Rediscovering The Past

Rediscovering - New Kids On The Block

A Little Background On The Band:

Formed by Maurice Starr in 1984 as NYNUK. 15 year old Donnie Wahlburg was the groups first member, he then recruited his friends and brother - Mark Wahlburg, Danny Wood, Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight. Before the group started recording their first album in 1985, Mark left the group and was then replaced by 12 year old Joey McIntyre.

Thankfully Columbia records wanted a different name for the band as we now know them as - New Kids On The Block. Named after a song Donnie had written for their first album in 1985. Their first album - "New Kids On The Block" released in 1986 was a flop but the band didn't give up and cut another record, which wasn't released until 3 years later in 1988.

The band unfortunately did not find success until 1988 by late 1989 they were the hottest boy band in the country - thanks to their album Hangin Tough. 1990's Step By Step album just added to their fame and popularity.

From 1989 to 1992 the boys road high in fame. In 1993 they split from their manager Maurice Starr and shortened the band name to NKOTB while making their next album Face The Music which wasn't released until 1994 and wasn't faired well by the fans at all so the boys called it quits for good.

From 1995 to 2007 the New Kids members found other ventures in their own rights. Donnie, Danny and Jordan got married and started families. Jonathan became a real estate developer. Joe and Jordan both recorded solo albums while Donnie got into acting and working on his brother Mark's music career.

Several attempts to get the band to reunite in this time happened in 1999 for the VMA's in which everyone was on board to reunite except Jonathan. So it never happened and in 2004 Aamer Haleem from VH1's Band's Reunited show tried to get the New Kids to reunite. This time Jonathan and Jordan were the only two on board, everyone else declined the offer.

It wasn't until 2008 under their own terms did the boy band decide to reunite and they have been going strong ever since. With three new albums under their belts with The Block (2008), 10 (2013) and Thankful (2017), several tours and a yearly NKOTB Cruise (2010-present).

  Their greatest achievement was getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Ocober 9, 2014.

Since New Kids have resurfaced they have managed to regain some of their old original fan base back as well as getting a whole new generation of fans. Congrats to them and all their success so far.

For Me Personally:

The New Kids for me where my second boy band I came across with the Monkees being the first. I found both bands in 1986, within months of each other. I was a fan of NKOTB from 1986 to 1994.

Some of my favorite songs are - Old - Cover Girl, Step By Step, Hangin Tough, You Got It (The Right Stuff), Tonight, Valentine Girl, and This Ones For The Children. - New - Summertime, Survive You. For solo songs - Joey McIntyre's - Stay The Same.

My favorite member of the band was always Jonathan Knight. (let's not forget the Nikko years.)

My favorite music videos were - Step By Step and You Got It (The Right Stuff).

My favorite memory was watching the New Kids special - New Kids On The Block Wildest Dreams Disney special in 1990. Jon's dream of being a 1950s actor was my favorite part. and watching the November 1990 Pay Per View special.

I'll just leave this picture here. What a different look for them with facial hair. Looking good!

Leave me a comment telling me your favorite New Kid member, songs, music videos, or memories.