None of the members of Backstreet Boys are what you'd call shy, but you could accurately claim that Brian "B-Rok" Littrell is the most reserved of the bunch. unfailingly polite, obviously "raised right," sincere, down-to-earth- these are all of Brian's personnal characteristics. Watch him onstage, however, and you'll see the other side of Brian, the side that's passionate about giving a good performance, thrilled to be part of the group and sincerely thankful to the fans who have followed his career along the way.
Brian has never had a singing lesson in his life. He's just a natural talent! Born on February 20, 1975 in Lexington, Kentucky, Brian is the younger of two brothers in a family who revered music but never truly considered singing professionally. " I never dreamed of being a big star or anything," he says. " I grew up in a big Baptist church and ever since I could walk I was singing." A brush with a serious childhood illness helped cement Brian's ties to both his family and his faith. Through all the Backstreet Boys success, he's never lost sight of what's truly important in life. One of the things he never leaves on tour without is his book of spiritual life lessons which, he explains, helps him keep his head on straight when events around him threaten to get a little crazy.
" I'm not real religious but my family brought me up with a religious background. I try to stay somewhat focused on that and do my own thing," he says. Although they don't broadcast their views on religion, all of the Backstreet Boys thank the divin powers for their success. Before a concert, the five will gather together to focus their energy and say a little prayer. " We always hold hands and say a prayer and do a little meditation-type focus thing...just so that the show goes well and there are no injuries," he explains.
While none of the guys in Backstreet Boys behave badly, the other members admit that Brian is definitely the least likely to cheat on a girlfriend. He was also voted the Backstreet Boys most likely to get married first. "Either him or Kevin," says Nick.
B-Rok says that he'd love to meet someone with "a great personality, very open, trustworthy, giving and just willing to have fun." Brian also says that the first thing he notices about girls are their eyes. " Pretty eyes are nice to look at," he says.
What else does Brian like? Lots of things! He and Nick have an ongoing rivalry playing sports-related Nintendo games and shooting hoops. The good-natured competition between " Frick" and "Frack" as they sometimes call each other, can really heat up sometimes! Brian also loves lifting weights, water skiing, and watching any movie starring Speed 2's Sandra Bullock. Often recruited to sing lead on Backstreet Boys tracks, Brian admits that he has a total soft spot for their first American single "Quit playing games (with my heart).
Musically, he loves the sounds of Take 6, Boyz II Men and Luther Vandross. " I admire him as a singer because I saw him live in Orlando," he says. " I would have given anything to get a copy of that concert. It was just unbelievable. He just blew me away."
Of course, Brian's own soaring pipes have received plenty of acclaim, but this is one guy who never lets success go to his head. He's completely grounded and plans to stay that way no matter how high Backstreet Boys star rises. " If you dwell on all the people who know me or Nick or us, it can be kind of a shock. But I think it's what you make of it" he proclams. " I mean, I'm no different than anyone else. My logic is that my life is no different from anybody else's except for four or five feet, and that four or five feet is how all the stage is. Because if you put anyone else on the stage, the girls will scream. I'm just the lucky one who's having an opportunity like this. When I step off the stage, I'm like anyone else."
Despite his modesty, it's Brian's own opinion that destiny was involved in the phone call he receive from hes cousin Kevin that brought him into Backstreet Boys. " I think everyone's here for a reason," he says. " To do something natural, which for me is singing and being a ham on stage. But to be a singer- to do something I love, to go to work every day and do something that I enjoy- that's what I was looking for." Brian just never dared to imagine that Backstreet Boys would become the global phenomena they have. " I never dreamed it would be worldwide." he says. " It's still kind of a little hard to believe."
