Backstreet Boys Lead the Pack of New Guy Groups
By Elizabeth Meyers
Three of the Boys -- Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean -- met in Orlando, Fla., in 1993 after they kept running into each other at various acting auditions. To pass the time while waiting in line, the three started doo-wopping and decided their voices sounded pretty good together. They hired a manager, who suggested they go from three-part harmony to five. That's when Richardson came in, bringing his cousin Brian Littrell along for the ride.
Soon they were signed to Jive Records and their single "We've Got It Going On" hit the airwaves. The poppy R&B song fizzled in America but sizzled overseas. So the Boys toured abroad, where they became the darlings of Europe.
Nearly two years later, America seems to have caught on to the Backstreet phenomenon. Their self-titled CD on Jive Records is on the Billboard Top 10, their single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" is a huge hit and, in what can only be called the crowning glory of coolness, the group just appeared on Saturday Night Live.
react met with the guys in a New York City restaurant recently to talk about their success and their U.S. tour, which kicks off on July 8. To say they're excited would be an understatement. And why not? Finally, the Backstreet Boys are the toast of their own turf.
Kevin Richarson, 26
NICKNAME: "Train." He played football in high school and ran over opponents like a train.
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Boyz II Men, The Shangri-Las and New Edition.
STRANGEST RUMOR HE'S HEARD: "I heard that I have a million dollar movie deal with Tom Cruise. I was like, 'Wow, cool.' I'm still waiting for the letter to come in the mail."
ADVICE: "Follow your dreams, but get an education first. Follow your heart and don't be afraid, but you'll have to work hard."
Nick Carter, 18
NICKNAME: "Frack" (see Brian).
SPENDS HIS MONEY ON: Sportswear. He showed up for the interview in an electric-blue and yellow warm-up suit.
TRUE CONFESSION: "When we first started out, I couldn't dance."
Howie Dorough, 24
NICKNAME: "Sweetie," because he has got a good heart. He signs autographs and talks to fans.
MESSAGE TO HIS HOMIES: "We'd like the fellas that are out there hearing our music to feel that we're speaking for them, from their point of view in our songs and in our lyrics."
SCARIEST MOMENT: In South America, he was attacked by his fans. They pulled out his hair and scratched up his arms. "I still have scars!"
Brian Littrell, 23
NICKNAME: Brian is "Frick" and Nick is "Frack" because they're always hanging out together.
FASHION PHILOSOPHY: "We sort of mix it up when it comes to clothes. We've been all over the world and seen all sorts of styles, so when we come back, we're all over the place."
FAVORITE FOOD: Brian is the most finicky eater in the group and practically runs away from green veggies. "I'd eat breakfast food all day if I could."
BIG SECRET: "People see you on TV or hear you on the radio and they think you're a big star and you're big-headed. We're not."
A.J. McLean, 20
NICKNAME: "The Bone," because he's so skinny.
FAVORITE FOOD: McDonald's. "It's the universal food!"
WHAT'S IN HIS CD PLAYER: Mozart. No joke.
FUNNIEST RUMOR HE'S HEARD: "That I have a girlfriend in every country."
