Boy bands through the years
The Monkees to Day26: Boy band evolution
By Sheigh Crabtree, Stephanie Lysaght and Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
The Spice Girls got back together last year, and now the boys are getting in on the reunion action. The members of New Kids on the Block announced in early April that they will tour and record new material.
And the timing, perhaps, couldn’t be better. When the New Kids on the Block made its announcement, the top of the charts featured the likes of Danity Kane and Day26, one girl group and one boy band, respectively. Indeed, boy bands and girl groups are a formula that the music business and the music fans never seem to tire of, even as generational looks and sounds may change.
From pop to hip-hop and R&B, the Monkees to the Osmonds to Boyz II Men to Day26, heres a look at some notable boy bands over the years.
Click here to read: New Kids returning to the block
Click here to read: Supremes to Destiny’s to Dolls: Girl group evolution
Pictured: ‘N Sync on tour (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Bell Biv DeVoe
Look: With names like Ricky “Slick” Bell, Michael “Biv” Bivins and Ronnie “R.D.” DeVoe, you know BBD dresses to impress. The New Edition spinoff group’s casual wear ranged from athletic jerseys with nylon shorts to shredded acid-washed jeans and Timberland boots, all topped off with Kid ‘n Play-like fades. The “Poison” boys sported evening wear that leaned toward triple-thick shoulder pads on suits with matching turtlenecks and pocket squares.
Sound: BBD spearheaded a move to hip-hop, inflected with R&B and pop loops. The lyrical hook from the group’s No. 1 hit “Poison” (“It’s drivin’ me out of my mind! ... Can’t get it out of my head!) is true for most listeners of the song, as a high-key DeVoe whines his way over a kicky drum beat. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
‘N Sync
Look: ‘N Sync provided the soundtrack to an age when frosted tips, paint-splattered clothing and wallet chains reigned supreme. They dressed accordingly.
Sound: Through the course of three proper albums, ‘N Sync became one of the biggest bands on the planet, thanks to spunky club numbers like “Bye Bye Bye” and finger-picked tearjerkers like “Gone.” By the time ‘N Sync released “Celebrity” in 2001, the act was copping more from hip-hop, and setting the stage for Justin Timberlake’s solo career. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Westlife
Look: One of the prettiest foursomes in the boy band biz, Westlife opted for sleek, sophisticated suits over anything artfully torn or splattered.
Sound: Championed by Simon Cowell and inspired by the Backstreet Boys that came before them, Irish sensation Westlife was a ballad-heavy boy band. They made waves with a cover of Barry Manilows Mandy. (Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images)
Take That
Look: These guys were a welcome departure from their overly manicured boy band predecessors, opting for five oclock shadows in lieu of artfully shaven facial hair.
Sound: Advertised as the most successful British band since the Beatles, Take That birthed the career of Robbie Williams and built soundtracks fit for a junior high dance a hearty dose of peppy pop numbers mixed with slow-dance ballads. (Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images)
Jonas Brothers
Look: Safely tousled, and very of the moment. Think longish messy hair, funky sunglasses, striped sweaters, and of course, vintage-inspired suits.
Sound: We dont actually know what they sound like. Its hard to hear them over all the screaming prepubescent girls. (Bryan Bedder / Getty Images)
Day26
Look: All Sean John, all the time. Well, what do you expect? They are Diddys band.
Sound: It’s ‘N Sync updated with a bit of P. Diddy flash. Day26 brings dance floor-ready R&B, the all-male accessory to “Making the Band” peers Danity Kane. (Will Ragozzino / Getty Images)
