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Backstreet Boys

Band formed in 1992 in Orlando, FL

Backstreet Boys's Genre:

Adult Contemporary, Teen Pop, Dance-Pop, Euro-Dance, Euro-Pop, Club/Dance, Pop, Electronic, Contemporary Pop/Rock

Biography

The Backstreet Boys were, in many ways, a contradictory band. Comprised entirely of white middle-class Americans, the group sang a hybrid of new jack balladry, hip-hop, R&B, and dance club pop that originally found its greatest success in Canada and Europe, with their 1996 debut album charting in the Top Ten in nearly every country on the Continent. Ironically, success in their native land did not follow until nearly two years later, when teen pop enjoyed a commercial explosion in America. Along with such artists as *NSYNC and Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys rose to the forefront of popular music during the turn of the 21st century, with albums like Backstreet's Back, Millennium, and Black & Blue enjoying worldwide success.

The core of the Backstreet Boys was comprised of cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell, both of whom hailed from Lexington, KY. The two began singing in local church choirs and festivals while they were children, performing doo wop and R&B songs in the style of Boyz II Men. Two of the group's other members, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, were natives of Orlando, FL, who met each other -- as well as transplanted New Yorker Nick Carter -- through auditions for local commercials, theater, and television. At one audition, the three discovered that they shared an affection for classic soul and could harmonize well together. Inspired, they formed a vocal trio. Shortly thereafter, Richardson moved to Orlando, where he became a tour guide at Disney World and concentrated on music at night. Eventually, he met Dorough, Carter, and McLean through a co-worker, and the four decided to form a group, naming themselves after an Orlando flea market. Littrell was later invited to join, thus turning the group into a quintet.

With the help of Louis J. Pearlman (who would later rise to mogul status on the strength of his teen pop acts), the Backstreet Boys secured management from Donna and Johnny Wright, the latter of whom had managed New Kids on the Block during the 1980s. The Wrights put the group out on the road and enlisted several A&R reps to attend the performances, which eventually resulted in a contract with Jive Records in 1994. Jive set the Backstreet Boys up with producers Veit Renn and Tim Allen, who helped shape the group's eponymous album. Released throughout Europe in late 1995, the record enjoyed considerable success, spending several weeks in the Top Ten in most Continental countries where it charted. In the U.K., the Backstreet Boys were named Best Newcomers of 1995 at the Smash Hits Awards thanks to their international hit single "We've Got It Goin' On." After scoring another European hit with "I'll Never Break Your Heart," the group released its album in Canada. Despite the Backstreet Boys' popularity in Europe and Canada, "We've Got It Goin' On" stalled in the lower reaches of the U.S. charts in 1995.

Combining their international singles with new tracks (which also formed the centerpiece of that year's European-only album Backstreet's Back), the American version of Backstreet Boys finally jump-started the group's success at home. "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me" proved to be popular singles, with the former track climbing to platinum status. The album continued to spin off hits well into 1999, with "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "I'll Never Break Your Heart," and "All I Have to Give" all landing on the charts. Both the former and the latter were platinum Top Five hits, and the album eventually sold an astounding 14 million copies in America alone.

In the meantime, the group saw its share of turmoil as Littrell underwent surgery in early 1998 to correct a congenital heart defect. Additionally, the Boys became embroiled in lawsuits against Pearlman and the rest of their management over royalties. When the dust settled, Pearlman remained the group's manager -- though the rest of the team was fired -- and the Boys began work on their follow-up album. Millennium was released in the summer of 1999 and debuted at number one, with first-week sales topping one million copies. Buoyed by songs like "I Want It That Way," "Larger Than Life," "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," and "The One," Millennium shattered a number of records, including the highest amount of shipments in one year and the most copies sold during an album's inaugural week. The group released its Christmas Album before the end of the year, by which time Millennium was well on its way to sales of 12 million copies in the U.S. On an international level, the album eventually sold more than 40 million units.

Once again, the group struck immediately after its previous album stopped producing hits, issuing Black & Blue in fall 2000. More Top 40 singles followed, including "The Call" and "Shape of My Heart," and Black & Blue followed its predecessor by selling over one million copies during its first week. A popular tour supported the album, but after seven years of nonstop touring and recording, the band agreed it was time for a break. Brian Littrell became a father while Kevin Richardson tried his hand at Broadway and took a starring role in the musical Chicago. Nick Carter released his solo album Now or Never in 2002, Howie Dorough did charity work for the Dorough Lupus Foundation in honor of the sister he had lost to the disease, and A.J. McLean made headlines with his stint in rehab.

In 2004, the Backstreet Boys re-formed and began work on a new album. The result, Never Gone, was released in June 2005 to platinum sales, followed by Unbreakable in 2007. The latter was the first album not to feature all five original members, as Kevin Richardson had quietly exited the group in 2006. It was also the group's first album not to go platinum, a fact that seemingly cemented the end of the Backstreet Boys' heyday. Accordingly, the singers enlisted some serious star power for their next album, soliciting help from the likes of Ryan Tedder, Max Martin (who had penned "I Want It That Way" ten years prior), Dr. Luke, and T-Pain. When songs from their recording sessions were leaked online, the group took the setback in stride, using their fans' feedback to help steer the remainder of the recording process. This Is Us was ultimately finished in mid-2009 and scheduled for release later that year. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

AOL Radio Stations Backstreet Boys is Featured on (12)

Attack of the Boy Bands

Welcome to another installment of the Slacker Signature Series. Attack of the Boy Bands simultaneously celebrates the upcoming release from Justin Timberlake and the 15th anniversary of NSYNC’s debut album. Parker is your host on this station that is all about boy bands- the artists that preceded the NSYNC-fueled explosion of the late 90’s, and those that followed. You’ll hear first wave boy bands like NKOTB, the leaders of the 90’s explosion like NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, and the new generation of boys- like One Direction and The Wanted. You'll also hear from some of the wild cards like Color Me Badd, B2K, and even Hanson. They tore up their hearts, they wanted it that way, they hung tough, and they were larger than life- this is Attack Of The Boy Bands on Slacker.

The Wanted Showcase

This is The Wanted Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the members of The Wanted including music hand-picked by Tom, Max, Siva, Jay and Nathan as well as commentary by each about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

'90s Hits

Are you nostalgic for flannel shirts, girl power, and the days of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake as an item? '90s Hits on Slacker Radio takes you back with all your favorite Soft Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop and Alternative songs that made the decade hella sweet!

Mother's Day

Because Mothers are such and important part of our lives, Slacker has created a special station showcasing songs about Moms. Mother’s Day Radio on Slacker plays a mother-inspired mix of tunes including songs from Aerosmith, Kanye West, Mr. T and more.

Now THIS Is Music

Now THIS is Music will provide you with hit after hit after hit from the late 90's till now. Everything from the masters of boy bands to your favorite rock ballads, and everything in between. Sultry pop queens, the best MC's, and all the one hit wonders you can take. Now THIS Is Music on Slacker.

Love Songs

Love Songs on Slacker Radio has just the right blend of sentimental favorites. Set the mood with artists like Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, Elton John, Mariah Carey, The Beatles, and Stevie Wonder plus classic romantic favorites. Listen and fall in love with Slacker Love Songs.

Soft Hits

Soft Hits on Slacker Radio is the best blend of softer current and classic hits. You’ll hear Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas and Gwen Stefani along with Sheryl Crow, Goo Goo Dolls, Mariah Carey, Prince and more.

Pop Pool Party

From reigning queens of the "summer song" like Katy Perry to newcomers like Icona Pop, all of the latest and greatest summer pop jams live on Pop Pool Party. Your Slacker curators have taken the hard work out of creating a playlist for your summer parties; this is the perfect soundtrack to pool parties with your closest friends.

New Holiday Hits

New Holiday Hits on Slacker Radio keeps it recent with your favorite holiday music from modern day artists. Enjoy holiday tunes from Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, U2, Faith Hill, Harry Connick Jr. and many more.

'00s Hits

Hits of the 2000s on Slacker brings the best hits that the decade has to offer from 2000 right up to today!

Teen Pop

Teen Pop is the perfect station for the up-and-coming pop generation, with great music from artists like Chris Brown, Ashlee Simpson and The Jonas Brothers. We play the best teen-friendly music of the 90's & 2000's plus all of your favorite new songs! Teens have their own style and now their own music station to go along with it - Teen Pop on Slacker Radio!

Backstreet Boys

This station plays the best music from and music from related artists like *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, Spice Girls, Britney Spears, 98°, Savage Garden, Pink, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Will Smith and more.

All Stations

Backstreet Boys's Selected Discography (42)

Just Want You To Know Pt.2 (2 Tracks)

(P) 2005 Zomba Recording LLCSINGLE20052 Songs

Unbreakable [Tour Edition Bonus DVD] Album Cover

Artists Related to Backstreet Boys (50)

	*NSYNC	Along with the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, *NSYNC dominated the teen pop explosion of the late '90s with a blend of group harmonies, gauzy ballads, and well-produced dance textures.
	Christina Aguilera	A leader in the parade of Mickey Mouse Club veterans who stormed pop at the turn of the millennium, Christina Aguilera was the sexy, brassy diva of the bunch -- the Rolling Stones to Britney Spears’ Beatles, as it were.
	Spice Girls	Spice Girls were the first major British pop music phenomenon of the mid-'90s to not have a debt to independent pop/rock.
	Britney Spears	More than any other single artist, Britney Spears was the driving force behind the return of teen pop in the late '90s.
	98°	The sweet urban soul quartet 98° was formed in Los Angeles by four former Ohio residents: brothers Nick and Drew Lachey plus Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre.
	Savage Garden	Australian pop duo Savage Garden have taken the world by storm without the record company hype and career-establishing game plan that is often the background for pop-oriented acts.
	Pink	Although initially viewed as another face in the late-'90s crowd of teen pop acts, Pink (professionally known as P!nk) quickly transcended and outgrew that label with her combination of pop songcraft and powerhouse, rock-influenced vocals.
	Justin Timberlake	Justin Timberlake may be the quintessential pop star of the new millennium, a star who jumped from platform to platform on his way to establishing himself as something bigger than a star: he was a self-sustained empire.
	Kelly Clarkson	The winner of Fox TV's first American Idol competition during the summer of 2002, Kelly Clarkson went from an anonymous talent to a nationally known singer in a matter of months, performing for an audience of millions.
	Will Smith	Beginning his career during the mid-'80s under the name the Fresh Prince, by the following decade rapper Will Smith was one of the biggest superstars of his time -- not only a pop music sensation, he also conquered television and eventually feature films, starring in a string of box-office megahits.
	Mariah Carey	The best-selling female performer of the 1990s, Mariah Carey rose to superstardom on the strength of her stunning five-octave voice.
	New Kids on the Block	After his success with New Edition, producer Maurice Starr decided to replicate the singing group by substituting suburban white kids for the young black teenagers.
	Destiny's Child	Destiny's Child rose to become one of the most popular female R&B groups of the late '90s, eventually rivaling even TLC in terms of blockbuster commercial success.
	Katy Perry	A former Christian artist, Katy Perry rebranded herself as a larger-than-life pop star and rose to prominence during the summer of 2008.
	Boyz II Men	According to no less an authority than the RIAA, Boyz II Men are the most commercially successful R&B group of all time.
	Madonna	After stars reach a certain point, it's easy to forget what they became famous for and concentrate solely on their personas.
	Mandy Moore	Although she never reached the commercial heights of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore proved to be one of the more resilient members of the late-'90s teen pop explosion.
	Jennifer Lopez	Actress/singer Jennifer Lopez was born in the Bronx, New York, on July 24, 1969; after starting out in musical theater as a child, she made her film debut at age 16 in the little-seen My Little Girl, but her career then stalled until she was tapped to become one of the dancing "Fly Girls" on the television sketch comedy series In Living Color.
	Ace of Base	Comprised of vocalists Jenny Berggren and Linn Berggren, and keyboardists Jonas "Joker" Berggren and Ulf "Buddah" Ekberg, the Swedish quartet Ace of Base became a phenomenally popular international act with their 1993 debut album, The Sign.
	Avril Lavigne	Avril Lavigne first appeared in summer 2002, touting an addictive debut single (the spunky pop/rock gem "Complicated") and a skatepunk image that purposely clashed with the polished glamour of mainstream pop.
	Pussycat Dolls	Founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995, the Pussycat Dolls began as a burlesque dance revue based in Los Angeles, spawned a second revue in Las Vegas, grew into an A-list phenomena with a revolving cast of guest celebrities, and eventually became a recording act with a number one dance hit.
	Lady Gaga	Glamorously gaudy, a self-made post-modern diva stitched together from elements of Madonna, David Bowie, and Freddie Mercury, Lady Gaga was the first true millennial superstar.
	Gwen Stefani	Before she discovered she could write songs, Gwen Stefani was looking forward to a life of marriage, children, and white picket fences.
	Bruno Mars	After working a string of behind-the-scenes jobs -- including writing songs for Brandy, singing backup for the Sugababes, and impersonating Elvis -- songwriter/producer Bruno Mars put his name on top of the charts in 2009 by co-writing Flo Rida's hit song "Right Round.
	TLC	TLC were one of the biggest-selling female R&B groups of all time, riding a blend of pop, hip-hop, and urban soul to superstardom during the '90s.
	Black Eyed Peas	The Black Eyed Peas transcended hip-hop to become one of the most commercially successful pop groups of the 2000s.
	Jessica Simpson	Although Jessica Simpson dabbled in film, reality TV, and eventually contemporary country music during the 2000s, she is best known as a dance-pop vocalist who rose to fame in the late '90s alongside such teenaged acts as 98°.
	Maroon 5	A mix of polished pop/rock and neo-soul made Maroon 5 one of the most popular bands of the 2000s, with songs like "This Love," "She Will Be Loved," and "Makes Me Wonder" all topping the charts worldwide.
	Taylor Swift	Taylor Swift became one of country's brightest (and youngest) faces in 2006, when the 16-year-old released her first album.
	Fergie	Like Martika, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Rahsaan Patterson, Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson got her first major break as a youngster on the television program Kids Incorporated.
	O-Town	Boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync fought hard to be perceived as musicians rather than manufactured product assembled by record executives.
	JoJo	Growing up on the outskirts of Boston, MA, JoJo listened and learned as her mother practiced hymns. She started singing by imitating her mother, but quickly put her own spin on everything from nursery rhymes to pop tunes.
	Matchbox Twenty	Upon the release of their debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, in fall 1996, Matchbox Twenty was pigeonholed as one of the legions of post-grunge guitar bands that roamed the American pop scene in the middle of that decade.
	Michael Jackson	Michael Jackson was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the '80s, and certainly one of the most popular recording artists of all time.
	Jesse McCartney	Pop singer and actor Jesse McCartney was a child performer dynamo, singing on Broadway and landing an acting gig on All My Children before even joining his first boy band, a feat that came at the age of 12.
	No Doubt	With the return of the punks in the mid-'90s came a resurgence of their slightly more commercial rivals, new wave bands.
	Celine Dion	Rising from humble beginnings in the small town of Charlemagne, Quebec, Celine Dion became one of the biggest international stars in pop music history, selling more than 100 million albums worldwide.
	Jordin Sparks	Jordin Sparks may have been the youngest American Idol when she won the title on the reality show's sixth season, but the Glendale, AZ, resident had already packed plenty of accomplishments into 17 years.
	Shakira	After achieving superstardom throughout Latin America, Colombian-born Shakira became Latin pop's biggest female crossover artist since Jennifer Lopez.
	Miley Cyrus	Miley Cyrus became an overnight sensation in 2006 as the star of Hannah Montana, a popular Disney Channel television series whose success allowed Cyrus to launch her own recording career several years later.
	Ke$ha	A brash and driven pop singer/songwriter, Ke$ha (Kesha Rose Sebert) was born in Los Angeles but moved at the age of four to Nashville, where her mother -- a longtime songwriter -- had inked a publishing deal.
	Hilary Duff	Hilary Duff first made a name for herself on the enormously successful Disney Channel/ABC Kids show Lizzie McGuire, which she parlayed into dual careers as a pop singer and film actress.
	LFO	LFO (an acronym for "Lyte Funky Ones") formed in 1996 in the boy band mecca of Orlando, FL. There, singer Rich Cronin befriended aspiring model Brad Fischetti, and the duo spent the next two years honing their vocal, dancing, and songwriting skills.
	Nelly Furtado	When Nelly Furtado appeared with her neo-hippie, multiculti debut, Whoa, Nelly!, in 2001, a dance-diva makeover seemed like an impossibility, but the singer/songwriter revived and sustained her career with the sexually charged Loose in 2006, in the process consolidating her position as one of the most unpredictable artists of her decade.
	Ashlee Simpson	She might be the younger sister of superstar Jessica Simpson, but don't confuse their tastes or style when it comes to music.
	Alanis Morissette	Alanis Morissette was one of the most unlikely stars of the mid-'90s. A former child actress turned dance-pop diva, Morissette later transformed herself into a confessional alternative singer/songwriter in the vein of Liz Phair and Tori Amos.
	Leona Lewis	A striking young woman with a strong vocal resemblance to the young Whitney Houston and a large mop of blonde corkscrew curls, Leona Lewis won the third series of the British reality talent show The X Factor in a landslide.
	Rihanna	Rihanna established her dance-pop credentials in summer 2005 with her debut smash hit, "Pon de Replay," and continued to demonstrate hit potential in subsequent years (e.
	Nick Lachey	As the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC redefined pop music for the masses upon the closing of the 1990s, 98° were also making girls scream and swoon with their darling good looks and delightsome harmonies.
	Janet Jackson	Few celebrity siblings can emerge from the shadows of their already famous relations to become superstars in their own right and with their own distinct personalities.