Backstreet Boys
Biography
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1993. The group consists of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and cousins Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson. They are the best-selling boy band of all time, having sold over 130 million records worldwide. The band is known for its harmonious blend of pop and R&B, captivating choreography, and its "boy-next-door" image.
Formation and Early Success
Lou Pearlman formed the Backstreet Boys on April 20, 1993, after a series of auditions. The final lineup included AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and his cousin Brian Littrell, who joined after a successful phone audition. The group's first public performance was at SeaWorld Orlando on May 8, 1993. They signed with Jive Records in February 1994.
The group's first single, "We've Got It Goin' On," was released in 1995 and found success in Europe. Their self-titled international debut album was released in May 1996 and gained significant popularity in Europe and Canada. They were voted the number one international group in Germany in 1996, where their debut album was certified platinum. The group's US breakthrough came in 1997 with the single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". Their self-titled U.S. debut album, released in August 1997, went on to sell over 14 million copies in the United States.
Superstardom
The Backstreet Boys' second international album, "Backstreet's Back," was released in 1997 and featured hit singles like "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and "As Long as You Love Me," which solidified their global superstar status. Their third studio album, "Millennium," released in May 1999, propelled them to superstardom. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 1.1 million copies in its first week. "Millennium" became the best-selling album of 1999 in the U.S. and featured the iconic single "I Want It That Way". The album has sold over 24 million copies worldwide.
Their follow-up album, "Black & Blue," was released in November 2000 and also debuted at number one, selling over 1.6 million copies in its first week in the U.S. After the supporting tour, the group released a greatest hits album, "The Hits – Chapter One," in 2001 before going on a two-year hiatus.
Challenges and Kevin Richardson's Departure
The period during and after the "Black & Blue" album was a challenging time for the group. AJ McLean entered rehab for alcoholism and depression, leading to the postponement of their tour. In 2006, after the release of their comeback album "Never Gone," Kevin Richardson announced his departure from the group to pursue other interests. The remaining four members continued, releasing the albums "Unbreakable" (2007) and "This Is Us" (2009).
Reunion and Later Career
Kevin Richardson rejoined the Backstreet Boys in 2012. In 2013, the group celebrated its 20th anniversary and released its first independent album, "In a World Like This". They also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that same year.
In January 2019, the Backstreet Boys released their album "DNA," which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making them the first boy band to top the U.S. album charts in three different decades. The album's lead single was "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". They have also had a successful Las Vegas residency called "Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life," which began in 2017. In 2022, they released their first Christmas album, "A Very Backstreet Christmas".
Discography
Studio Albums:
- Backstreet Boys (1996)
- Backstreet's Back (1997)
- Millennium (1999)
- Black & Blue (2000)
- Never Gone (2005)
- Unbreakable (2007)
- This Is Us (2009)
- In a World Like This (2013)
- DNA (2019)
- A Very Backstreet Christmas (2022)