Backstreet Boys:The Story


How They First Started

Backstreet Boys' incredible saga began 4 years ago in Orlando,Florida.It was there that high school students AJ McLean,Howie Dorough and junior high school student Nick Carter began to run into each other at local acting auditions.The 3 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 favourite cover tunes,a pratice that continues even till today.But eventually,they began to find their own distinctive sound.Stressing their strong harmonies and a blend of pop and R&B,the fivesome began to try to secure a record label.
Their hardwork began to pay off and within 6 months of forming,BSB had become one of Florida's hottest live acts.They played everywhere from a high school gymnasium,Grand Night at Sea World,to an opening slot for Brandy.With all that stage experiences and an indie single "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" under their belts,BSB started writing the next chapter.
Their manager,Donna Wrights 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 a cell phone and let him hear the pandemonium the group generated."We've got signed right after that," smiles Brian.
In 1995,BSB began to lay down tracks and released "We've Got It Goin' On".The song took off in England throughout the continent,wher BSB's brand of R&B-Pop was just gaining a foothold.Over there,the boys were known as 'boygroups'.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.
In 1995,BSB also won a Smash Hits Award in London For Best New Tour Act and performed the gold single,"I'll Never Break Your Heart" on Top Of The Pops.
1996 kicked off with BSB being voted #1 International Group by TV viewers in Germany."I'll Never Break Your Heart" went gold in Germany and #1 in Austria.
BSB's sold out shows,with hordes of screaming fans soon become legendary throughout Europe and Canada.In April 1996,BSB self-titled debut album was released.That summer BSB earned the converted 1996 MTV Europe Viewers' Choice Award.In Canada,their cd had gone 6 times platinum and hit the #1 spot on the charts."It was some kind of a year," laughs Kevin,and it only laid the groundwork for the next part of BSB story.The homecoming.
Now back home in Orlando,BSB spent the early part of 1997 in the studio,crafting new vibrant songs,sharpening up their vocals,taking more active role in the creative process and eagerly looking forward to bring their infectious sound to a home grown audiences."We've always wanted to bring it back home," asserts Nick."But we wanted to make sure we brought it back strong."
On their exhilarating,Jive Records American debut,BSB do just that.And so another chapter unfold.........and Backstreet Boys gonna be the biggest thing in 1998.

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