06-16-98: SPICE GIRLS CUMIN TO U.S. --  By BILL HOFFMANN

The Spice Girls bust loose in America today - and are praying that fans will love them despite the loss 

of their brassiest member,Geri Halliwell. Sources told The Post that Scary, Sporty, Posh and Baby Spice will

have a few butterflies as they take the stage in Orlando, Fla., tonight - but they are confident that fans are

 going to have a good time. "They are nervous," one Spice Girls insider said. "Anybody who has had a 

major change in their act like this would be. But believe me, the girls are hotter than ever, and they've 

worked extraordinarily hard to make their show even better. "If everything goes according to plan, people 

won't even notice that Geri is missing. "And each girl now has even more of a chance to show off their 

own special talent. You can also expect one or two surprise songs." Last month, Halliwell - also known 

as Ginger Spice - stunned the music world when she suddenly quit the band to pursue a solo career as 

a singer and actress. But insiders say her swift departure was the result of a incredibly bitter rift with 

Scary Spice - also known as Melanie Brown - who reportedly cruelly berated Ginger during rehearsals. 

The Post has learned that along with their handful of monster hits like "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your 

Life," the band will debut "one or two" songs they plan to release on their third album, due out next year. 

The new record will include "a lot of duets and solo stuff, so people can actually hear how strong our 

vocals are," Scary Spice recently told The Post's Lisa Robinson. Later this month, the Spice Girls invade 

our neck of the woods with three sold-out shows. They'll be at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, 

N.J., on June 25, Jones Beach on June 29 and Madison Square Garden on July 1. 

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