The Lost Boys: How a Pop Sensation Came Undone

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Submitted by Lil from SF CA USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 03:33:16 2002

All I have to say is this is a great publicity stunt that someone made because it defintly has everyone talking. Nick going solo...isn't detrimental at all...because who's gonna take him seriously? I'm not. I mean AJ can go on a solo tour and yet Nick makes a rushed pop/rock album and the now the BSB are officially doomed? Please, Nick as much as I love him...he's not the brightest thing in the world and I'm sure this album will do nothing but to give some publicity for a Justin vs nick feud. As a fan, I know they'll be back and better than ever. To prove my point, a station where I live showed an N'sync concert a few nights ago and then the BSB one was tonight. I'm sorry but yah N'sync can dance...but can they dance and sing? NOOOOO They completely lip-synched Bye, bye, bye. ANd the BSB didn't lip synch anything INCLUDING LARGER THAN LIFE which we all know is a hard dance routine. Ahh that's enough of this. At least the BSB name is out there and good luck to Nick and his subpar solo effort.

Submitted by Lindsey from Boston MA USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 03:06:06 2002

The responses to this article are really overwhelming... I really don't have it in me to read each and every one of them right now, but I think I just might have to make it a point to do so, because I am really interested in what the take of my peers, the fans, is on all of this. The Backstreet Boys have been losing momentum for a while now, and being a devout fan, going to all my local shows, travelling as much as I can to see them on tour and during other public appearances, you meet people (some close to the band, some not), and you pick up on things.

The first thing I want to say is that IN MY OPINION, AJ McLean's alcohal problem has very little to do with the detriment of the band. AJ helping himself set a positive example for a lot of young people struggling with addiction, and I think he deserves a lot more credit from the press than he gets when it comes to that particular situation. So he is in a pop band. Yes a lot of their fans are adolescent females. But I'll tell you this, when I became a fan of the BSB in 1997, it was mainly because of their talent, but when I thought of Nick Carter, I wasn't thinking that he was this young innocent that I had this massive crush on and fantasized about. I was thinking that he was hot and I wanted to get in his pants. And I know that I was not the only 15 or 16 year old who was thinking this, because even the most reserved of my friends at the time was standing on her chair screaming for Howie D. to "take it off!" So it came to no shock to me, at 19 years old, that AJ had a drinking problem. Hell, any one of us might have under that kind of stress in that situation. And to go even further into it, Brian and Kevin's marriages may have been devistating to some fans, but these MILLIONS of girls have to know somewhere deep down that their chances of being with these guys are slim to none, and I know, as a true fan, I was genuinely happy that in their hectic lives, they found themselves a little slice of peace and happiness with someone.

To get back to my original point, their personal lives have LITTLE to do with their situation as a band right now, or their popularity. It is about how the band was marketed to the general public. Now this I fault back onto the Boys themselves. This article states that they unknowingly got themselves into some bad business deals, but it never said they didn't have a hand or a say in how they were collectively represented in the public eye. *NSYNC is obviously having tremendous success right now as a group, and surpassed BSB a few years ago, not because they're better musicians, but because they were very business minded and marketed themselves as a group wisely. Backstreet Boys wanted so badly to distinguish themselves as a vocal group, not a boy band that they didn't experiment as much as they should've with their sound and alienated a lot of fans. Now I've met Justin Timberlake, and he is one huge prick, but when you see him on TV, or out publicly with the band, they are laughing, joking, and really having a good time with all of this. They are able to poke fun at themselves, and that is what makes them endearing to all of these people. Now when Chris Rock was poking fun at AJ at last years VMA's, Brian stormed on the stage and took the champagne bottle from him during an awards show broadcast... what the hell is that?? Sure you're going to be a little defensive over your friend, but it's AJ's criticism to deal with, and he showed a room full of music industry heavyweights (it was edited from the broadcast) that he was uptight as all hell. Why couldn't he have just let that blow over, and possibly comment on it after the broadcast??? The public persona of BSB has become very serious, brooding, and generally dark, and that just doesn't fit with the bubblegum pop their pushing in their albums. That, I feel, is their most serious fault in this whole thing... they were too busy resenting *NSYNC and worrying about what that group's next move would be instead of worrying about their own careers.

I have to talk about the comments made about Nick going solo, because I feel the article makes a great point about this being a detriment to the band, but I feel they didn't explain why thoroughly. Right now Nick Carter is in the process of putting out his first solo album. And so is Justin Timberlake. But do you hear anyone (besides Lou Pearlman in this article) agonizing over what a bad move Justin is making and how much this is going to hurt *NSYNC? Nope. But Nick really is hurting the guys by pushing his solo stuff right now... I feel his main reason for doing it is selfish; he's just a confused 22 year old, and maybe he feels this is his time to just do his thing and the other group members have to accept it. But with Justin working on solo plans (which he has been publicly contemplating for years, Nick has just come a little out of the blue with it), Joey starring in "Rent," and Lance getting orbited into outer space and hopefully getting lost out there, this is prime time for the Boys to move back in with something fresh, to really reclaim their title as the pioneers of this game, and Nick is completely disregarding that right now. And I *do* feel that part of it is to get his solo stuff out there before Justin does, but let me tell you, I've heard Justin's song "Like I Love You," and as much as I love Nick's voice and appreciate his talent, musically it blows "Help Me" right out of the water, no matter what your listening preferences are. Nick says his sound is going to be a little more rock oriented, but bottom line is it's going to be a pop album, it's going to be marketed as a pop album, and Justin's is not. *Mark my words, Justin Timberlake WILL be more successful as a solo artist than Nick Carter because he will be opening himself up to a completely different audience by changing his sound, and Nick isn't.*

I could go on forever about this article, but this is where I am at right now with it... if I have more to say, I'm sure I'll come back.

Submitted by charmaine from saskatoon saskatchewan Canada
Date: Wed Aug 21 03:03:26 2002

well that really gave me a better understanding about all the crap that has gone on behind the scenes. i now understand why ticket prices were so high why they released chapter 1 and why they left the firm. personnally i think that they are going to be much happier with this album because they (i think and hope) are stretching themselves more and have taken a lot of time with it and hopefully they will have new management that will let the guys have more say because the guys are smart and they think more like a fan which makes them realize what the fans want and what is going to make them successful, not all about buisness. that whole $100 million thing was dumb i mean elton john is coming here in a couple of days and his tickets are about $30 cheaper. teenage girls cant afford $150 - $108 tickets!!! chapter one i dont think was a good idea and if they wanted the boys to keep up with n'sync they should have released different singles. lou pearlman is the biggest jerk ever! telling someone to post pone life saving surgery is completly iggnorant. as for leighanne influencing brians decisions well i dont know if i really trust her i just hope she is a different person from what she comes off to be. i think they should get a small managment tean that will focus on them and really communicate the boys ideas, they need to put out a strong album with lots of songs written by themselves, release a good upbeat single, do lots of tv appearances, and put out a cheap tour or a free tour. they have money and this will fill the stadiums show ppl what they got and make a good come back. they said they wanted an older fan base and they got it but if they were planning on beating n'sync then they shouldn't have gone for that change cause young girls will buy every cd and get obessessed but older ppl will just sit back and enjoy a song or two every once in a while. nick is not going to leave the band cause of managment and they are not getting a new member. that is what i don't really like about the new managment because it seems like they are against nick and if they don't work together then things will go bad. yeah the boys are getting on with their lives but who cares they are human and aloud to have lives and if they have a managment team that will give them more say thenthey will be able to manage their "lives" better. brian never takes anything for granted yes a lot of that may come from his health but i can see better why he doesn't anymore because with this buisseness side you never know. they are definatly not as rich as i thought. anyway i think that if the boys want to be more happy then they need to come together more cause right now it seems like they are spreading apart and that will cause confliction between the boys and make them not happy they also need a managment team who will respect what they wanna do

Submitted by BARBARA from SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 02:58:18 2002

i believe this is so sad and shocking and unreal to me i love all the guys with all my heart and i've been a huge fan for a very long time and i'll hate to see them split like that i just wanna say if your a tru fan then pray for the guys i just wish that nick will realize how long he's been in this group and realize that the rest of the guys is like family, his brothers and they all been through thick and thin and hard times and he should stick with the guys because nick was the main one in interviews saying that him and the group is going to be together for ever just pray fans i mean this is a tough time for the guys and it's sad that they smile behind all this but it's hurting badly inside.i luv bsb peace.

(All caps detected. Message converted to lowercase)

Submitted by Danielle from DE USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 02:53:28 2002

I can absolutely see what all of you guys are saying. Most of the things that I read were obvious, especially how a lot of bad decisions had been made, especially recently. Even I did not think that a greatest hits album was a good idea, and I surely didn't bother buying it. To me it seemed way too early to do that, especially with the downfall that BSB had last year. It seemed as if that was the last we would be hearing of them, even though somewhere we knew that that was not true. Skipping along, Nick is essential to the group. I don't think that the group will work without any member or if any member was replaced. That was a ridiculous thing to say, whoever that guy was (can't quite remember). And maybe it did seem that Nsync was working really hard, either that or they were just being shoved into our faces at every possible moment. I honestly do love BSB, but there has been a large gap between things such as appearances or albums. Do they think it is necessary to disappear for a year at a time? I know they have lives and business to take care of, especially with the whole thing with A.J., and that's what makes me argue between both sides. I want them to have their own lives, but then again I want them to be out there for their fans. I'm just hoping that the album they are working on now will help them, because they surely need it right now.

Submitted by Victor from The Big Apple USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 02:50:04 2002

The Backstreet Boys will ALWAYS be the more superior group. They started it all. They have TIMELESS songs that you just cant forget. Songs like 'I Want It That Way' are timeless. Me being the 20 year old male rock fan truly respect BSB as artists and people. They have talent. TRUST me they will be back.

Oh and WHO CARES IF THEY ARENT POPULAR! I dont listen to music based on fame and popularity. I listen to music. Its my life. I Love music. BSB have talent and thats that.


MTV SUCKS

Submitted by Paloma from Madrid Spain
Date: Wed Aug 21 02:27:53 2002

Hey guys! I'm really happy that all of you care about this. This shows how much we love them. It doesn't matter what happens, we'll always be there. KEEP IT THAT WAY FANS!

Submitted by Maggie from NY NY USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 02:09:42 2002

First of all I'd like to say this hasn't come as a surprise to me. I've been in some way connected to this 'commercial' world and I would understand some of the 'mistakes' these labels and firms have done. The music industry is by far the most intense, and not to mention, the dirtiest of all industries. You see nothing but artists and businesses thriving on others' failures.
To people who have a clue on how this business works, this is just everyday news. And as far as the Backstreet Boys go, I believe they have a hand in this. They haven't done anything wrong. And I could truely say I'm one of their biggest fans. But their 'mistake' was, as Kevin said, that they didn't research more. It's a tricky business, and I personally believe that the Backstreet Boys' past failures had very little to no effect on their music. But unfortunately it has affected their popularity greatly. But there was another mistake that Kevin ceased to add was their 'disagreements' with each other. What makes a strong nation is it's oneness. This they have lost with the days and with their struggles to stay at the top.
Nick's solo move will show it's great effects on the band this fall and this winter will experience a down fall from this little fact. I wouldn't want to judge a book by it's cover. I don't know what terms these boys are on now. And I don't know how and why Nick Carter made this decision. But I could say, with a clear conscience, that Carter has lost the love and respect of his 'brothers' by making this decision.
Numerous times have we heard AJ talking about a solo career for himself, and numerous times have we detected AJ's belief in the end of the BSB. But we have turned our back on these facts and went on to believing that these men are true brothers. They may have started out as one, but outside forces have managed to change this heart warming fact. And for what?
Yes, The Firm, Jive, Pearlman, and all the others used the band to achieve their goals. But isn't that what this business is all about?
I just hope in the future we'll see a healthier Backstreet Boys. Because it would pain me to witness yet another tragic downfall of a great talent!

Submitted by Vin's Girl from USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 02:01:17 2002

Ok first off, i really think that our boys are always being bashed for being real and doing the right thing and acknowledging when they do something wrong. So what that the guys had all those probs with Aj going to rehab, and they got married, what? they were supposed to hold their lives back cause of 13 years old who thought they were going to maryy 30 year old men? come on lets be serious, while Joey from Nsync is a single father and he does not get bashed for that. i think the article was fine but like many have said in the before all they point out is the bad shit they have gone through. like telling brian to postpone his surgery, FUCK THEM greedy assholes. it's amazing what people will do for money. As for Nick i don't stand by him at all, and i tell you what if i don't feel the song i ain't buying it. and i don't know about you but i ain't made of money and i ain't going to go out and waste money on him and then the rest of the boys making his ass twice as rich. i don't think so.


I think when he went in that room to give the firm that ultimatum he was not Nick carter the solo artist he was Nick carter the Backstreet boy, he should have stuck by his brothers, he thinks that he's the only one dragging in fans but i won't stand for it. i have loved the BACKSTREET BOYS since i was 14, not only him. so i think it was really selfish of him to not stand by them. i have a really bad feeling about this, but if in the end they do not come back TOGETHER. or with out nick for that matter, cause i no longer care what happens to his SHALLLOW ASS, than i'll always remember them throught their music.

C-Yall
Vin's Girl

KTBSPA

Submitted by Jennifer Elizabeth C. from Los Angeles CA USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 01:36:00 2002

First and foremost I would like to say...how can they even compare the Eagles to the BSB? They are absolutely nothing alike. They are from two totally different generations and have two very different types of music. The fact that they would even compare the two is just ridiculous. It makes no sense to me. Then how that guy has the nerve to say that with or without Nick it wouldn't matter because the group would be ok is completely beyond me. And personally I think he's out of his mind for even thinking it and suggesting such a thing. In my opinion the guys would not be the same without Nick and there is absolutely no way they could ever replace him, as if they would because I highly doubt it. Now I love the guys to death and whether they stayed as a quintet or became only four I would still love them no matter what. They have helping me through so many ups and downs in my life as they have so many others and I am so very grateful to them for that. You know the music business should be grateful to them too because the BSB did wonders for it. They made music what it is today by opening up the doors for all these other acts like NSYNC and Britney and so forth. So all those artists out there enjoying the eclaim and attention they're getting should be glad and thankful. They owe they're success to the BSB. As for NSYNC I just truly don't get it. How come they aren't getting slack for Justin who is going solo just like Nick? Why is it always OUR guys that have to be pushed this way and pushed that way and talked about in the media getting all kind of BS? It really frustrates me to no end and I can't stand it!!! I bet you Justin is only going solo because Nick is! Seriously people, more specifically the media need to BUT out and leave the BSB alone. If they're gonna talk trash about our guys then talk trash about NSYNC, better yet just don't say anything at all unless you know it's the absolute truth and just a way to get people talking and thinking this and thinking that to start some major rumors. As for Nick I am truly proud of him for going ahead and doing this solo project. The songs I've heard are amazing and just great. I am really looking forward to hearing his entire album as I am also looking forward to hearing the BSB's new album because I know in my heart that they are here to stay. They aren't going anywhere and just as Nick has been saying in all his interviews this is just something he's wanted to do for along time and it doesn't mean he's leaving the guys at all. In fact he says he's doing both and has no means of leaving them. So please all you people out there getting angry because they're breaking up DON'T. The guys aren't breaking up. They are gonna come back and they are going to come back with a vengence. They are gonna show all those people out there exactly what they are about and what they stand for. BSB will continue to rock on and until they come out with a new CD support Nick like I do.
KTBSPA every1:)

Submitted by flirty from Okaland California USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 01:22:52 2002

Hi, first off i just want to say I love the Boys and Hate anyone who will in anyway try to effect there careers in a negative way. The sleazy media is just trying to create a buzz (good or bad) to get publicity. There the ones who help make the boys in anyway un-happy. Trust me the boys will be here to stay no matter what. There talented enough to be here till they die. While NSYNC is out taking some much needed rest ;) the boys will be back non stop while topping charts TRL and everything in between. KTBSPA!!!

Submitted by Karen from New Albany IN USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 01:12:38 2002

I think this article wasnt meant to talk bad about the Boys, just to point out the differences it what were two very similar bands. What a lot of people fail to realize is that while Nsync may be a bigger band, they are BY FAR not as talented NOR do they have the musical abilities that BSB do. Does Nsync write their own stuff at all? Do you see them playing piano, or drums or guitar? No, I haven't.
Backstreet are talents in their own right, each one of them being blessed with a fine voice and lyrical talents as well.
Don't worry and get your pants in a tizzy. The guys will be back and better than ever...and we get a little Nicky on the side to hold us over until we get all 5 of our babes back!!!!!

Submitted by Jenna from sacramento california USA
Date: Wed Aug 21 01:02:15 2002

All i gotta say is that it ain't over till it's over.Period.

Submitted by Erin from Calgary Alberta Canada
Date: Wed Aug 21 01:00:49 2002

I think that the article was, first and foremost, very informative. It's not as if we haven't all been bombarded by these same facts a thousands times as they have unfolded over the years, BUT, each time they are told, it seems as though a different twist is added.
Generally, the article reaffirmed the vibe that I had been getting about conflict between Nick and the other guys. At the moment, I am proud of him for stepping out of the box and trying something a little different. Ten years is a long time and I can understand where his motives are coming from. I can't, however, help but think, after all that is coming forth lately, that this solo thing might not be for all the right reasons and his motives may not be so pure. Not making time to record with the Boys and recording a solo album with the Boys support are two completely different issues. The future is undoubtedly going to unfold before our eyes in the next few months. I don't know... I'm just not sure that I can handle another heartbreak and I don't want to be faced with the idea that this thing might not turn out exactly how it is sitting in Nick's mind now.
One thing that I can say for certain is that, no matter what... solo careers, marriages, rehab, babies, reunion tours... no matter what the press says or what you see on tv or hear in the hallway...no matter what, the real, true fans will always be there. Come rain, come shine, they come prepared for it all. If we never loved the guys, if we never lived for the music, one thing would be for certain- there would be no Backstreet Boys. I think that after all the trials, those who really care appear. In BSB's case, the crowds will, as they always have, come. All they have to know is that we'll be behind them every step of the way.
"Even forever don't seem like long enough" for us, the FANS.

Submitted by Vanessa A from Guelph Ontario Canada
Date: Wed Aug 21 00:42:32 2002

I think that the basis of that article was not to bad mouth the guys or anything but in a way it ended up doing so. I have been a BSB fan since 1996 and I know that there's has never been a point in time where I have doubted anything about the boys. I still have all my faith in them that they can come out and make a great alubm. Sure, Nick's solo career is making a difference in the future but not necissarily a bad effect. In the end, Nick and the rest of the guys are going to do what their hearts desire. That's what they've been trying to do since the beginning. I don't think it is fair that the media call this the end for the Backstreet Boys. To be honest, I don't see much of a "career" for the guys after this next album release. I'm not saying that I'm not praying for one, because that's all I have been doing lately, that everything works out for the guys, but to be perfectly honest... they've been gone a while and even other pop bands like N Sync are moving out of the scene. Still, BSB will always be around. Although out of the scene right now, they will be back... I don't doubt that at all!

Submitted by lover from Oregon USA
Date: Tue Aug 20 21:18:39 2002

My love for the boys has not subsided at all. I only can hope that Nick makes good decisions and does not jepardize the group. I pray they will continue to sing together until the day they die. I worry though, that with the new tensions, that they will never be the same group, or even a group at all. Keep supporting them as a group and please support Nick!

Submitted by Lindsey from Canada
Date: Tue Aug 20 21:17:09 2002

Stupid American Journalism. nstink, britney the slut and all the other pop acts out there currently enjoying success can thank their lucky stars for the BACKSTREET BOYS cause without them, they wouldn't be here. The BOYS created the whole new pop genre and they'll continue to set the standards. Yeah, they got screwed over by greedy business men (I hate Lou Pearlman) but they're not going anywhere. And to suggest that AJ's treatment or Brian and Kevin's marriages have caused their popularity to decline is absolutely ridiculous. His very health was at stake for crying out loud! ARGH!!!

Submitted by Dori from California USA
Date: Tue Aug 20 21:00:50 2002

Recently within in the past 10 months or so, I will admit that my Backstreet obsession subsided quite a bit. They are not my most favorite anymore, but I still have undying love, respect, and devotion to the group who once was my whole world. I have also noticed that since Black and Blue, that Backstreet Boys had been on a decline, and after "Drowning" that they had been on a steady decline, and when I heard the thing about Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin wanted to leave the Firm, and Nick admitted that he was staying on as a solo act. I completely understand the hurt that the group was feeling, and the underline hostility that the group has for Lou Pearlman. (Have you noticed that all Lou's clients hit it big than leave his management company or never take off?) I think this is so sad, it's kinda like what will become of the Backstreet Boys, but even if they do end up calling it a day, or in leymans terms break up, I think us fans should take solace in the fact that the music will live on forever.
KTBPA.
Dori

Submitted by Eboni from Pearland TX USA
Date: Tue Aug 20 20:55:49 2002

All I have to say is the same thing I say when I read every article about them with a title like that one. "Leave them alone." Don't you people have anything else to do, or write about? The New York Times printed this? I could't believe it. I mean some of the article is probably the truth with the bad business moves with management companies, and the releasing of that Greatest Hits...even I was griping about that one. But I don't believe anythings coming "Undone" and I don't believe BSB will ever have to make an album "with or without Nick." In every interview he's done, he says nothing about not working with the others. Now maybe there was a little tension when it came to him wanting to record for his own album instead of with the rest of them, but I don't think they'll break up over it. It's just gonna take a little longer.
I believe these guys are gonna come out with a group album bigger and better than anything they've done before this next time, and I'm waiting for it. But in the meanwhile, I'm gonna enjoy Nick's album. It's sounding really good so far, I'm proud of him, and I can't wait to hear the whole thing.

Submitted by Lauren from USA
Date: Tue Aug 20 20:45:34 2002

For the most part, this article was stuff we've heard before. Rumors of breaking up, tensions between Nick and the Boys...that stuff is kind of a given. We know they won't break up.

The part of the article that I really hated was that they indicated that Nick could be replaced. This isn't the Eagles, this is the Backstreet Boys. This is a completely different genre of music we're talking about here. When they said that, it was as if they were treating the Boys like Menudo. And that's just plain disrespectful. Nick can't be replaced.

And as for the whole media hype with Lance going into space...I don't think I'm the only one who hopes they'll leave him up there and take the rest of his bandmates with him ;-)

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