Backstreet Boys and shrieking girls meet at arena
By Brad Patton
November 02, 2008
The Times Leader
The biggest-selling boy band in history entertained a small but spirited crowd at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza Saturday night.
Backstreet Boys, with their trademark harmonies and dazzling choreography, sang their greatest hits and songs from their latest album while the audience made up of mostly teenage girls shrieked in delight.
The foursome of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A.J. McLean, who burst onto the scene in 1997 with a self-titled record full of hits, were introduced like prizefighters and performed their opening number in a boxing ring. (The other Backstreet Boy, Kevin Richardson, left the group in 2006.)
“We are going to take you on a trip down memory lane and sing some songs from our new album,” Dorough said following the third number.
“Thanks to you, Backstreet Boys have been a band for over 15 years,” chimed in McLean. “We love each and every one of you.”
After a slew of selections from their 2007 album “Unbreakable,” the boys led a sing along on one of their biggest hits, “I Want It That Way,” a song from their second album which spent 10 weeks atop the Adult Contemporary chart and reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 in 1999.
Other early highlights included a trio of songs from the new record: “Any Other Way,” “You Can Let Go” and “Unmistakable.”
Each member of BSB took a turn in the spotlight beginning with Dorough, who sang a new song called “She’s Like The Sun,” which will be featured on his upcoming solo album. Carter did “I Got You” from his 2002 record “Now or Never,” and Littrell did the title track from his 2006 album “Welcome Home.”
The best of the bunch was McLean’s offering, “Drive By Love,” which prominently featured a wailing electric guitar and was the most radical departure from the BSB sound.
Following “More Than That” from 2000’s “Black & Blue,” the four singers jumped off the stage, giving kisses to some of the screaming girls. Then McLean announced the boys will begin recording a new album in December, and the girls screamed some more.
Beginning with a medley of “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” and “As Long As You Love Me,” the giant screens alternated between scenes from Saturday’s show and clips from their videos of the late 1990s. Throughout the evening, with just about every song came a change in wardrobe as the boys went from silk boxing robes to black leather jackets to sleeveless T-shirts.
Other standouts included “Trouble Is” and “Incomplete” from the latest album, and “All I Have To Give” and “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” from the first one.
BSB ended with a super-charged version of “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and encored with “Shape Of My Heart.”
Donnie Klang, who was awarded a solo contract from Diddy following his appearance on the 2007 season of “Making The Band,” opened the show with a 25 minute set. During his final number “Easier Said Than Done,” he passed out a dozen red roses to audience members.
11.04.2008
Backstreet Boys return to deliver the goods
Backstreet Boys return to deliver the goods
By Alexander Choman
November 02, 2008
The Times-Tribune
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — The Backstreet Boys are back, alright.
That was clearly evident Saturday night at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza as the talented foursome known as the Backstreet Boys, sang, gyrated and did everything seemingly right as the audience shrieked, oooohed and aaahed as the Boys showed that they are back and stronger than ever.
The Backstreet Boys in concert present a very polished, glitzy production of talented guys that have mastered multi-part harmony in the finest tradition of street corner, a cappella doo-wop. That’s not to say that they can out-sing Boyz II Men but it is to say that they know exactly what their audience wants and they deliver the goods.
It’s not clear whether the less-than-ominous entrance in boxing robes was a spoof on “Rocky,” a challenge to fight with music critics that have panned them from day one or a statement that they will keep fighting no matter what.
Nevertheless, the Backstreet Boys reverted to their saccharin-laced, syrupy harmonies that had the mostly female audience yearning for more all night. An aside to the Boys: It was not necessary for you to keep encouraging the girls to scream. They had that covered nicely by themselves.
The lineup now includes Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A.J. McClean. Original member Kevin Richardson split off in 2006 to pursue a solo career.
While Mr. Richardson’s loss has not been catastrophic to the Boys in concert, they do present a slightly stripped down version of their five-part harmonies that vaulted their earlier work to stardom.
Let’s also not forget Max Martin, though, without whose able-bodied production and songwriting help the Boys may have never left the launching pad.
Each song’s opening notes were greeted with a frenzy of screams as their adoring audience turned into their backing vocalists and joined in on versions of “Larger Than Life,” “Everybody,” “Any Other Way,” “You Can Let Go,” “Unmistakable” and “More Than That.”
The ballad “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,” showcased the Boys sitting around a table playing cards, each with a glass of brandy telling their own tale of loneliness.
By contrast, their rousing version of “I Want It That Way” had the audience all on its feet singing along to every word each seeming to want to be the girl of the Boys’ dreams, as the song suggests.
Try as it might, even the acoustic imperfections at Wachovia could not dampen the Backstreet Boys’ performance as their buttery smooth harmonies overcame the continually neglected challenges of the mortar and steel building.
The Backstreet Boys have always been and continue to be a near perfectly assembled pop product.
I called them the Benetton Boys when they played at the Kirby Center. They have matured a great deal since then. They now shop at Abercrombie and Fitch.
The quartet did a very classy thing Saturday afternoon by visiting a young lady in a local hospital who was the victim of a hit-and-run incident.
The Boys signed autographs, posed for a picture and even gave the young lady a private, a cappella concert.
Very classy indeed.
By Alexander Choman
November 02, 2008
The Times-Tribune
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — The Backstreet Boys are back, alright.
That was clearly evident Saturday night at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza as the talented foursome known as the Backstreet Boys, sang, gyrated and did everything seemingly right as the audience shrieked, oooohed and aaahed as the Boys showed that they are back and stronger than ever.
The Backstreet Boys in concert present a very polished, glitzy production of talented guys that have mastered multi-part harmony in the finest tradition of street corner, a cappella doo-wop. That’s not to say that they can out-sing Boyz II Men but it is to say that they know exactly what their audience wants and they deliver the goods.
It’s not clear whether the less-than-ominous entrance in boxing robes was a spoof on “Rocky,” a challenge to fight with music critics that have panned them from day one or a statement that they will keep fighting no matter what.
Nevertheless, the Backstreet Boys reverted to their saccharin-laced, syrupy harmonies that had the mostly female audience yearning for more all night. An aside to the Boys: It was not necessary for you to keep encouraging the girls to scream. They had that covered nicely by themselves.
The lineup now includes Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A.J. McClean. Original member Kevin Richardson split off in 2006 to pursue a solo career.
While Mr. Richardson’s loss has not been catastrophic to the Boys in concert, they do present a slightly stripped down version of their five-part harmonies that vaulted their earlier work to stardom.
Let’s also not forget Max Martin, though, without whose able-bodied production and songwriting help the Boys may have never left the launching pad.
Each song’s opening notes were greeted with a frenzy of screams as their adoring audience turned into their backing vocalists and joined in on versions of “Larger Than Life,” “Everybody,” “Any Other Way,” “You Can Let Go,” “Unmistakable” and “More Than That.”
The ballad “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,” showcased the Boys sitting around a table playing cards, each with a glass of brandy telling their own tale of loneliness.
By contrast, their rousing version of “I Want It That Way” had the audience all on its feet singing along to every word each seeming to want to be the girl of the Boys’ dreams, as the song suggests.
Try as it might, even the acoustic imperfections at Wachovia could not dampen the Backstreet Boys’ performance as their buttery smooth harmonies overcame the continually neglected challenges of the mortar and steel building.
The Backstreet Boys have always been and continue to be a near perfectly assembled pop product.
I called them the Benetton Boys when they played at the Kirby Center. They have matured a great deal since then. They now shop at Abercrombie and Fitch.
The quartet did a very classy thing Saturday afternoon by visiting a young lady in a local hospital who was the victim of a hit-and-run incident.
The Boys signed autographs, posed for a picture and even gave the young lady a private, a cappella concert.
Very classy indeed.
Backstreet Boys Make Surprise Visit to Injured Girl
Backstreet Boys Make Surprise Visit to Injured Girl
By Eric Deabill
November 01, 2008
PA HomePage
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Star-power made quite the difference in life of a local hit & run victim. A driver hit Jacki Nieratko 8-weeks ago on Davis Street in Scranton. She suffered brain trauma, a shattered pelvis and was left in a coma. But Saturday she had reason to smile.
It’s Saturday afternoon at the John Heinz Institute in Wilkes-Barre and the mood is anything but normal. There's a buzz in the air…
It’s all because the backstreet boys are in the building to surprise hit and run victim Jacki Nieratko. Jacki's fiancee Tim Black said, “It’s a dream come true for her. She's a fan of the Backstreet Boys since I've met her. This will help her morale and push her in the right direction so she can fight harder."
As the pop stars went into Jacki's room, the only expression that came over her face was shock. “It’s crazy... I can't believe it," said Jacki.
After singing to Jacki, the guys signed autographs and her family shared a few jokes.
Jacki's had a tough recovery process from the accident and this visit brightened her spirits. She still has rods in her pelvis that have to come out before she can start walking again.
Radio station 98.5 KRZ helped get the Backstreet Boys on board after Jacki's life long friend Amber Pacovsky told her story.
Amanda & Jeff Walker said, “They were moved by Jackie's story and the fact that her friend since she was five wanted to do something for her."
And do something they did, lifting her spirits and helping to focus less on the pain. Pacovsky said, “That tells me that they're real people and that they care and that they care about other people. They don't have a big head / egos because they're famous. That's a fan in there and they care about everybody."
By Eric Deabill
November 01, 2008
PA HomePage
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Star-power made quite the difference in life of a local hit & run victim. A driver hit Jacki Nieratko 8-weeks ago on Davis Street in Scranton. She suffered brain trauma, a shattered pelvis and was left in a coma. But Saturday she had reason to smile.
It’s Saturday afternoon at the John Heinz Institute in Wilkes-Barre and the mood is anything but normal. There's a buzz in the air…
It’s all because the backstreet boys are in the building to surprise hit and run victim Jacki Nieratko. Jacki's fiancee Tim Black said, “It’s a dream come true for her. She's a fan of the Backstreet Boys since I've met her. This will help her morale and push her in the right direction so she can fight harder."
As the pop stars went into Jacki's room, the only expression that came over her face was shock. “It’s crazy... I can't believe it," said Jacki.
After singing to Jacki, the guys signed autographs and her family shared a few jokes.
Jacki's had a tough recovery process from the accident and this visit brightened her spirits. She still has rods in her pelvis that have to come out before she can start walking again.
Radio station 98.5 KRZ helped get the Backstreet Boys on board after Jacki's life long friend Amber Pacovsky told her story.
Amanda & Jeff Walker said, “They were moved by Jackie's story and the fact that her friend since she was five wanted to do something for her."
And do something they did, lifting her spirits and helping to focus less on the pain. Pacovsky said, “That tells me that they're real people and that they care and that they care about other people. They don't have a big head / egos because they're famous. That's a fan in there and they care about everybody."
Backstreet Boys Talk New Boy-Band Titans The Jonas Brothers, Old ‘NSYNC Rivalry
Backstreet Boys Talk New Boy-Band Titans The Jonas Brothers, Old 'NSYNC Rivalry
Group also reminisces about 'TRL': 'This is something that we've been a part of since the beginning,' Nick Carter says.
By Jocelyn Vena
October 30, 2008
MTV
Remember the good old days when the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC were battling it out for boy-band supremacy, yet they wanted it to look like there was no rivalry and that things were cool between the two groups? Well, all these years later, the Backstreet Boys finally admit that there was definitely some competition during the late-’90s pop explosion.
“A healthy competition creates this big ball of energy that just doesn’t stop and continues to grow,” Nick Carter said. “Obviously, with ‘NSYNC and with us — we’re allowed to say it now, it’s OK — it was a lot of fun, and it pushed us to be better as a group. I’m sure it pushed them as well. It’s just like [Michael] Jordan and [John] Starks … and the world loves it. We were happy to be a part of it. And we’re still striving to be better.”
“We all fed each other,” Howie Dorough agreed. “Everyone was trying to be on top of their game. … The media sometimes made us out to have a rivalry going on. … There was never any animosity amongst us, but it made for a lot of fun for the fans to get out there and support both sides.”
And it wasn’t just during the fun times that loyal Backstreet Boys fans stood by their sides. The guys recall the time when A.J. McLean used the “Total Request Live” stage to tell the world that he was going into rehab in 2001. He says he chose “TRL” — which ends its 10-year run November 16 — because it was the obvious place for a pop act to go when announcing big news.
“I was definitely happy with that decision,” McLean said. “We had talked about how we were going to approach it. I left it up to the four other guys, ’cause I was going through such turmoil in my head. But I think the reason why we picked ‘TRL’ was because it was our hub. That’s where everything started for us. … What better way to reach the fans? What better place for us to talk to people and be that honest with the situation?
“I still, to this day, have not watched the episode,” he added. “I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, and then when I see Kevin cry, I stop.”
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the guys recall having the power to shut down the center of the Big Apple during a “TRL.” “You used to be able to see out the windows, and then after that, they blacked out the windows and wouldn’t let us go near the windows,” Brian Littrell remembered. “We literally shut down Times Square. I remember it being calmer, then it became crazy.”
The guys will be on hand for the “TRL” finale, where they’ll be performing some fan favorites for the crowd. Nick isn’t ready to see it go. “Sad. This is something that we’ve been a part of since the beginning,” he said. “So many great memories. Why are you taking it off? What’s wrong with you guys? Things have to change.”
The guys are no stranger to change. In 2006, founding member Kevin Richardson left the group, and now the guys are pursuing “new goals.” Dorough said Richardson is in “such a good place right now,” raising a family and pursuing an acting career.
“In the beginning of the tour [this year], we left a gap onstage where Kevin would be, and then it started closing up,” Carter said. “We love him to death. We have to move on. We have new goals and dreams.”
The guys have since released new music and plan to release more next year. They also continue to tour, all with Richardson’s blessing. And despite how weird it still is to not have him around, they have no plans to slow down anytime soon. “We’re the happiest we’ve ever been. We’re all united,” McLean said, and Carter added that this is going to be the beginning of a new era — a fresh start for the guys.
And pop music today is as hot as it was nearly a decade ago, thanks to acts like the Jonas Brothers, and the Backstreet Boys are passing the boy-band torch to their former tourmates. “They opened for us on the ‘Never Gone Tour.’ They’re a talented bunch of kids. They’re growing up fast,” Littrell added. “I don’t feel reluctant to give them advice. I’ll never forget: We were doing a show in Florida with the Temptations, and one of those guys stood up and said, ‘This is show business, and as you’re doing your show, your business could be running out on you.’ I’ll never forget that.”
Group also reminisces about 'TRL': 'This is something that we've been a part of since the beginning,' Nick Carter says.
By Jocelyn Vena
October 30, 2008
MTV
Remember the good old days when the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC were battling it out for boy-band supremacy, yet they wanted it to look like there was no rivalry and that things were cool between the two groups? Well, all these years later, the Backstreet Boys finally admit that there was definitely some competition during the late-’90s pop explosion.
“A healthy competition creates this big ball of energy that just doesn’t stop and continues to grow,” Nick Carter said. “Obviously, with ‘NSYNC and with us — we’re allowed to say it now, it’s OK — it was a lot of fun, and it pushed us to be better as a group. I’m sure it pushed them as well. It’s just like [Michael] Jordan and [John] Starks … and the world loves it. We were happy to be a part of it. And we’re still striving to be better.”
“We all fed each other,” Howie Dorough agreed. “Everyone was trying to be on top of their game. … The media sometimes made us out to have a rivalry going on. … There was never any animosity amongst us, but it made for a lot of fun for the fans to get out there and support both sides.”
And it wasn’t just during the fun times that loyal Backstreet Boys fans stood by their sides. The guys recall the time when A.J. McLean used the “Total Request Live” stage to tell the world that he was going into rehab in 2001. He says he chose “TRL” — which ends its 10-year run November 16 — because it was the obvious place for a pop act to go when announcing big news.
“I was definitely happy with that decision,” McLean said. “We had talked about how we were going to approach it. I left it up to the four other guys, ’cause I was going through such turmoil in my head. But I think the reason why we picked ‘TRL’ was because it was our hub. That’s where everything started for us. … What better way to reach the fans? What better place for us to talk to people and be that honest with the situation?
“I still, to this day, have not watched the episode,” he added. “I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, and then when I see Kevin cry, I stop.”
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the guys recall having the power to shut down the center of the Big Apple during a “TRL.” “You used to be able to see out the windows, and then after that, they blacked out the windows and wouldn’t let us go near the windows,” Brian Littrell remembered. “We literally shut down Times Square. I remember it being calmer, then it became crazy.”
The guys will be on hand for the “TRL” finale, where they’ll be performing some fan favorites for the crowd. Nick isn’t ready to see it go. “Sad. This is something that we’ve been a part of since the beginning,” he said. “So many great memories. Why are you taking it off? What’s wrong with you guys? Things have to change.”
The guys are no stranger to change. In 2006, founding member Kevin Richardson left the group, and now the guys are pursuing “new goals.” Dorough said Richardson is in “such a good place right now,” raising a family and pursuing an acting career.
“In the beginning of the tour [this year], we left a gap onstage where Kevin would be, and then it started closing up,” Carter said. “We love him to death. We have to move on. We have new goals and dreams.”
The guys have since released new music and plan to release more next year. They also continue to tour, all with Richardson’s blessing. And despite how weird it still is to not have him around, they have no plans to slow down anytime soon. “We’re the happiest we’ve ever been. We’re all united,” McLean said, and Carter added that this is going to be the beginning of a new era — a fresh start for the guys.
And pop music today is as hot as it was nearly a decade ago, thanks to acts like the Jonas Brothers, and the Backstreet Boys are passing the boy-band torch to their former tourmates. “They opened for us on the ‘Never Gone Tour.’ They’re a talented bunch of kids. They’re growing up fast,” Littrell added. “I don’t feel reluctant to give them advice. I’ll never forget: We were doing a show in Florida with the Temptations, and one of those guys stood up and said, ‘This is show business, and as you’re doing your show, your business could be running out on you.’ I’ll never forget that.”
What MTV’s Biggest Backstreet Boys Fans Really Wanted To Ask The Band?
What MTV’s Biggest Backstreet Boys Fans Really Wanted To Ask The Band
After a decade-long crush on the Backstreet Boys, I had the pleasure of meeting them on Tuesday. I was finally in the same room as Nick (my crush of the group), AJ, Brian and Howie! (Unfortunately, not Kevin, since he left the group a while back.) If the show “Fanatic” still existed, this would have made for great TV.
When I first found out, I immediately freaked out. What would I wear? I was getting to meet Nick Carter. I had to look good.
My colleagues Christina Garibaldi and Nicole Guanlao were equally excited. We all began to wonder what we would talk to the boys about. What kinds of questions should John Norris ask them? I mean, there’s so much to cover with a group of guys who just might be the greatest boy band of our time.
Though in the end, we opted for what would be considered “real” interview questions, we came up with a few somewhat inappropriate ones in our brainstorming session.
Here what we would have asked:
1) Were you really in space for the “Larger Than Life” video? Follow-up: Do you feel Lance Bass stole your idea?
2) When you guys tour, is Johnny No Name the opening act? If not, would you consider it, and would he have to audition first?
3) Halloween’s coming up. If I wrapped you up in toilet paper to look like mummies, would you perform the dance from the “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” video?
4) Nick, do you wish mushroom haircuts would come back in style?
5) Where do you guys get your facial hair groomed? It’s always been impeccable.
6) Finally, now that Kevin is out of the group, who does the speaking part in “I’ll Never Break Your Heart”? If you need someone, I can do it.
Although we may never know where the guys stand on these hot-button issues, I still haven’t caught my breath from meeting them. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Unless, of course, they want to do it again. Call me, Nick.
Source : MTV Newsroom
After a decade-long crush on the Backstreet Boys, I had the pleasure of meeting them on Tuesday. I was finally in the same room as Nick (my crush of the group), AJ, Brian and Howie! (Unfortunately, not Kevin, since he left the group a while back.) If the show “Fanatic” still existed, this would have made for great TV.
When I first found out, I immediately freaked out. What would I wear? I was getting to meet Nick Carter. I had to look good.
My colleagues Christina Garibaldi and Nicole Guanlao were equally excited. We all began to wonder what we would talk to the boys about. What kinds of questions should John Norris ask them? I mean, there’s so much to cover with a group of guys who just might be the greatest boy band of our time.
Though in the end, we opted for what would be considered “real” interview questions, we came up with a few somewhat inappropriate ones in our brainstorming session.
Here what we would have asked:
1) Were you really in space for the “Larger Than Life” video? Follow-up: Do you feel Lance Bass stole your idea?
2) When you guys tour, is Johnny No Name the opening act? If not, would you consider it, and would he have to audition first?
3) Halloween’s coming up. If I wrapped you up in toilet paper to look like mummies, would you perform the dance from the “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” video?
4) Nick, do you wish mushroom haircuts would come back in style?
5) Where do you guys get your facial hair groomed? It’s always been impeccable.
6) Finally, now that Kevin is out of the group, who does the speaking part in “I’ll Never Break Your Heart”? If you need someone, I can do it.
Although we may never know where the guys stand on these hot-button issues, I still haven’t caught my breath from meeting them. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Unless, of course, they want to do it again. Call me, Nick.
Source : MTV Newsroom
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