(YM, August, 1999)
Backstreet's back! And with their heavenly harmonies, slinky dance moves, and fab faces, we're crusing down their cool street again at full speed. After the screams for '80s boy bands Menudo and New Kids On The block waned, BSB rocked our bodies, played games with our hearts, and told us all they had to give was their love.
So we eagerly anticipated Millennium, their sophomore album, packed with the finely harmonized, be-your-best-boyfriend promises that are the BSB trademark. But it also boasts a more mature vibe in "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" and a harder beat on "Larger Than Life."
Check them out in their Disney Channel concert on July 10 and in person on tour this fall. Don't be shocked if one of them (did we say Nick?) even picks up the drumsticks. With such massive hits, we'll be humming Millennium tunes long after the year 2000. And we definitely want it that way.
Nick Carter
Age: 19
Birthday: January 28, 1980
Vibe: The youngest BSB has gone from baby to babe since the last album. His voice is still sweet, but now it's powered with a tinge of sexy, too. The cutie cutup collects Beanie Babies and neon sculptures.
Total talent: He's crazy about drawing comics, and there's a rumor of a BSB movie based on them.
Turn-on: A sharp sense of humor
Rad fact: He spills things all the time (the boys call him "Chaos").
Secret interest: Scuba diving
Cruises in a: Dodge Durango
Kevin Richardson
Age: 26
Birthday: October 3, 1972
Vibe: His take-charge 'tude makes him seem like the band's big bro and adds to his sex appeal. His luscious looks have turned heads in the fashion world, too: Last year, Kev modeled in the Versace show. But don't worry--he'll never trade airplay for the runway.
Total talent: He plays the keyboards.
Turn-on: Accepting him for who he is
Rad fact: He grew up on a farm and di his new pad in earthy tones.
Secret interest: He's a qualified ballroom dance instructor.
Cruises in a: Toyota 4 Runner
A.J. McLean
Age: 21
Birthday: January 9, 1978
Vibe: The outrageous addition to the band, he turns the most heads when the boys go out--but who wouldn't with that funky facial hair and fuzzy leopard print hat? He had ten tattoos (and wants more) and a raging appetite for McDonald's.
Total talent: He writes poetry and plays bass guitar.
Turn-on: It's about the eys.
Rad fact: You'll find zebra-print and red velvet chairs in his pad.
Secret interest: Puppeteering
Cruises in a: Ford Expedition
Howie Dorough
Age: 26
Birthday: August 22, 1973
Vibe: Howie lends a fab falsetto voice to the bunch, although he didn't make the cut for Menudo when he was younger. Part Latin lover and total lucky charm (he's half Puerto Rican and half Irish), he is sentimental and never forgets a first kiss. But he's a real family guy who sitll lives with his parents and spends his own money fixing up their house.
Total talent: Trained in jazz, tap, and ballet, he burns up the dance floor.
Turn-on: Positivity and ambition
Rad fact: Ultra-nice, he goes out of his way not to hurt anyone's feelings.
Secret interest: International cuisine
Cruises in a: Corvette
Brian Littrell
Age: 24
Birthday: February 20, 1975
Vibe: This Southern sweetie was singing in Kentucky choirs when his cousin Kevin invited im to join the band. After all the support friends and family showed during his open-heart surgery last year, he only got more loyal to them. He wrote "Perfect Fan" for his mom and enlisted his high school choir to sing backup.
Total talent: B-rok's an awesome basketball player.
Turn-on: Down-to-earth sensibility
Rad fact: He's afraid of heights.
Secret interest: Once planning to go to Bible college, he now hopes to have a pop gospel hour on the radio someday.
Cruises in a: BMW