biography

New Kids on the Block began their journey in 1984, when producer Maurice Starr wanted to put together an r&b group. Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood were the first to join, then Jordan and Jon Knight with experience in their church choir were added. All four boys were from the same Boston area of Dorchester and were roughly the same age, and had been school friends.

The fifth member added was Joey McIntyre, who was from a different area in Boston, and was four years younger than the rest of the guys. Initially he had a very hard time fitting in with the group and almost quit, but the guys convinced him to stay.

And it's a good thing they did, because they would become the most successful group in the late 80s/early 90s outselling some really big acts.

The group released their self-titled debut in 1986... It didn't do very well. In interviews it was revealed that it wasn't really them, their look, their sound. Their second album Hangin' Tough was released in 1988 and also had a hard time selling, until a pop radio station picked up Please Don't Go Girl and soon the album was selling and selling big, it would reach #1 in the US and UK. They followed up the release with endless tours and about every piece of merchandise you can imagine.

In 1990, their third album, Step By Step was released and it was also a success, hitting #1 in the US and UK. By this time, they were everywhere, tours, stores, tv, everywhere. The guys were tired, rumours were flying, tabloids were lashing out, and in 1994 when they released their fourth (and some thought final) album, Face the Music, the time for them was over. The music world was moving on, people were growing tired of pop, and the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam were taking the mainstream. The band just ended it, no big hooplah, they were just done. They needed a break.

In the middle of all of their album releases, they also released a Christmas album and a remix album. In 1999 a Greatest Hits album was released, and re-released after their reunion tour to include a 2008 tour mix, Joey McIntyre's solo Stay the Same and Jordan Knight's duet Angel of Love.

And in 2008, we got them back!!! New Kids announced their reunion on The Today Show in early 2008. They returned to The Today Show to perform live for the first time in nearly 15 years! Their fifth album, The Block was released in September 2008 with a tour to follow.

Our guys are back on the block and they are still as amazing as they ever were. I love you NKOTB :) Thank you for coming back.