English-born sisters
Mel and
Kim Appleby rose to prominence in the late '80s thanks to the producing team of
Stock, Aitken & Waterman. In late 1986, Mel and Kim released their debut single, "Respectable." The song combined '80s dance-pop with
Stock, Aitken & Waterman's trademark slick production. "Respectable" became a huge international success, helping to launch their debut album
F.L.M. up the charts in 1987. The album produced two other singles: "F.L.M." and "Showing Out."
F.L.M. was to be the sisters' only album. In 1988,
Mel was diagnosed with cancer and died of the disease early in 1990.
Kim recorded a solo album in the early '90s, but it was not as successful as her work with Mel and Kim. ~ Jonathan Lewis, All Music Guide