Backstreet Boys - Why Are They So Special?

The Backstreet Boys have got to have some special thing about them that throws the world into a screaming frenzy when they're around. Of course, there's the obvious fact that they're all gorgeous and can sing a tune like nobody's business! But what else is there, beneath the surface, that draws people to them? After all, they are a cut above the rest in an industry where boy singers are everywhere, all of them just itching for a taste of the stardom BSB have. So what's their special something, what's that little bit of magice they've got? Let's see...

They Care!
Read the article in this website, about how hurt BSB are that they were being criticized in the press because they weren't able to make a personal visit to a sick little girl. All of the Boys genuinely care about their fans. If they didn't, why would they work so hard to please them with their music? There are other music groups who do it for the dollars they'll make, but not this group. Hey, they've already scored big financially - they could quit now and coast through life comfortably. But no. They love bringing happiness to their fans, and so they keep at it!

They Love Their Families!
Family is really important to Nick, Brian, Kevin, AJ and Howie. Whenever they have time off from recording and touring, most of them head home for a visit. Howie and AJ actually stay home, too, 'cause they still ilve there! Imagine that! Pop mega-stars who can more than afford to buy decked out mansions and have swinging bachelor pads, and they prefer to live at home with Mom!

Howie hasn't even changed his bedroom very much since his high school years. "I've been so busy on the road and constantly moving, I've never even changed it," he tells. "The only thing I did was finally get a bigger bed - my feet were starting to hang off the edge!"

And AJ still glows when he talks about his mom, Denise. He grew up as an only child with no dad, so he was and still is way close to her. "I'm her pride and joy and she's mine," AJ says about the first lady in his life. Now that is sweet!

They Love Each Other!
If you yourself have siblings, then you probably know it's hard to get along sometimes. You spend a lot of time together, you have disagreements. That's how it is with BSB. They truly are like real brothers to each other. And yes, they definetely figh. Sometimes pretty fiercely. One time, Kevin and Brian were arguing so loudly and heatedly that their limo driver pulled to the side of the road and ouldn't drive till the two calmed down! But the guys love each other like real siblings do too.

"I'm not in competition with the rest of the guys," AJ says. "We give each other energy - it's an all-around good thing." If you've evr been to a BSB concert, you can tell that's true. You can practically feel the energy sizzling off the stage! The guys just click with each other, and that's 'cause they care about each other personally!

Their Music Rates!
This goes without saying! The biggest reason Backstreet Boys are so special is their music. It's what first captivated girls' hearts and it just keeps getting better and better. With their second album, Millennium, breaking sales records, the proof is even stronger that they've got true talent. When the quintet first tried to strut their stuff on American soil, critics dismissed them as just another boy band singing gushy songs to break teen girls' hearts. Well, now the truth is solid - the Backstreet Boys are here to stay!

One fan sais, "I love 'I Want It That Way.' You hear the song, and you understand love." And BSB are psyched to hear that! That's part of their whole mission - to sing about love and make a difference in someone's life.

Their Fans Come First!
About a year ago, before Millennium came out, ALL-STARS was talking to the Boys about their upcoming album and what type of songs they'd have on it. And, as much as they want to grow musically and appeal to adults as well as kids and teens, the group made sure they didn't get too far ahead of their main fan base. "The lyrics aren't over our young fans' heads," Kevin said.

And when it comes to their concerts, AJ, Howie, Nick, Brian and Kevin go all out, as anyone who's ever seen 'em perform knows. They don't just put on some costumes and go out there and sing! When they were dishing on what their shows for their Millennium tour would be like, Kevin insisted, "If someone's never seen a concert before, we want to make sure they never, ever forget this one. And if they have [seen a concert before], we want this one to be the best one they've ever seen!"

They Share The Spotlight!
Not known for being selfish, the Backstreet Boys are willing to share the superstar spotlight. They even go out of their way to try to jump-start the careers of other musicians. Like Howie, for example. His number one protege is his big sister, Pollyanna Dorough. Together, the brother and sister habe written songs that Polly's recorded for her upcoming CD. Howie says, "In the last year. I really got interested in writting music for other artists - I wrote about 30 songs this last year." Geez, even with all the BSB insanity, Howie finds the time to do that much!

Nick wants to help other artists also. "Recently, I made a promise to myself that I was going to start helping other people in the business, in singing, who are less fortunate than me," Nick says. "There are a lot of people out there who are very talented who all deserve a chance to get their stuff out there. Right now I'm working with a rapper, Damon. We're working on material an I'm helping him get a record deal - I'm managing him."

They Treat Girls The Right Way!
Nick, Brian, AJ, Kevin and Howie all have really good relationships with their mothers, which is probably why they know how to treat a girl the right way. They are really respectful and gentlemanly when they take a girl on a date. Their true-blue fans probably cringe when they hear their fave Boy has a girlfriend, but it has happened that each BSB has been in a one-on-one relationship. Hey, life on the road can be lonely, and everyone needs someone they can cozy up to at the end of the day!

A girl that Brian dated for four years, Samantha Stonebraker, says when she and her BSB first became kissy kissy with each other, "Brian snuck into my locker and left dozens of roses, some frozen yogurt and a note that said, 'Meet me outside and we;kk share.' We both love frozen yogurt. That was very romantic, and I'll never forget it."

Kevin, it seems, has been in a longterm relationship ever since he worked at Disneyland as a Ninja Turtle! He doesn't want to reveal his girlfriend's name, out of respect for her privacy, but he says she's the light of his life. A BSB insider tells that Kevin is really at his best when he's with his lady.

ALL-STARS sort of had to twist Nick's arm last year to get him to admit he had a girlfriend! Even though he's since broken up with the girl, he still has lovin' feelings for her. He says, "I never show any disrespect toward the ladies." And Nick isn't stuck-up about dating only other celebrities. "I personally don't think it's important to date somebody in the industry. It's all about fate. You could find somebody that you love at 7 Eleven!"

They Haven't Gone Commercial CooCoo!
If they wanted it that way, you could see the Backstreet Boys' faces everywhere you look - on t-shirts, bedsheets, plates, dolls, notebooks, and so on. But the guys didn't want it that way. They've kept a tight leash on the amount with their images on it. After all, if they were in it only for the money, they could be making tons of dollars off of themselves! But no.

"In regards to merchandise and stuff like that, that's one thing we've really taken control of ourselves because we don't want to be taking the American publick for the money," Howie explains. "And so we want to have good quality merchandise out there." Brian adds, "I don't want a Backstreet Boys merchandising - you probably own a special something with BSB on it, right?! Whatever you have that's got Backstreet Boys on it is very special, just like the Boys themselves are special!