1992–1994: Early beginnings and Groovin' Affairs After traveling to Germany to pursue a music career February 1992,
Melanie Thornton formed a R&B band called Groovin' Affairs. The group began performing locally in various parts of Germany. After McCray became a permanent member of the band, Thornton began doing studio session work for several production companies including
Click Productions. After Thornton later brought in Lane McCray, the group was signed to Farian's music label MCI Records as La Bouche. The album's second single, "
Be My Lover" became international success, selling over six million copies worldwide and peaking at number one in various European countries including Czech Republic, Germany, Romania, and Sweden. "Be My Lover" also won an
ASCAP award for the "Most Played Song in America", as well as an
Echo Award for "Best National Dance Single" in 1996. La Bouche's success continued with the release of the singles "
Fallin' in Love" and "
I Love to Love"; the latter of which earned a certified gold record by
Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
1996–2003: A Moment of Love, Melanie Thornton's departure, and aftermath Frank Farian began to shift his focus away from La Bouche to concentrate on his other music acts including
No Mercy. Wright was later dismissed from La Bouche after due to her limited vocal ability and work ethic. She was replaced by Sweden singer
Kayo Shekoni, a familiar singer from
Le Click. While promoting her album on tour, she made her final performance in
Leipzig on 24 November 2001. Several hours later, Thornton took a flight from
Berlin to
Zürich,
Switzerland on
Crossair Flight #3597 for upcoming nightclub performances and television appearances, however she was among several passengers killed when the plane crashed into a hill in a local forest in the town of
Bassersdorf, Switzerland. In May 2002, Frank Farian released a compilation album titled
Best of La Bouche feat. Melanie Thornton. The compilation album spawned a single "In Your Life", an previously unreleased song featuring Thornton's vocals, which was released on anniversary on her death. Shortly after, McCray disbanded La Bouche and went on hiatus.
2007–present: Lineup changes and recent projects In 2007, McCray attempted to return to music and reformed La Bouche. After reaching out to management who told him that La Bouche had died with Melanie Thornton, he reunited his former manager Ruben Martinez and began performing again. "Rhythm of Love", "Ringing the Bells of Christmas". In 2022, Cairo left the group and was replaced by Belle Johnson, who performed with La Bouche until 2024. In December 2023, Kayo Shekoni rejoined and toured with the group throughout 2024. In 2025, Dana Rayne and Melissa Bonilla began alternating as the female vocalists of La Bouche. ==Legacy==