Backstreet Boys

Looking back to the year 1992, it all began in Orlando, Florida. A high school student named Howard Dwaine Dorough (born August 1973) kept bumping into the same two boys when he joined some local auditions. To his surprise, young Howie found out that he shared the same interest in classic soul with those boys, whose names are Alexander James McLean (born January 9,1978) and Nicholas Gene Carter (born January 28, 1980). These three enthusiastic boys also felt that they could make a perfect harmony together, so it did not require a long time for them to become good friends. Having been inspired by Boyz II Men and Color Me Badd, they decided to form a vocal group while looking for two more members. Under the keen eye of their manager and producer, Louis J. Pearlman, they eventually took Kevin Scott Richardson (born October 3, 1972) along with his cousin, Brian Thomas Littrell (born February 20, 1975) as the last two members of the group. Deriving the name of an Orlando popular flea market, they finally came up as Backstreet Boys (BSB).

Relying on their solid harmonies as well as perfect blending of pop and R&B music, BSB tried to find a suitable record deal by performing some cover tunes of their favorite songs. "We'd go to local labels and sing a cappella in their foyers," Howie recalled. "We'd sing anywhere, for anybody." Wanting to support the development of the group, Pearlman hired Johnny Wright and his wife, Donna, who formerly had been the managers of New Kids On The Block to supervise the group. Under the couple's company, Wright Stuff Management, the group began performing at theme parks and high schools even becoming the opening act for several artists, such as REO Speedwagon, Brandy, Village People, and Kenny G.. With the help from Donna Wright, they finally succeeded in signing a deal with David McPherson of Jive Records in 1994. Without further ado, the group started to record their debut single entitled 'We've Got It Goin' On'. The single surprisingly was a hit in Germany before then spread to the other European countries, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Southeast Asia the following year. Ironically, it only made a little sound in U.S. since the single failed to reach the top 40 of Billboard Chart.