'N the money but still No. 2 in boy band sales

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Apr 04, 2000 Source: The Hollywood Reporter Online Submitted By: HiC (Mon., April 3, 2000) By Tamara Conniff 'N Sync's "No Strings Attached" may have made music history by selling 2.4 million units in one week -- breaking the record set by Jive labelmates Backstreet Boys, who moved 1.13 million of copies of "Millennium" in a single frame last year -- but the teen pop sensation still has a ways to go before catching up to the Boys. To date, Backstreet Boys have sold 20.1 million albums and 3.6 million singles, according to SoundScan figures obtained from industry sources. "Millennium" and "Backstreet Boys" are among the top-selling albums of the SoundScan era, which began in May 1991. 'N Sync comes in at 12.4 million total album sales and 1 million singles. 'N Sync manager Johnny Wright told The Hollywood Reporter that if taking second place to Backstreet Boys as the largest boy pop band means record sales figures in the millions and the ability to sell more than 1 million concert tickets in one day, he couldn't be happier (HR 3/30). Even though, like Backstreet Boys, the boys of 'N Sync dance, sing and croon over the tribulations of love, Wright said that with "No Strings Attached," 'N Sync is trying to break away from blanket Boys comparisons with a "different," "edgier" and more "urban" sound. Given the ever-expanding pop music consumer base, there is more than enough room for two superstar boy bands. "No Strings Attached" received massive media support from MTV, Radio Disney and elsewhere. Radio Disney's core audience is ages 6-11. Radio Disney senior director of operations Robin Jones said that with such pop acts as Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync and Britney Spears, the station attracts a listener base ranging from ages 2-16. "Right now, with the economy as good as it is, kids have a lot more purchasing power," Jones said. "Not only do they have more money in their pockets, but they also have a lot of two-income parents." "No Strings Attached" has been a long time coming. It has been two years since the release of 'N Sync's eponymous debut album, which was followed up with a hasty Christmas collection. The release of "No Strings Attached" was delayed because of legal disputes between the band's former label, BMG's RCA division, and Zomba Group's Jive Records. The two-year wait for a studio release, combined with 'N Sync's tour last year -- which grossed $44.3 million from 107 shows (HR 12/27) -- and hit singles, including the Grammy-nominated collaboration with Gloria Estefan "Music of My Heart," has kept fans interested and eagerly waiting. "I think that the expectation was so high that people had to have ("Strings") the first week," radio consultant Jeff Pollack said. "Both ('N Sync and Backstreet Boys) are so phenomenally successful, who ultimately sells the most records on their latest release really is not the issue. ... It could be argued that the better one does, it's better for the other one." Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: johnanz http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Submitted by: crorkzz gjVHik Thanks - Enjoyed this post, is there any way I can receive an update sent in an email every time you make a fresh post? Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet's Howie D lands movie Prev Item: Backstreet's Howie Eyes Film Role