Backstreet Boys take on rock's old boys

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Nov 20, 2000 Source: Australia News Network Submitted By: Melody SCREAMING girls, hysterical scenes at the airport -- and the current biggest-selling pop group in the world emerging from a luxury jet. America's Backstreet Boys are flattered by comparisons to The Beatles and the Fab Five tag sits well with them. But be sure not to call them a "boy band" because, they say, they are more than just five pretty faces. The 51 million album-selling group in Sydney yesterday took the chance to weigh into the debate inflamed by the old guard of pop about so-called "manufactured" pop groups. Last month U2's Bono, 40, backed fellow superstar George Michael, 37, in saying pop music was dominated by too many bubblegum bands and "pretty young things". "People are sick to the teeth of processed and hyped pop bands. They want something real again," Bono said. He blamed "manufactured" all-male singing groups for turning the British industry into a shadow of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones days. But Backstreet Boys -- Kevin Richardson, 28, Howie D. Dorough, 27, Brian Littrell, 25, and Nick Carter, 20 -- said they were none of those things. "We don't consider ourselves to be manufactured. We don't consider ourselves to be a quote unquote boy band," Richardson said. Backstreet Boys formed in Orlando, Florida. As school students, A.J. McLean, Howie D. Dorough and Nick Carter had met at local acting auditions. Kevin Richardson later joined them, and his cousin Brian Littrell completed the fivesome which released its first single, We've Got It Goin On in 1995. "When we first came on the scene ... there were all these boy bands and they put us in that category. "And they're just a bunch of pretty faces that somebody threw together. "You know one of them maybe could sing half decent and on key and they could make a record and sell lots of albums. "But I believe our music has soul to it, substance to it." Richardson said the group's influences ranged from Boyz2Men to the Bee Gees. "As a matter of fact, Bono did a song with Boyzone from Ireland so I don't really know where that comment was coming from," he said. Backstreet Boys blew into Sydney yesterday as part of their Round The World In 100 Hours tour for their upcoming album Black & Blue. After meeting a screaming throng at the airport, the group boarded an open-top bus to visit Sydney landmarks before appearing at the Pitt St Mall. Thousands of fans flocked to the city and the group looked genuinely overawed at the deafening roar. Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: crork service Vs24HJ very handful of internet websites that transpire to become comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well really worth checking out Submitted by: good backlinks blD4sl Hi my family member! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include almost all vital infos. I'd like to peer more posts like this . Submitted by: crorkz matz eIo9SH A big thank you for your article post.Thanks Again. Submitted by: yomailette hi guys i love you bsb Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: John Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: Greg Guepy Submitted by: Michael Pollitt Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys to tour South Africa in 2001 Prev Item: Boys Announce Preliminary Tour Cities