Backstreet Boys Past News
11/18/99 Are You Excited?
Backstreet Boys Plan New Tour, New Album
With their recent rift with Jive Records all sewn up
(courtesy of a hefty new contract), the Backstreet
Boys are now looking ahead to a future that
includes a U.S. tour.
As we reported last week, the Boys inked a $60
million, five-year deal with Jive just one month
after charging Jive with breach of contract and
shopping for a new deal.
"It feels great to have resolved the differences with
our record company," the Boys said in a
statement addressing the new Jive contract.
"Now we can move forward in the most positive
way, focused on creating the best music we can
for our fans all over the world. We have very
exciting and interesting plans for the year 2000."
Part of those plans include a six-week U.S. tour
in February and March, after which the
Backstreet Boys will enter the studio to record a
new album due out in September or October.
11/9/99 Backstreet Finally Gets Paid Fairly!
Backstreet Boys Sign New $60 Million Deal With Jive
Backstreet Boys Sign New $60 Million
Deal With Jive
Backstreet Boys
"Larger Than Life"
RealVideo
Despite some legal warning shots fired over their
record label's bow, the Backstreet Boys have
decided not to leave Jive Records and have inked
a new multi-album deal worth $60 million.
The new arrangement effectively puts an end to
the breach of contract suit that the Backstreet
Boys filed last month against Jive.
Now the group has signed a new five-album deal
with Jive and will receive a significant amount of
up-front money for the Backstreet Boys' next
release, tentatively scheduled to drop in
September.
There aren't any 'N Sync stipulations, nor any
mention of the other multi-platinum
Orlando-based boy band, in the contractual
wording of the Backstreet Boys' new deal, which
was allegedly sparked when 'N Sync signed on
with Jive Records in September.
After joining the Jive roster, 'N Sync has been
embroiled in a series of lawsuits with their former
manager, Louis J. Pearlman, his Trans
Continental Media company, and BMG
Entertainment, the parent company of the group's
former label, RCA Records.
The Backstreet Boys have already sold some
seven million copies of their newest album,
"Millennium," released earlier this year.
11/10/99 Mandy Moore Has Good Taste!
Mandy Moore On The Difference Between 'N Sync And Backstreet Boys
Mandy Moore is the latest teen phenom from Orlando to strike
musical gold, as the 15-year-old's first single, "Candy,"has sold over 500,000 copies, according to the
Recording Industry Association of America.
Moore will release her debut album, "So Real," in December,
and she's spent the last six months living out most teenage girls'
wildest dreams by spending time and hanging out with both 'N
Sync and the Backstreet Boys.
Mandy was tapped to open for 'N Sync during its summer tour,
and then joined the Backstreet Boys earlier this month for that
group's fall outing, which continues on through December 6.
In a recent interview with the MTV Radio Network, Mandy
Moore talked about the differences she saw firsthand between
'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys, most of which have to do
with the disparities between the two boy bands' fans.
"There are differences," Moore said of 'N Sync and the
Backstreet Boys. "They are two different groups, and
they're both so talented, and they're great entertainers.
They sell out shows. They have such dedicated fans. But to
me, being on both tours, I really see a difference in the
audience."
"With 'N Sync," she continued, "it was
over the summer, and it was an
amphitheater tour, but I saw a lot more
kids my age and a little bit older. I
mean, there were some younger people
there, but it was mostly around my age,
like 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, maybe.
And they weren't there with their
parents a lot of the time. They were
there with their friends."
"And on Backstreet," Moore
said,"there's five-year-olds, there's ten-year-olds, there's
15-year-olds, there's 25-year-olds. There's adults, there's
dads, there's moms, there's cousins, there's boyfriends.
Everybody's there. I think it's a more mixed group. And in
a way, it's much better for me, because I think my music
reaches people it wouldn't have reached if I were on tour
with somebody else."
Mandy Moore and the Backstreet Boys are scheduled to play
the Skydome in Toronto on November 11. Moore, who has
also just signed on to become the new spokesperson for
Neutrogena, will release "So Real" on December 7.
11/8/99 We All Knew Kevin Was Cute... But Now He's Injured And Cute?
Backstreet Boy Kevin Injures Shoulder On Way To "Sexiest Pop Star" Title
Every silver lining has a cloud... just ask Kevin Richardson.
The eldest Backstreet Boy was recently named "Sexiest Pop
Star" by "People" magazine. However, a snowboarding accident
may have made the celebration a brief one.
Richardson dislocated his shoulder while snowboarding when the
Boys' tour enjoyed an off day in Denver just over a week ago. In
addition to being appropriately dreamy, Richardson is also
apparently rather rugged as well, as he made the group's Denver
show on October 31 and has not missed a gig as a result of the
accident.
"People" magazine's "Sexiest People" issue is on stands now,
while Kevin and the rest of the Boys are still on the road.
11/4/99 How Much Time Do People Think The BSB Have?!
Backstreet Boys Under Fire For Declined Fan Request
These are hectic times for the Backstreet Boys.
The boy band is currently the hottest thing going among
the under-18 female crowd, making demand high and
supply low on their time.
However, the band is currently being scrutinized by the
media for not meeting with a five-year old Michigan girl
named Morgan Zalewski who is undergoing
chemotherapy for leukemia. With the pop act headed to
the Detroit area to perform at the Palace of Auburn Hills,
the girl's father contacted a local newspaper (the
"Macomb Daily News") to reveal that the group denied
her request to meet BSB via the Rainbow Connection (an
organization that tries to grant the wishes of children with
life-threatening illnesses).
The Rainbow Connection says that Zalewski was one of a
number of children in the area who had requested a
chance to meet the group, and the organization said in a
statement that "due to the overwhelming popularity of
these young men and the uncountable requests, our
requests were denied."
After the "Macomb Daily News" carried the story, the
Associated Press picked it up, flagging it with the headline
"Pop Group Refuses To Meet Ill Child."
"We are hurt by these reports that we deliberately did not
see an ailing child in Detroit," the group said in a statement
addressing the issue. "We are committed to our fans and
whenever possible make every effort to meet as many as
possible. Due to our current tour schedule and the amount
of requests we receive, we're unfortunately unable to meet
everyone. We offer our regrets to the Zalewski family and
send our best wishes to Morgan."
Addressing the matter, the Rainbow Connection noted,
"This story developed out of one father's love for his little
girl.... At no time was it the father's intent to bring negative
publicity to the Backstreet Boys or the Rainbow
Connection. He only wanted to make his very sick little
girl happy."
The Boys have done a good deal of work with the
Make-A-Wish Foundation (which also grants the wishes
of ill children) and were recently named 1999 Celebrity
Wish Grantors of the Year by the organization.
"As one of today's most popular music groups, the
Backstreet Boys are extremely busy, but they make a
special effort whenever they can to fulfill the wishes of
children with life-threatening illness."
While Zalewski's request will remain unfulfilled, the local
paper reports that she still plans on seeing the Boys in
concert this weekend.
10/25/99 A Special Performance For Sports Fans!
Backstreet Boys To "Open" For Pistons
The Backstreet Boys have sold out three
nights at The Palace At Auburn Hills in
Detroit and have just announced a fourth
appearance at the venue... though this
time, you won't be hearing the guys
crooning "I Want It That Way," "Larger
Than Life," or the rest of their hits.
It turns out that the Backstreet Boys are
big basketball fans, and the night before
they kick off their three-night stand at the
Palace, they'll be serving as an opening act
(of sorts) when they sing the National
Anthem before the Detroit Pistons' home
opener on November 5.
While the Backstreet Boys are busy
fighting off the hordes of screaming fans,
the Pistons will be taking on the defending
Eastern Conference champions the New
York Knicks.
The next three nights, November 6, 7, and
8, will see them returning to performing
their usual repertoire at their sold out
concerts at the same venue.
10/5/99 Backstreet Shops For New Record Label
And N Sync claims not to copy the Backstreet Boys!
Just weeks after 'N Sync opened a legal
can of worms by breaking its contract with
RCA Records to jump to Jive Records,
Jive labelmates the Backstreet Boys are
now playing their own game of contractual
hardball.
Attorneys for the Backstreet Boys charge
that Jive has breached its contract with the
group and that Backstreet is no longer on
the label, which is also the home of Britney
Spears as well as 'N Sync.
As we previously reported, 'N Sync's
move to Jive allegedly angered the
Backstreet Boys, even though both groups
were created (and at one time managed)
by Orlando-based boy band guru Louis J.
Pearlman.
A spokesperson for Jive told MTV News
that the group was "signed to a long-term
exclusive agreement with Jive Records."
While Backstreet's management wouldn't
comment on the legal wrangling, a
spokeswoman for the group did say that
the guys "don't have a problem with 'N
Sync" and that their current North
American tour would not be affected.
"We're not just a quote-unquote boy
band. We're artists just like
everybody else out there, like Boyz II
Men and everybody else," the Boys'
Howie D. told MTV News' Chris
Connelly as the tour launched last month.
Howie closed his comment with the now
prophetic, "We just want the respect
from the industry as well as the
audience out there."
9/29/99 Backstreet Boy Howie D. Admits To Dropping His Drawers (Accidentally)
Naughty Howie! (j/k)
Yes, Virginia, even Backstreet Boys have
to endure moments of public humiliation
from time to time.
The guys' sold-out 39-city tour rolls into
Philadelphia's First Union Center on
Wednesday and Thursday, and things
have, for the most part, been running quite
smoothly to fans' eyes. The performers
themselves, however, have encountered a
fair share of surprises along the way.
MTV News' own Chris Connelly met
backstage with Howie D. of the BSBs
recently and asked him to share the bare
facts about one unpredictable moment in
particular, which took place during the
point in the show when the guys "fly" out
over the audience.
"I had an unexpected situation happen
to me," Howie D. began. "I was up
there, up on the flying trap, and I did a
couple of flips, and my pants weren't
exactly tightened really good enough.
Next thing you know, half of my pants
are halfway down my leg. And I'm,
like, holding on to one leg, holding my
pants up, and all the dancers got a
kick out of it... and enjoyed the
sights."
Fear not; the singer only dropped his
drawers during a rehearsal, not an actual
concert. The group's Kevin Richardson,
however, wasn't so lucky (though his fans
were), as his pants accidentally dropped
during the first night of the tour in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
8/7/99 Backstreet Boys Brian Littrell Pens Song For Don Philip
The Backstreet Boys are slowly but surely working on their songwriting skills. Brian Littrell, who co-wrote
three tracks from the Boys' chart-topping Millennium album, has co-written another
tune for Jive Records' next groomed-for-stardom boy balladeer, Don Philip. Littrell co-wrote the song, entitled "How Did I Ever," with producer/songwriter Eric Foster
White, who is producing Phillip's as-yet-untitled Jive debut. It was undecided at press time whether or not the song will make the final cut of Philip's album, set for an early 2000 release.
The 23-year-old Philip first appeared on Britney Spears' album Baby One More Time where he tag-teamed with the teen sensation on the track, "I Will Still Love You."
Philip's first single will be a song entitled "Sugar" from the upcoming Jive soundtrack to You Drive Me Crazy, set to
hit radio in early September. The soundtrack also includes new tracks from Britney Spears,"(You Drive Me) Crazy" (Stop Remix), and a new tune from Jars of Clay.
The soundtrack for You Drive Me Crazy is set for a Sept. 28 release, while the film, starring Melissa Joan Hart, will hit theaters Oct. 1
Meanwhile, the Backstreet Boys will hit the road for a North American tour on Sept. 15.
Here are the dates:
Sept. 15, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., National Rental Car Arena
Sept. 17, Charlotte, N.C., Charlotte Coliseum
Sept. 19, Washington, D.C., MCI Center
Sept. 21, Boston, Fleet Center
Sept. 24, E. Rutherford, N.J., Continental Airlines Arena
Sept. 26, Uniondale, N.Y., Nassau Coliseum
Sept. 29, Philadelphia, First Union Center
Oct. 4, Columbus, Ohio, Schottanstein Center
Oct. 5-6, Chicago, Rosemont Horizon
Oct. 9, Minneapolis, Target Center
Oct. 12, Phoenix, America West Arena
Oct. 14, Anaheim, Calif., the Anaheim Pond
Oct. 16, Las Vegas, MGM Grand
Oct. 19, Los Angeles, Great Western Forum
Oct. 21, San Jose, Calif., San Jose Arena
Oct. 25, Portland, Ore., Rose Garden
Oct. 26, Tacoma, Wash., Tacoma Dome
Oct. 29, Salt Lake City, Utah, Delta Center
Oct. 30, Denver, Pepsi Center
Nov. 2, Iowa City, Iowa, Carver Hawkeye Arena
Nov. 3, Madison, Wis., Kohl Center
Nov. 4, Milwaukee, Wis., Bradley Center
Nov. 6, Detroit, Palace of Auburn Hills
Nov. 10, Montreal, Molsen Center
Nov. 11, Toronto, Skydome
Nov. 12, Ottawa, Ontario Corel Centre
Nov. 14, Buffalo, N.Y., Maine Midland Arena
Nov. 15, Cincinnati, Firster Arena
Nov. 17, St. Louis, Kiel Center
Nov. 18, Kansas City, Mo., Kemper Arena
Nov. 20, New Orleans, Sports Arena
Nov. 21, Memphis, Tenn., the Pyramid
Nov. 23, Birmingham, Ala., B.J.C.C.
Nov. 24, Atlanta, Philips Arena
Nov. 26, Lexington, Ky., Rupp
Nov. 28, Knoxville, Tenn., Thompson Boling Arena
Nov. 29, Nashville, Tenn., Nashville Arena
Dec. 1, Orlando, Fla., Orlando Arena
Dec. 2, Tampa, Fla., Ice Palace
7/26/99 Backstreet Boys Chat At ZooogDisney.com
Since the Backstreet Boys did the July concert special for the Disney Channel, they've decided to also have them do a chat straight from Europe! It's tonight at http://www.zoogdisney.com. Which member is it that's chatting? No one knows, Disney's keeping it for a surprise! Check it out!
7/19/99 Offspring Assault Backstreet Boys?
Backstreet Boys watch out: the Offspring are out to get you.
At an Offspring concert on Sunday in Berkeley, California, vocalist Bryan
"Dexter" Holland bludgeoned the band members (or, rather, life-sized inflatable
representations of A.J., Brian, Howie, Kevin, and Nick) with a bright orange
whiffle bat as a crowd of frenzied fans cheered him on. When he was through
with his dirty work, the band celebratedby launching into "Cool to Hate" from the
1997 album "Ixnay on the Hombre." These and other between-song antics
made the afternoon show at the Greek Theatre a visual as well as auditory
spectacle. Highlights included Holland's dousing the mosh pit with a fully charged
firehose, an almost entirely naked man running loose on stage, and an unusual
intermission during which Holland, guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, and bass
player Greg Kriesel sat in inflatable chairs. Claiming to be "tuckered out," as Holland
said, they sat back and relaxed while a backup singer served drinks to sweaty
fans in the front row. Once properly rested, the band roared back with "Come
Out and Play."
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