• 1984-1994, 2008-

  Jordan Knight

  Jonathan Knight

  Joey McIntyre

  Donnie Wahlberg

  Danny Wood
• When New Kids on the Block formed in 1984, all of the members were younger than 17. Jonathan Knight was 16, Danny Wood was 15, Donnie Wahlberg was 15, Jordan Knight was 14 and Joey McIntyre was just 12.
• New Kids On The Block were the top boy band of the late '80s and early '90s, with heaps of merchandising, including dolls. All that licensing revenue made them immensely popular - in 1991 Forbes listed them as the highest-paid American entertainers, with earnings of $115 million. This business model was replicated by the next wave of boy bands, particularly Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync.
• The creator of New Kids On The Block, Maurice Starr, also assembled the group New Edition. His collaboration with New Edition ended badly, so he set out to create a white boy band following same formula: five kids who could sing and dance, with one that could rap (Donnie Wahlberg). He used a talent agency in Boston to find them.
• They had a 7-figure endorsement deal with Coke and were marketed with loads of merchandise (even pillow cases!), but one of their biggest money makers was a hotline. Fans could call 1-900-909-5KIDs and, for $2 the first minute and 45 cents each additional minute, hear messages from the group.
• Donnie Wahlberg was the first member of the band to be selected. He helped guide the creators in other band member choices. Among those recommended by Wahlberg were his best friend Donny Wood and schoolmate Jordan Knight.
• Their self-titled debut album, released in 1986 two years after they formed, was an overwhelming flop, getting just a smattering of airplay around their native Boston and selling only a few thousand copies. But they persevered, and in 1988 their single "Please Don't Go Girl" got some attention, which snowballed into a mania with their second album, Hangin' Tough.
• Unlike New Edition, the members of New Kids On The Block didn't fare well as solo artists or as part of other groups. The most successful was Jordan Knight, whose debut single "Give It to You" went to #10 in 1999.
• The group limped to the finish line in 1994, breaking up after a flop album (Face The Music) and a club tour. They reunited in 2008, releasing a single called "Summertime" and going on tour.
• In January 1992, their former music director, Gregory McPherson, claimed that most of the lead vocals on their albums were sung by Maurice Starr and his brother Michael Johnson. The story made news, so the New Kids responded by interrupting their Australian tour to refute the allegations on The Arsenio Hall Show. After the group sued McPherson for defamation, he recanted, issuing a statement that read, "They did sing lean on their vocals."
• Donnie Wahlberg's brother is Mark Wahlberg, who had a #1 hit in 1991 with "Good Vibrations," credited to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
• On April 24, 1989, Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis declared "New Kids on the Block Day" to commemorate the boy band's rising fame. Diehard fans, or "Blockheads" as they're called, continue to use April 24 to celebrate NKOTB.

Comments: 1

• Jenn0273 from CanadaNope, there was no 500 person audition. Donnie went and grabbed his friends from school, Jordan Jon and Danny and his brother Mark. Mark quit and Jamie joined and then he quit and Joe joined.
  
  There was no audition outside of the 7.

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