ЛУЧШИЕ МОМЕНТЫ В ЖИЗНИ BACKSTREET BOYS
Birth Of The Backstreet Boys
On April 20, 1993, something magical happened. Five boys -- Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson -- who share the same dream got together to form the biggest boy band in the world today. Their name was inspired by a market called Backstreet Market in Florida.
Success In Europe and Asia
After clinching their first record deal with Jive Records in 1994, the boys set out to conquer Europe with their single "We've Got It Goin' On" written by the late Denniz PoP, Max Martin and Herbert Crichlow. Several small-scale tours in the U.K. and Germany later, the boys found themselves topping various European charts (their first No. 1 single was attained in Germany) with their first and subsequent singles -- "Get Down" and "I'll Never Break Your Heart." The Backstreet Boys mania exploded and a huge fan-base grew in Europe and Asia.
Whoo-hoo! The Very First Album!
After the success of their singles, the boys released their very first 1996 self-titled album "Backstreet Boys" in Europe and Asia. Containing a mix of upbeat tunes and sappy ballads, the debut laid a strong foundation for many albums to come in the future -- "Backstreet Boys" sold an estimated 13.5 million copies worldwide. The music scene finally had a successor to '80s teen pop phenomenon New Kids On The Block.
The First MTV Award!
In 1997, the boys won their first MTV Award in the Best Group (Viewer's Choice) category given out by MTV Select in the U.K. They also took home the Best Pop Act award at the 1997 MTV Europe Music Awards too!
The Boys Come Marching Home
After hitting big in Europe and Asia, the quintet finally gave their home country -- U.S.A. -- a taste of the Backstreet Boys sound with their first U.S. single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," which went Gold. In August 12, 1997, the boys released their first U.S. debut LP, "Backstreet Boys" (which contains songs from both of their internationally released "Backstreet Boys" and "Backstreet's Back" albums).
The First U.S. Tour
Before their first U.S. album was even released, the boys had already garnered lots of tour experience in Europe. But nothing could beat their brief eight-dates U.S. tour that kicked off in Orlando, Florida on September 21, 1997 (it was a small-scale one, but their very first American tour!). A homecoming of sorts, the tour witnessed the first hysterical screaming female fans from their very own country!
Brian's Heart Surgery
It was tough to get that Backstreet boy Brian Littrell to go under the knife to get his heart problem fixed. But he finally did in a much-publicized open-heart surgery in May 1998, much to the relief of his fellow band members and soon-to-be wife, Leighanne Wallace. Although the doctors warned Brian that he might not able to continue as a Backstreet Boy, he pulled through. This incident was filmed as part of the video of "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely." The best thing to come out of this other than Brian's good health was the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Fund For Kids that Brian and his mum set up to help other young people with heart diseases. Of course, with the recovery of Brian, the Backstreet Boys were ready to conquer the whole of America in a six-week summer tour stint.
Key To Orlando
On October 7, 1998, the mayor of Orlando presented the boys with "The Key To Orlando" and declared that day as the official "Backstreet Boys Day" in a brief 20 minute ceremony. That was to commemorate the good work that the boys have done (Orlando was hit by a Tornado and the generous boys donated a huge sum of money and performed in the relief concert to help the victims) and the glory they have brought home to Orlando. City heroes, no doubt.
Backstreet's Back Alright!
Who can forget the "Thriller"-like video that the boys shot for their single "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," which saw the boys in monstrous make-ups and memorable zombie-like dance steps? Not only did it mark a giant step in video making for the Backstreet Boys, the clip was also nominated for Best Dance and Best Group Video (which they won) at the 1998's MTV Video Music Awards.
No Lou, No Pain
In October 1998, the boys finally won the court case against their former manager Lou Pearlman. The legal action warned the world that old crafty Louie was not to be trusted. *NSYNC and O-Town chose to ignore the ominous signs.
Got Milk?
In an attempt to get more kids to drink milk and learn more about the benefits, the Backstreet Boys took part in the "Got Milk" campaign that saw celebrities like Britney Spears, Dennis Rodman, Hanson and even Austin Powers among others donning the "white mustache."
Millennium Fever!
The boys broke the sales record in 1999 with their album "Millennium" that sold 500,000 copies on its first day in stores! The boys were also the first act to reach a million sales within its first week of release and were dubbed "the biggest selling pop act in the world" at that time.
Sold Out In A Day!
When the boys announced their "Millennium" tour plans on Total Request Live, all tickets were snapped up on the very first day (August 14, 1999)! That accounted for $30 million (tickets were priced modestly at US$38.50 and $28.50 not including service charges) worth of tickets! It was also reported that tickets for the first show were gone in astonishing eight minutes.
Sexiest Pop Star!
Don't question the pulling power of any of the Backstreet Boys, particularly the big bro of the group Kevin Richardson -- he was named "Sexiest Pop Star" by People magazine in 1999! With his bushy eyebrows and intense gaze, his mojo was definitely working!
$60 Million Contract
In October 1999, the boys renewed their contract with Jive Records and signed a whooping five-album deal worth $60 million. Said the boys in an official statement: "It feels great to have resolved the differences with our record company. Now we can move forward in the most positive way, focused on creating the best music we can for our fans all over the world. We have very exciting and interesting plans for the year 2000."
Grammys Here We Come!
The boys finally got their first Grammy nomination in 2000 for Album Of The Year, Best Pop Album, Record Of The Year for "I Want It That Way," Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "I Want It That Way" and Song Of The Year for "I Want It That Way." Although the boys didn't manage to bag any of them, it was indeed an honor for the group to be nominated in one of the most prestigious award shows in the world.
Life As Comic Superheroes
They are also comic superheroes! The boys teamed up with comic book legend Stan Lee and came up with a comic book and web-based series about the group's music and superheroes adventures. Special comic figurines were also made as part of the promo plan at fast food chain, Burger King.
Johnny No Name
Johnny No Name who? It's a Backstreet Boy of course! Materialized in the form of his alter ego Johnny No Name -- a British bad boy who covers people from Stone Temple Pilots to Brian McKnight to the Backstreet Boys -- A.J. was the first of the Backstreet Boys to launch a solo tour in the States in 1999. Although Johnny No Name revealed that he had plans to release a live album and a Fred Durst collaboration is in the works, the Johnny No Name tour was actually a charity concert for VH1's "Save The Music Foundation."
The Beautiful People
Kevin may be sexy but the staff at People magazine thought that Nick Carter was beautiful in "The 50 Most Beautiful People In The World" piece published in April 2000. "(It's) a reflection of my personality," says Nick." "A shark can be very quiet; it can be very dangerous, it can be very sleek." Hmm, wonder what the peeps at People think of the rest of the boys?
Getting Hitched!
Let the wedding bells ring! The cousins of the group, Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell, broke the good news on February 14, 2000 (Valentine's Day!) that they both are officially engaged to Kristin Willits and Leighanne Wallace respectively. And on June 17, 2000, Kevin finally tied the knot with his girlfriend of eight years at a small, private ceremony at the Cathedral Domain in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Brian followed three months later and married Leighanne Wallace at a traditional candlelit ceremony held at the Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta on Saturday, September 2, 2000.
The Candid Official Book
On June 5, 2000, the boys released their first 128 pages official guide to the Backstreet Boys, titled "Backstreet Boys: The Official Book," which included many unpublished photos and candid shoots of the boys taken by Andre Csillag from the previous six years. Said A.J: "It's a right time to give our fans what they really deserve -- a chance to know us better and to be a part of our life, just like we are a part of their life."
Black & Blue World Tour In 100 Hours
To promote their fourth album "Black & Blue," the boys launched a massive Around The World In 100 Hours Black & Blue Tour in November, 2000 that saw them visiting Sweden, Tokyo, Sydney, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro and New York City. Traveling on a customized Boeing 767, the boys traveled 26,000 miles within four days to reach as many of their fans as possible. As the recently released "Around The World" home video says, "Only the biggest group on the planet would embark on a journey like this."
National Anthem At The Super Bowl
As they kicked off their Black & Blue tour, the boys were invited to sing the national anthem of the United States on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida as part of the Super Bowl XXV ceremonies. This followed Whitney Houston's popular version of the national anthem, with the same producer Rickey Minor on board, resulting in the Backstreet Boys' take on the song.
A.J.'s Glorious Return
When news of A.J.'s struggle with alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety and admittance into rehabilitation broke in July 2001, it was feared that it could be the end of Backstreet Boys. However, A.J. recovered, all thanks to his determination to fight his own demons and tremendous support from his band mates, fellow entertainers and most notably, the fans. A.J. finally returned and joined the rest of the group on the Black & Blue Tour in August 24, 2001. Said A.J. at the first concert appearance since his recovery: ""I just wanted to say I wish I could go out and hug each and every one of you. Thank you for letting me go through what I needed to go through to get myself better. I'm celebrating 51 days sober today." Aren't we all proud of this boy?
The Start Of Chapter One
On October 29, 2001 (October 30 in the U.S.), the boys marked their first chapter in pop with the release of their first greatest hits album "Greatest Hits - Chapter One." A collection of all of their singles released so far, the album also includes the new track "Drowning."
Says Nick, "It signifies what we've been through. It would have almost 10 years of our lives. This is gonna be, like our fifth album. It's a chapter of our lives. We want to remind people what it was about, and what we've been through. That's why we called it "Chapter 1," because "Chapter 2" will be coming around the corner."
