Backstreet Boys
incredible saga began four years ago in Orlando, Florida. It was there
that high school students AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and junior high student Nick
Carter began to run into each other at local acting auditions. The three young
men became friends and formed a singing group, inspired in part by Boyz II Men
and Color Me Badd. The trio then decided to expand, by two. They met Kevin
Richardson through a mutual friend. After scouring Orlando for a fifth member,
Kevin thought of his cousin Brian Littrell, who was in Kentucky. A phone call
was made, Brian relocated and The Backstreet Boys were ready to write the first
chapter of their story.
At first
the group did some of their favorite cover tunes, a practice that
continues even today. Laughs Brian, "We still do Shai's "If I Ever
Fall In Love," but eventually they began to find their own distinctive
sound. Stressing their strong harmonies and a blend of pop and R&B, the five
some began to try to secure a record deal. "We'd go to local labels and
sing acappella in their foyers," recalls Howie. "We'd sing anywhere,
for anybody."
The hard work
began to pay off and within six months of forming, BSB had become one of
Florida's hottest live acts. They played everything from a high school
gymnasium, Grad Night at Sea World, to an opening slot for Brandy. With all that
stage experience and an in die single "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming"
under their belts, BSB started writing the next chapter. Their manager Donna
Wright was friends with David McPherson of Jive Records. After pleading with him
to hear the band, she called him during one of BSB's dates, held up her cell
phone and let him hear the pandemonium the group generated. "We got signed
right after that," smiles Brian.
In 1995, BSB began
to lay down tracks and released "We've Got It Going On." The song took
off in England and through out the continent, where BSB's brand of R&B-Pop
was just gaining a foothold. "Over there they had a bunch of what's called
"boy groups,' so we had a ready made market," explains Brian,
"but since we were Americans, we were a fresh new sound for Europe. We had
more of an edge, and unlike a lot of those other boy groups, we were more than
just a bunch of pretty guys. We could sing." In a short period of time,
"I'll Never Break Your Heart" began to climb the charts. Its success
laid the foundation for what was to come.
This is how the band started and
never looked back. Now they are the heartthrobs of millions around the world.
They are at the moment rocking the world with their pop songs. Many new albums
came up and each time a new album was released, their strength in the music
world increased. They will remain as one of the best boy bands in the history in
the years to come by. Till then let us enjoy their music.
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