BackStreet Fever

Header Banner Made with MyBannerMaker.com! Click here to make your own!We're 2 huge BSB fans Michele from England & Anita from Ireland. We met on myspace & became great friends through our love for the boys especially Nick lol. Anyway you may know us from our private pages or our other fanpage Nickseuropeanfans. Hope u enjoy the page we always aim to keep it up to date if there's any questions u want to ask feel free we'll do our best to answer them. We look forward to talking to u all & meeting fellow BSB fans. one final thingWE ARE NOT BSB OR IN ANYWAY RELATED TO OR KNOW ANY OF THE BAND. WE ARE JUST FANS SO PLEASE DO NOT SEND US MESSAGES FOR THE GUYS. THANX & KTBSPA
BACKSTREET BOYS TIMELINE
June 1992: Lou Pearlman, looking to form the next teen pop sensation, places this ad in the Orlando Sentinel: "Teen male vocalists: Producer seeks male teen singers that move well between 16-19 years of age. Wanted for New Kids-type singing/dance group. Send photo or bio' of any kind to…."
August 1992: Fourteen-year-old AJ McLean and nineteen-year-old Tony Donetti (a.k.a. Howie Dorough) audition for the group and are asked to join.
October 1992: Twelve-year-old Nick Carter auditions in spite of his tender age. Two other members, Sam Licata and Charles Edwards, temporarily round out the group.
March 1993: Sam Licata leaves the group for personal reasons. Charles Edwards leaves because of difficulties with his voice. Kevin Richardson auditions and joins the group, settling in immediately. The search is now on for the fifth and final Backstreet Boy.
April 1993: Kevin calls his eighteen-year-old cousin Brian Littrell at school and asks him to audition for the group. Brian finds himself on a flight to Orlando at 6 a.m. the next day.
May 1993: The Boys perform their first big concert at Sea World, Orlando to a crowd of more than 3,000 teenagers. Much to the amazement of the group, the audience went wild.
Summer/Fall 1993: The Boys continue to perform in a variety of venues from shopping malls to schools to a high-profile gala AIDS charity hosted by Whitney Houston in Fort Lauderdale.
February 1994: Executives from Zomba/Jive catch the Boys performing in Cleveland. They sign the Boys to their first record deal, but it would be a year before they recorded their first single.
August 1995: "We've Got it Going On" is released as a single in the U.S.A, but it only climbs to number 69 on the Billboard charts, resulting in the cancellation of all plans for a promotional tour to plug the new single.
October 1995: "We've Got it Going On" is released in Europe and climbs to the top ten in Germany, earning them their first gold disc.
November 1995: The Boys begin touring the U.K. with the Smash Hits Roadshow, winning over audiences and critics.
May 1996: Their debut album, “Backstreet Boys“, is released in Europe. The album would go on to earn gold & platinum awards in 38 countries, with 8 million copies sold.
Summer 1996: The Boys continue to tour Europe (especially Germany). Support for the group reaches a frenzied level in Germany.
November 1996: The Boys perform a tour of 14 cities in mid-sized arenas and theaters in the U.K. and Europe. The British leg of the tour is a success and the re-released "I'll Never Break Your Heart" single climbs to number 8 in the U.K.
February 1997: The Boys begin their 37-city European tour.
March 1997: "Anywhere for You" climbs to number 4 on the U.K. charts.
April 1997: After selling more than 8.5 million CDs, the Boys begin work on a new album for release in the U.S. The album would combine the best material from their debut CD along with some of their newer songs.
June 1997: "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" is released in the U.S. and quickly climbs to number 2 on the charts.
August 1997: The Boys release their first U.S. album, “Backstreet Boys“. The album would go on to sell nearly nine million copies in the U.S.A. and become the number 3 album of the year.
December 1997: The Boys embark on a 60-city, 20-country tour that will last nearly a year.
May 1998: Brian undergoes surgery to correct a congenital heart disorder. Within weeks, he is back on tour with the Boys.
July 1998: News of a legal battle between the Boys, their management and Lou Pearlman surfaces in the media. The Boys wanted more control over the group's corporate entity and a more equitable stake in it.
August 1998: Songwriter/producer Denniz PoP dies August 30. PoP helped to evolve the Boy's sound and was responsible for many other artists, including the Ace of Base, 5ive and Robyn.
September 1998: Tragedy strikes the Dorough family. Howie's sister Caroline Cochran loses her battle with a disease called Lupus. She was only 37.
January 1999: The Boys sign on with management company The Firm.
February 1999: The Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) certifies the self-titled U.S. debut album as "Diamond" (over ten million copies sold). The Boys announce the release date for their third (second in the U.S.) album, Millennium.
April 1999: "I Want It That Way" is released to radio and is immediately picked up by 165 stations.
May 1999: The Boys release “Millennium“, which sets the record for first week sales in the U.S. at 1.1 million copies.
June 1999: The Boys travel to Belgium to begin their “Into The Millennium” tour. One month after its release, Millennium still has a solid hold on the #1 spot on the Billboard album charts.
August 1999: The Boys sell out their entire 11-week, 39-city North American tour in less than a day.
September 1999: "Larger Than Life" is released to radio.
December 1999: AJ introduces his alter ego Johnny No-Name and prepares for a January concert in support of VH1's Save the Music campaign.
January 2000: The Boys and their producers are nominated for five Grammy Awards including Record, Album, Pop Album, Song and Pop Song of the year.
February 2000: The Boys team up with Stan Lee to create a new comic book and Web-based series called The Backstreet Project.
June 2000: Kevin marries longtime girlfriend Kristin Willits.
July 2000: Two Chihuahuas belonging to Brian and fiancée, Leighanne Wallace, are snatched from the couple's home near Atlanta by two trespassing teenage girls. The dogs are returned a couple of days later.
September 2000: Brian marries Leighanne in a candlelit ceremony in midtown Atlanta. The Boys announce that the name of the new album will be "Black & Blue".
October 2000: The Boys appear on TRL to debut the Shape Of My Heart video, and New York City declares a state of emergency when over 6,000 fans shut down Times Square.
November 2000: The Boys release “Black & Blue“. It sells over 1.6 million copies in the USA in its first week and debuts at the top of the Billboard charts. To promote the album, they embark on their Around The World In 100 Hours tour, in which they traveled to five continents and six countries in just four days.
December 2000: Black & Blue is certified 8x platinum by the RIAA.
January 2001: The Boys kick off their worldwide Black & Blue tour in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
February 2001: The Boys continue their tour of America and Canada.
May 2001: The Boys’ first-ever network TV special, "Larger Than Life" airs on CBS.
July 2001: Kevin, Howie, Brian and Nick make an unplanned visit to TRL to announce that the Black & Blue tour is to be put on hold, while AJ enters an undisclosed rehabilitation center to receive treatment for anxiety, depression, and alcholism. The tour is postponed until August.
September 2001: The terrorist attacks on the USA caused the Boys to cancel their plans to tour overseas in Europe and Australia due to security concerns. Daniel Lee, a carpenter on the tour, was a passenger on one of the airlines that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York.
October 2001: The Boys release The Hits - Chapter One, a compilation CD of their greatest hits. The album debuts atop the Billboard charts.
November 2001: The Boys wrap up their Black & Blue tour in Japan. This would be their last tour for quite a while as they take an extended break.
December 2001: AJ announces his engagement to Sarah Martin, his girlfriend of about a year.
January 2002: Nick makes headlines after being arrested at a Tampa nightclub.
February 2002: Nick agrees to enter a pretrial intervention program that allows him to avoid jail and any criminal record for his arrest.
March 2002: The Boys part ways with their management firm but Nick, intent on releasing a solo CD strikes up a solo management deal with The Firm.
October 2002: Nick releases his solo record, "Now Or Never".
November 2002: Brian’s son Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell is born in Atlanta, Georgia.
February 2003: AJ has a relapse and cheats on Sarah, and their engagement is broken off.
December 2003: AJ appears on Oprah to talk about his drug and alcohol addiction, and the other guys surprise him by showing up. They all collectively decide the time is right to start up another album.
February 2004: The Boys hit the studios to start recording their new album.
October 2004: The Boys perform a warm-up tour at Japan, China, and Mexico.
April 2005: Incomplete is choosen as their new single. The Boys perform an "Up Close and Personal" U.S. club tour.
March 2005: The Boys announce that their new album is called "Never Gone", and will be released on June 14th.
June 2005: The Boys release "Never Gone", which sells 290,000 in its first week and debuts at number three on the Billboard charts. Nick is ordered to attend an alcohol education course after pleading guilty to drunk driving.
WHO THEY ARE
The Backstreet Boys are, from oldest to youngest: Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Alexander "AJ" McLean, and Nick Carter.
HOW THEY GOT TOGETHER
The Backstreet Boys got started in Orlando Florida, back in 1992. It was there that high school students AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter began to run into each other at local acting auditions. The three became friends and formed a singing group. After they decided to expand, Kevin Richardon joined the group, and soon Kevin's cousin Brian Littrell completed the fivesome.
In May 1993 they started performing at a variety of venues, and quickly became one of Florida's hottest live acts. In 1994 people from Jive records caught the Boys performing and signed them to their first record deal, although it would be a year before they recorded their first single.
WHERE THEY GOT THEIR NAME
The Backstreet Boys got their name from a place in Orlando called the Backstreet Market, which used to be a popular place for the teenagers to hang out.
BACKSTREET HISTORY...
Formed by Lou Pearlman, McLean and Dorough were the first of the current members to audition in August 1992. Two months later, Carter auditioned and joined the group. Following the departure of two members, Richardson came aboard in March 1993. The group took its final shape on April 19, 1993, when Brian Littrell joined the group after a phone audition. He was urged to audition by his cousin, Richardson. Almost immediately, they performed their first concert on May 8 in front of 3,000 teenagers. However, American recognition would not come easily.
After a possible Mercury Record deal failed, the band was spotted in Cleveland, Ohio by Zomba/Jive in February 1994. By June, they were recording their first single "We've Got It Goin' On". The following year, the boys had a setback when their single only reached #69 on the Billboard charts. They were considerably more successful in Europe, earning their first Gold disc in Germany.
1996 marked a big change for the boys as European popularity grew. The group earned their first Platinum record in Germany (500,000 CDs sold) and toured Asia and Canada.
By 1997 after 8.5 million discs sold worldwide, the Backstreet Boys had their eyes set on American success. They began to record a new album for the American market and released "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" as their new single. The single quickly climbed to #2. By the middle of the year, the boys released their first American album which peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts and sold a total of nine million copies in 1997. By December 1997, the boys embarked on a 60-city, 20-country tour.
In 1998, Littrell underwent surgery to correct a congenital heart disorder. Dorough's sister died of Lupus and the boys struggled with their manager filing a law suit, and rumors of a breakup. At the end of 1998, the boys had sold an additional 8 million copies of their self titled album and were working on a followup.
By February 1999, the boys received their first Diamond award by the RIAA for shipment of 10 milion copies of their album. After a strong first single, "I Want It That Way", the group's sophomore album, Millennium, sold over 1.1 million units in its first week setting a record for most albums sold in its debut week. In August, they sold out a 39-city tour in less than a day. By the end of 1999, the Backstreet Boys met new problems declaring their Jive contract null and void, soon striking the largest record deal ever valued at $60 million with Jive.
In 2000, Littrell and Richardson confirmed their engagements to their fiancées. At the end of the year, the group released their new album Black & Blue. The title of the album acting was a metaphor for how the boys felt they were beat up by the media and others. The album debuted with 1.6 million units sold in the first week in America, setting a record as the first artist to have two albums sell a million or more in its first week. They also set the record for the first week worldwide record selling 5 million.
In 2001, A.J. McLean checked himself into rehab to battle drinking, drug addiction, and depression. Another tragedy struck as the terror attack of September 11 occurred, killing a Backstreet Boys crew mate, Daniel Lee, and sparking the cancellation of all overseas tours. In October 2001, the boys released Chapter One and disc of their greatest hits as well as their last single, "Drowning", until their return in 2005. By the end of 2001 and into 2002, it was clear the Backstreet Boys were on an extended break.
After a five-year hiatus, the Backstreet Boys are currently staging a comeback to the music world. Their brand new single, "Incomplete", was released to radio stations on March 28, 2005 with some success.
On June 14, 2005, the Backstreet Boys made their critically acclaimed return to the pop landscape with the release of their fifth studio release, "Never Gone". It debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts with a total of 291,000 copies sold in its first week.
The core of Backstreet Boys is cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell, who both hail from Lexington, KY. The two began singing while they were children, performing in local church choirs, as well as festivals, where they sang doo wop and new jack RB in the style of Boyz II Men. Two of the other remaining members, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, were natives of Orlando, FL, who met each other -- as well as transplanted New Yorker and fifth Backstreeter Nick Carter -- through auditions for local commercials, theater, and television. At one audition, the three discovered that they shared an affection for classic soul and could harmonize together. In no time, they were singing as a trio. Shortly after the trio had formed, Richardson moved to Orlando, where he became a tour guide at Disney World; at night, he concentrated on becoming a professional musician. Eventually, he met Dorough, Carter, and McLean through a co-worker, and the four decided to form a group, naming themselves after an Orlando flea market; Littrell was invited to join to make the band into a quintet.
Through a friend, record producer Louis J. Pearlman, the band secured management from Donna and Johnny Wright, who put the group out on the road and had several AR reps come see the Boys perform live. Eventually, Jive Records became interested in the band, signing the group in 1994. Jive/Zomba set Backstreet Boys up with producers Veit Renn and Tim Allen and they labored over the album with the band for several months. The group's eponymous album was released throughout Europe in late 1995. The record was a success, spending several weeks in the Top Ten in most continental countries where it charted. In the U.K., Backstreet Boys were named Best Newcomers of 1995 at the Smash Hits Awards thanks to their international hit single "We've Got It Goin' .. scoring another European hit with "I'll Never Break Your Heart," the group released their eponymous debut album in Europe and Canada in late 1996; it was a success, spending several weeks in the Top Ten in most of the countries where it charted. Despite their popularity in Europe and Canada, "We've Got It Goin' On" stalled in the lower reaches of the U.S. charts in 1995; this may have been due to the fact that the American version of Backstreet Boys was not released until 1997. Combining their international singles with new tracks (which also formed the centerpiece of that year's European-only album Backstreet's Back), the American Backstreet Boys finally began their rise to U.S. success, scoring hits with the singles "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me" (the former of which went platinum). The album continued to spin off hits into 1999, with "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "I'll Never Break Your Heart," and "All I Have to Give" all landing on the charts; both the former and the latter were platinum Top Five hits, and the album ended up with sales of over 13 million copies. In the meantime, the group saw its share of turmoil; Littrell underwent surgery in early 1998 to correct a congenital heart defect, and the Boys became embroiled in lawsuits against Pearlman and the rest of their management over royalties for most of the rest of the year. When the dust settled, Pearlman remained the group's manager (though the rest of the team was fired), and the Boys began work on their follow-up album.
Millennium was released in the summer of 1999, and debuted at number one with first-week sales of over a million copies. Despite the fact that no singles were officially released from the album in the U.S., "I Want It That Way," "Larger Than Life," "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," and "The One" all hit the charts based on airplay alone. The group released its Christmas Album before the end of the year, by which time Millennium was well on its way to sales of 12 million copies in the U.S. alone. Once again striking immediately after their previous album stopped producing hits, Backstreet Boys issued Black Blue in fall 2000.
A tour supported the album, but after 7 years of non-stop touring and recording, the band agreed it was time for a break. Brian Littrell became a father while Kevin Richardson tried his hand at Broadway and took a starring role in the musical +Chicago. Nick Carter released his solo album Now or Never in 2002, Howie Dorough did charity work for the Dorough Lupus Foundation in honor of the sister he had lost to the disease, and A.J. McLean made headlines with his stint in rehab. In 2004 the band rejoined and began work on a new album. The result, Never Gone, was released in June of 2005. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
The Stateside successors of New Kids On The Block, the Backstreet Boys sold over 73 million records worldwide after their arrival on the pop scene in 1997, making them one of the most successful boy bands of all time.
Bandmembers AJ Mclean, Howie Dorogough and Nick Carter had already managed to land minor film and advertising roles when, in 1993, they bumped into each other during auditions held after a well-known talent spotter had placed a newspaper advert seeking members for a new band. The three passed with flying colours and were later joined by Kentucky cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell.After setting the local Florida teen scene alight playing small gigs at high school dances and graduation nights, the boys released their eponymously titled debut album in 1996. It was an immediate success in Germany where the market was already clued up to boy bands such as Take That and Boyzone, but made no impact in the US. "We were Americans, we were a fresh new sound for Europe," says Brian, explaining their warm reception there. "We had more of an edge, and unlike a lot of those other boy groups, we were more than just a bunch of pretty guys. We could sing".In the ensuing years, the Backstreet Boys caused havoc among European teens, frequently eliciting scenes of Beatlemania proportions. Then, in 1997, following the band's scoop of an MTV Europe Award, folks back home started to pay attention. The handsome young sex symbols were truly on their way.Despite being idolised by thousands of female fans on both sides of the Atlantic, however, the boys say love didn't come easy. Kevin married his long-term girlfriend, dancer Kristin Willits, in June 2000, followed three months later by his younger cousin Brian who walked down a candlelit aisle with actress Leighanne Wallace.Following on from a hugely successful whirlwind trip to promote their third album in November 2000, the clean-cut bunch were back on the road the following year with a worldwide tour and released a greatest hits album in October 2001. Soon after it became apparent that they were taking an extended break."We had been touring pretty much non-stop for 7 or 8 years and we were almost living in a bubble; we had lost perspective on a lot of things," Kevin says. "You need to take care of yourself and rest and be able to reflect. This time off gave us a chance to recharge our batteries and step away and see what has happened in our lives, what we have accomplished and to be thankful for the opportunities that we have had and thankful for each other." Brian became a father during the break while AJ spent some time in rehab, Nick pursued solo projects and Kevin took on a leading role in the Broadway and West End run of Chicago. To the delight of their fans they reunited to record their 2005 studio album Never Gone. In June 2006 the band announced the departure of Kevin - who left to pursue other interests. The now quartet are busy planing their next album.
ALBUMS
2005
Never Gone
2002
Now or Never
2001
Greatest Hits: Volume 1
2000
Black & Blue
1999
Millenium
1997
Backstreet's Back
1996
Backstreet Boys
biography
Five young men from the time-honored teen-pop proving grounds of church choirs and regional theater, the Backstreet Boys were, in their heyday -- before they were unseated by 'N Sync -- the biggest teen sensation since the Monkees, at the crest of the late-'90s pubescent-pop tidal wave.
Under the aegis of Orlando impresario Lou Pearlman, the Backstreet Boys signed to Jive Records in 1994, releasing their self-titled 1996 debut to great success in Europe and Canada before issuing it stateside the next year. Packed with soon-to-become unavoidable hits -- "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)," "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "As Long As You Love Me" -- Backstreet Boys served as the blueprint for boy bands to come, mixing soulful, sexually inoffensive ballads with harmony-heavy R&B and mildly edgy dance tracks. It eventually sold 13 million copies, though the Boys' popularity wouldn't actually peak until the release of Millennium (which would sell more than 1 million copies in its first week) two years later. While Millennium wasn't as shamelessly hook-filled as BSB, it did offer up the Boys' best-ever track, "I Want It That Way," a near-perfect slice of puppy-dog soul.
Released the next year, Black & Blue followed roughly the same formula as its predecessors, with decidedly lesser results. With the exception of the irresistibly cheesy "Shape of My Heart" and the just-plain-bad cheating-boyfriend apologia "Call," most of the tracks here are unexceptional.
Dogged by bad reviews, heart ailments, substance abuse, and encroaching facial hair, the Boys have had a relatively rough time of things since their 1999 heyday, but their 2001 best-of collection, The Hits: Chapter One, brings to mind happier times. Every smash is here, and every modest success as well, from "All I Have to Give" to "Drowning," a new single with little of the kick of the group's best work. Unlike most retrospectives, The Hits doesn't exactly chart the band's musical evolution -- there hasn't been one to speak of -- but it does offer an impressive tribute to their hitmaking power. (Allison Stewart)
From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide
Pimp My ProfileBIOS ON THE GUYS
HOWARD 'HOWIE' DWAINE DOROUGH
Born: August 22, 1973
Location: Orlando, FL
Astrological Sign: Leo
Nicknames: Howie D, Latin Lover, Sweet-D
Pets: A cat named "Missy"
Pastimes: Weight lifting, water skiing, dancing, racquetball, and seeing movies.
Family: Howie is the last of 5. His siblings are: John, Pollyana, Caroline and Angie.
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Food: Asian
Favorite Movie: Outsiders
Favorite Groups: Jon Secada and Bobby Brown
Favorite Stars: Tom Hanks
Favorite School Subject: Math
His Ideal Lady: He likes supportive, up-beat ambitious girls. "I like someone who is always looking at things in a positive way, someone who knows what she wants in life and how to go about getting it."
Jobs: Howie had roles in Cop and a Half and Parenthood, a commercial for Disney World and lots of community theater.
"Side Note" Howie is half Puerto-Rican and half Irish and speaks Spanish fluently.
He's Most Likely to: Invite you for a moonlight walk along the beach. Howie is a hopeless romantic at heart.
If you have the opportunity to sit down with Backstreet Boy Howie
Dorough, you will quickly discover why the nickname Sweet D has
followed him since first joining the group. Virtually unaffected by
fame, Howie is as approachable and as kind as a person could be.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, without missing a
beat Howie replies, As a good person, a well-rounded entertainer and
a family guy. And this is exactly who he is.
Howie spent much of his childhood preparing for life in the
spotlight. Introduced to the arts by his older sister Pollyanna at
the age of six, he quickly found himself actively involved in the
Orlando entertainment scene and eventually landed acting roles in
local theater, movies such as Parenthood and Cop and a Half, and on
multiple Nickelodeon productions. Spending his free time at
auditions, rehearsals and various lessons, Howie became a true
student of his craft.
Soon after his 19th birthday, Dorough auditioned for a musical group
under the stage name Tony Donetti. But days turned into weeks and
Tony never received a call back. In December of 1992, Howie received
a call to audition for another group and decided to give it a try.
Almost missing the audition because of unclear directions, he
decided to drive a little further and make a right turn where the
directions didnt specify. Howie pulled up into the audition, and
without knowing it, turned right into his future.
Upon walking into the audition, Howie stunned the people he was
meeting with by giving them the Tony Donnetti that they had been
looking for since he first auditioned for the group. Howie was
shocked to find that he was once again auditioning for the same
group and that they had been searching for him for months. Howie was
in and his life would never be the same.
Today, after selling over 71 million albums world-wide, Howie is
sitting on the verge of releasing his fourth studio album with the
Backstreet Boys and is as eager to see what the future will bring.
His time is spent devoting his attention and skills to various
creative projects including serving as a writer and producer on both
Backstreet projects and projects of various other artists, acting
and, along with his sister Pollyanna, serving as the public face for
the Dorough Lupus Foundation, a charity that his family started in
the memory of Howies oldest sister Caroline.
Through the Dorough Lupus Foundation both Howie and his family have
raised over a half of a million dollars to support Lupus research
and work closely with other families affected by the diseases to
make sure that their needs are met in trying times. Using his
celebrity, Howie has made great strides in bringing awareness to the
relatively unknown disease of Lupus and has ultimately taken the
terrible loss of his sister and used that to make the world a better
place in her memory.
Whether hes in the studio, on stage or spreading awareness, Howie is
truly enjoying his life and looking forward to a future filled with
endless possibilities!
**CREDIT GOES TO The Official Site for the Backstreet Boys**
BRIAN 'BROK' LITTRELL
Full Name Brian Thomas Littrell
Nicknames B-Rok, Mr. Joker, Seaver, Frick
Birthday February 20, 1975
Place of Birth Lexington, KY
Current Residence Atlanta, Georgia
Height 1.70 m, 5' 7"
Hair Brownish - Blonde
Eyes Blue
Family His parents, Harold Baker Littrell II and Jackie, and his older brother Harold Baker Littrell III. Wife: Leighanne (Wallace) Littrell, Son: Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell
Pets Lil Tyke Thomas and Little Leigh (chihuahuas)
Musical Instruments Trumpet
Favorite Musicians Boyz II Men, Shai, Jodeci
Favorite Colour Midnight Blue
Favorite Food Macaroni and Cheese
Hobbies Basketball, golf, going to the movies, dancing, singing, lifting weights, swimming
Biggest Fear Heights
Bad Habit Biting his nails
Astrological Sign Pisces
Favorite TV Show Friends
Favorite Movie It's A Wonderful Life
Favorite Movie Star Tom Hanks
Favorite Actress Wife, Leighanne Littrell
Favorite Cologne He doesn't wear colonge. He says he smells like his fav soap, Dove Body Wash
What he looks for
in a girl He says he has already found it! But here it is; blonde or light brown hair, blue eyes, nice legs, long nails, intelligent, good sense of humor, determination, athletic with lots of energy, have her own dreams, interested in achieving goals, giving, open, trustworthy, willing to have fun
Dream Date something simple, a picnic in the park or a walk on the beach
Well ... It might have been his destiny to become a Backstreet Boy, but the youngest son of Jackie and Harold Littrell didn't exactly enter the world doing a step ball-change and whistling a happy tune.
He wasn't a sad baby, his mother said, but solemn, and very quiet. He was born with two holes in his heart and a heart murmur undiagnosed until he was 6 weeks old. The affliction became more serious when he was 5. The doctor's advice stuck with Jackie and Harold: ....Don't put him in a closet. If you put limits on him, he'll start putting limits on himself.' ''
It was then that something changed in Brian. After a two-month stay at St. Joseph Hospital, his behavior flip-flopped. ....It seemed like he laughed more and played harder,'' Jackie said. ....He was rambunctious always into something. He was always trying my patience.''
....If I told him not to go into the street, he would go to the edge of the yard and put one foot in the street. He was a stinker,'' she smiled, clearly more proud than miffed.
The little guy who loved sports was a scrapper, but he was never quite tall enough to make the high school basketball team, which was crushing. ....I was always counseling him, saying, ..Maybe sports won't be your thing,' '' his mother said. ....He would look at me like, ..Yeah, right.' ''
Nor did he appreciate then one of the consequences of his health problems having to repeat first grade.
....I was a little upset when my mom and dad held me back, but it was to my benefit,'' Brian said. ....Being smaller, it helped with my confidence'' to be a year older than his peers.
..Divine appointment'
He grew up in a family of golden throats that broke into harmony at the drop of a hat, especially during the holidays. So, to reach his current career path, it was only a matter of timing or as Jackie puts it, ....divine appointment.''
Now, he just needed someone to harness his talent. Enter Barry Turner, choir director for Tates Creek and Henry Clay high schools.
....The first time I heard him sing it was Edelweiss I heard this voice and I said, ..My God, what is this?' ....You know how a thrill can go through you all of a sudden?''
Turner told Littrell he could make money singing. ....I was talking about weddings and things. I had no clue he was going to take off like that. But I'm not surprised.''
Not all signs pointed to a life of fame and fortune. Raised with strong Christian beliefs, Littrell wanted to attend Cincinnati Bible College and become a music minister, but he had to be a senior in high school to enroll.
Fortunately for the Jive record label and soon-to-be squealing girls all over the planet, fate intervened.
On April 19, 1993, toward the end of his junior year, he was called out of U.S. history class to take a call from cousin Kevin. There was a pop vocal group forming in Orlando, and it needed a fifth.
That would mean leaving school before his senior year and that Mom and Dad would have to let go of their 18-year-old son. The next day, after the band's management promised Brian would finish his education, Littrell was Orlando-bound.
....I didn't expect he would jump up and move away from me so quickly,'' Jackie Littrell said. ....Harold and I took him to the airport at 6 a.m. ... We put him on the plane almost knowing ... when he stepped on there,'' she struggled, allowing a few tears, ....that he wouldn't be coming back Brian Littrell, the son.''
Fame, what's your name
And in a way, she was right. Six years later, the level of the Backstreet Boys' fame is borderline frightening.
Brian hopes to be able to spend quality time with his family during the group's stay in Lexington. ....I'm going to try to get in for Thanksgiving,'' he said, ....try to get in a home-cooked meal'' and take in some football games with his dad.
Anymore, that's not so easy.
When you're part of a pop culture phenomenon, everyone wants a piece of you sometimes, that piece even includes a chunk of your family.
Because of unwelcome visits from fans in one case, two from Germany who rode up to Anne Richardson's house in a cab the Littrells and the Richardsons have had to move and change their phone numbers.
....It's kind of what you make of it,'' Brian said. ....Quick getaways, decoy cars it's all part of it. There's a fine line because we're dedicated to the fans and we know how successful they make you. At the same time, in your private life, there are boundaries that people don't really understand. To have people constantly think that you are their property and get a little too touchy-feely, a little too demanding ... .''
But don't think he's one of those woe-is-me, life-is-such-a-drag celebrities.
....God has blessed my life in many, many, many ways,'' he said. Fame ....is looked upon as so wonderful and it is not to downplay it, and the things it has allowed me to do, but at the same time I still want to be able to have a life.''
The pop-star life, though, hasn't stopped him from having a successful relationship. Brian has been dating actress Leighanne Wallace for about two years. They met on the shoot for the As Long as You Love Me video. ....It's like with any other relationship,'' Littrell said. ....There are ups and downs, but we respect what one another does. We prepared ourselves'' for a long-distance relationship.
No matter the realm, his friends say he'll go the distance.
....It amazes me how far he's come,'' said King, his old choir buddy. ....Writing songs, playing guitar when all is said and done, he's going to come out with a better understanding of himself.''
And with better acrobatic skills, no doubt. His brother, Harold Littrell III, says it's hard to comprehend that the guy flying in a harness above thousands of screaming fans is a family member.
But it all comes back home when he recalls the little brother who left his old world behind on a leap of faith. When Brian was on his way to Florida for the audition, he called his brother, worried he wouldn't be able to go through with it.
....I told him to hang in there and be tough, it'll work out,'' Harold said. ....He was just breaking away from home, so it was a little bit of a growing-up shock. But he handled it greatly.''
ALEXANDER JAMES 'AJ' MCLEAN
AJ McLean was born on January 9, 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He endured a rocky childhood dealing with his parent's divorce when he was still very young. The divorce affected him deeply, causing him to become troubled and frustrated. When the worst was over, a young AJ discovered his love for performing and started to pursue a career in acting, dancing and singing.
AJ moved to Orlando in 1992 to concentrate on his acting career and at auditions frequently ran into those who would become the Backstreet Boys – Howie, Nick and Kevin. The four formed a singing group and invited Kevin’s cousin Brian Littrell to join them. The rest is history, as the Backstreet Boys exploded to stardom in Europe, South America and Asia in 1995 and in 1997, scored hits in the United States with the singles "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me”. Their self-titled album sold over 13 million copies and their second album Millennium broke record sales with an astounding 1 million copies in its first week of release in the summer of 1999. Their third album, Black and Blue, was released in fall of 2000. However, they boys had to stop half way through their tour for Black and Blue due to AJ’s health.
AJ’s transformation into the tattooed and flirtatious bad boy began with the instant success of the Backstreet Boys when he was in his early teens. AJ’s success attracted people who were intoxicated by his fame, and AJ embraced his pop star caricature by taking people out and partying all night. When the Backstreet Boys released their third album Black and Blue, band members became distressed by AJ’s self-destructive behavior. His voice was faltering; he lost energy on stage and was not living up to his responsibilities within the group. After an intervention by his band mates in 2001, AJ checked himself into rehab to conquer alcohol abuse, depression and anxiety.
After rehab, those close to AJ say they saw an immediate change in his personality. AJ now recognizes that he needs to differentiate himself form the pop star persona. He needed to learn that when he walks off the stage, he becomes Alex.
AJ is also a big animal lover and is the proud owner of 3 dogs: Tank, Daisy and Serenity. Serenity is named after the prayer he would say every day while in recovery. “People think I’m a bad ass, but I’m not,” AJ confesses. “I play with my puppies, and I’m a huge animal lover – just a big sap.”
NICKOLAS 'NICK' GENE CARTER
Born: January 28th 1980
Favorite Comfort Food:
Sushi
Times A Week You Go Out for Dinner:
A lot!
Phobias:
Heights
You'll Never Catch Me:
Picking my nose.
Super Power You Wish You Had:
Flying. And the ability to get over my fear of heights!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Sweden
As one of the Backstreet Boys, singer Nick Carter became an international superstar during the mid-'90s as his band became one of the best-selling teen pop bands in history. Born Nickolas Gene Carter on January 28, 1980, in upstate New York, Carter's life in entertainment began at an early age. He starred in various commercials and participated in countless talent shows as a child. By the time he was a teenager, he left the public school system for a home-schooled environment so he could focus on being a performer. He was barely 13 when he got the chance of a lifetime: Carter became the youngest member of the Backstreet Boys upon their formation in 1992. A tour of Europe catapulted the boys into fame by 1994 and the young Carter was elated. The Backstreet Boys broke America three years later with "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me," and the next few years would be unstoppable for the vocal quintet. Their self-titled American debut sold 13 million copies. Millennium (1999) was an impressive sophomore effort; however, the band's third album, Black Blue (2000), resulted in poor sales. Carter took a well-needed break after touring the world for seven years, but he remained conscious of future musical ideas. Within a year, he and KNS (Josh Schwartz and Brian Keirulf) were working on Carter's first solo album. What followed was a deeply personal piece of rock roll and RB entitled Now or Never, which appeared on Jive in October 2002. Carter coincided the release with his first-ever solo tour in February 2003. MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide Pimp My ProfilesOME GREAT BACKSTREET RELATED PAGES TO ADD