This is nothing new for the Backstreet Boys, who have been inspiring similar reactions in Europe for quite some time. Now that they're making it over here, MTV News caught up with the group to find out how they were handling fan-mania Stateside.

"We're always concerned about the fans," the group's A.J. told MTV News. "We try to make sure that they're not pushed up against the front, (that we've) got enough security. If it's cold outside, we try to get the guys to bring them hot cocoa or whatever to keep them warm, [600k QuickTime] but those girls wait so long without eating or drinking or nothing and they go in there and get smashed and they're just dropping like flies."

A.J. also observed that the group's audience isn't just kids anymore. "(We get) a lot of young fans. The really cool part is like recently I've been seeing a lot of like couples, a lot more guys, families, young, old, it's really cool."

The Backstreet Boys play Indianapolis on Friday, and the tour wraps up Sunday in Dallas with openers Los Umbrellos in tow.

- MTV News Gallery

January 28, 1998