(J-14, August 1999)
Wow! The backstreet Boys just hit New York City to launch their hot, new album Millennium and gear up for their European tour. One day they went bowling, another day they held a press conference at Studio 54, and then they capped it all of with a party at the Globe restaurant! Not only did the Boys hit the town, but they also taped a concert for the Disney Channel at the New Amsterdam Theater (home of the hit musical The Lion King)! That's right, you'll get to see Nick, Howie, A.J., Kevin, and Brian on the Disney Channel this July performing a whole new set of songs and some classics (see the set list below)! As expected, it was an event to remember! They danced (with 10 backup dancers), they joked (before "I Want it That Way," Brian asked the audience, "What's the title? Because I forgot!"), they sang solos, and best of all, they gave us all they had to give!
Lucky reader Ivy Rivers gives us a play-by-play on the NYC show
When the Backstreet Boys came on stage, everyone went absoloutely crazy, screaming and crying--including me! I was in love. Well, at least with Kevin and Brian. They are my two favorites, although I love all of the guys for different reasons. I really LOVE Kevin because he can dance, sing, and he is oh-so-incredibly hot. I like Brian because he has the best voice. I dig A.J. because he has the funniest personality. Nick stands out because he's the hot blond guy of the group. Howie seems like the friendliest. But, I still love Kevin the most. The whole concert was awesome. They sang perfectly, danced like pros, and still had time to talk to the audience. My favorite song that they performed was "I Want it That Way." The harmoines were phenomenal and the lyrics really touched my heart. Also, he-he, Kevin has a solo. The only let-down of the concert was their costumes. These guys have hot bodies, but we didn't even get to see them. Oh well, I would have to rate the concert (on a scale from 1-10) a definite 10! Everything was great. I love them so much.--Ivy Rivers, 13
"Larger Than Life"
"Quit Playin Games (With my Heart)"
"As Long As You Love Me"
"All I Have to Give"
"Show me the Meaning of Being Lonely"
"I'll Never Break Your Heart"
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
"I Want it That Way"
"The Perfect Fan"
This is no doubt the best Backstreet Boys album ever! We caught up with Howie tog et a little behind-the-scenes info on the making of the new CD. "With Millennium, we wanted to challenge ourselves," says Howie. "We actually recorded 18 songs for the album, and then we chose the best 12." This time around, four of the songs were co-writte by the group: "Larger than Life," "The One," "Back to Your Heart," and "The Perfect Fan." But they chose the powerful "I Want it That Way" as their first single. Why? According to Howie, it was a perfect segue between the two albums. "We were tempted to come on with a little bit harder and more up-tempo single. But we decided this might be a better transition," says Howie. We agree! "I Want it That Way" was a perfect way to step back into the spotlight. Stay tuned for J-14's exclusive tour coverage of the group when we follow them around Milan, Italy on their European tour. Don't worry, they'll be rockin' the States in September!
What the Guys Think!
Get the scoop on the concert and new album straight from the Boys!
nick: Nick took the name Millennium very seriously. "It's kind of hard to get away from the year 2000," he explains. Look inside the jacket of the new CD to get Nick's opinion on the next 1,000 years!
howie: It's no surprise that Howie really likes Brian's song "The Perfect Fan." "It's a beautiful song with a strong gospel feel that I think will surprise people who think they have us pegged!"
brian: For a guy who hopes to have a "pop-gospel hour" on television someday, the Disney concert must have been a dream come true! For the encore, a boys choir joined BSB on stage to perform Brian's beautiful ode to all the guys' mothers, "The Perfect Fan!"
a.j.: AJ loves the new album (who doesn't?)...and he poured his heart out during the new tunes at the NYC concert. Which means you can ignore the rumors. "We are not planning on splitting up!" he says. Whew!
kevin: Kevin is the most thoughtful and forward-thinking member of the group. "I wish people would realize we have the goods and we're legit," he says about the long-term prospects of the band. "We're talented. We're not some flash in the pan." Well, Kevin, we totally agree!
Last issue, we asked you the impossible question--do you prefer 'N Sync or the Backstreet Boys? The vote was evenly split, and some of you couldn't make up your minds! On the other hand, some J-14 readers had no problem telling us which group they preferred! We've picked out a select few responses to our question, but please feel free to keep writing in and telling us which guys you prefer!
Can you really pick just one Backstreet Boy? Each one of the Boys has his own charms and his own set of screaming fans. But we want to know what the J-14 reader thinks! A few issues ago, we asked who your fave 'N Sync-er was. The response was overwhelming (Justin won), but a lot of Backstreet Boys fans were a little miffed that their group wasn't included! But now it's your turn--are you a fan of A.J., Brian, Nick, Kevin, or Howie? Judging by the responses at the recent NYC concert, each guy has his own set of fans! Sitting next to the J-14 statff was a woman in her 30s who kept jumping up and down and screaming for A.J.! Most of the girls we asked at the concert had two or three they liked ("Kevin! And Brian! And Howie..."). To share YOUR opinion, write to us at: "Favorite Backstreet," J-14, P.O. Box 1665, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, or e-mail us at J14mag@aol.com. We'll announce our winner in a future issue, and we'll print more concert reactions next issue!
There are so many hot Backstreet Boys items out there. The only problem is how to choose which ones to buy! Check out their videos Homecoming: Live in Orlando, A Night Out With the BSB, and All Access Video. Or wear your pride with tons of BSB Tees, Baby Tees, and tanks. For the full 411 on all of the latest BSB merchandise and how to get 'em, hop online and visit www.bboys.com.
Our favorite BSB fan site in the office is a memory game similar to "Concentration" starring the Backstreet Boys! Try out this addictive website at http://bsbcyberfans.virtualave.net/fun/memory/index.shtml. Even if you're not interested in the game, there are lots of great phots of the guys!