Boy bands have been a staple in the music industry for decades. Young men with good looks and even better voices have come together to create infectious pop music that has taken the world by storm. From the Backstreet Boys to One Direction, boy bands have been selling out arenas and topping the charts for years. In this article, we will take a trip down memory lane and explore the most successful boy bands in history.
While not a traditional boy band, The Beatles paved the way for the ones that would follow. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr formed the band in Liverpool in 1960. The Beatles' catchy pop tunes, distinct look, and undeniable charm quickly made them a phenomenon. From "Love Me Do" to "Hey Jude," the band had a total of 20 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. They have sold over 600 million albums worldwide and are widely regarded as one of the greatest bands of all time.
Formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995, N*SYNC consisted of Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass. The group's self-titled debut album was released in 1997 and featured hits such as "Tearin' Up My Heart" and "I Want You Back." The band's sophomore album, "No Strings Attached," sold over 2.4 million copies in its first week and held the record for the largest album sales in a single week until Adele's "25" surpassed it in 2015. N*SYNC went on to sell over 70 million records worldwide before going on hiatus in 2002.
The Backstreet Boys, consisting of AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The group's self-titled debut album was released in 1996 and featured hits such as "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)." The Backstreet Boys have sold over 130 million records worldwide and have been recognized as the best-selling boy band in history by the Guinness World Records. The group is still active today and recently released their tenth studio album, "DNA," in 2019.
New Kids on the Block, also known as NKOTB, formed in Boston in 1984. The group consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathon Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1986 and featured hits such as "Please Don't Go Girl" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)." The group went on to sell over 80 million records worldwide before disbanding in 1994. NKOTB reunited in 2008 and have been touring and making music ever since.
Formed on the British version of "The X Factor" in 2010, One Direction consists of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. The band's debut single, "What Makes You Beautiful," was released in 2011 and became a worldwide hit. One Direction went on to release five studio albums and sell over 70 million records worldwide. The group announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016, but fans are still hopeful for a reunion in the future.
While there have been countless boy bands throughout music history, these five groups have stood the test of time. From The Beatles to One Direction, these talented young men have captured the hearts of fans around the world with their infectious pop music and undeniable charisma. Their success is a testament to the power of a good melody, a catchy chorus, and a group of charming young men singing in perfect harmony.