Boy Band 101

It seems that many people (ok, a few friends) are not up to date on their boy bands. I am here to educate. I would like to say that my resources came from Wikipedia and myself and my love for all things pop.

Definition - A boy band is usually a group of young, attractive male singers. Usually, there is one member of the band (usually the tenor) that is not that attractive (Chris Kirkpatrick, for Nsync). Though the name may make you think that the group have musical talent, usually that is not true. Most boy bands are boys with good voices and the ability to dance, or "pop and lock" really well. - basically, they are not usually artists, but entertainers. And of course, one of their most impressive talents is make the girls swoon. Most bands have a about 5 members, though Menudo and others have been known to have more. The opposite of a boy band is a girl group, such as Spice Girls, Dream, and Pussycat Dolls.

History - Though there may be an argument to which group was the first "boy band", many could argue that the beginnings to the Beatles, Jackson 5 and other motown male groups were the beginning. These groups basically showed a lot of music producers what sells. Nonetheless, many say the Monkees were the first boy band, though, they arguably were more popular b/c of their TV show and not their music. But, all in all, boy bands became a trend by music producer Maurice Starr, who produced for New Edition and New Kids.

Some of the Top Boy Bands- who's in them (when important), what's their well known songs, etc...
1. New Edition (formed in 1980). where Bobby Brown got his start. These boys were an R&B boy band, who originated from Dorchester MA. Band members: Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe. Songs: Candy Girl, Mr. Telephone Man. They also had a couple of hits when they reunited in 1996. Also known fact: 3 members, Bell, Bivins & DeVoe made up another boy band, BellBivDevoe, which of course came up with the wonderful 90s hit, "Poison".
2. New Kids on the Block (NKOB) (1984). Formed in Boston. Most of the boys grew up as childhood friends. Members: Jordan and Jonathan McKnight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg & Danny Wood. Songs: Hangin' Tough, Step by Step, Cover Girl, Didn't I (Blow Your Mind). Joey & Jordan attempted single careers in the 90s to moderate success (Joey did Dancing with the Stars, too), Donnie has gone to acting similar to his brother Mark (Marky Mark) Wahlberg.
3. Boyz II Men (1988). Founded in Philly. Songs: End of the Road, I'll Make Love to You, Motown Philly, One Sweet Day (with Mariah). Recently made a song covering motown classics.
4. Color Me Badd (1990). Songs: I Wanna Sex You Up, I Adore, Mi Amore. Probably was the music for a lot of mackin' in the early 90s.
5. Take That (1990). British boy band. Songs: Everything Changes, Back for Good. Robbie Williams was apart of this band before going awesomely solo.
6. Jodeci (around 1991). One of Sean "diddy" Combs' first bands under his Bad Boy record company. Songs: Gotta Love, Forever My Lady, Stay.
7. Backstreet Boys (1993). Original band members: Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson (who left in 2006). Founded in Orlando by Lou Perlman the now jailed producer who made acts like Backstreet, NSYNC and O-town. They have grossed the most sales out of all the bands. Songs: I Want it That Way, Quit Playin' Games with my Heart,
8. All-4-One (1994). Songs: I Swear, I Can Love You Like That - you know, songs now you wish wasn't your wedding song.
9. 'NSYNC (1995). Members: JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass and Justin Timberlake. Founded by Lou Pearlman in Orlando before breaking with Lou to go to Jive Records. Backstreet Boys did something similar, but 'NSYNC's separation was more in the press. JC and Justin did Mickey Mouse Club together before 'NSYNC. Songs: Bye, Bye, Bye, It's Gonna Be Me, Gone, Pop, This I Promise You, Tearin' Up My Heart and Drive Myself Crazy. 'NSYNC still holds the record for most albums sold in a week, at 2.4 million albums of their "No Strings Attached" album in 2000. As many may know, Justin has gone off to become a successful solo artist and actor, JC works on a solo career, Joey Fatone did Broadway and Dancing with the Stars, Lance tried to go to space and Chris...well seems to own a mansion in Orlando. By far, the best boy band for me. Granted, I'm very VERY biased.
10. 98 Degrees - Nick and Drew Lachey's band. Nick went on to marry Jessica Simpson. Drew went on to win Dancing with the Stars.
11. LFO - one of the members is from Boston - this band is the one that made the "abercrombie and fitch" song.
12. O-town - first band to come out of the original Making the Band. Ashley Park Angel, one of the members went out to a lukewarm solo career.
13. B2K - R&B boy band, where rapper Omarion got his start.

There are many many more, like British boy band Westlife, which are still in existence...but this should clarify who was in what band, for those of you who did not watch MTV in the late 90s. ;)