Backstreet Boys – History, Members, Songs & Albums
Backstreet Boys
From: USA (Orlando, Florida)
Members: AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell
Years active: 1993–Present
Genres: Pop / R&B / Dance-Pop
Famous in: Worldwide
Biggest hit: “I Want It That Way”
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The Story of the Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys (BSB) are widely considered the gold standard of the modern boyband era. Formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1993, the group consists of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell. Unlike many of their peers, BSB achieved massive success in Europe and Canada first with their self-titled debut album in 1996 before becoming a cultural phenomenon in their home country. By the time they released Backstreet's Back internationally and their US debut in 1997, they were already the biggest pop stars on the planet.
The release of Millennium in 1999 shattered industry records, selling 1.1 million copies in its first week in the US. Driven by the immortal hit "I Want It That Way," the album cemented their status as legends. They followed this with Black & Blue in 2000, famously embarking on a 100-hour around-the-world promotional trip. After a short hiatus and the 2005 comeback album Never Gone, Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006 to focus on his family. BSB continued as a quartet, releasing Unbreakable and This Is Us, proving their resilience as a touring powerhouse.
Kevin’s permanent return in 2012 signaled a new golden age for the band. They celebrated their 20th anniversary with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and released their first independent album, In a World Like This. This era was chronicled in the raw documentary Show 'Em What You're Made Of, which highlighted their struggles with fame and their evolution as brothers. In 2017, they launched the massively successful Las Vegas residency "Larger Than Life," which became one of the fastest-selling residencies in Vegas history.
Now in 2026, the Backstreet Boys have surpassed 130 million records sold worldwide. Their 2019 Grammy-nominated album DNA debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, making them the first boyband to have #1 albums in three different decades. Following the massive "DNA World Tour" and their 2022 holiday special, the group continues to headline global festivals and residencies. Their legacy is defined by unmatched vocal harmonies and a bond that has survived over 30 years in the spotlight, proving they truly are "Larger Than Life."
Discography
Studio Albums
Backstreet Boys (1996)
Backstreet's Back (1997)
Millennium (1999) - #1 (USA) | Diamond (USA)
Black & Blue (2000) - #1 (USA) | 8x Platinum (USA)
Never Gone (2005) - #3 (USA) | Platinum (USA)
Unbreakable (2007)
This Is Us (2009)
In a World Like This (2013)
DNA (2019) - #1 (USA)
A Very Backstreet Christmas (2022)Singles
"We've Got It Goin' On" (1995)
"Get Down (You're the One for Me)" (1996)
"Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" (1996) - #2 (USA)
"As Long as You Love Me" (1997)
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (1997)
"All I Have to Give" (1998)
"I Want It That Way" (1999) - #1 (UK)
"Larger Than Life" (1999)
"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (1999)
"The One" (2000)
"Shape of My Heart" (2000) - #1 (World)
"The Call" (2001)
"More than That" (2001)
"Drowning" (2001)
"Incomplete" (2005)
"Just Want You to Know" (2005)
"Inconsolable" (2007)
"Straight Through My Heart" (2009)
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (2018)
"Chances" (2018)
"No Place" (2019){alertSuccess}
Official Social Media
Instagram: @backstreetboys
Twitter (X): @backstreetboys
Facebook: Backstreet Boys
YouTube: Backstreet Boys Official
Website: backstreetboys.com