Things You Might Not Know About The Backstreet Boys

2

9. Starting Out

Their first performance was at SeaWorld Orlando in May 1998 and then they went on the road, appearing at amusement parks and malls and then schools.

A photo posted by backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) on Oct 7, 2015 at 12:11pm PDT

3

8. Almost There

In 1993, the Backstreet Boys almost signed with Mercury Records, but the deal ended up falling through because John Mellencamp threatened to leave the label if they got into the boy band business.

A photo posted by backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) on Jun 9, 2015 at 12:06am PDT

4

7. First Recording Contract

They secured their first record contract with JIVE in 1994 after two executives saw them performing at a high school in Cleveland.

A photo posted by backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) on Jul 30, 2015 at 8:21am PDT

5

6. A European Success

When the Backstreet Boys released their first single, “We’ve Got It Goin’ On” in 1995, it was only a minor hit in the U.S.; however, it was a smash hit in Europe, so the boys toured Europe for two years.

A photo posted by backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) on Aug 22, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

6

5. Former Member

Back in 1994, before the group had made it big, Phoenix Stone was a member of the Backstreet Boys, but he decided to try and make it as a solo act and left the group.

Shutterstock

7

4. Suing Lou Pearlman

In 1998, Brian Littrell sued their manager Lou Pearlman and in May of the same year the rest of the group joined the litigation. Pearlman had taken in several million dollars since the group was first signed in 1993, but the five boys had received less than $300,000 or about $12,000 per member each year. The band eventually received a series of settlements and their freedom from Pearlman.

Everett Collection

8

3. Serious Health Problem

Brian Littrell was born with a congenital hole. In 1998, he finally underwent open heart surgery after his heart had enlarged to dangerous proportions. He had delayed the surgery twice, but ended up fitting it in during the middle of the Backstreet’s Back Tour.

A photo posted by backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) on Jun 1, 2015 at 3:32pm PDT

9

2. Forming the Group

Howie Dorough and A. J. McLean were the first members of the Backstreet Boys and Nick Carter, who was discovered during auditions, was the third. Kevin Richardson – who was working at Disney World at the time – met Howie, A.J. and Nick through a co-worker and then joined the group and then his cousin, Brian Littrell, was invited to complete the lineup.

A photo posted by backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) on Apr 3, 2016 at 8:39am PDT

10

1. Ryan Gosling…a Backstreet Boy?

Ryan Gosling was doing the Mickey Mouse Club and living in the same apartment complex as A.J. McLean when the Backstreet boys were first forming. According to A.J., he and Ryan were friends and he even invited him to join the group. “They were just forming that band, so he was saying how big they were going to be – and he had a poster of them in his house,” The Notebook star said. “We were like, it’s never going to happen. Didn’t they already do that with New Kids? You’re a little late. Cut to… I was wrong.”

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Cate

Cate has a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature and has been the Managing Editor of Fame10 for more than 6 years. Despite having a love for the works of Thomas Hardy, Leo Tolstoy and Lord Byron, she also has an intense fascination with pop culture. When she isn’t writing for Fame10, she’s planning her next big adventure in Southeast Asia.