Millions of hearts beat to the beat of their countless hits…
At that time, the posters of these five boys hung in the children’s and youth rooms. The fans from back then: many stayed. Even if some of them already count themselves among the “varicose vein squadron”…
On April 20, 1993, a band called the “Backstreet Boys” was officially formed. That was exactly 30 years ago today. Back then, Brian Littrell (now 48) was the last member to join the boy band, which was named after a flea market in Orlando, Florida.
Long before “Popstars”, “X-Factor”, “Das Supertalent” or “Pop Idol” was on TV and pop stars were formed, the US music manager and hit producer Lou Pearlman († 62) was looking for a newspaper ad new successful band – and (world) history took its course.
Even before the band members alongside Brian Littrell, Alexander James McLean, known as AJ, (now 44), Howard Dorough, known as Howie, (now 49), Nicholas Gene Carter, known as Nick, (43 today) and Kevin Richardson (51 today) even got a record deal, they had to go on stage for their first performance at Sea World in Orlando.
Nick, Howie, Kevin, Brian and AJ (from left) groomed and groomed with jacket and tie: The Backstreet Boys at their first appearance at Sea World on May 8, 1993
In Germany, “BSB” were a pop phenomenon
A tour of American malls and schools followed before finally signing with a music label in the spring of 1994. “Everybody groove to the music, everybody jam…” are the first lines of the debut single “We’ve got it going on”, released on September 11, 1995.
In Germany, the song reached number 4 in the charts. A success that the band also owes to the then youth magazine “Bravo”.
Alex Gernandt (57) was editor-in-chief of the popular newspaper for many years and still remembers at BILD exactly when the Backstreet Boys were first discussed: “In 1995 we recognized the outstanding talent of the Backstreet Boys, featured them from the start and the response on the part of the audience was there immediately. They quickly became cover stars, led by Nick Carter, a win-win for everyone.”
With “Bravo”, Alex Gernandt made sure that the Backstreet Boys became absolute mega-stars in Germany
The magazine was the springboard
Her first tour of Germany was completely sold out. At that time, people in the USA didn’t want anything to do with Nick and Co. Gernandt recalls an emotional moment with the band:
“In November 1995 we met in an Italian restaurant in Munich. Record company, manager, band – all there. The boys didn’t know what to expect and were looking forward to dinner. Suddenly the head of the record company unpacked gold records. The first gold for the debut single “We’ve Got It Goin’ On”. Nick & Co. had tears of joy in their eyes and hugged each other. Surprisingly, the Backstreet Boys started their world career from Germany. When they said in the US at the time that they were stars in Europe, their friends only replied: “Of course…”
It took 25 years until the number 1 hit in the USA
There weren’t any real scandals in the band’s 30-year history, rather small side stories. For example, the band originally wanted to change their name — but not until band chick Nick Carter turns 18 — he’s now 43 and still a “Backstreet Boy.”
The Backies (as fans also called them) were regularly number 1 in the single and album charts in Germany, won all music awards and cleared gold and platinum records. Although they were world famous, it was only with their album “DNA” in 2019 that the Backstreet Boys made it to number 1 in their native USA for the first time in their career.
The Backstreet Boys are still on their DNA World Tour
Which Hollywood star almost kicked Nick out of the band? Ryan Gosling (42)! He was supposed to be a Backstreet Boy.
The actor began his career at The Mickey Mouse Club in 1989 and lived in the same building as AJ McLean at the time. The two became friends and played basketball together. It is said that Gosling was in talks for some time to take part instead of Nick Carter.
All 4 kids in this photo started in the “Mickey Mouse Club” and later made world careers: Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Hollywood star Ryan Gosling (from left)
Ryan Gosling is world famous as a movie twink
Manager Lou Pearlman showed the guys porn
Lou Pearlman discovered the boys and managed them for the first few years. At the time, the band members were also often at his home in Orlando. AJ once spoke about his memories in an interview: ” Hanging out with Lou was like going to Disneyland. He had every crazy toy you could think of.”
Lou Pearlman cast the band in the early ’90s and made millions with them
However, the heavyweight entrepreneur didn’t just have Disneyland to offer: As McLean said in a TV show, all five of them regularly watched porn together. “It was just hilarious,” continued the singer. “Howie saw a woman kiss another woman for the first time. It was just fun.”
Talent and optics just fit
30 Years Back Street Boys. At the time, no one could have foreseen that the “boy band of the 90s” would last so long. Not even Alex Gernandt:
“You can never really predict a career. But the Backstreet Boys not only had the talent and looks befitting a boy band, they also had a solid show foundation. Through years of singing and dancing training, a kind of ‘boot camp’ that they had to complete before the first single was even released. That still benefits the boys today.”
The careful selection of the band members contributed to the success even more than the hard training and the associated musical and dancing quality, which ensured that the Backstreet Boys overtook competitors like *NSYNC.
Brian was the guy for the nice girls, AJ for the rebellious ones, Howie for the quiet ones, Kevin for the older ones – and Nick for all of them.
The Back Street Boys! THEY WERE BIG. Today the boys from back then have grown up – and are still successful on tour.
App users can access the survey here: Who Was Your Favorite Backstreet Boy?
