Top Ten Boy Bands of All Time

From About.com.

Though the term did not come into general use until the 1990s, there are clearly earlier precedents   Generally, it refers to an all-male group, primarily vocals and not playing their own instruments.  They frequently include distinct choreography and are marketed primarily to teens (well, now, pre-teens).

The Beatles and Monkees have a historical importance to the concept, but have been left off this list.

I find it sad that when these pre-teens get older, they seem to drop their crushes.  They shouldn't.  If you liked it at one time, never drop them.  And, these bands have a lot of really good songs.

1.  Backstreet Boys--  1993
2.  New Kids On the Block--  1986
3.  The Jackson 5--  mid-1960s

4.  Take That--  the biggest-selling band in the U.K.--  1990
5.  NSYNC--  Mostly from the New Mickey Mouse Club--  1996
6.  Boyz II Men--  Philadelphia--  1986
7.  The Osmonds--  started as a barbershop quartet in 1958--  pop stars in 1971

8.  New Edition--  1978
9.  Westlife--  1999,  U.K. Their first 25 singles all hit the U.K. Top Ten.
10.  Boyzone--  1993

Nothing Wrong With Them.  --RoadDog

What's in a Boy Band-- Part 2: The Beatles?

Well, I just had to go to Parade's website and see how the voting was going on.  And, I had to vote for myself.  Of course, I picked the Beatles.  Being in junior high back when they broke in early 1964, I can tell you the girls went bonkers.  They'd even scream just seeing them on TV.  And the sound at a Beatles concert would have been many levels higher than an ear should have to deal with. 

Of course, many of us guys, observing the girl reaction, went out and started garage bands with the hopes the girls would start screaming for them.  Not me, though.

And, they were cute and each girl had her own favorite.  Even us guys had favorites.  Mine was George. At dances and parties, you'd have a definite in with a girl if the two of you liked the same favorite Beatle.   Let's see, there was the Cute Beatle, the Quiet Beatle, the Serious Beatle and the Funny Beatle.  Can you name each?

After voting, you can view the voting so far.  Big Time Rush must have some serious fans as they had a 22.4% vote.  Backstreet Boys were just behind them with 20.02%.  The Monkees had 14,59%.

A big surprise was the number-one vote-getter, the Osmonds with 30.04%??  The Beatles lagged way, way behind at 1.85%, but they went beyond the usual Boy Band perameters.

You can vote at www.parade.com/bands.

Regardless, I Wouldn't Vote for the Osmonds, Those Bad Apples.  --RoadDog

What's in a Boy Band?-- Part 1

I was looking at the August 5th Parade Magazine which had had a Boy Band Poll and a group called Big Time Rush won the first-ever voting.  I admit that I had never heard of them.  They beat out One Direction which I have heard of (though I can't recall ever hearing one of their songs).

They had a picture of Big Time Rush on the cover.  Four very clean cut young men who would definitely appeal to teenage girls (and now, the Tweens).  These would be the lads who get them to screaming.

I regard a Boy Band as being four to five young guys who will be the heartthrobs of young girls.  Each girl will have a favorite.  They will sing some great, carefully screened songs written by others.  Often, they won't play their own instruments. They will be heavily produced and also have dance routines.

Anyway, they had voting for your all-time favorite Boy Band and you choose from among eight bands.

1.  Beatles
2.  Monkees
3.  The Jackson 5
4.  New Edition
5.  Menudo
6.  New Kids On the Block
7.  *NSYNC
8.  Jonas Brothers

Beatles?

Mmmmnnn.  I Wonder.  --RoadDog