by Cal McGhee
Every child who has grown up in the 2010s has been subject to the pop culture bombardment of One Direction, swooning over their favorite member and playing their hit singles on a loop much to their parents' annoyance.
When fan favorite Zayn Malik (22) announced his decision to leave the band yesterday, the first thing on everyone's mind was the hysteria and fan reaction that would ensue.
When Robbie Williams departed from Take That in 1995, millions of fans across the world were left distraught. The near-epidemic of grief among teenage girls made the headlines, culminating in a hotline set up by the UK government specifically targeted to help fans deal with the group's disbandment in 1996.
So, how do these shock departures compare?
1. Fan reactions - Robbie vs Zayne
It doesn't take much for One Direction fans to take to social media after bland 1D-related news stories. We have already seen tweets congratulating Harry Styles on his sandwich-making skills, and questions about Louis Tomlinson's take on pineapples, so it's no surprise that a number of fan reactions to the news have gone viral in less than 24 hours.
There have been candlelight vigils:
Disturbingly RIP-like hashtag trends...
one can save millions but millions couldnt save one we're sorry we couldnt save u zayn#AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik pic.twitter.com/pfweru9BTi
— I can't changeâ (@Hazzas_Hipster) March 26, 2015
And lots and lots of tears...
As well as intense blame placed on Perrie Edwards, Malik's fiancée of Little Mix fame...
What just happened?! Did Perrie made him chose her over his career? Unfair, man. She should also quit if that's the case. Just an opinion.
— Airan Patricia Bueno (@Aianpat) March 25, 2015
iwanna go up to perrie and be like "you're not that cute, your hair is uneven, you look dusty"
— sara (@nutellacurls) March 25, 2015
As for Take That, obsessive fan Claire Blake was so devastated when Robbie left the group that she spent thousands following the band on tour, eventually quitting her job because her boss would not give her the time off. She even managed to a court case concerning Robbie Williams' contract dispute with Take That. She published a book in 2008 entitled Mad about the Boys detailing her obsession with the quintet.
Blake with Gary Barlow [Daily Mail]
The 2006 documentary Take That: For the Record contained one-to-one interviews with security guards who were injured and traumatized by the level of danger at their concerts and gigs. The documentary also depicts the devastation of fans worldwide following Robbie's departure and the band's split.
Footage of Take That interview post-Robbie
A 2011 exhibition focused entirely on the fandom of Take That, compiling thousands of letters, VHS tapes and collectors items from fans in the pre-digital age. One Direction fans may take their devastation to social networks, but it takes real devotion to create collages and VHS tapes detailing your insatiable love for a music group. Learn more about the exhibition here.
2. Solo careers
The trend here with the infamous disbanding of these supergroups is the pressure to go 'solo' as a replacement or substitute for the devastation of the broken band, arguably starting with John Lennon's solo career in 1969.
Robbie Williams' solo career was freckled with a few number one singles, from the famous 'stripping' video Rock DJ to his romantic duet with Nicole Kidman - Somethin' Stupid. Twittersphere is hopping with rumours over whether Zayn will now embark on a solo career.
3. Hit Singles
For the enormity of their success, One Direction has strangely only released a handful of songs since the band's inception in 2010. Take That, however, had a stream of hits from 1990-1995, almost too many to name. Alas, we will 'never forget' the balmy Pray video that sparked a number of love-letter entries in our diaries.
The iconic Pray video, alongside hits like Relight my Fire and Could it be Magic? are still popular radio-replays and act as insights to early 1990s music taste, but can the same be said for That's What Makes You Beautiful? or Steal My Girl? Will we still be hearing this on the waves 20 years from now?
4. Merchandise
There is a sense of deja vu about the phenomenal success of One Direction; the five-member X-Factor success that has led to mass commercialisation of the 1D image. Memorabilia is so extensive that you can find collectibles ranging from dolls, to schoolbags, to gel nails of each member's face. Flashback 20 years ago and you will see the same collectibles, but with different faces, namely those of Gary, Mark, Howard, Jason and Robbie.
Anyone ever spray themselves with some of this before a night out?
Take That perfume [Greatgearstore.com]
5. Light rain before the storm?
One Direction have confirmed their plans to stick together following Malik's decision to leave, however it only took one year for Take That to call it quits altogether after Robbie's exit from the group. Does this mean we should expect all-out armageddon in 2016 if they follow in their footsteps?
Even if the world does indeed end, there is a chance peace can be restored. Take That made their big comeback in 2006 and Robbie quickly returned, only to depart once again, and this time he took Jason Orange with him. Even if One Direction (complete with Zayn) were to grace the stage once again when they're in their 30s, could a whole new generation of heartbroken girls handle the crisis?
Take That reunite [Wikipedia]
And the winner is...
One Direction - on the basis that social media has given us the full extent of the fan reaction explosion. Perhaps it's the fast-paced world we live in, or maybe kids these days are spoiled (it was very difficult to count your pennies at the end of the week to see if you could afford the Take That annual) but it seems the news of Malik's departure has left a gaping hole in the collective hearts of lovelorn preteens. That gaping hole is closely followed by the one that rocked the nation back in 1996, but the possibility that we may never see Zayn onstage with Harry, Liam, Niall and Louis again brings a tears to our eyes. An era that began with their auditions in the X-Factor in 2010 has come to an end, but it is certainly intriguing to see what direction Zayn will go.
