Biography

In the late 1980’s, New Kids on the Block paved the way for future boy-bands to follow, and contributed in part to the boy-band craze which would erupt again in the 1990’s. It’s ironic, then, that so many years later, New Kids on the Block would find themselves teamed up with the Backstreet Boys to create a “supergroup,” known by the moniker NKOTBSB.

When the Backstreet Boys made an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for one of the New Kids on the Block’s 2010 performances, both groups realized quickly that they had much in common and much to contribute together as a whole. They decided to launch a major tour as NKOTBSB in 2011. NKOTBSB officially announced the tour while appearing on the show On Air with Ryan Seacrest, in November of 2010. After collaborating for a few months in preparation, the supergroup gave its first official performance together at the American Music Awards in 2010, and again performed on ABC’s Dick Clark/ Ryan Seacrest’s New Years Eve celebration.

A joint Greatest Hits album, titled NKOTBSB, was released, showcasing two new collaborative songs, “D.T.O.T.L (Don’t Turn Out the Lights)” and “All in My Head.” Five tracks from each original group were also included on the album. With excitement building from an original audience, in addition to a whole new generation of fans, the NKOTBSB tour kicked off in Illinois at the Allstate Arena, and ended in the Philippines, before one last show was added in Pennsylvania at the Summer Mixtape Festival in 2012. The group’s April 2012 concert from London was also streamed live online and shown in select movie theaters in real time.

All ten members of both bands agree that NKOTBSB brings out the best in both groups, and that together they are like a whole new group of its own. NKOTBSB have plans to continue to write, record, and tour together. Since launching their own tour, the supergroup has also in recent years opened for other artists on tour, including Jordin Sparks, Johnny Ruffalo, Matthew Morrison, and Ashlyne Huff.