The sixth Backstreet Boys
If you hear the name "Phoenix Stone", you won't really know who he is. The blonde singer and writter was a Backstreet Boy in 1994 . But he decided to get out of the group to develop his career as producer and songwriter, a few months before the Backstreet Boys had their breakthrough with the song "We've got it goin' on" in October 1995. Now, Phoenix (born on February 10 1976, aquarius) wants to try it alone: his first single "Nothing good about Goodbye" was released on February 8. His debut album will be out on june 27.
"How did you come in touch with music?"
Phoenix: "I wanted to be a singer since I was very young and learned very early to play piano and guitar. During grade 10 I attended a Music Highschool Camp for one month. I must have left a very good impression, because short after that I received many calls from the organisators asking me to take part in their projects and sing the leading part."
"How did you come in contact with the Backstreet Boys?"
Phoenix: "After Highschool I got a scholarship which made it possible for me to study "classic singing" in College. Although I learned a lot there, it was to boring for me. To get some change, I took part, with my own songs at some singing competitions. I searched for the dates in a local newspaper and one time there was an advertisement searching for young singers, who could also dance. Later I discovered that Lou Pearlman was the one, who wanted to create a boyband. He liked my voice and asked me if I wanted to become a member of a new group. I was curious and said "yes".
"When did you get to know Nick, A.J, Howie and Kevin?"
Phoenix: "A few days after I had agreed with Pearlman's suggestion. It was like in a movie: A limousine drove in front of my door and brought me to Pearlman's villa. Where three guys called "Nick Carter", "A.J. Mclean" and "Howie Dorough" also arrived. They had more practice because of tv-spots and local musicshows, they also knew each other. I only knew Howie from a competition which had taken place a few months before. At this time Kevin wasn't there, he came a few weeks after. Brian became part of the group one year later when I got out of the group. Kevin had this idea, because Brian is his cousin. On the same day we also heard the name of the band for the first time: "Backstreet Boys" - referring to the "Backstreet Market", a place for tourist here in Orlando."
"How was the beginning of the Backstreet Boys?"
Phoenix: "We were put up together in a house at Metro West in Orlando, only 15 minutes away from Lou Pearlman's house. That maybe sounds like a funny "house sharing", but it was a full time job. We were working from Monday to Saturday."
"Where was the BSB their first appearance?"
Phoenix: "Our first appearance was in April 1994 at "Pleasure Island" in Disney World. The following months we had appearances everywhere in Florida: Highschools, shopping mall - we were always on the road."
"When did you get out of the group?"
Phoenix: "After almost a year, in December 94."
"Were you dropped out of the group?"
Phoenix: "Oh no, by no means. It was very hard for me to decide to leave the group, because I had a great time with the BSB. We were very good friends and Lou treated us like superstars from the very beginning: limousines, hotels....all the best. It was like a dream. But soon I realized that the Backstreet Boys weren't what I wanted to do in the music business. I'm a songwriter and producer and realized that I couldn't develop so, I decided to try it on my own initiative."
"Today the BSB are the most successfull group in the USA and their album 'Milennium' was sold ten million times. Do you regret that you decided to get out of the group?"
Phoenix: "No. I'm really happy about their success, but I couldn't develop during the time with BSB."
"Are you still in contact with the BSB?"
Phoenix: "Yes, no week goes by without seeing each other: at movie premieres, parties....."
"Are you going to work in any way with the BSB in the future?"
Phoenix: "We talked once about recording a song together. When my album will be out, I could imagine to be a opening act for the BSB."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Phoenix:
"No, I'm single and I think that this will last. Unfortunately, I have no
time. I only share my house with "Tuff" my labrador."
