best-looking band: Backstreet Boys

Teen September 1998
A lot has happened to Backstreet Boys since we last interviewed them in February. Back then, Nick Carter, 18; Howie Dorough, 25; Brian Littrell, 23; A.J. McLean, 20; and Kevin Richardson, 26, were juts catching on in America after scoring enormous success around the globe. Now their U.S. fan base has gone bananas—their current Stateside tour is the hottest ticket in any town. Amid all the excitement, the guys had to deal with Brian's open-heart surgery (fortunately, he's feeling better than ever!). We gabbed with the guys just before they kicked off their road trip. Talk about psyched!

By the time this issue is in Teen readers' hands, you guys will be right in the middle of your tour. Can you give us a hint about what we're in for?
Kevin: It's going to be high energy and lots of fun. We'll do the current singles and some covers from our favorite artists.
A.J.: You'll hear all the hits and some new tracks.

What makes this tour so special?
Howie: This is our first big tour in America. Touring in our own country is a big proving point. Plus, there's no place like home!
Nick: A lot of people are still skeptical about us—we want to show our country what we're really like.

How are European fans different from American fans?
Howie: They're more aggressive in Europe! We used to talk to our fans in the hotel lobby, but we can't be as personable with our European fans because the hype is so big over there.
Nick: American girls are still hesitant in lettin' everything out.

Being so popular must make it tough to get around.
Kevin: Yeah. When we go out alone we throw on a hat and sunglasses. But when we're together we cause a commotion. Everybody recognizes us! It's kinda cool.

How do you deal with the current crop of Backstreet Wanna-Boys?
Howie: Groups are sounding alike because they found a sound that's really doing well and everybody kinda capitalized on that. So we'll be coming up with something fresh, new ideas and stuff, but at the same time being true to ourselves and our strengths.

When Ginger left the Spice Girls, the rest of the group went on without her. Could that ever happen to you?
Nick: Several groups have let fans down by breaking up. We've been together for five years. We're gonna stick around.
A.J.: Since the group started, it's always been five, and I don't think anybody's going anywhere fast. It'll always be the five of us—[we're] like brothers.

Yeah, but brothers fight!
Nick: We just make sure that anything that pops up, we nail it right in the butt! To stay together, you have to have communication. We make sure we always talk things out.

When do you plan to start working on your next album?
Howie: We've all been doing a lot of writing. We're gonna get together with our producers this fall and choose which songs to record on the album.

Should we expect a new sound?
Kevin: On the first album, most of the stuff was done by writers and producers our record company hooked us up with. Now we're adding a little more of our own music into the mix. But we don't want to rush it; we want it to be a growth process. As for the sound, we constantly upgrade. We're gonna stay on the cutting edge and evolve, just like Madonna has done [and] Janet has done. It's all about making good music.

Brian, how are you feeling since the surgery? Are you getting lots of TLC?
I'm recovering very well, actually, due to the great doctors and a lot of support and love from my family and friends, not to mention all the fans and people sending get-well cards. I'm taking a lot of walks and getting a lot of extra care.

Were the rest of you guys nervous about Brian's surgery, or did you keep your cool?
Nick: Of course I was worried—there's always that doubt in your mind. But deep down in my heart, I knew he's a strong person and I knew he'd come out if it.

-A.R. Van

backstreet fact sheet

HOWIE

His closest friend in the group is A.J., although before they formed BSB the two were acting rivals, often up for the same parts.
He got his nickname in the group, Sweet D, because he's so darned nice—especially to fans.
Wanna know why he's the best dancer in the group? He studied ballet seriously!

BRIAN

He was born with a hole in his heart, but no one knew about it until one day when he was 5 and his heart stopped for 30 seconds!
Even though the condition became potentially life-threatening, he put off surgery to keep the group's momentum growing.
He started singing in church, as a choirboy.

A.J.

His parents divorced when A.J. (for Alexander James) was 4. While his mom was always there for him, he only recently reunited with his dad.
As a kid, he was into acting and puppetry as well as singing.
He's without a doubt the trendiest, edgiest, one in BSB—no one can keep up with his hair-color changes and piercings!

KEVIN

He has dealt with tragedy and trauma, from his father's death from cancer six years ago to his own emergency appendectomy last fall.
The oldest member of the group, Kevin often assumes the roll of a big brother.
He has the most rugged looks but insists he's a real softy who'll cry over practically anything.

NICK

He's the youngest and tallest (6 feet 1 inch) member of the group. Nick joined BSB at 13—an old man to his little brother Aaron, 10, who's kicking off his own music career.
Basketball and sailing are his fave sports. Video games and comic books are obsessions too.
Brian's his best friend.