Fans cheer Knight's new trip around the block
Daily Herald
Arlington Heights
May 1, 1999
Authors: Andy Argyrakis Daily Herald
A thousand screaming girls and women packed Yorktown's Sam Goody record store Wednesday with only one objective: to meet Jordan Knight.
The former New Kid on the Block was at the Lombard store to sign autographs for fans age 10 to 30.
Girls dressed in old New Kids paraphernalia proved that fans are still as loyal as ever.
"I went to seven of their concerts and went to hotels," said 27- year-old Gina Damato of Yorkville. "New Kids were such a big part of my life back then, so this was my one chance to meet him."
Knight's appearance is part of a tour to promote his tour with 'N Sync and his self-titled album due in stores May 25.
"I just want to do good stuff - you know make good videos, {and} when I'm on stage do a really good job," Knight said. "{I'm doing} a lot of in-stores and I'm going across the country to all the different radio stations."
And dedicated fans out there probably know every stop before he does. At 4 p.m., the line of girls wrapped and squirmed through the long record store. By 4:30 p.m., the line was curved and making it's way back up to the front again.
"People were here at 10 a.m. this morning for a 5 p.m. autograph session, starting with a couple from Detroit and a lady from Cleveland," said Alan Heffelfinger, assistant store manager. "It wasn't bad until 2 p.m. Once the line started, it grew fast."
Knight admitted his fans range from elementary kids to college graduates.
"A lot of people come up and tell me they were New Kids fans when they were young and they're still fans now."
Carol Cusack fits the profile perfectly. The 23-year-old has been a fan for 13 years.
"He's my favorite," said Cusack, of West Chicago. "I brought with me two roses, a poem I wrote and a birthday card to give to Jordan."
Yes, fans even know his birthday and celebrate the glorious day he was brought into this world.
"I'm turning 16 on May 17, Jordan's birthday," said Constance Zebala, of Wheaton. "Since I was 8, I have been a New Kids fan. I have everything from marbles, to collectible cards to T-shirts."
And she truly is a die-hard fan, not sharing her love with any other groups.
"{The New Kids} were the original boy band," Zebala said. "I'm not into the Backstreet Boys or 98 Degrees, and 'N Sync is just a flashback to the New Kids."
Regardless of fans' likes and dislikes in today's music world, the friendly screams inside Sam Goody proved Knight can do know wrong in his fans' eyes.
"It feels good to be able to touch a lot of different people," Knight said. "That makes me feel really, really good."
Caption: lomknight_na0428lompm Former New Kid on the Block Jordan Knight chats with Shari Johnson of Park Ridge at Sam Goody in Lombard's Yorktown Mall. Knight signed autographs for more than 1,000 fans as part of a tour promoting his self-titled album due in stores May 25. Daily Herald Photo/Paul Michna
