Whether you’re a teenager or a seasoned rock fan, you’ve probably heard of some of the popular boy bands that have hit the stage in the last few years. You may be familiar with bands like the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, or Five Seconds of Summer, but there are many other bands out there you may have never heard of.
New Kids on the Block
During the late 80s and early 90s, New Kids on the Block were a popular boy band. They achieved international fame and sold over 70 million records worldwide. Their success paved the way for other popular boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and One Direction.
New Kids on the Block were formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1984. The group was composed of Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood. They were originally called Nynuk, but changed their name to New Kids on the Block. The group’s debut single, “Be My Girl”, was released in 1986. It became the group’s most successful single to date.
NSYNC
NSYNC was one of the most popular boy bands of the 1990s. Its members were Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass, and JC Chasez. They were signed to Jive Records. They also sang with other famous artists, including Britney Spears and Elton John. They performed in the Super Bowl, at the Olympics, and on the World Series.
Their self-titled debut album was certified diamond. It also was the group’s second highest-selling album. They were a major influence on pop culture. The band’s signature song “Bye Bye Bye” shot to the top five of the Hot 100.
Five Seconds of Summer
Often compared to One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer has become a very popular boy band. In fact, they have gained so much exposure that they are currently touring the world as support for One Direction.
Initially, they formed in Sydney, Australia, in 2011 as a pop-punk band. They performed cover songs on YouTube, building their fan base. They also released their first EP, which peaked in the Top 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
They first gained fame when One Direction invited them to join their Take Me Home Tour. After that, they became a major international sensation.
Menudo
During the early ’80s, Menudo was one of the most popular Latin boy bands of all time. The band was formed in Puerto Rico by music producer Edgardo Diaz. Despite having humble beginnings, Menudo was able to capture a large and loyal following in Latin America.
Several of the band members have gone on to pursue solo careers. The most well-known of the group’s members were Ricky Martin, Ricky Melendez and Rene Farrait.
Menudo is currently on the search for new members. Mario Lopez, the band’s new management team, is expected to announce auditions in the next two weeks. The group will be looking for 12 to 16 year old talent. Applicants will be required to upload videos of themselves and their performance.
Take That
During Take That’s heyday, they were arguably the most successful boy band of the 1990s, with nine top five singles and three number one hits. They had the most number of singles in the UK top 40, and the most number of top 40 singles in the UK and international top 10s.
The band’s breakthrough single was “It Only Takes a Minute,” a cover of the 1975 Tavares hit. It peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart in June 1992. It was followed by “A Million Love Songs,” a tune clearly influenced by Elton John, and a song with doo-wop backing vocals.
Stolen City
Whether you have a thing for pop rock or pop culture, you have likely seen at least one of the many boy bands that have ruled the music industry for the past few decades. Whether they were the back-up band for The Beatles or a Taiwanese ensemble, they have helped shape our culture.
One of the more popular is the New Kids on the Block. The infamous band swept the charts for years and were immortalized in lunch boxes and on T-shirts. They even won two American Music Awards.
Celtic Thunder
Founded by Sharon Browne, Celtic Thunder is a popular live music act. It was formed in 2007. The ensemble’s lineup includes Ryan Kelly, Damian McGinty, Keith Harkin, Paul Byrom, and Colm Keegan.
When they were young, the members of Celtic Thunder participated in a singing contest. They also performed on television specials. The group’s lineup is a mixture of contemporary and traditional Irish music. They have toured extensively in America and Canada.
Paul Byrom was born on April 11, 1979. He began his career as a guitarist and a backup singer. He has appeared in concert for Emperor Akihito of Japan, and has performed for Irish President Mary McAleese.
