Backstreet Boys Take To The Streets Of Toronto

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 10, 2001 Source: TVforBC.com Submitted By: Helen 1,500 Screaming Female Fans Lined City Streets For Group TORONTO, 11:59 a.m. EST February 7, 2001 -- Hours before the Backstreet Boys made an appearance at MuchMusic Tuesday night as many as 1,500 mostly female fans flooded the streets around the downtown TV station. They were waiting outside even though all the spots inside the studio were reserved for people who had won contests. Wednesday night, the band plays a sold-out show at Toronto's SkyDome, to showcase their latest album, Black and Blue. "It's so worth it," said a shivering 16-year-old Amy Secor of Ajax, Ont., waiting outside the station. "They're so sexy. I've watched them forever, since 1996." Secor, who said her parents knew she was cutting class, got up at 5 a.m. to make the trek downtown. The early wake-up call only earned Secor a spot in the middle of the lineup outside the studio to see singers Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean and Nick Carter. Although it was difficult for fans to hear the interview above their own din, McLean thrilled them by bearing his tattooed arms and Littrell played along enthusiastically. Kevin, however, seemed grumpy. By the flavour-of-the-month standards of boy bands, the Backstreet Boys have been around for a while. They formed in 1993 after meeting in an Orlando, Fla., high school, and released their first single in 1995. All of their albums have gone platinum. Those at the front of the line had to camp out overnight to earn their prized spots. Making a 17-hour train and bus trek from Moosonee and Moose Factory in northern Ontario paid off for Tammy Cheechoo, Kathryn Pasquach and Theresa Mark. The three friends shared a blanket and drank lots of coffee to keep warm after arriving at 5:30 Monday night. "We're really hoping to get a front-row seat to watch them through the window," said 17-year-old Cheechoo. The crowd occasionally broke into song - Backstreet Boys, naturally - and the fans shrieked at the top of their lungs, often, for no apparent reason. A police officer guiding traffic admitted the din was getting to him, even though the crowd was otherwise well-behaved. "My shift ends before the band gets here, thank God," said the officer, who wouldn't give his name. Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys trigger T.O. teen screamfest Prev Item: Fans still wild over the Backstreet Boys