The 1980s pop landscape was defined by an electric, streetwise duo who took the charts by storm: Mel and Kim. Sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby, hailing from Hackney, East London, were instantly recognizable for their sharp style, magnetic chemistry, and irresistible dance hits like “Showing Out” and their worldwide number-one smash, “Respectable.” They represented a new, bold kind of British pop, but beneath the glossy exterior and infectious confidence, they were hiding a profound, life-threatening secret that would ultimately end their time together in the spotlight.

The truth is that even before the duo found fame, Melanie Appleby was quietly battling a rare form of cancer called malignant paragloma. A temporary recovery allowed her to pursue music with Kim, but the disease never fully went away.

From East London to Number One

Born to an English mother and a Jamaican father, Mel and Kim’s street-smart authenticity was their signature. In the mid-1980s, their dynamic energy caught the attention of the super-producers Stock Atkin Waterman (SAW), a partnership that quickly became a hitmaking machine. Their debut single, “Showing Out,” instantly climbed the UK top 10, but it was “Respectable,” released in early 1987, that cemented their status as pop royalty.

The title of their debut album, FLM, stood for “fun, love, and money”—a cheeky reflection of their philosophy. However, even at their peak, creative tensions were rising. Mel and Kim were co-writers who felt limited by the predictable pop formula SAW imposed, yearning to experiment with funkier, more urban sounds that reflected their personal taste. The famous “Tay-Tay” vocal gimmick on “Respectable” was, ironically, something the sisters initially hated, indicating a constant battle for artistic control.

The Secret Battle for Life

As “Respectable” dominated charts worldwide, Mel began experiencing severe back pain. The official story given to the media was a simple back injury or crushed vertebrae, but the devastating truth was that her cancer had returned with full force, spreading to her spine. The sisters made the difficult, conscious choice to keep Mel’s illness a secret from the public, determined to avoid the cruel tabloid scrutiny that was already relentless—journalists had tried to paint Mel as scandalous over old glamour modeling photos. In a powerful act of defiance, the sisters turned the criticism into empowerment, using their hit single “Respectable” as their confident, cheeky retort to the gossip.

Despite the devastating diagnosis, Mel’s resilience was remarkable. She often discharged herself from the hospital to record vocals and meet deadlines, even taking part in campaigns to raise awareness for teenage cancer while keeping her own battle hidden. Kim became her anchor, shielding Mel from the press and holding onto their shared dream.

The Heartbreaking End and Enduring Legacy

By mid-1988, Mel’s health was deteriorating rapidly, forcing the duo to withdraw from the spotlight. Public appearances were canceled, and a project for their second album—featuring deeply personal songs the sisters had written at home together—was stalled indefinitely.

In January 1990, the fragile illusion they had maintained finally broke. Mel caught a common cold that rapidly progressed into pneumonia, an infection her immune system, severely weakened by chemotherapy, could not fight off. On January 18, 1990, Melanie Susan Appleby passed away at the age of just 23. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, devastating fans who had been unaware of her long, private struggle.

Mel’s death left Kim shattered, having lost her sister, best friend, and creative partner. Yet, even in her grief, Kim felt an immense push to honor Mel’s memory through music. In late 1990, Kim Appleby stepped back into the spotlight as a solo artist, releasing her debut single, “Don’t Worry.” The song, which she and Mel had co-written before her sister’s passing, was a heartfelt message of resilience. It soared to number two on the UK singles chart, proving that Kim’s voice—and the enduring spirit of Mel and Kim—could still resonate strongly.

Kim’s solo career became an act of healing and purpose, with her debut album featuring many of the tracks she and Mel had begun writing together. Today, Kim remains fiercely protective of the Mel and Kim legacy, using her voice to support cancer awareness and keeping their memory alive, forever bound by the music they created together.