Since the manufacturing of the Monkees in the late '60s, all-male vocal groups or 'boy bands' have been a permanent part of the pop music landscape. Here are the top 10 of all time.
1. Backstreet Boys
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The Backstreet Boys were acknowledged leaders, along with Britney Spears, of the sweeping popularity of teen pop in the late '90s. The group came together in 1993 in Orlando, Florida with the assistance of producer Lou Pearlman. The Backstreet Boys achieved tremendous success between 1997 and 2001. After a four-year hiatus, the Backstreet Boys returned with the album Never Gone in 2005. Their next release Unbreakable appeared in 2007.
2. New Kids On the Block
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New Kids On the Block were a second project by Maurice Starr after his success with New Edition (see above). The group was formed in Boston in 1986 and had a strong run of hits between 1988 and 1990. The group disbanded by 1994 and the members tried solo careers with little success. The group reunited in 2008 and released the album The Block.
3. *NSYNC
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Like Britney Spears, *NSYNC members Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez had their first significant singing roles as members of the New Mickey Mouse Club. In 1996, they formed *NSYNC in Orlando, Florida with three additional members. By 1998, they had their first top 10 pop hit and spent the next four years frequently near the top of the charts. The group have not released an album since 2001's Celebrity, while Timberlake and Chasez have had success as solo artists.
4. Take That
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Take That, who became the biggest selling pop group in the U.K. since the Beatles, were initially formed as a trio called The Cutest Rush. Producer and manager Nigel Martin Smith added two more members to the group in 1990, and they became Take That. After a run of chart-topping hits in the U.K., the group began to fray in 1995 just as they hit the U.S. top 10 for the first time. In 1996, the group disbanded with member Robbie Williams pursuing a highly successful solo career. The band began a second round of their history with a 2006 reunion and return to the top of the UK pop charts.
5. BoyzIIMen
Photo courtesy Motown
BoyzIIMen was formed in Philadelphia in 1988 at the Philadelphia High School Of the Creative and Performing Arts as Unique Attraction. After catching the attention of Bell Biv Devoe (a group consisting of 3 former New Edition members) at a conert in 1989, the group was re-christened BoyzIIMen and entered the studio to record their first album. Since that time the group have become the biggest selling r&b group of all time.
6. Monkees
Courtesy Colgems
Formed by television producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson in 1965, the Monkees must be considered pioneers among boy bands. The four members were selected to perform catchy pop tunes while also acting in a television series. Late in their career as a group the members took control of most of the artistic direction of their music, but by then their popularity was fading. The group disbanded in 1970.
7. Jonas Brothers
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In some senses the Jonas Brothers are not a "manufacture" boy band in the classic sense. However, they do have full Disney pop machinery behind them and the fan hysteria that follows the trio is straight out of the boy band history books.
8. New Edition
Courtesy MCA
New Edition was formed in Boston in 1978 while the first 3 members were still in elementary school. The group performed frequently at local events and added 2 new members before being discovered by producer/songwriter Maurice Starr. He released their first single "Candy Girl" in 1983, and the group quickly became pop stars. After breakup, 3 members formed Bell Biv Devoe, and Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant had successful solo careers.
9. Westlife
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Westlife are a second project by Boyzone manager Louis Walsh. Co-managed by Boyzone member Ronan Keating, the group's first single debuted at #1 on the British charts in 1999. While making regular appearances at the top of the charts in the U.K., the group have yet to reach similar success in the U.S.
10. Day26
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Day26 formed through the MTV reality show Making the Band 4. They are proteges of Diddy and his Bad Boy Entertainment empire. The group instantly hit the top of the album chart with their first self-titled collection.
