Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: A & E

Media Credit: ABACA PRESS/mct The Backstreet Boys have returned again but this time Kevin Richardson will not be returning with the rest of the boys.

"As long as there be music, we'll be coming back again." Nick Carter sang these lyrics in the 1998 classic, "Everybody." Who knew that these lyrics would hold true nearly 10 years later as the Backstreet Boys get set to return to the mainsteam music scene with their upcoming CD, "Unbreakable."

When the band formed in the early 90's they were managed by Lou Pearlman, who is known for managing the well-known New Kids on the Block. The original members of the Backstreet Boys were Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough. The boys worked their way up by performing at birthday parties and shopping malls before gaining a record deal with Jive Records. Their first few years were rough but by 1997 things picked up.

Bands like the Spice Girls and Hanson brought pop music back into the limelight. The boys capitalized on this by releasing the singles "Quit Playing Games With My Heart" and "Everybody" which brought the boys instant success.

Their sophomore album "Millenium" sold 1.13 million copies in the first week alone. The album made the Boys even bigger stars with hits such as "I Want It That Way" and "Larger Than Life." They were Rolling Stones cover boys and also had a deal with Burger King where exclusive CDs were released.

Their follow-up album entitled "Black & Blue" showed a different side of the boys. The pop sound that made many of the fans fall in love with them wasn't as evident on this CD. The music was more personal and the sound changed overall. The big hits from this album were "Shape Of My Heart" and "The Call." The 9/11 attacks fell during the tour the boys were having for this album. Despite the fact one of their crew members was killed that day, the Boys held a concert for less than 5,000 fans the night of the attack.

In 2002 a "Greatest Hits" album was released. The Backstreet Boys were against the release but it came out. In 2005 the album "Never Gone" debuted, with hits such as "Incomplete" and "Just Want You To Know."

"I am so excited for this album! I love the Backsteet Boys. I don't care how old they are, they're still sexy!" Leah Hannan, resident assistant and junior social work major, said. "I went to their concert a few years ago and it was the greatest night of my life. I would love to see them again!"

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools