♫And kids they were...♫

On any given day, new recording artists, groups and songs appear that make each performer a 'new kid on the block' so to speak. Their names and songs slowly rise on the charts or hit the No.1 spot like a flash of lightning. So, it is no wonder at some point in time someone would use that very phrase to name a band.
 
Welcome into the Spotlight...

New Kids On The Block

Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre and Danny Wood

New Kids on the Block, a boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1984 and performed until 1995, then re-united in 2008 to present day consisting of Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood, as well as previously including Mark Wahlberg and Jaime Kelley. Theirs has been a success of mixed reviews yet seemed to come out topping Billboard's 200 list. Their ultimate success led to Forbes listing the band members as the highest paid entertainers of 1991, beating Madonna and Michael Jackson.

• And kids they were...When New Kids on the Block formed in 1984 all of the members were younger than 17: Jonathan Knight was 16, Danny Wood was 15, Donnie Wahlberg was 15, Jordan Knight was 14 and Joey McIntyre was just 12.
• New Kids on the Block was assembled by producer Maurice Starr. Over 500 people auditioned to become part of the group, yet only five were selected.
• Donnie Wahlberg was the first member of the band to be selected. He helped guide the creators in other band member choices. Among those recommended by Wahlberg were his best friend Donny Wood and schoolmate Jordan Knight.
• Two years after formation, New Kids on the Block released their self-titled album (in 1986) on Columbia Records. The album was an overwhelming flop, receive only very little play around their native Boston.
• The boys from NKTB were real gentlemen regarding the comfort of their teenaged fans and their parents. The concert rider of the boy band reveals that they requested a hospitality room for fans' parents and also asked that coffee and donuts be served to parents for free or at a minimal charge.
  
  

  Today in Music History: September 9

  

1989 New Kids On The Block scored their second US No.1 single with 'Hangin' Tough', a No.1 in the UK in 1990. The group also went to No.1 on the US album chart on this day with 'Hangin Tough'.

From then 'til now...still going strong!

1965 US newspaper The Hollywood reporter ran the following advertisement; 'Madness folk & roll musicians, singers wanted for acting roles in new TV show. Parts for 4 insane boys. The Monkees were born. 437 people applied for the job.
2005 Liverpool City Council confirmed it was to demolish Ringo Starr's birthplace because it had "no historical significance." The house in Dingle, was one of 460 properties to be demolished for a regeneration project. The council said Madryn Street had no significance because Ringo had spent only three months of his life there.

 

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...