Backstreet's Back With Universal Victory
The Boys Bring Down The House At Universal Studios
Among the many celebrities that were polled about the dynamics of this year's MTV Music Video Awards, most said that the most inspired performance came from Orlando's own Backstreet Boys with their unique blend of harmonized hip-hop and moves so hot they made a few grandmas sweat. Backed by several dancers and their own band, the Boys' brought down the house at Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles and changed more than a few minds about the talents and appeal of the best-selling pop group. But it was more than their performance of ths ong that won the group the now legendary "Mr. Planet Man," as dubbed by Brian, for their victory in the category of "Best Group Video." The true deciding factor in their new found U.S. success is the love and appreciation of their many fans.

There was, however, a lot going on backstage and in the personal lives of the Boys' as they made their way to the West Coast and to the studios of MTV. In true Backstreet style they were each given a video camera by the famous network to candidly record each and every moment for posterity, from their rehearsals to their private parties leading up the annual event. Snippets of these tapes were then shown to viewers during a montage which captured Kevin's minor leg injuries during a dance rehearsal, Nick's dislike for having make-up applied to his face, and many takes of the nervous Boys' as they made their way through masses of screaming fans to enter the theater.

Even though the Boys' were up against some of the strongest names in pop music, such as Matchbox 20, Radiohead, and The Verve, it was no surprise to fans when they walked away with an award for a video that they conceptualized with the help of director Joseph Kahn. "Originally the record company wouldn't listen to our ideas," said Nick, "but afterwards they thanked us because it turned out to be such a great video." The Boys' claim that their main inspiration came from the classic Michael Jackson video for "Thriller."

Seated next to actress Jennifer Lopez, the Boys' marched up to claim their awards thanking their individual families, their thousands of fans, Jive Records, and sending out special sympathies to Dag Volle, otherwise known as Denniz Pop, their beloved producer who died on August 30 this year.

It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the latest sensations in pop music, including Ben Stiller who hosted the event when he was seen in a Backstreet Boy's comic parody suggesting that he was once an original member of the quintet. Now more than ever, it is nearly impossible to resist the charms of the super group and MTV was quick to take notice of their viewers' demands.

Their live performance of "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" was no exception to the excitement. Dressed in remarkably conservative attire, all five members slid through a flawless dance number complete with jemps, dives and flips, making it the most choreographed and well-prepared act of the evening. The applause and sincere response from the audience was solid proof that these atractive men are destined for even more stateside success as they head back into the studio to finish tracks for their new record, tentatively titled "Backstreet in Paradise."

So, as 1998 draws to a close, Kevin, Howie, AJ, Brian and Nick will look back favorably to their sold-out coast-to-coast tour, an album that has gone triple platinum and their first video award making thsi year the best ever in their history as America's sweethearts, and they owe it all to their fans.

- Hit Sensations

December 1998

backstreetgal@writeme.com
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