New Kids On The Block

New Kids On The Block (formed 1984)
New Kids On The Block are an American boy band consisting of Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood.

New Kids On The Block: Formation
New Kids On The Block were created by Maurice Starr with the intention of making a 'white' version of New Edition.
Donnie Wahlberg became the first member during Boston auditions and helped bring in further members including his brother Mark Wahlberg and friends Danny Wood and Jordan Knight.
Mark left soon before recording and was replaced by Jamie Kelly who was subsequently sacked and replaced by Joey McIntyre.
The group was initially called Nyunk before they signed to Columbia Records and changed it, basing it on one of Wahlberg's raps for the band's debut album.

New Kids On The Block: Musical career
New Kids On The Block released their self-titled debut album in 1986 though it was poorly received with singles 'Be My Girl' and 'Stop It Girl' receiving little airplay.
The band insisted on adding input to the second album 'Hangin' Tough' though its first single 'Please Don't Go Girl' also flopped initially. However, just before they could be dropped from their record label, it became a huge radio hit after airing on a Florida station and soon hit the US charts at number 10.
Their 1989 single 'I'll Be Loving You (Forever)' became their first number one hit and though they were meant to be opening for Tiffany on her tour, they were billed as co-headliners.
Later in the year and with five top ten hits from one album, the band's second album reached number one and was certified 8 times platinum. It also won two American Music Awards.
Columbia records released a documentary entitled 'Hangin' Tough' which won a Grammy award and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts later declared April 24th 1989 as 'New Kids on the Block Day'.
Their third album 'Step by Step' was released in 1990 and sold nearly 20 million copies. The title track shot to number one and became their biggest selling single.
Their official fan club garnered 200,000 and was one of the biggest in the US.
In 1991, they topped Forbes list of highest paid entertainers even beating Michael Jackson and Madonna.
In 1992, they were accused of lip-synching during live performances by Gregory McPherson who was an associate producer on 'Step By Step'. The band later admitted to singing with a backing track and revealed that Starr sang some of the background harmonies. After they filed a defamation lawsuit against McPherson, he retracted his previous allegations.
In 1993, they split from Starr and shortened their name to NKOTB.
Their fourth album, 1994's 'Face the Music', failed to make as much commercial success and their subsequent tour saw them leave arenas behind and play at smaller clubs and theatres.
Jonathan Knight left the band due to anxiety problems and they band split shortly afterwards in 1995.
Wahlberg, followed in the footsteps of his brother, Mark Wahlberg, with an acting career while McIntyre and Jordan Knight embarked on solo careers in 1999.
In 2008, it was announced that the group had reunited with plans for an upcoming album and tour. They subsequently released singles 'Summertime' and 'Single' featuring Ne-Yo, before unleashing album 'The Block' which hit number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The tour saw them being supported by Natasha Bedingfield and Lady Gaga.
In 2010, it was announced that they would be touring with Backstreet Boys in 2011.
In 2012, it was announced that they would recieve a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.