Well, it was only inevitable that I write about them one of these days.
New Kids on the Block were one of THE original boy bands. Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Donnie, and Danny were ridiculously popular. I’ve got cousins who were obsessed with them (and no doubt one or two of them will comment on this post). But what happened to them? I mean, they reunited in 2008, but even then, where are they now?
First, a little history: they got together in 1984 (but who cares, because that’s not the ’90s). In 1990, they won a pair of American Music Awards. Their biggest selling single came in 1990 - the title track of their album Step By Step.
Geez, today you can’t PAY a kid to tuck in their shirt!
It is also worth mentioning that every single one of those facts on Wikipedia is followed by “[citation needed]“. Take it for what it is.
They also had a freaking Saturday morning cartoon. I mean, really! Think about that: do you see 50 Cent or Lil’ Wayne teaming up on Saturday mornings to teach kids about sharing and solving mysteries? No. You don’t. Because that would be lame. Groups in the ’90s could do that stuff because they were awesome.
In 1991, they topped Forbes’ list of highest paid entertainers with $400 million. They beat out Michael Jackson and Madonna (freaks today - awesome entertainers then), and even Bill Cosby, which breaks my heart a little bit.
The mid-’90s saw their popularity wane, and they disbanded in 1994. From 1995-2007, they kept trying to get back together and didn’t, usually because one of them whined, not realizing their only success came from NKOTB. In ‘99, they were set to perform on the VMAs, but Jonathan declined, so nothing happened. In 2004, the VH1 show Bands Reunited tried to get them all to, but Joey, Donnie, and Danny all apparently had better things to do, like working (hahahahahahaha….). Joey apparently said that the only way he would join in was if they were going to reunite permanently. Because there’s nothing that screams “New Millenium” like middle-aged, washed-up pop stars.
In 2008, they got back together to write new material and tour again. Their new album, The Block, hit #1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Their second single, “Single”, featured Ne-Yo, of all people. Really, guys? That’s like an aging Paul McCartney teaming up with a red-hot Michael Jackson. Oh, wait…
That did happen.
And reports that their next song, “Song”, would be released shortly proved to be false. They may wait to put that on their next album, Album.
Anyhoo, here’s where they’ve been:
Jonathan - Went into real estate (His slogan: “Let Jonathan Knight be your real estate agent and he’ll make you the NEW KID ON THE BLOCK!” Just kidding. It’d be killer, though.)
Jordan - Had a hit in 1999 with “Give It to You”. Was a jackhole on VH1’s The Surreal Life (hey, remember when VH1 played music videos?).
Joey - Also had a hit in 1999 with “Stay The Same”. Started acting, danced on Dancing With The Stars.
Danny - Started a record label and laid low, until VH1, who apparently can’t get enough of these guys, pulled him into Totally Boyband, which fused together washed-up boy band members.
Donnie - Did a lot of acting, nowhere near as successful as brother Marky Mark.
Couldn’t live up to this guy.
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New Kids on the Block - You Got It (The Right Stuff) |  |
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Found at skreemr.com |  |
Technorati Tags: NKOTB, New Kids, New Kids On The Block, Marky Mark, Mark Wahlberg, ’90s Music, 1991, 1994, Ne-Yo, Where Are They Now
