~~~**!Backstreet Boys!**~~~

The Backstreet Boys

The Backstreet boys are my favourite band just because they are original and they are the ones who started this boy band phenomenon. Their success is incredible; Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter have been together as a group for about eight years now.

How They Got Together
The story behind how the Backstreet Boys got together is that 14 year old A.J. (Alexander James McLean) and 19 year old Howie Dorough auditioned for an ad that was in the newspaper it read Teen male vocalists: Producer seeks male teen singers that move well between 16-19 years of age. Wanted for a singing and dancing type of group. Send photo or bio of any kind to...Three months after they auditioned they were asked to join the band. October 1992 three months after A.J. and Howie were asked to join Nick Carter auditioned and made the band at the time the group had two other temporary members Sam Licata and Charles Edwards. Charles found out he had difficulties with his voice and he left the group, in March of 1993. Sam also left the group for personal reason. Luckily the same month Kevin Richardson auditioned for the group and made it. The search was now for the fifth and final Backstreet Boy. April 19,1993, 18 year old Brian Littrell was called away from his American History class to answer an urgent phone call from his cousin Kevin who asked Brian to join the band, so Brian auditioned over the phone he made it and was on a flight to Orlando the next day. They got the name Backstreet Boys from an old local place they used to hang out. They were going to use it as a temporary name but it just stuck.

The Beginning of Their Success
The Backstreet Boys performed their first big concert at Sea World in Orlando on May,8,1993 to a crowd of more than 3,000 teenagers, to their amazement the audience went wild. The summer of 1993 was a crazy the Backstreet Boys they performed in a variety of venues from shopping malls to an AIDS Charity hosted by Whitney Houston in Fort Lauderdale. With a change in management in Fall of 1993 the boys toured schools across the states, while trying to get a record deal. They were about to sign with Mercury Records but the deal fell through at the last minute. The Backstreet Boys continue looking for a record deal. In February of 1994 Executives from Zomba/Jive Records catch up with the Backstreet Boys performing in Cleveland. They signed BSB to their first record deal but it was a year before they recorded their 1st single. They flew down to Sweden to record Weve got it going on and two additional songs with musician Denniz Pop. A year and 2 months after Weve got it going on is released as a single in the U.S.A. MTV and the press werent interested. It only climbed to 69 on the billboard charts, resulting in the cancellation of all plans for a promotional tour to plug the new single. October 1995 Weve got it going on was released in Europe and it climbed into the top 10 in Germany, which earned them their first gold disc. The Boys began touring the U.K. with the Smash Hits Roadshow, winning over audiences and critics, in November of 1995. The single still didnt make the top 40 chart. In Winter of 1996 the BSB are still touring Europe (especially Germany). Get down is released in Spring of 1996 & 14 on the U.K. charts, earning them a spot on the English music show, Top of the Pops. The BSB Return to Orlando to record their 1st Album. In Summer of 1996 they began touring the Far East of Canada. In August of 1996 Weve got it going on was re-released in the U.K. and it made it to the #3 on the charts. In September of 1996 the album is an immediate hit in over 12 countries, earning them their 1st platinum album (500 000 CDs sold) in Germany. The album reaches #12 in the U.K. A month after the Backstreet Boys do a WORLD WIND TOUR of South East Asia and Australia. With all there success they arent done yet, they perform a tour of 14 cities in mid-sized arenas in the U.K. and Europe. In November 1996 released Ill never break your heart it climbed to number 8 in the U.K.

Competition
Despite heavy competition, the boys win a phone-in poll for the Best Group category at the MTV Europe Awards. In January 1997 they start off the New Year with a bit of time off to record and be with their families. They get ready for a 37-city tour of Europe. The boys began their Euro-tour in February of 1997. Quit Playing games(with my heart) climbs to number 15 on the U.K. Charts. So a month later the boys try it again with another single. This time they released Anywhere for you and it climbs to #4 on the U.K. charts. After all their success in Europe and Canada they turn their attention to the Americans. After selling more than 8.5 million CDs the boys began to work on a new album for the American. The album would have some of their best songs from their 1st self titled CD along with newer songs. In June of 1997 Quit playing games (with my heart) was released as their 1st American Single and it quickly climbed to #2 on the charts. The Backstreet Boys release their 1st US Album called Backstreet Boys. The album sold nearly nine million copies in the U.S.A. and became the #3 album of the Year. The Second Album Backstreet Back was released to the rest of the world and climbed up the charts. The Backstreet Boys started their 60-city, 20-country tour in December 1997 which lasted about a year. They raised $250,000 for local victims of the nations deadliest tornado disasters.

The Tragedies
In May of 1998 Brian undergoes surgery to correct a congenital heart disorder. Within weeks, hes back on tour with the boys.
The Backstreet Boys were facing legal Battles between their management and Lou Pearlman surfaced in the media. BSB wanted more control over their music. Media reported that a breakup is inevitable. A month after British tabloids declare that the boys will be breaking up and are going to be working on solo projects. The Boys declared the rumor to be 100% false. August of 1998 Denniz Pop dies. Pop helped to evolve the boys sound. Tragedy strikes again when Howies sister Caroline loses her battle with a disease called Lupus. She was only 37 when she died, September 1998.

The Ups
The boys received the keys to the city from the Mayor of Orlando in honor of the tornado relief concert they they did in March. They settled their lawsuit with Lou Pearlman. They also broke from longtime managers Donna and Johnny Wright. BSB self titled U.S. debut C.D. joins Celine Dions CD as 1998s biggest selling album, with over 8 million copies sold.

Another Lawsuit
A Stagehand filed a $3 million lawsuit against the group, saying he was injured by a 50 pound cannon that fell on his head. In January of 1999 the Backstreet Boys sign up with management The Firm. The Backstreet Boys sued Lou Pearlman again the boys were accusing him of repeatedly violating the California Talent agent.

Millennium
The Backstreet Boys get their first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist of 1998. In February their self-titled U.S. Debut CD was announced to be Diamond (over 10 million sold) The Backstreet Boys announce the release date of their third(2nd in U.S.) album Millennium. In April 1999 I want it that way is released to radio and was picked up by 165 stations, right away. BSB release Millennium, which set the record for 1st week sales in U.S. at 1.1 million copies. A month after its release Millennium is still at the #1 spot on the Billboard album charts. The Backstreet Boys sold out their 39-city fall tour in less than a day. Larger than Life is released to radio, a month later.

They Are Back!
In November Kevin is named Peoples magazines Sexiest Pop Star.
BSB strike a new partnership agreement with Jive Records valued at about $60 million. The Backsteet Boys won the Best Group title at the MTV Europe Awards. A.J. introduced his alter ego Johnny No-Name and prepared for a January concert to support VHIs Save the Music Campaign. The boys won 4 awards at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards.

Sponsors
In January of 2000 the Backstreet Boys announce a Burger King exclusive promotion with BSB and title sponsorship of the groups fall 2000 tour.

They Are Still Doing It
The Backstreet boys teamed up with Stan Lee to create a new comic book and Web-based series called The Backstreet Project. Kevin and Brian confirm engagements to their fiancees.

The Grammys
The boys and their producers were nominated for five Grammy Awards. Although they didnt win any Grammys they impressed the world when they performed with Elton John.

Black And Blue
In October 2000 their single for their fourth album(third for the Americans) Shape Of My Heart came out. The C.D. Black and Blue was released November 21 2000 and it sold millions world wide. Now their latest single The Call is out. This single impressed everyone with their Matrix type of video. Right now the Backstreet Boys are on their world wide tour. The tickets for this tour have been selling out in minutes. The show is an action packed, fun and energetic concert.

Love And Passion Of Music
The Backstreet Boys have been around for a long time, through ups and downs they have always and will always be doing what they love to do.
By Christina

Thank you to all the web sites that i got my pictures from!!Be sure to visit them all!!
www.bsbblvd.com
www.b-rok-littrell.net
www.bboys.com