graham, Sheffield, UK
I am in mourning.
Jane, London
It's the best thing to happen to music in a long time. Time that this cheesy, badly-mimed manufactured 'rock' was laid to rest. After all, this is a band who appeared on TOTP and in their videos minus a drummer for the first year or so of their career...!
Indiegrrl, England
I think Busted was the best group ever. They brought back instruments back to pop rather than singing to a backing tape. They wrote their own songs as well as performing live all the time. Who else does that??? These manufactured bands never have a long shelf life though, something new will come along in a couple of months moulded the same as Busted and all us teeny-boppers will be happy.
Michael Hopkins, Edinburgh
It's sad. I loved busted and i'm 23! The music is catchy, fun and good to sing along to.
Joanna, London
Hurrah! The beers will be flowing tonight!
Skipnicker
Great news. A shocking "band" whose main talent was causing a great deal of embarassment with their "rock/punk" posturing. Fingers crossed we don't hear from any of them again.
Jonny, Edinburgh
I kinda liked Busted's music. Saw them in Ipswich last summer and they put on a hell of a show. Best to go out on top with record of the year than to fade away and be forgotten. Good luck to them, it was good while it lasted!
Mark, Suffolk
I love Busted to pieces and I can't believe that they have split up. I really didn't want them to and it is a very very sad day for me. I love you, Busted!!!!
Jennie Mandelkow, Liverpool, England
Busted were ok, if you like that kind of thing! They made some catchy pop tunes which I would rather listen to over bands like Blue, Westlife etc. They opened a lot of doors for younger kids to investigate proper rock and roll music, that can't be a bad thing! They were a bit of a joke at times, but I think they knew that and played up to it. The truth is, boybands are here to stay for now and I'd prefer to have Busted playing in my ear than Blue!
Thomas Oates, Huthwaite, England.
Just when they were getting a good reputation, they've decided to quit. I'm totally disappointed, knowing I'll never see them in concert again.
Rob Bowen, Wolverhampton
Their version on Teenage Kicks was sacrilege, thank god they've gone.
Mat, London
I'll never forget their festive take on Hark The Herald Angels Sing. On a par with Will Young's cover of Light My Fire in its almost indescribable awfulness. Fans of music the world over will be breathing a sigh of relief today.
James, London
Great news! With Busted going there is now one less band that was more about image than the music. The sooner the rest of the images and brand-based bands are consigned to room 101, the better.
Martin, England
I'm quite annoyed they're splitting for one main reason. My sister was a big fan of theirs and now I'm going to have to put up with the same two albums on rotation until I leave home. I'm going to go mad.
Laura, Brentwood, Essex
It's a sad day, not just for the Brit music scene, but for the worldwide music scene. Given the chance, Busted could have been one of the most popular acts in Canada, many local CD stores import the CDs by the dozens because the demand is so high. They were too quickly dismissed as kiddy pop with an edge, which is probably why Charlie chose to perform with Fightstar rather than to continue with Matt and James as Busted. They will definitely be missed, but their songs will live on.
Megan P., Mortlach, Sask., Canada
I would never listen to their records, but I think it's important for kids to see musical instruments being played in order for them to want to play something themselves. And if Busted have made a few youngsters pick up guitars, then that's a good thing.
Steve Local, Birmingham, UK
"Pop Band Splits" is hardly news, but at least they have half a chance at a career after the pop phase, which is rare nowadays.
Ken, London, UK
I'm an (almost) 20 year old student, and Busted have been one of my favourite groups since I first heard them two years ago. I'm sad they've split, obviously - I always enjoyed their music - but I have felt for some time now that something like this was coming. Although I'm not happy they've broken up, I can't help but feel that it was, perhaps, time. Busted wrote their own songs, played their own instruments and weren't scared to say what they thought. Ashley Bird, and magazines such as NME (through which, ironically, Busted were formed) may see bands such as Busted and Green Day as dissimilar, but realistically, there is not much difference there at all. Perhaps now, at the end of it all, people will stop ragging on me for liking Busted. I've never been ashamed of liking them. They were talented, original and good-looking. What more do you want, seriously?
Miriam, Nottingham, England
Thank God. No more annoyingly catchy rubbish songs from rock wannabes.
Fran, London, UK
Yes! We've all taken the day off in the office to celebrate. I'm sure all those kiddies who got into Busted won't be too upset - they've still got McFly.
John Park, Leicester
Ask anyone who can actually play a guitar/bass/drums about Busted, and you'll struggle to find a fan among them. Busted were kept in the Charts by impressionable 12 year old girls with too much pocket money... I care little for the pop seen, but when people label themselves a rock band, they should at least be musically skilled. This is a great day for music in general. It's a real pity that bands like this have to exist. I totally disagree with the comment made by Peter Hart of Top of the Pops Magazine - teenagers that are learning guitar are far more likely to be aspiring to be like Green Day, Muse or LostProphets. I only hope that it takes less than three years to lose the talentless McFly from the charts!
Chris Dye, Copthorne, UK
I have always been a person who finds it hard to argue with the record buying public, and although it is easy to knock an increasingly trite singles chart, can 2 million Busted album buyers be so wrong? They had great tunes, great personalities and an appeal across the age divides, and I think they will be missed. We have to wait and see whether McFly will mature into a band to fill their shoes.
Samantha Hill, Chelmsford, Essex
Ah Charlie, do you really think it's that simple?
Do you really think dumping the other two, starting a new band and renouncing your old ways will help you
gain credibility. Robbie Williams shifts millions yet
has never escaped his boy band legacy and never will. Even George Michael's past comes back to haunt him. Give
it up, lad, and enjoy your money.
Matt, Compton, Berkshire
The fact that busted have split up is fanastic news, they represent all that is wrong with our music industry - pop-pap at it's very worst. Astonished am I that they were voted record of the year, none of the three can sing or play their instruments above amatuer. How they ever became as big as they did will forever remain a mystery, one things for sure it wasn't down to raw talent....
Nick, High Wycombe
A great day in music. Finally the end of a band that were nothing more than a pop band pretending to be punks. Their music was appalling and their image manufactured, i found them cringeworthy to watch. Kids should find real bands to get into not this garbage. Good riddance. And if they played their own guitars then i'm the pope. I play guitar and the way they played it on TV wouldnt have produced anything resembling notes.
James Cross, Accrington, England
I was very sorry to hear that Busted have split. I took my 9 year old son to see them in November 04 and we both thought they were fantastic. I am glad he had the chance to see them before they split. Having been very much into the "Heavy Metal" scene in the late 80s early 90s I felt that Busted could quite easily have gained a much bigger fan base if they went heavier - the fans loved their renditions of Teenage Kicks and Should I Stay or Should I Go. Good luck to all the lads.
Tracey Aisbett, Wakefield, UK
Thank god for that. Our airwaves are no longer held siege by music for ten year olds, and hopefully we can get back to music with a meaning, about people who don't just want kids to scream at them. Bring back Queen, Oasis, The Stereophonics, people who have lived, not 19 year old punks who gain their success by attracting impressionable youngsters.
Tim Corless, Manchester, England
Hey-Ho, There's still McFly!!
JC, Newcastle
I fear they will be forever remembered for being little Tories in the same way Gary Numan and the Jam struggled to overcome. Its already been a bad year for Michael Howard and music. First, his choice of election song will be from an artist (Elvis) we will all be sick of by polling day following the weekly release of his eighteen number ones and now this!
Tom Kiehl, London
I will miss pictures of Matt Jay blind drunk in all the tabloid press, he looked like he knew how to have a good time that boy! Busted Fan in Denial (I know all the names!!!)
Catherine, Leeds
I think it just isn't fair and I blame Charlie. He ditched his band for something else and they just had to follow. If he writes their songs then they can't be without him. I really don't think that James and matt wanted to split up. Charlie denied the rumours that the band was going to split up because he wanted to be in a different band. I think its toatally unfair. He lied to the public and I think that he's not man enough to come out and faced what he's done to lots of people, including his family, his ex-band mates and Busteds fans. My sister is distraught and my mum thinks we should video her and send it to Charlie to show him what he's done to her and probably many other people.
A very annoyed Busted fan, Cheshire
I am gutted. I love Matt so much and can't believe Busted are splitting up. I think it's really irresponsible of Charlie to just leave like this, it's so selfish. Me and my friend Katie have been crying all day. We hate Charlie now. And we hate McFly. We love Charlie and Matt.
kylie balboa, Filey
I am very upset, but pleased to hear that Matt and James are carrying on in the music industry. They were the heart and soul of Busted.
Jo, England
I normally prefer to listen to traditional blues rock rather than manufactured boy bands. But, having said that I found Busted's energy and creativeness quite appealing, and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their songs. Not the typical boy band fodder, even compared to bands like Linkin Park. I, for one, will miss their presence in the chart rundown
Jeremy Smith, Itzig, Luxembourg
We have still got McFly, who are actually clones of Busted.
Jane, Yorkshire
While Busted may never be considered a great band, they at least wrote their own songs and played their own instruments ... a welcome change from karaoke boy bands we had to endure for so long. They brought a bit of creativity back into the business.
Cameron Dawson, Sheffield
I think it is a bit of both day for me. I am sad that they have split because I did like their music and I will continue to listen to it but they seemed to be getting a little too big for their boots. If Charlie wasn't happy in Busted then he shouldn't be made to feel guilty by leaving because it would just show in all his performances. I don't see his new band getting very far because there will be a lot of fans out there still angry at him for leaving the band.
Kate Wilson, Nr Southampton, England
OH MY GOD!, Busted were the best thing to happen in British music, I know people liked the Beatles but Busted were more original (and better looking) My bedroom walls will now become a shrine to Busted. Its going to take a long time to get over this news. Would just like to say thank you for brightening up my life with such wonderful music.
Sally, Godalming, Surrey
I'm not a fan of Busted but they've probably influenced a new generation of young people to learn to play electric guitar, bass and drums. That should be applauded. I think there are too many manufactured pop bands where good-looking people without any musical talent achieve success in the music industry. Also, hopefully fans of Busted will look for more influential rock music as a result of the band's demise and find music with more musical and lyrical substance.
Rich, Surrey
Makes me pleased to be a member of the U2 generation - a band that means what it sings and is still going strong...
Robert Fish, London, UK
Well atleast there is Still McFly. After all,who can tell the diffrence?
Dru, Newcastle
I think you'll find that Busted have redefined teen pop in a way that Johnny Hates Jazz did in the 1980s. Both will be missed.
malcolm gordon, Belfast
I thought Busted blew new life into pop, with bags of wit and gritty talent. They revitalised one of the great Wesley hymns "Hark the Herald" - as an organist I wish I could capture a little of that spark! Perhaps I should have "Glad I crashed the Wedding" up my sleeve just in case the occasion ever arises?
C MacAulay, Glasgow, UK
Hello my name is Chloe I am 10 years old I'm a really big fan of Busted and last year my mum took me and my sister to go to see them 2 times. And I had loads of new Busted stuff for christmas, I really didn't want them to split.
Chloe Dobbs, Tenby
YES!! Thank you Busted!, Thank you for making 2005 a slightly less irritating year! Could this be the start of the end to talentless plums?
Luke May, Leicester, UK
If they could play their own instruments, why did all three mime playing the guitar? It's rather baffling when people claim they're talented and/or original, but each to their own I suppose. To be honest, it's all rather unimportant: chart music these days is all about marketing to the audience rather than having labels taking risks backing bands who have any kind of artistic merit - there's a clear profit to be made from bands such as busted, which is a lot more doubtful from "real" bands. Given the current climate of falling profits in the established music industry, majors will do whatever generates the most profit, and aggressively market such a band to ensure this is so.
Matt C Boys, London
Sorry to see them go. I thought the drummer was excellent.
Nigel Williams, London
I hated them. How dare they say they are a 'rock band'. Hope McFly go aswell. We need some real rockers, not some posh idiots trying to cover up their roots. Best news of the week, no month.
John, Leeds, England
Talentless trash! If they were playing those instruments,i'm a Dutchman! Good riddance!
Darren Stephens, lliria ,Spain
I'm sick of people slating Busted, and bands like them for imitating rock music. Busted never said that they were a rock band and have always admitted to being 100% pop. I think the decision is really sad, fans will be left heartbroken across the World. The lads are extremely talented, and i wish them all the best for their future careers.
Eleanor Gambini, Derby UK
I for one, am upset at the Busted split. I have been a massive fan since 'What I Go To School For' and am sorry to see them split after such a short time at the top! Being the age I am (I'm 22) people have always laughed at my taste in music but i've always enjoyed listening to them and seeing them live. They always gave a good show and i always came out of one of their concerts smiling! Good Luck to all three of them and here's hoping we hear from them soon.
Tracy Ralls, Bracknell, Berkshire
I guess their seventh album won't outsell Michael Jackson in the Year 3000 then...
ADH, London, UK
It's a good thing they've gone, I just hope McFly do the same. Still, I'd rather listen to them than some of the other manufactured pop we get these days.
Omega, Surrey, UK
Busted were the boy band it was cool to like, they played catchy tunes with funny lyrics - I for one will miss them, thanks lads
Simon, Belfast, N. Ireland
My 9 year old daughter is devastated. She phoned me up at work crying when she heard the news. She is still crying two days later !!!
Michael Page, Tonbridge, Kent
I'm a 19 year old student and gutted about this news. Really like their style of music and good songs to sing along too. Im hoping for one last single. Thanks lads, you've given me good memories in the last two years!
Tom Barrow, Cardiff
I was immediately inspired to write this Haiku poem dedicated to them.
Busted, my busted
On stage how you thrusted
Women (and grown men) lusted
Robert James Bagley, Maidstone, England
I'm absolutely gutted. After seeing them live for the first (and now last!!) time in Wembley last month I thought they were fantastic performers, and was looking forward to hearing some new material in 2005. Busted will be sorely missed - even by a 24 yr old bloke like myself!!
Russell, Herts
Busted would have done a lot better if they had actually plugged their guitars in on stage or not strummed chords while the music coming out of the speakers was a guitar solo. Also giving the performer a song writing credit as a �co writer� to make a manufactured act appear credible is a well used music industry tactic. Duran Duran were a �boy band� that actually wrote their own songs and played their own instruments and they started 20 years ago. They made far more of an impact than Busted could ever dream of doing.
Dan Robertson, Derby
Farewell to this badly dressed, poorly groomed trio. i won't miss the songs or the badly timed jumping on stage but i will miss Charlie's slug like eyebrows!!!
Deano, Croydon, UK
Well I'm completely devastated. They were my favourite group and have cheered me up when Ive been low. Yes, us "kids" still have Mcfly but they sing completley different. I am a fan of both so I am at least glad one out of two is still around. I kinda knew they would spilt considering there was no new album, a repeated tour and no current news on the site. However, Busted were an inspiration to children and myself (I'm 17) to learn how to play guitar. I disagree completely with all of you who mock Busted. Lets not forget they were here for children and teenagers-not you middle aged people to scorn at and celebrate when they split up. Now I'm off to listen to Busted again...
Rachel Cowey, South Shields, England
The Busted boys provided fun tunes with a real musical edge: they played their own instruments and wrote their own numbers. And they worked hard to promote themselves, winning success and not being handed it. Their legacy is Mcfly, and that's no mean legacy. Busted are dead. Long live Mcfly.
Stuart, Reading, Berks, UK
Good riddance, I dont mind them being in the Charts, but when the BBC continually plugs them on CBBC and Saturday kids' TV it really get's my goat - free advertising for a commercial operation.
Stefan, Glasgow
I know that not everyone like Busted and I respect their opinion. But those people dissing Busted have got to learn to respect those people who do like Busted, especially on a day like this, you need to give people time to get over them spliting up before you you start rubbing it in their faces. Now I am a person who likes all type of music and all different artists from Christina Agulira to Greenday, from Usher to BUSTED. Some of their songs weren't always the best songs in the world and I bet Busted know that, but they were catchy and obviousley caught a lot of attention to get so much feedback. There must be a lot of people who liked Busted or else they would not have won Record of the Year. I was the perfect way to go out. Everyone will always remember Busted, and let's all hope we see them again!
Catherine Geraghty, UK
As much as this is good news for music in general, I have a horrible feeling (like in a horror movie) that the 3 individual parts of Busted will now separate, and cause 3 times the damage and pain that they achieved as a collective. Now, if they had all said that they were retiring, or going to work back at their local chippie, that would be good news!
Mawgan, Bournemouth
Ha ha ha ha ha ha......I'm off for a beer to celebrate!
Shaft, Edinburgh
My daughter Hannah has been Busted's No1 fan since she heard their first song "That's what I go to school for". Since then its all postered bedroomed, gadgets and gizmos, CD's, Video's and anything to do with Busted. We went to see them at Newcastle Arena on 11th Dec 04, she was manic, singing to every word they sang, she knew all the words, I thought that it was amazing too. She has been concerned for the last few weeks because of the rumours of them spliting, even at school everyone knows she loves them so much, and they were teasing her about how they are going to split, I said that she should'nt listen to rumours, and telling her that they may only be taking a break. How wrong was I, god only knows how many Busted fans this is going to affect, after there announcement today. All I know is that Hannah will be absolutely devastated. I am sending this while at work, cos I don't finish till 6, but I know that I am going to need a big shoulder to cry on....BUSTED RIP...so sad! .
Gail Glazebrook, Washington Tyne & Wear
"Air Hostess, I like the way you dress..." - Lyrical genious! Sure they had Lennon spinning in his grave. Always seem the music comes second to looking good in the pop world. one act down - several hundred to go - although they did seem to clone themselves for McFly before they split up.
Doug, Bedford
I'm sure by the time their fans are 13 they'll be over it
josef, ipswich
Some people are so elitist, for example the guy in your article complaining that they've taken the 'rock style' and turned it into something poppy. I don't like their music much either but they had talent - they could play instruments and write songs. "Real rock"? Go listen to your 'real rock' then and let the Busted/McFly fans enjoy their 'fake rock'!
Rikki, Essex, UK
Busted will always be the best in our eyes. They were great in concert and will not be forgotten. We're just glad we got the opportunity to see them.
Joanne & Nicole, Birmingham
I can safely put on my local radio station without there cheesy and annoying songs annoying me.
Mark, Newbury, UK
The world would be a boring and expensive place if we liked all music out there. I took my sister and friends to see Busted earlier in 2004 and was pleasantly surprised by the show they put on and the fact they seemed to be able to sing and play their instruments. I have also seen lots of the other "acceptable" rock bands some messages talk about like Green Day and Lost Prophets and have been disappointed, so don't knock the impressionable 12 yr olds' taste, its not always that bad. A spooky fact though - I did go to see Take That, S Club 7, Spice Girls, Steps, Blur and Boyzone just before they all disappeared off the radar! My husband said he is getting me tickets for Westlife!
HS, West Yorkshire
I think it is a shame that Busted have split, Personally I was not a fan, however, being a lover of all things Punk, Metal and Rock I have had a hard time finding music that I can let my young children listen to that doesn't do my head in (and no I dont think that Green day, although one of my favorite bands, is suitable for a 5 year old)
will f, southend UK
They thought they were a rock band but they weren't. They thought they were cool but they weren't. And they thought the age of their average fan was over 10... They were wrong. Good riddance.
Iain, Middle of England
I'm hardly a huge fan of Busted, they were manufactured and just about eveything they did was so formulaic that you can't tell one song from another. However it was refreshing to see a boy band that actually had some ability to play their own instruments and wrote their own material. If they really do have much musical talent then maybe breaking up Busted will allow them to go off and prove themselves as serious musicians.
Matt, Loughborough
I'm devastated. Busted were amazing. I'm so fed up of rock fans being narrow minded and implying that rock is the only genre of music with talented musicians, songwriters or singers. And it should be made clear that Busted never posed as a rock band. Why is it so unacceptable for a pop band to play guitars? The fact is Busted were a phenomenon...you just have to look at what they achieved in such a short time. I'm proud of being a Busted fan, and I'll continue to be one for a very long time.
Nadia, Cambridgeshire, UK
I think that it was the right time for them to split they have had success for 2 years now and that wont be forgotten,im sure there will be a come back at some point with another single being released. Their music was good but let someone else have a go!
Cat, Swindon, Wilts, UK
I think Charlie is making a mistake in leaving Busted as surely he must realise that success with his other band, should there be any, will be due to his reputation in Busted. On listening to Fightstar on their website, they sound no better than a school band playing pub gigs, and would be unlikely to get signed if it didn't have the financial and image backing that Charlie will have earnt with Busted. I guess he's just a lucky guy to be given this opportunity...but I don't think he deserves to do well in Fightstar considering the above.
Andy, Cheshire, UK
I've been in tears since I heard this news - I can't believe it! I loved them all, Charlie, James and Dave. Now I will have to start liking McFly.
Katherine, London, UK
After seeing them in concert twice with a group of girls all older than me (and I'm 20), they were light hearted innocent fun. Anyone who abuses them for their "rock" music is taking them too seriously. They gave a great performance and cheery songs. McFly are almost a carbon copy - so all busted haters can't quite rest in peace yet. My question is - why did Charlie take so long to admit it when he looked totally fed at the concert in December?
Emma, Basildon, Essex
Comparing Busted to Greenday just isn't on. It truly, truly, truly, truly isn't. What they lacked in soul they didn't make up for in musical terms. Visually and attitudinally their style was staged and phony feel-good quasi rebellious rubbish. How can a staged phenenomenon with little concern but for shifting records compete with a real band who have something to say? Busted's demise was relatively predictable. Greenday packed their initial clout in 1994 with Dookie but are still around. And as long as they live they will be credible artists. The important issue here is that Busted will be only remembered in terms of the history of the industry and the direction in which the boy band trend turned. Beyond that they are of no interest whatsoever.
Simon, Aberdeen UK
I have seen BUSTED twice in concert with my 9 year daughter and her friends. They put on a show miles better than most other groups I have seen- both teeny pop groups and more established artists. The atmosphere was electric- mums, dads, children and teenagers all singing, dancing, clapping and shouting. I am sorry the band have split up but forget Charlie- Matt and James are the ones with the talent.
Liz , Kenilworth, Warks
Good riddance to Busted!
Long live McFly!
Daniel, Berkshire, UK
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