The Chaparral

Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: Entertainment

New Kids on the Block will support their new album with a national tour. Photo courtesy of Google Images.

In April 2008, the boy band that paved the way for others like Nsync and the Backstreet Boys began working on their comeback album. If this once boy band's past is any sign of their future, then their album and tour will be a huge profit.

New Kids on the Block consists of five guys by the names of Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. In the group's heyday, every girl had their favorite boy. For many it was Joey McIntyre, the last member to join. At the time, the group was called Nyunk, though the name was changed to New Kids on the Block after a song the Donnie Wahlberg wrote.

Their debut album, released in 1986, did not do so well. However, they did not give up. They worked hard for the next few years and released their next album, "Hangin' Tough," in 1988. The album's first single was "Please Don't Go Girl" which climbed to the #10 spot on Billboard top 100. MacIntyre said of their success, "I think history has looked upon us fondly. I wouldn't say we were important but people do now see our place in pop history."

After the release of their third album, "Step by Step," which sold close to 20 million copies, they continued to tour extensively. Shortly afterward, the boy band changed record labels, shortened their name to NKOTB and in 1993 released their fourth album titled "Face the Music". The album was a flop and the group eventually split in 1994.

Since then, each member has gone on to his own successful life and career in real estate, acting, or parenting, respectively. Yet their success as musicians is not over yet. According to Wahlberg, one of their highly anticipated singles, "Click, Click, Click," from their new album grabbed him as soon as he heard it. Wahlberg drove over the Jordan's house and both men were This is according to a press release on the official NKOTB website.

Students at College of the Desert are already anticipating their upcoming tour. Stephanie Hough says, "It would be fun to get a bunch of girls together and go to the concert." Stephanie is one of the many females that remembers having NKOTB sheets on her bed.

"Isn't it ironic that they're called New Kids on the Block but they're all old?" said student Lavita Galvan when she first heard of the reunion.

It will be interesting to find out what happens this fall. The group is looking forward to it. McIntrye's following comments on their website might be a good indicator though.

"We're still young, we're still hot. Our fans are between 25 and 35 now because they were really young then. They're still very attractive - and very legal. So it's going to be a girl's night out."

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