Boy Band Friday Nite!

Clockwise: 98 Degrees; Backstreet Boys; New Kids On The Block; and 'N Sync.

It was not that long ago when you wanted to go out on a weekend to dance, you knew you'd be hearing the music of some of the exceptional "boy bands" that were so very popular. Take, for instance, any of the songs sung by Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson. You might better know them as the Backstreet Boys, so extremely popular in the 90s and beyond. From 1996 to 2005, they had four multi-Platinum selling albums, with almost 31 million album sales in the United State alone. In 1997, we were all dancing to "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)".



Before he'd met Jessica Simpson, before he had a solo career, Nick Lachey was a member of the group 98 Degrees with Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre, and brother Drew Lachey. They released three albums, and had one go Gold, and the other two score multi-Platinum sales numbers. Later, Nick was known for the reality series with his then-wife, Jessica. Brother Drew went on to win the second season of 'Dancing With The Stars'. The group was very good looking, and had tight vocals, as you could hear on songs like 2000's "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)".



'N Sync was another band that had only three studio albums, yet the sales numbers were astronomical. The second album, 'No Strings Attached', sold 2.42 million in just the first week of release. The popularity of Justin Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and JC Chasez could not be denied, and can still be seen today. Back in 2000, every club could be heard playing mixes of the Top 5 Billboard song, "Bye, Bye, Bye".



In many ways, New Kids On The Block, who later tried to hip their image up going by NKOTB, are the big daddy of all these bands. Between 1986 and 1994, they had four albums, three of which went multi-Platinum. Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and Jonathan Knight were living the high life, with screaming girls meeting them everywhere they went. And you'd be sure to hear "Step By Step" if you were going out in 1990, but you could still hear it a decade later when you were also hearing the latest from the other bands. They recently reunited, and went out on tour with Backstreet Boys, causing yet another stir.



Enjoy the weekend!

Happy Birthday, Madonna!

On August 16, 2013, Madonna turns 55. She was born Madonna Louise Cicone in Bay City, Michigan. In 1977, Madonna moved to New York City, with dreams of a career as a dancer. She wanted to find work as a dancer, and maybe as an actress. She knew she was born to be a star, but had to figure out just how to get that done. Although dance was not in the cards for the pretty young girl, who soon found herself in a studio, recording her eponymous first album released 30 years ago, in 1983. The album had eight tracks in total, and five of those were released as singles. All five made it on to the US Billboard, either on the Hot 100 or on the Dance chart.

Madonna's birthday is the chance for us to take a look back 30 years, when the little girl from Michigan would start to become an international star. It was in 1983 when the self-titled 'Madonna' album was released, after the first single, "Everybody", had been released in October of 1982. That song was written by Madonna herself, and went to #3 on the Billboard Dance chart. It was the song that introduced the world to this beautiful young lady. Please enjoy ther first single, "Everybody".

The second single released off the album, and the second song written by the songbird herself. "Burning Up" also written by Madonna, and it once again clained the #3 spot on the Billboard Dance chart. The song once again celebrated the joy and energy of the young, and the you responded beautifully. So enjoy the official music video for her 1983 hit, "Burning Up".

With the release of the third album off the album is the gorgeous "Holiday", the first song I remember hearing from the young singer. I will admit I was impressed, making the wonderful electronica that the 1980s were known for. The song was written by Curtis Hudson & Lisa Stevens, making it the first of her singles written by others. Remember, it is two years before 'Desperately Seeking Susan' would hit the movie theaters, the same year she would make an appearance on the Live Aid stage in Philadelphia, PA. There was something so sexy and playful about "Holiday", like nothing I had seen before. The song went to #1 on the Billboard Dance charts, as well as #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, her first foray into the Pop Top 20. Please enjoy as we watch "Holiday" in it's original form.

I think out of all the singles off this first album, my favorite might just have to be "Lucky Star", another written by the Madonna. The video showed the young girl commanding the screen as she danced across it. "Lucky Star" hit a new high on the Billboard Hot 100, finally coming to rest at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Yet again, the song was both sexy and sweet, a trademark of the young singer/songwriter. So please enjoy"Lucky Star" by Madonna.

And finally, we come to the last song in the celebration, "Borderline", another of her hits. This song was written by Reggie Lucas, and sung to perfection by Madonna. That allows us to take a look at the rest of the things needed for the boy. . "Borderline" also lit up the charts, as it scored a #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also had the double video yourself.

So there we have it = some of the great songs from Madonna's songbook. Happy birthday, Madonna!

Friday Night With The Boys

Clockwise: 98 Degrees; Backstreet Boys; New Kids On The Block; and 'N Sync.

It was not that long ago when you wanted to go out on a weekend to dance, you knew you'd be hearing the music of some of the exceptional "boy bands" that were so very popular. Take, for instance, any of the songs sung by Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson. You might better know them as the Backstreet Boys, so extremely popular in the 90s and beyond. From 1996 to 2005, they had four multi-Platinum selling albums, with almost 31 million album sales in the United State alone. In 1997, we were all dancing to Everybody (Backstreet's Back).



Before he'd met Jessica Simpson, before he had a solo career, Nick Lachey was a member of the group 98 Degrees with Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre, and brother Drew Lachey. They released three albums, and had one go Gold, and the other two score multi-Platinum in sales. Later, Nick was known for the reality series with his then-wife, Jessica. Brother Drew went on to win the second season of Dancing With The Stars. The group was very good looking, and had tight vocals, as you could hear on songs like 2000's Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche).



'N Sync was another band that had only three studio albums, yet the sales numbers were astronomical. The second album, No Strings Attached, sold 2.42 million in just the first week of release. The popularity of Justin Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and JC Chasez could not be denied, and can still be seen today. Back in 2000, every club could be heard playing mixes of the Top 5 Billboard song, Bye, Bye, Bye.



In many ways, New Kids On The Block, who later tried to hip their image up going by NKOTB, are the big daddy of all these bands. Between 1986 and 1994, they had four albums, three of which went multi-Platinum. Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, and Jonathan Knight were living the high life, with screaming girls meeting them everywhere they went. And you'd be sure to hear Step By Step if you were going out in 1990, but you could still hear it a decade later when you were also hearing the latest from the other bands. They recently reunited, and went out on tour with Backstreet Boys, causing yet another stir.



Enjoy the weekend!