Submitted by Alex from Glastonbury CT US
Date: Sun Dec 26 14:28:05 1999
"Backstreet Boys the exception to the boy group rule"A lot of you are getting negative interpretations to this article, but I think its perfectly legit. If you read it carefully, although at the beginning it does say that all "boy bands" will fade, it also goes on to mention how backstreet seems to be the exception, as they are growing and maturing with their younger audience and as a result, attracting more of an older, diverse following. The industry experts quoted are making predictions based on truth. New Kids on the Block did end, so did the Spice Girls, and countless others...however, they admit that Backstreet Boys are different. They don't fit in the same mold. They seem to be worthy of a larger, less fickle audience and because of that they could be like a second Beatles. What started as a primarily "teenybopper" attraction becomes a legit group. However, another important thing to consider, which they mentioned at the very end of the article, is that although adults are buying, they won't admit it. Until the boys find a way to distinguish themselves from the other groups (to the industry which continues to slap labels on them), they have a chance of always being considered a "boy band" and perhaps not fulfilling their full potential as artists. However, if they can manage to rid themselves of the labels, and be accepted by the general population as talented artists instead of cute boys, I think they have every chance in the world to survive through it all.
If you have anything you want to say to me, please, by all means, e-mail me I'd love to hear it...
Luv,
Alex
Submitted by S. Rahaman from Toronto Ontario Canada
Date: Sun Dec 26 14:22:24 1999
It's easy to say that with time teenaged girls are gonna "grow-out" of liking the Backstreet Boys and I'm sure that is true for the superficial teeny-boppers out there.But the Backstreet Boys have proven themselves through their talent and golden personalities and hearts and have acquired a much more diverse and mature audience than
the other groups (n sync) who cater specifically to 12 year-old horomones.
I am 17, I am a guy and I don't doubt that in 25 years I'll be forcing my kids to listen to the Backstreet Boys and wishing that my kids have role models as positive
as I've had. Despite being as talented, and I'll admit gorgeous as he is, Nick Carter is a positive influence on today's youth. We're lucky that the biggest pop personnality
of today is such an amazing person, and it's his morals, and values which have kept him from becoming a Larger than Life walking ego and it has kept him and the BSB in the
spotlight for so long. While thier fan base might shrink with time as the teeny-boppers lose interest, the Backstreet Boys, as long as they stay true to themselves and don't
turn their backs on the people who made them who they are and they continue to APPRECIATE the success they've had, will remain the group that they are and will not fade and die as
we've seen N Sync do and so many groups before. NICK CARTER will not fade away.
Submitted by MystsDragon from Crawfordville FL USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 13:16:57 1999
I was just happening to read some of the articles posted here lately and some of them have made me a bit ill. I didn't personally know about the Rolling Stone picture until today when I was happening to look at the index page and saw BSB in boxers.. *NEW* I of course ran to see what was going on and my first thought is MAN THEY HAVE NICE LEGS :) They get that from dancing and working out so much!I can't understand why there are some that think that this Boxer picture will ruin their careers. I thought it was alot more tasteful than some of the other guys that have been on the cover of Rolling Stone with NOTHING on at ALL! I have seen Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith pose for a picture with nothing on but some black body paint and his hands covering his private areas. I laughed when I saw that picture, and no one ever said it would ruin his career!
I personally think that the picture was tastefully done, and if anyone stops listening to them because of that picture then they were never TRUE fans to begin with. Come on Girls! They have a right to show off their body just like Britney Spears does. *No I don't like Britney.* There are TONS of bands that have done the same thing or WORSE! Rolling Stone is FAMOUS for this kind of thing. I used to have a subscription to it and my dad was ASHAMED that his name was on it because of all the covers they do. *My dad was a deacon in the church and felt he might have someone say something bad to him*
In conclusion, this whole whether the BSB will fade has gotten way out of hand. We all have our own opinions, some will think that the article is right, most wrong! Whether or not its true, we should not be putting down others for stating their love of the BSB! We don't need to grow up or face facts etc. as some of the opinions have stated. I personally don't need to grow up being 24 yrs. old! I happen to think that the BSB have more talent in their little finger than all the other so called Boy Groups that have followed them. Have you ever heard the old saying: " Don't worry what the future will bring, live one day at a time? " I think we all need a little dose of this.. all we need to worry about is keeping the BSB alive today! Tomorrow is another day!
Submitted by Gloriana from Beverly Hills CA USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 11:55:43 1999
Like everyone, music fades in and fades out, never hearing about the a certain singer or group for the rest of our lives. This article is interpreting that the Backstreet Boys are going to fade in and out, and then simply disappear to the point where nobody cares about them. I think this is untrue, simply for the fact that the guys have been successful in Europe since 1996 and now it's the millennium, and European fans still love the guys. Is the European Awards or Smash Hit Awards recognition of this? I am not bashing anyone's opinions, I think it's great when someone else tells their opinions, but I think that the article writer is wrong. If BSB were going to fade, Millennium would have sold no copies and the tour would have included a few small clubs in places nobody has heard of. The fact though is that BSB have done exceptionally well and this isn't because of their good looks. I could care less what they look like. Heck, at frist, I didn't event think they were goodlooking. I think the reason they are incredibly successful is because of their music. Have you ever sat down and listened to 'Perfect Fan' and then played it for your mother? Have you ever been in love with someone and suddenly break up with them, and listen to 'I Need You Tonight'? The Backstreet Boys music is awesome. And most of the fans are older as well. Have you ever been to http://www.maturefanclub.com ? The fact is BSB are awesome, and their music is awesome and they are the millennium! The guys are going to be around for a long time, and I am saying this as a music listener. I love music and BSB definitely have it goin' on!
Submitted by Cindy from ~~ NC USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 11:19:46 1999
first off, heres that girls' article she posted, and now my response to it. shes such an idiot!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ya know, a lot of you are close minded fools and all you can really do is insult the critic because you have nothing better to base your allegations on.
-Your right, I am a close minded fool, thats why I believe that the BSB will break up someday and I love tons of other music. I just think the BSB will live forever in my heart. My allegations come from my heart, truly I think that a 50 year old man/woman does NOT know about today's teenager, things have changed since the 1940s! By the way, thanks for calling me a fool, 'preciate it!
It seems to me that the only ppl who are posting here that completely hate the article are the only ones instulting it. Everyone else says it is credible and has truth in it, although they disbelieve the part about the Boys.
-I'm insulting it because its stupid the way these people think they are so much smarter than everyone else, when really they aren't. Theres no credible truth in this article at all, andddd I disbelieve this woman's/man's opinion of what will happen to the Boys.
You guys need to open up a little more and accept reality. What do you expect them to do, be your music slaves and keep making music when they are 70?
-I need to open up more? Why are you writing here if you are so mature and you accept reality? Aren't you wasting your time? Can't you leave a teenage girls' heart alone? I don't expect the boys' to be music slaves when they are 70. I just think they enjoy what they are doing, its not as though they HATE millions of girls loving them, or is that what you think? God you are rude! Accept the reality babe!
Ask adults anyways. Only the adults have been around long enough to see that music does move in trends.
-Yeah, they saw the Elvis era, the 80s era (theres no other way to call it), and the disco era...its the 90s hon, things have changed! And what do adults know anyway? Sometimes I believe that teenagers/kids are TRULY more intelligent than adults. Sure they've gone to college, etc etc but they don't exactly have all that common sense!!! And aren't adults the ones beating their wives, killing people, etc etc.(sorry to the adults that read this!!)
So stop insulting the article just because you can't believe it. Who the hell cares who wrote it? It's credible and makes sense.
-I don't think it makes sense. And I care who wrote it, because once again, adults don't have much common sense. Stop using the word "credible", its getting annoying. Repetitive too.
What you ppl suggest that they will be around forever is completely uncredible.
-I never said they'd be around forever. Only the 10 year old girls who have written in here have said that. And can you blame them? They are only 10! Most everyone in here knows they will fade sometime!
Get over it, nothing lasts.
-Well aren't you just the most INSENSITIVE person in the world. I believe the Backstreet Pride will last among the GOOD, TRUE fans. Think so?
You only degrade yourself and your own credibility when you insult the article cuz all you can pick on is the grammer or how old the critic is. That's pretty sad. Grow up.
-In my opinion, I wasn't insulting anyone, just making a couple of my fellow fans laugh. You, my friend, are too a stuck up know it all who just wants to sound smart. When really, you are the one who should grow up. Have you read some of the posts here? Some are very well put, and I like how everyone has strong views but still knows that someday the Boys will be gone. You are degrading yourself when you write things like this, because look, now I'm insulting you. You really should have known I was going to do this...sorry but GROW UP!
P.S. Grammar is spelled with an A, not an E.
P.S.S. How old are you? And how come you didn't leave your email addy???
Submitted by Robin from Long Island New York USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 10:59:51 1999
Hey,all! Just finished reading the article, and would like to comment. First of all, I think that Backstreet Boys will be around for a little while longer than the critic thinks. Not only are they talented individuals, but they grow with their music, and their fan base is expanding. Hey, 12 million fans can't be wrong...after all, they did buy their album.
Also, they put on an extremely entertaining live act (have seen them twice already...), they sing (Unlike N'Sync live.....hint-hint...), and they did not let court battles and money hungry management (think Lou Perlman)
get in the way of success! Yes, music trends come and go with the times, but I think Backstreet Boys will be around to stand the test of it...
(And even if they aren't, they'll be laughing all the way to the bank......)
KEEP THE BACKSTREET PRIDE ALIVE!!!
PS- Anyone ashamed to be a Backstreet fan should have their head examined...after all, I am 20, and I love them.....
Submitted by Cindy from ~~~ NC USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 10:54:55 1999
Listen miss priss, you're not a fan if you don't believe the Backstreet Boys have staying power. I don't think they are like Nsync nor New Kids On The Block. And who are YOU to criticize MY article??? Just because I was making an ordeal about the age of the critic doesn't mean I'm a baby who should grow up. I was trying to make a couple people laugh, obviously you're to demented to think its funny. And I think you should grow up!!! AND take "Language Arts 101" along with that woman critic! You aren't good enough to be a Backstreet Fan, what do you think of that? You aren't a true fan.If anyone is wondering what article I'm talking about, I'll post it again today...KTBPA and Happy Millennium!
Submitted by Cindy from ~~~ NC USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 10:39:24 1999
Listen miss priss, you're not a fan if you don't believe the Backstreet Boys have staying power. I don't think they are like Nsync nor New Kids On The Block. And who are YOU to criticize MY article??? Just because I was making an ordeal about the age of the critic doesn't mean I'm a baby who should grow up. I was trying to make a couple people laugh, obviously you're to demented to think its funny. And I think you should grow up!!! AND take "Language Arts 101" along with that woman critic! You aren't good enough to be a Backstreet Fan, what do you think of that? You aren't a true fan.If anyone is wondering what article I'm talking about, I'll post it again today...KTBPA and Happy Millennium!
Submitted by Jennifer Ogilvie from Cathedral City CA USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 02:31:59 1999
I'd like to finish the last sentence your article.You asked what happens if the kids grow up-what's the group going to do about their music career then?-Well, I'd just like to say that maybe you should have read your article a little harder-you said that the group also matures in their music just as we do. The Backstreet Boys are no exception-there here to stay-no matter what age their audience is. I, as a teenager love their music, and I'm not the only one in my family who does. My family loves the Backstreet Boys music, and the age range is anywhere from 4 years old to 45 years old. With their talent and love for music, I'm sure the Backstreet Boys are here to stay.
Submitted by Vanessa from San Diego CA USA
Date: Sun Dec 26 02:00:26 1999
The Backstreet Boys are the best group of '99 and they have the record sells to prove it, figures dont lie. Their new album "Millennium" is an amazing album and shows nothing but growth for the group and is just a snapshot of future albums to come. I believe that they will continue to write and produce their own songs and be as successful in the years to come. I know that all of the critics are saying that this will all fizzle out soon and the boyband phenominom will end, but the truth is the Backstreet Boys are more than a "boyband" they are truely talented and continue to grow and mature with each album. I beleive that the Backstreet Boys will eventually grow out of their "boyband" status and become recognized as one of the greatest groups of their time. Honestly I am enjoying the fact that they are so popular becuase I enjoy plastering their faces on my wall, but I am waiting for them to be known as respected artists in the music industry, not just as "teen pop sensations"...(is that phrase a thrown around a little too loosley or what?)My point? Well, I truely do believe that the Backstreet Boys will be around in the years to come just as long as they contiune to play their cards right, meaning that one of them doesn't freak out and do something crazy. I can't really see them continuing to tour nearly as much as they have in '98 and '99, just becuase they are tired, and who can really blame them. Honestly, I would much rather have the boys focus on an album that was written and produced by them, that was as great as Millennium, than see them in concert. Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing them in Las Vegas(10/16/99) but the touring conditions are tireing and stressfull for anyone. Less touring and more emphases on writting will ensure longevity for the Backstreet Boys. I know that they plan on another album to hit stores sometime next fall, then they might be planning on solo carrers, but as Howie said "there will never be an end to the Backstreet Boys", and I beleive it. If you have any comments on my oppinion or went to the 10/16 concert feel free to emial me