As one of the earliest teen-pop boy bands to arrive on the scene, New Kids on the Block helped set the standard for the trend that dominated the '90s and '00s, influencing the likes of N Sync, Backstreet Boys and Westlife.
Masterminded by producer Maurice Starr, New Kids on the Block became a multi-Platinum selling hit, with their R&B-tinged urban pop that found legions of young female fans. The band came together in 1985, after Starr conducted a talent search in the city of Boston, US. Donnie Whalberg, Jordan Knight, Jon Knight, Danny Wood and Joe McIntyre fit the bill, with these young teenagers soon gaining a contract with Columbia Records, before they were barely 16 years old. Their self-titled debut was release in 1986, which failed to capture the nation's attention.
Yet with their second album, "Hangin' Tough," in 1988, the youthful act found an endless stream of hits, with their bubblegum-pop that was perfectly suited to the radio. Five songs broke into the Top Ten, with their Christmas album released the following year going on to sell double-Platinum. New Kids on the Block became household names and sales of their debut rose to multi-Platinum also.
The craze continued into the new decade, with the single "Step by Step" becoming a massive hit, with the album of the same name going on to sell three million copies in America alone. The band were also an international success, shifting 16 million copies globally. Extensive touring followed, which saw them play over 100 dates, whilst also unleashing a whole collection of merchandise that even included dolls. Proving that shrewd marketing pays off, in 1991, the band became the highest-grossing performers, beating the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna.
Popularity for the group began to wane, with their fan base, and themselves beginning to grow up, finding different desires. In 1994, they attempted to offer a more mature image, going by simply NKOTB and releasing "Face The Music," a more legitimate urban R&B record that displayed their own songwriting talents. Unable to make the desired impact, the group decided to bring it to an end by the end of the year.
Following various solo careers and acting roles, New Kids on the Block decided to return in 2008, releasing "The Block," which despite its negative criticism, still managed to debut at number two in the Billboard charts. New Kids on the Block continued to tour, co-headlining with Backstreet Boys in 2011. Still on the road, new material surfaced in 2013, titled "10."
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