Questions
Who created New Kids on the Block and when?
Producer Maurice Starr formed the group in 1984, after he had been fired from managing New Edition.
What was the group originally called?
They were first named Nynuk (pronounced na-nook), which the group’s biographer described as meaningless. Columbia Records demanded a change, and the name New Kids on the Block came from a rap song Donnie Wahlberg had written for their first album.
Who are the five members?
The final lineup was Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.
Wait, was Mark Wahlberg really in the group?
Yes. Donnie’s younger brother Mark Wahlberg was an early member but left after just a few months. Joey McIntyre was recruited at age 12 as a Michael Jackson style vocalist and reportedly struggled to fit in at first.
What song almost got them dropped from their label?
Please Don’t Go Girl nearly ended their deal with Columbia Records, until a Florida radio station started playing it and sparked national interest.
How many records have they sold?
More than 80 million records worldwide.
What records did the album Hangin’ Tough set?
They became the first teen act to land five top ten hits from a single album, and Hangin’ Tough spent 132 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.
How big was their touring business at their peak?
Their 1990 Magic Summer Tour grossed about 74 million dollars (roughly 133 million adjusted for inflation) and drew 3.2 million fans, making them the top grossing touring act that year.
Were they really bigger than Michael Jackson and Madonna?
In 1991 they topped Forbes’ highest paid entertainers list, placing ahead of stars including Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince.
How wild did the merchandise get?
Merchandise sales were estimated at around 400 million dollars in 1991, including lunch boxes, buttons, t-shirts, comic books, and dolls, plus a Saturday morning cartoon. Their fan club topped 200,000 members and the hotline reportedly took about 100,000 calls a week.
Did they lip-sync?
After a 1992 lip-synching allegation, the group performed live on The Arsenio Hall Show and admitted they used backing tracks and that Maurice Starr sang harmony on some background vocals. The person who made the claim dropped his lawsuit in April 1992 and recanted.
Why did they break up?
The group disbanded in 1994 after their fourth album Face the Music underperformed. Jonathan Knight had left due to panic attacks and anxiety.
When did they get back together?
They reunited in April 2008, and their comeback album The Block debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Do they have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Yes. They received their star on October 9, 2014, after being selected in June 2012.
What is their legacy, and what are fans called?
They are widely credited with paving the way for later boy bands including Take That, Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC. Their fans are known as Blockheads.
