The Evolution of Boy Bands

Today former boy bander Lance Bass announced a new single, "Walking on Air," which is set to be released on Tuesday. It's his first release in more than a decade, but Lance hasn't been out of the musical limelight. He joined the rest of *NYSNC for a quick reunion alongside Justin Timberlake at the MTV VMAs in August, joining a series of boy bands who have reunited over the past couple years. The Backstreet Boys came out with a new album called In a World Like This in July, marking 20 years of music for the group, and 98 Degrees hit the road for a Summer tour in 2013. It's proof that boy bands have staying power, and newer groups are enjoying success of their own. One Direction now has both a signature scent and 1D action figures, showing that the boy band phenomenon has come full circle. Over the past 50 years, there have been a number of synchronized, harmonizing boy bands, each of them just a bit different from the last. Can't get enough of the craze or hoping to relive your favorites from the '90s? From The Beatles to One Direction, here's a look at the most popular boy bands of all time.

The Beatles
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The Beatles

The 1960s English rock band is widely known as one of the most successful, critically acclaimed groups of all time. More than a little marketable, band members Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr experienced "Beatlemania" — a frenzied, popular obsession that set the groundwork for boy bands who followed in their footsteps.

Popular hits:

  • "Hey Jude"
  • "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
  • "She Loves You"
  • "Yesterday"
The Monkees
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The Monkees

After seeing the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night, filmmakers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider hoped to bring a rock 'n' roll group to TV — hence, the Monkees. Considered the first "manufactured" boy band, each member was known for a specific (not necessarily true) personality trait, and critics called them a made-for-TV knockoff of the Beatles. Eventually, the group ended up playing instruments and writing several of their own songs.

Popular hits:

  • "I'm a Believer"
  • "Daydream Believer"
  • "Last Train to Clarksville"
The Jackson Five
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The Jackson Five

Brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson first formed as a family musical group in 1965. The Jackson Five covered a range of styles, everything from R&B to soul to disco. Remembered for their Motown vibe, the brothers scored a number of memorable hits — and one incredible, iconic solo career in Michael, the King of Pop.

Popular hits:

  • "ABC"
  • "I'll Be There"
  • "I Want You Back"
New Edition
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New Edition

Formed in 1978, New Edition was a popular R&B group that included Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Bobby Brown, who was later replaced with Johnny Gill. Although a few of the members sought out solo careers, the group has come together for several reunion performances over the years.

Popular hits:

  • "Can You Stand the Rain"
  • "Candy Girl"
  • "Cool It Now"
New Kids on the Block
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New Kids on the Block

Created as a counterpart to New Edition, NKOTB first gained popularity in the '80s with its bubblegum pop sound. Members Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and Jonathan Knight became the focus of female hysteria, which reignited in 2013 when the group teamed up with Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees for a major Summer tour.

Popular hits:

  • "You Got It (the Right Stuff)"
  • I'll Be Loving You (Forever)"
  • "Step by Step"
Boyz II Men
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Boyz II Men

Arguably the most successful R&B group of all time, Boyz II Men was first formed at the Philadelphia High School For the Creative and Performing Arts. The quartet — including Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris, and Michael McCary — won award after award throughout the '80s and '90s for their smooth ballads, and they toured in 2013 with New Kids on the Block and 98 Degrees.

Popular hits:

  • "I'll Make Love to You"
  • "End of the Road"
  • "One Sweet Day"
Backstreet Boys
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Backstreet Boys

First formed in 1993, the Backstreet Boys were a major part of the '90s boy band wave. Members Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean, and Howie Dorough came to be known for their pop anthems, synchronized dance moves, and catchy ballads. Their popularity had a recent comeback thanks to a new album, In a World Like This, which kicked off a worldwide tour for the group 20 years after they first got together.

Popular hits:

  • "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
  • "Quit Playin' Games With My Heart"
  • "I Want It That Way"
*NSYNC
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*NSYNC

Frequently compared to the Backstreet Boys, the guys of *NSYNC made a name for themselves throughout the '90s and early '00s with memorable, can't-get-out-of-your head pop songs and a positive image. JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Justin Timberlake reunited for a performance at the MTV VMAs, and Justin's stayed in the limelight with his acting career and two albums he released in 2013.

Popular hits:

  • "Tearin' Up My Heart"
  • "Bye Bye Bye"
  • "(God Must Have Spent) a Little More Time on You"
LFO
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LFO

Originally named "Lyte Funky Ones," LFO came onto the scene in 1995 with simple pop songs and unforgettable lyrics — usually with some sort of pop culture twist. A verse that stuck: "Fell deep in love, but now we ain't speaking/ Michael J. Fox was Alex P. Keaton/ When I met you, I said my name was Rich/ You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch." Sadly,

  • "Every Other Time"
  • 98 Degrees
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    98 Degrees

    One of the rare "boy bands" to form on their own, 98 Degrees first became popular in 1997. Although they rose to fame around the same time as *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, the group focused less on dancing and more on vocals. Collectively, members Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre, Drew Lachey, and Nick Lachey — who branched off on his own — were known more for their ballads than their pop songs, which they brought back to the stage with their Summer 2013 tour.

    Popular hits:

    • "Because of You"
    • "I Do (Cherish You)"
    • "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)"
    Hanson
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    Hanson

    Although the Hanson brothers' hair seemed to steal the spotlight for a while, the musicians also stood out for playing their own instruments. In 1997, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac took over the pop scene with one of the catchiest singles of all time, but the sound that made them famous is a bit more subdued in Shout It Out, their most recent album, which was released in 2010. The brothers have a new album, Anthem, and they launched a beer called Mmmhops in 2013.

    Popular hits:

    • "MMMBop"
    • "Where's the Love"
    • "This Time Around"
    BBMak
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    BBMak

    The English pop group BBMak included members Mark Barry, Christian Burns, and Stephen McNally. From 1999 to 2003, the boy band recorded a few popular songs plus a number of soundtrack hits for The Princess Diaries and On the Line, which starred fellow boy bander Lance Bass.

    Popular hits:

    • "Back Here"
    • "Ghost of You and Me"
    • "Out of My Heart (Into Your Head)"
    2ge+her
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    2ge+her

    In 1999, the fictional group 2ge+her stepped in to satirize the '90s boy band phenomenon. As part of an MTV TV movie and a spin-off TV show, the concept was created by writers Brian and Mark Gunn. With fictional names — Jerry, Chad, "Q.T.," Doug, and Mickey — the guys filled particular roles: the heartthrob, the shy one, the cute one, the older brother, and the bad boy. Unfortunately, Michael Cuccione ("Q.T.") died at age 16, and although there were rumors of a reunion in 2011, the guys have yet to get back 2gether.

    Popular hits:

    • "U + Me = Us"
    • "Say It (Don't Spray It)"
    • "The Hardest Part of Breaking Up (Is Getting Back Your Stuff)"
    O-Town
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    O-Town

    The five-member band made up of Jacob Underwood, Ashley Parker Angel, Erik-Michael Estrada, and Trevor Penick was formed during the first season of MTV's Making the Band in 2000. Although the group was named "O-Town" after Orlando, FL, none of the guys were actually from that city. After a few years of success, Ashley Parker Angel stepped out on his own for a reality show and a brief solo career.

    Popular hits:

    • "Liquid Dreams"
    • "All or Nothing"
    • "These Are the Days"
    The Jonas Brothers
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    The Jonas Brothers

    Although it was Nick who originally sought out a music career, he was eventually signed with brothers Joe and Kevin and made popular by the Disney channel in 2005, but the group announced that they were breaking up in Oct. 2013. In addition to several albums, the group also starred in Camp Rock and its sequel. Unlike other bands who tried to display a more bad boy image, the Jonas Brothers were known for embracing their abstinence and wearing purity rings.

    Popular hits:

    • "When You Look Me in the Eyes"
    • "Lovebug"
    • "Burnin' Up"
    One Direction
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    One Direction

    The latest group to join the long line of boy bands is One Direction, a British-Irish pop group formed on The X Factor in 2011. Members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson are each known for a different personality trait — and since they've been labeled as "the new British invasion," these boys seem to be bringing the Beatles-inspired trend full circle. Now, they've even completed the milestone of having their own fragrance.

    Popular hits:

    • "What Makes You Beautiful"
    • "One Thing"
    • "Story of My Life"