JLS

JLS

JLS are a British boy-band. The initials stand for Jack the Lad Swing. JLS rose to fame when they were runners up on the 2008 series of The X Factor, a UK-based talent show. The winner of the show was Alexandra Burke.

The line-up of JLS is: Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan Gill (JB) and Oritse Williams.

JLS: Formation

JLS were previously known as UFO (which stood for Unique Famous Outrageous). It was using this name that the band performed at the Showcase:LIVE event in 2007 and 2008.

Before joining JLS, Marvin was in the band VS, who were masterminded and managed by Simon Webbe (formerly a member of Blue). VS' career was short-lived and Marvin briefly worked in property sales before being asked to join JLS by Oritse.

JLS : The X Factor Onwards

In 2008, JLS auditioned as a group for the fifth UK series of The X Factor. They were mentored by Louis Walsh (the other mentors were Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole). After just two weeks, JLS were Louis' only group left in the contest, after the elimination of Bad Lashes and Girlband.

During the contest, JLS were saved from elimination in week seven, with Rachel Hylton losing out instead. Among the tracks they performed during the series were Britney Spears' '.Baby One More Time', 'Umbrella' by Rihanna and 'I'm Already There' by Lonestar.

In 2008, JLS performed at that year's Cheerios' Childline Concert at the o2 arena in Dublin, along with Enrique Iglesias, Shayne Ward and Boyzone.

When the series of The X Factor had ended, JLS signed a record deal with Epic Records. Their debut single, 'Beat Again' went to number one in the UK in July 2009. JLS stayed at number one until they were eventually knocked off by Black Eyed Peas. The second single from JLS was entitled 'Everybody In Love'. Released in November 2009, it became the band's second number one single.

JLS' debut, self-titled album was also released in November 2009. The album became a hit and has been awarded triple platinum status, having sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone. Their album has outsold that of Alexandra Burke, who won the TV contest.

At the 2009 MOBO Awards, JLS won the awards for Best Newcomers and Best Song (for 'Beat Again'). For the former award, JLS beat Alexandra Burke, Jade Ewan, Master Shortie and Laura Izibor. For the latter, they beat K.I.G. Family, N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Tinchy Stryder.

In July 2009, JLS performed at the Summer Island Festival, with Pussycat Dolls and N-Dubz. JLS were also chosen to perform at that year's T4 On the Beach, along with Dizzee Rascal, Alesha Dixon and Calvin Harris. They also supported Lemar on his 2009 Spring tour.

In September 2009, JLS switched on the Blackpool Illuminations, with the comedian Alan Carr. The following month, JLS were guests on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. They performed an a capella version of 'Somebody Told Me' by The Killers.

In January 2010, JLS released a new single, 'One Shot'.