It was 1996, and the world was abuzz, excited with
the energetic music and playful personalities of the
latest boy band, the Backstreet Boys. Ironically, while
the Backstreet Boys were garnering praise, awards, and
recognition throughout Europe and Canada – and
topping the charts in just about every country they
released music – most Americans had never even
heard of them.
Perhaps even more ironic was the fact that the Backstreet
Boys – Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Nick
Carter, Howie Dorough, and A.J. McLean – are as
American as apple pie and Monday night football. Still,
they didn’t manage to break into the American
market until 1998, but from then on, the hits kept coming.
Their early American hits – which had already
proven wildly successful abroad - included “As
Long As You Love Me,” “Quit Playing Games
(With My Heart),” “Everybody (Backstreet’s
Back),” “I’ll Never Break Your Heart,”
and “All I Have To Give.”
Their first album, “Backstreet Boys,” enjoyed
just as much success, selling more than 13 million copies.
Their sophomore release in the United States, “Millennium,”
hit stores in May of 1999, becoming an instant hit with
more than a million copies sold in the first week alone.
“Millennium” shot to the top of the U.S.
charts, sealing the band’s fate as the hottest
boy band in the country, if not the world.
“Millennium,” like their first release,
netted the boys numerous hit singles including: “I
Want It That Way,” “Larger Than Life,”
“The One,” and “Show Me the Meaning
of Being Lonely.” The album went on to sell more
than 12 million copies stateside.
The boys were on fire, and nothing was better proof
of that than a sold out U.S. tour. Backstreet Boys concert
tickets were white hot, and fans literally queued for
hours to get their tickets.
After crisscrossing the United States, the Backstreet
Boys headed back to the studio to record their next
album “Black and Blue,” which was released
in 2000. But, after “Black and Blue” the
band decided to take an extended hiatus.
The Backstreet Boys reunited in 2004 to start laying
down tracks for their new album, “Never Gone,”
which debuted in June 2005 and was followed with another
U.S. tour. Despite the more than four years absence,
the Backstreet Boys were welcome by fans with open arms,
proving they still have what it takes to woo the fans.
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