Much waiting for I&I

TORONTO -- Forty hours is not a long time to sit on a hot, dirty sidewalk if it means you're first in line to see, like, the greatest band, like, you know, ever.

Since 11:30 p.m. Friday, Tommy Oliver has been holding a vigil outside Much Music on Queen St. in order be the first to witness the arrival of The Spice Girls for their Intimate & Interactive concert today.

The show airs in Calgary at 2 p.m. on MuchMusic S.

By yesterday afternoon, the 17-year-old had been joined by 10 fanatical Spice-worshipping teens who didn't want to miss the event at the studios of Toronto broadcaster City-TV.

For these fans, Spice Girls are not just a band.

They are a religion.

They are an inspiration.

They are life itself.

"This may be my only chance to see the Spice Girls and I'm not going to miss it," said Oliver.

Toronto police are expecting a crowd of several thousand at Queen and John streets, as only 100 people have the coveted tickets that get you inside.

Fans came equipped with blankets, water, muffins and Spice paraphernalia.

So, do these die hards mind that many think the Spice Girls just can't sing?

"Who says they can't sing?" said Cinzia DiFranco, 15.

"If that's what they think, they haven't listened to their albums.

"They can so sing."

OK, they'll admit some of the Spice crew are less musically gifted than others, but they wouldn't have gotten this far if they couldn't sing, right?

Right?

So, do they think Baby Spice is chubby?

"Who's insulting Baby? That's my wife," growled 16 year-old John Chu.

Chu doesn't mind setting his behind on pavement for 24 hours if he can see Baby.

He admires that the buxom Baby is at ease with her body and not afraid to show a little cleavage.

And the Fab Four from England have been life-changing role models.

"They inspired me to lose 50 pounds," said a svelte Janelle Murphy, 16. She's determined to see the shapely singers who she considers role models.