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Backstreet Boys incredible saga
began four years ago in Orlando, Florida. It was there that high school
students AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and junior high student Nick Carter began
to run into each other at local acting auditions. The three young men became
friends and formed a singing group, inspired in part by Boyz II
Men and Color Me Bad. The trio then decided to expand, by two. They met
Kevin Richardson through a mutual friend. After scouring Orlando for a
fifth member, Kevin thought of his cousin Brian Littrell, who was in
Kentucky. A phone call was made, Brian relocated and The Backstreet Boys
were ready to write the first chapter of their story.
At first the group did some of their
favorite cover tunes, a practice that continues even today. Laughs Brian,
"We still do Shai's "If I Ever Fall In Love," but eventually they began to
find their own distinctive sound. Stressing their strong harmonies and a
blend of pop and R&B, the fivesome began to try to secure a record
deal. "We'd go to local labels and sing acappella in their foyers," recalls
Howie. "We'd sing anywhere, for anybody."
The hard work began to pay off and within six months of
forming, BSB had become one of Florida's hottest live acts. They played everything from a high school gymnasium, Grad Night at Sea World, to an
opening slot for Brandy. With all that stage experience and an in die single
"Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" under their belts, BSB started writing the
next chapter. Their manager Donna Wright was friends with David McPherson
of Jive Records. After pleading with him to hear the band, she called him
during one of BSB's dates, held up her cell phone and let him hear the
pandemonium the group generated. "We got signed right after that," smiles
Brian.
In 1995, BSB
began to lay down tracks and released "We've Got It Going On." The song
took off in England and throughout the continent, where BSB's brand of
R&B-Pop was just gaining a foothold. "Over there they had a bunch of
what's called "boy groups,' so we had a ready made market," explains Brian,
"but since we were Americans, we were a fresh new sound for Europe. 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 a short period of
time, "I'll Never Break Your Heart" began to climb the charts. Its success
laid the foundation for what was to come.