A Complete Guide to New Kids on the Block (NKOTB)

Formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts by producer Maurice Starr, the New Kids on the Block was comprised of teen-aged members Jordan Knight, Jonathon Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Joey McIntyre. Though they would take fans by storm during the late 1980s and early '90s, their self-titled first album attracted very little attention.

The New Kids' second album, Hangin' Tough, did not promise to be any more successful. However, a radio station in Florida began playing a single from the album, "Please Don't Go Girl," and the song eventually hit number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. After touring with fellow teen pop star Tiffany in 1988, the group's second single, "You Got It (The Right Stuff) climbed into the top five. This was quickly followed by "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)," which hit number one.

By the end of 1989, the Hangin' Tough album had gone eight times platinum and reached number one on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. New Kids on the Block reached the peak of their fame in 1990, when they became the world's most popular musical act and were among the highest paid musicians of the year according to Forbes Magazine.

At the height of their popularity, the New Kids On the Block spawned everything from cartoons to clothing and household goods created in their likeness. Having achieved this level of fame, a backlash was all but inevitable--and by 1992, the group's fan base was quickly declining. After a brief attempt in 1993 to resurrect their popularity by changing their name to NKOTB and updating the style of their music, the New Kids on the Block finally disbanded.