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nkotbthing.com USA 04 20 2008 PHOTO AGENCIES
"The celebs came out to see game 1 of the Boston Celtics push for banner #17" And Donnie Wahlberg was among them. Donnie at the Celtics vs Hawks game in Boston on April 20.
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON GLOBE 04 28 2008 www.boston.com
DO NEW KIDS STILL HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF? PRODUCER OFFERS A LISTEN TO GROUP'S LATEST TUNES "By Sarah Rodman
RedOne can sing "Hangin' Tough" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" as well as the next New Kids on the Block fan. Growing up a musical omnivore in Morocco, the up-and-coming producer says he liked everything from Bob Dylan to heavy metal to boy bands. But when it comes to the Boston group's forthcoming reunion album, RedOne is more interested in looking ahead than back. But whichever way he looks, he is excited. "The whole album is full of good music that people will embrace," he declares ecstatically more than once during a visit to Cybersound studios on Newbury Street last week, where the Globe got an exclusive sneak preview of several new New Kids songs. And RedOne isn't just partial to his tunes; he calls tracks by fellow producers Emmanuel Kiriakou and Nazaree "beautiful" and "amazing." For those who remember the New Kids as, well, kids, "they are definitely going to surprise some people, I think," he says. Born Nadir Khayat, the producer moved from North Africa to Sweden in his late teens to work his way up in a Swedish pop music scene that helped create sounds for Britney Spears and 'N Sync, among others. He has done remixes and production work for Shakira, Akon, and Christina Aguilera and, after his stop in Boston, was headed to New York to put in his two cents on the ever-gestating Michael Jackson album. Like a kid hopped up on his favorite candy, RedOne sings along, conducts, and air-drums to his collaborations with main New Kids music man Donnie Wahlberg. RedOne was in town to put the finishing touches on the songs, recorded over the last several months in various LA studios, for presentation this week to the band's new label, Interscope. He invited us in to hear several songs that are vying for a spot on the disc, due later this summer. The final track list has not been set. "Looking Like Danger" If you didn't know this was a New Kids song, you'd be hard-pressed to guess, thanks to up-to-the-minute production. A wailing siren and a heavy, descending synth line give way to a tingly, high-hat-driven dance beat, as a spoken-for protagonist laments a temptress who looks like an angel "but the devil comes out when you dance with me." While a certain boy-band film clings to the harmony vocals, the killer hook should have Justin Timberlake nodding in approval.
nkotbthing.com "Big Boy/Big Girl" (featuring Lady GaGa) If they're not considering this one for a single, they should. An uptempo dance track that sounds like a boyband cousin to Kanye West's "Stronger," "Big Boy" has got a heated groove that's all fuzzy staccato synths and clattering drum beats. Newcomer Lady GaGa gives as good as she gets, flirtatiously wailing alongside the boys. In a sly wink at the now-30-something female New Kids fans, the song tells the tale of a man and woman who've known each other since adolescence, appraising each other with adult eyes and liking what they see. "Sexify My Love" RedOne calls this work-in-progress a "grown song." Indeed, if there are any lingering doubts about their status as men, this midtempo seduction track will lay them to rest, as the guys propose trying "every position we can dream of" in multiple locations with a lady friend. The salacious come-ons are softened by shimmering harmonies and ethereal faux strings. "Summertime" Although RedOne didn't produce this, he gave us a taste of his mix of the reported first single. Of the tracks we heard, this is the least sizzling, most typical of the group's earlier, fresh-scrubbed incarnation. With a laid-back, reggae-tinged rhythm, some sweet, almost doo-wop vocals, and a group chant, it gives off a late-season barbecue soundtrack vibe.
Sarah Rodman can be reached at srodman@globe.com. Š Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
nkotbthing.com USA Q100_ THE BERT SHOW 04 26 2008 RADIO SHOW
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nkotbthing.com USA Q100_ THE BERT SHOW 04 28 2008 RADIO SHOW
Here are the Celebrities that have already called in, and their favorite Charities. Be sure and click on their name to hear our interview!
DANNY WOOD REMEMBER BETTY
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB.COM 04 30 2008 email
DEAR XXX, WE’VE BEEN HARD AT WORK REHEARSING AND ARE VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR INITIAL TOUR DATES TO OUR NKOTB.COM MEMBERS FIRST! NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK LIVE IN CONCERT! CHECK OUT THE BELOW DATES FOR AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS PRE-SALE AND GENERAL PUBLIC ON-SALE INFORMATION! VIP TICKET PACKAGES WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING FRIDAY MAY 2. VISIT NKOTB.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. DON’T FORGET TO TUNE IN TO THE TODAY SHOW ON FRIDAY MAY 16!
nkotbthing.com USA I LOVE ALL ACCESS 04 30 2008 www.ilaa.com
5 STAR VIP PACKAGE • • • • • • • •
» A ticket in the first 10 rows! » 5 Star souvenir laminate » Meet and greet - photo op! » Pre-show party! » Exclusive New Kids on the Block gift bag! » Parking » Crowd-free merchandise shopping! » Discount coupon to the New Kids on the Block online store
4 STAR VIP PACKAGE • • •
» A ticket in the first 20 rows! » Exclusive New Kids on the Block gift! » Discount coupon to the New Kids on the Block online store
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 04 30 2008 www.rollingstone.com
TOUR TRACKER: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, BLOC PARTY AND DONITA SPARKS The reunited NKOTB hope to bring the right stuff to their East Coast concerts, Bloc Party schedule a couple raves and L7’s Donita Sparks pimps her new band the Stellar Moments in June. Full tour dates are after the jump. New Kids on the Block May 17 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center May 18 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center September 20 - Montreal, Quebec @ Bell Centre September 21 - Toronto, Ontario @ Air Canada Center September 23 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center September 24 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum September 26 - Boston, MA @ TD Banknorth Garden September 27 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Hotel October 4 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM 103.5 Chicago 04.30.2008 http://1035kissfm.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK TIMELINE How much do you remember? It's been almost two decades since the New Kids on the Block stepped out on the scene. Refresh your memory on how it all began. 1968: November 29, Jonathan Rashleigh Knight is born. 1969: May 14, Daniel William Wood is born. 1969: On August 17, Donnie E. Wahlberg, Jr. is born. 1970: May 17, Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight is born. 1972: December, 31, Joseph Mulrey McIntyre is born. 1980s: New Edition creator Maurice Starr and Mary Alford begin holding auditions for a boy group 1984: Donnie is discovered by Mary Alford. Donnie initially can't talk to her because he has to mow the lawn but two hours later, she returns and takes him to rap for Maurice Starr. The rest is history. 1986: New Kids on the Block release their first album of the same name. The sales are poor. 1988: The Kids release Hangin’ Tough. This one faired much better. 1989: Billboard names them top pop group, with the most combined charted albums and singles. 1989: Merry, Merry Christmas is released. 1990: Step by Step is released. 1990: Their North American tour rakes in $74.1 million, just behind the Rolling Stones' tour in 1989. 1991: According to Forbes, they are the world's highest-paid performers ($115 million). 1991: No More Games/The Remix Album is released. 1992: “If You Go Away” a song initially included on the band's foreign album and not intended for American market, finds a place on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart anyway. 1992: The boys are accused of lip syncing and fought the accusations. The accuser later admitted he fabricated the story. 1994: NKOTB releases Face the Music. It is widely considered one of their best albums, but did not sell as well as their previous albums. 1994: The group parts ways. 2008: The reunion.
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nkotbthing.com USA PROMOTIONAL ITEMS 05.2008
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05.01.2008 http://blog.myspace.com
GROUP WILL PERFORM LIVE FOR FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS ON NBC's 'TODAY' SHOW IN A SPECIAL SUMMER CONCERT ON MAY 16 FOLLOWING THE MEDIA SENSATION THAT REVEALED THEIR OFFICIAL REUNION, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK WILL RELEASE THEIR FIRST NEW MUSIC ON MAY 13, THE SINGLE "SUMMERTIME," WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE DIGITALLY ON ITUNES AND ANYWHERE MUSIC IS SOLD DIGITALLY. THE BAND WILL ALSO RETURN TO THE WORLD STAGE, ANNOUNCING THE FIRST SET OF CONCERT DATES FOR THEIR TOUR TODAY. THE FIRST SHOWS INCLUDE STOPS IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, MONTREAL, TORONTO, PROVIDENCE AND CHICAGO. THE TOUR IS BEING PRODUCED BY LIVE NATION. A FULL LISTING OF SHOW DATES AND VENUES ARE BELOW, ADDITIONAL TOUR MARKETS WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE BEGINNING MAY 10TH ON WWW.LIVENATION.COM FANS WILL GET A SNEAK PEAK OF THE CONCERTS WITH THE GROUP'S FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE TOGETHER IN 15 YEARS LIVE ON NBC'S 'TODAY' SHOW ON MAY 16. THE REUNION OF ALL FIVE MEMBERS OF THE FAMED 90S GROUP THAT SOLD MILLIONS OF ALBUMS AND SPARKED A WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON WAS ENTHUSIASTICALLY EMBRACED BY SCREAMING FANS FOR BAND MEMBERS: JOEY MCINTYRE, DONNIE WAHLBERG, DANNY WOOD AND JORDAN AND JONATHAN KNIGHT. THE GROUP SPLIT IN 1994, BUT HAS RECENTLY REUNITED IN THE RECORDING STUDIO TO CREATE NEW MUSIC, WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A NEW RECORD LABEL, INTERSCOPE RECORDS, AND A CADRE OF WORLD CLASS MUSIC PRODUCERS. THE GUYS HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK WRITING AND RECORDING FOR AN EXPECTED NEW ALBUM IN FALL 2008. FANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN UP FOR MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.NKOTB.COM. THE BAND HAS ALSO TEAMED WITH I LOVE ALL ACCESS TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF VIP TICKET PACKAGES FOR THE TOUR, INCLUDING PREMIUM SEATS, MEET AND GREETS, PHOTO OPS, PARTIES AND MORE. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NKOTB.COM. TOUR ITINERARY (AS OF APRIL 30, 2008) PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SHOWS IN EAST RUTHERFORD, UNIONDALE, BOSTON, AND CHICAGO WILL HAVE A PRESALE SPECIFICALLY FOR AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDMEMBERS BEGINNING MONDAY, MAY 5 AT 10AM. ALL OTHER GENERAL TICKET ON-SALE DATES ARE LISTED BELOW AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE VIA WWW.LIVENATION.COM
DATE CITY VENUE GENERAL ON-SALE 9/20/08 MONTREAL, ON BELL CENTRE 5/10 @12PM 9/21/08 TORONTO, ON AIR CANADA CENTER 5/12 @11AM 9/23/08 EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ IZOD CENTER 5/12 @10AM 9/24/08 UNIONDALE, NY NASSAU VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM 5/12 @10AM 9/26/08 BOSTON, MA TD BANKNORTH GARDEN 5/12 @12PM 9/27/08 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ BORGATA HOTEL AND CASINO 5/17 @10AM 10/4/08 CHICAGO, IL ALLSTATE ARENA 5/12 @12PM
nkotbthing.com USA BILLBOARD, 411MANIA 05.01.08 http://www.billboard.com, http://www.411mania.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK WELCOME 'SUMMERTIME' Jeff Vrabel, Savannah, Ga.
The reunited New Kids On The Block will release its first new music since 1994 on May 13, when the single "Summertime" will be made available via all digital music services, according to a blog post today (May 1) on the group's official Web site. The track is the precursor to a new album the group hopes to release in the fall. The reformed '90s boy band also announced it will stage its first performance in 14 years on NBC's "Today Show" on May 16, a preview to a tour for which dates have begun trickling out. As previously reported, the first of those shows will take place May 17 at New York radio station Z100's annual Zootopia concert. The event, being held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., will also feature Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers, OneRepublic, Simple Plan, Sara Bareilles, Gavin DeGraw and Ferras. The New Kids On The Block -- Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight -- split in 1994. The group announced its reunion on the "Today Show" earlier this year. Here are the New Kids On The Block tour dates: 5/17/08 East Rutherford, N.J. Izod Center (Z100 Zootopia) 5/18/08 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center 9/20/08 Montreal, ON Bell Centre 9/21/08 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center
9/23/08 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center 9/24/08 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 9/26/08 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden 9/27/08 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel and Casino
nkotbthing.com USA WBZTV 05.01.2008 www.wbztv.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK FILL IN TOUR SCHEDULE By Kym Kilgore
New Kids on the Block [ tickets ] have mapped out a full North American run to kick off their international reunion tour. The trek is now scheduled to launch Sept. 19 in Toronto and visit about 35 cities across the US and into Canada through late November. The first round of arena shows went on sale earlier this month, and sellouts have already been logged in Toronto; Atlantic City, NJ; Uncasville, CT; and Rosemont, IL, according to the New Kids website. Second nights were added in most of those markets. An updated itinerary is listed below. The boy band, whose members are now pushing 40, gave screaming fans a taste of what's to come last week when they performed together publicly for the first time in 15 years on NBC-TV's "Today" show. They followed that with a couple of radio festivals on the East Coast. Last month, the bandmates--Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood--appeared on the "Today" show to announce they were back together and working on a new album, which is due this fall. Their first new single, "Summertime," is currently available at digital outlets and is streaming at NKOTB's MySpace page. Concert-goers who purchase a ticket/album bundle will get the "Summertime" MP3 immediately, and their downloads will come with an additional audio program, "The Making of the Album," which includes interviews with the New Kids. Further details are available at the group's website. As teenagers, New Kids on the Block sold more than 70 million records and racked up back-to-back No. 1 albums with 1988's "Hangin' Tough" and 1990's "Step by Step." Their R&B/pop crossover hits included "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Cover Girl," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," "Hangin' Tough," "I'll Be Loving You," "Step By Step" and "Tonight." Following the whirlwind of success and the world tours, the group quietly disbanded in 1994. Since then, McIntyre, Wood and Jordan Knight have released solo albums; Wahlberg has made a name for himself as an actor; and Jonathan Knight became a real estate developer, according to various reports. [Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.] September 2008 19 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre 20 - Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre 21 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Center 23 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center 24 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum 26 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden 27 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel & Casino Event Center 28 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden 30 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena October 2008 2 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center 3 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
4 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena 8 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center 10 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion 11 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay 13 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Arena 16 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center 17 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center 19 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center 21 - Saint Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center 22 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center 24 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena 25 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace Of Auburn Hills 27 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden 29 - Duluth, GA - Gwinnett Center
November 2008 1 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center 2 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum 5 - Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum 10 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center 11 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center 12 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center 14 - Broomfield, CO - Broomfield Event Center 15 - West Valley City, UT - The E Center 17 - Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place 21 - Vancouver, British Columbia - General Motors Place 22 - Seattle, WA - Key Arena 23 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden Arena 26 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
nkotbthing.com USA WBZTV 05.01.08 http://wbztv.com
'NEW KIDS' ANNOUNCE BOSTON TOUR DATE BOSTON (WBZ) ― Brush the dust off your New Kids on the Block paraphernalia, because you're going to need it. The reunited boy band announced their first concert will be on September 26 at the TD Banknorth Garden. The news comes after the boys -- Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood -- announced on the group's Web site last month they were kicking off a new world tour. Tickets for the concert go on sale May 12, and their single "Click Click Click" will be released the next day. The band says they also plan to make an appearance at the KISS 108 concert at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield on May 18. In their heyday, the New Kids on the Block sold more than 70 million albums, including back-to-back number one albums: 1988's Hangin' Tough and 1990's Step By Step. They broke up in 1994. Most of the "Kids" now have kids of their own, and they've moved onto grown-up careers. McIntyre has remained in the musical spotlight – recording, touring and dancing. He also made an appearance on the hit TV show, "Dancing with the Stars." Danny Wood is now a music producer, Jordan Knight is still recording and his brother Jonathan is a real estate developer. Donnie Wahlberg has a successful acting career, appearing in a number of films and television shows. Wahlberg has long been the hold-out to any reunion. "We've had so many offers from so many people over the years, but I've always protected the asset," he said on the band's Web site. "We never sold the New Kids house to anyone. And until we got together in a recording studio in Orlando two months ago, I haven't even been in the same room with these five guys for 15 years." "I want it to be redemption for the fans. I want them to feel entertained, to feel treated to something special. And I want them to be so satisfied by what they get that they'll realize they weren't crazy all those years ago — that they put their heart into the right place back then and that it was worth the wait to come back again."
The "New Kids" all grown up. From left to right, Joey McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight and Danny Wood. nkotb.com
The 'New Kids' in the 80s. AP
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05.02.2008 http://blog.myspace.com
NKOTB VISIT RYAN SEACREST 5/5/08! KIIS (102.7FM) Los Angeles...New Kids On The Block drop by Ryan Seacrest's E Studio Monday May 5th @ 6:30AM...5750 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 8:12 PM - 36 Comments - 62 Kudos - Add Comment
VIP TICKET PACKAGES! New Kids on the Block and I Love All Access have teamed up for VIP Ticket Packages! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!
nkotbthing.com USA PEOPLE 05.02.08 http://www.people.com
MUSIC ROUNDUP: NEW KIDS HAVE A NEW TOUR, NEW SINGLE It's been 14 years since the New Kids on the Block have released a song – and on May 13 fans will be able to hear whether it was worth the wait when the band's new single "Summertime" will be available online. (Check PEOPLE.com for an early sample of the tune on Monday, May 5.) Then, on May 17, Joey McIntyre, 36, Donnie Wahlberg, 38, Danny Wood, 38, and Jordan, 37, and Jonathan Knight, 39, will kick-off their new tour at New York radio station Z100's Zootopia concert at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The band will perform live the day before on The Today Show – the first time NKOTB have performed live since they split in 1994.
nkotbthing.com USA CHICAGO SUN TIMES & BILLBOARD 05.03.2008 http://www.suntimes.com
YE OLDE NEW KIDS SET TOUR DATES, OCT. 4 IN CHICAGO The reunited New Kids On The Block will release their first new music since 1994 on May 13, when the single ‘‘Summertime’’ will be made available via all digital music services, according to a blog post on the group’s official Web site. The track is the precursor to a new album the group hopes to release in the fall.
Singers Jordan Knight (left) and Joe McIntyre, from the music group New Kids on the Block, make an appearance on NBC's "The Today Show" to announce their upcoming new album and world tour on April 4 in New York. (AP file) The reformed ’90s boy band also announced it will stage its first performance in 14 years on NBC’s ‘‘Today Show’’ on May 16, a preview to a tour for which dates have begun trickling out. A Chicago-area date has been scheduled for Oct. 4 at the Allstate Arena. The first of those shows will take place May 17 at New York radio station Z100’s annual Zootopia concert. The event, being held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., will also feature Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers, OneRepublic, Simple Plan, Sara Bareilles, Gavin DeGraw and Ferras. The New Kids On The Block — Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight — split in 1994. The group announced its reunion on the ‘‘Today Show’’ earlier this year.
nkotbthing.com USA STAR PULSE 05.04.2008 www.starpulse.com
NKOTB TO PERFORM LIVE FOR FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS ON 'THE TODAY SHOW' MAY 16 Following the media sensation that revealed their official reunion, New Kids On The Block will release their first new music on May 13, the single "Summertime," which will be available digitally on iTunes and anywhere music is sold digitally. The band will also return to the world stage, announcing the first set of concert dates for their tour. The first shows include stops in New York, New Jersey, Montreal, Toronto, Providence and Chicago. The tour is being produced by Live Nation. A full listing of show dates and venues are below, additional tour markets will be released shortly. Tickets will be available beginning May 10th. Fans will get a sneak peak of the concerts with the group's first public performance together in 15 years live on NBC's 'Today' Show on May 16. The reunion of all five members of the famed 90s group that sold millions of albums and sparked a worldwide phenomenon was enthusiastically embraced by screaming fans for band members: Joey McIntire, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight. The group split in 1994, but has recently reunited in the recording studio to create new music, working in partnership with a new record label, Interscope Records, and a cadre of world class music producers. The guys have been hard at work writing and recording for an expected new album in Fall 2008. A phenomenal fan base has always been one of the cornerstones of the group's success. After the initial announcement of the reunion on live television, the website was overwhelmed with traffic causing a temporary system crash. The NKOTB.com webmasters worked quickly to get the site back online with all the news and photos. Fans are encouraged to sign up for more information at www.nkotb.com. The band has also teamed with I Love All Access to provide a variety of VIP ticket packages for the tour, including premium seats, meet and greets, photo ops, parties and more. For more information visit www.nkotb.com. Tour Itinerary (as of April 30) 9/20 Montreal, ON Bell center 9/21 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center 9/23 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center 9 /24 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 9/26 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden 9/27 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel and Casino 10/4 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK sold more than 80 million albums worldwide -- including back-to-back international #1 songs, 1988's Hangin' Tough and 1990's Step By Step -- and a series of crossover smash R&B, pop hits like "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Cover Girl," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," "Hangin' Tough," "I'll Be Loving You," "Step By Step" and "Tonight." The group shattered concert box office records playing an estimated 200 concerts a year, in sold out stadiums throughout the world. They still hold many of these records to date. They were Forbes highest paid entertainers of 1990, beating out Michael Jackson and Madonna. The band boasted an extensive and highly profitable merchandise line which included everything from lunch boxes and sleeping bags to comic books, marbles and dolls.
nkotbthing.com USA ET ONLINE 05.05.2008 http://www.eonline.com
NKOTB: AS ORGANIC AS YOUR STRAWBERRIES The New Kids on the Block may have paved the way for more contemporary boy bands—think 'N Sync or the Backstreet Boys—but don't go labeling them as a manufactured group. "I went to school with Danny, Jon and Jordan since first grade," Donnie Wahlberg told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM morning show while promoting their new single "Summertime." (Hear it below!) "It was very organic...There was definitely no big machine or anything. The machine—that’s one of the misconceptions of the group. Because of the later boy bands that came. People churning out these boy bands." But no hard feelings for 'N Sync, as Jon admitted to having a little place for the band in his heart: "I’ve always been partial to ‘N Sync, personally. But you know, I’m a softie." Listen to the new single "Summertime," and then let us know what you think! Should other boy bands be worried? by Dahvi Shira
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON GLOBE 05.05.2008 http://www.boston.com/ae
AROUND THE BLOCK AGAIN FOR NEW KIDS, FANS Boy band reunion hits area in May By Meredith Goldstein and Sarah Rodman
They're financial analysts, lawyers, and guidance counselors now, but when the news of a New Kids on the Block reunion tour broke, it all came back: the breathlessness, the palpitations, the need to wait in line and empty their piggybanks to buy tickets. Of course, the New Kids - Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight, and Danny Wood - aren't exactly "kids" anymore, either. The youngest of the bunch, McIntyre, is 35, and the oldest member, Jonathan Knight, is 39. "I have a big group of friends who have been e-mailing me left and right," operations analyst Tara Hennessey, 34, of Randolph says of the reunion. "We're already talking about it and thinking if we know anybody that can get us tickets." To some, a reunion of the Boston-bred New Kids on the Block sounds like a publicity stunt for an aging boy band looking to reclaim some of its youthful fame. But for fans who watched yesterday's "Today" show, a New Kids comeback is the realization of a long-held dream. After a 14-year hiatus, the group will release a new album this summer and go on tour this fall. But first it will return to its old stomping grounds: the Tweeter Center on May 18 for the sold-out Kiss Concert. As 33-year-old Kristin St. John, a Hyannis native who now lives in Washington D.C., put it, the New Kids reunion is "almost like a bit of a closure." Meanwhile, other like-minded fans arrived in droves yesterday to a rain-soaked Rockefeller Plaza for the "Today" show announcement in New York, many holding up signs proclaiming their undying love. Two women held a placard announcing they had driven "all the way from Somerville." To put it in context for New Kids novices and skeptics, yes, this reunion is a big deal. And not just for Boston. At its commercial height (1989-1992), New Kids of the Block sold 70 million records as well as buttons, T-shirts, lunchboxes, and even marbles with their images inside. And like the Beatles and the Jackson 5 before them, the band briefly had its own animated series. In 1991, Forbes named the fivesome the highest-paid entertainers of the year, besting Bill Cosby and Michael Jackson, thanks to a record-setting pay-per-view concert and sold-out stadium shows. Yesterday, it was a worldwide phenomenon all over again with fans posting messages and tribute videos on YouTube that included desperate pleas for the group to include places like New Zealand, Japan, and Hungary on its tour schedule. In another sign that the band could reach international fame again, major label Interscope Records (home to Gwen Stefani and Timbaland) will be releasing the new album, with veteran manager Irving Azoff (the Eagles, Christina Aguilera) guiding the comeback. The news is especially sweet for local fans. Michelle Smith, a 29-year-old guidance counselor at Haverhill High School, says she and her colleagues "were like giddy high school kids" when they heard about the reunion.
nkotbthing.com She fondly remembers being a star-struck teen and persuading her father to drive her and their Costa Rican exchange student to Braintree to loiter in front of Wahlberg's house in hopes of securing an autograph. On Thursday, Smith was even able to find "the box," her collection of New Kids paraphernalia. In it, as she had hoped, was her Danny Wood doll. St. John is equally tickled and mortified at the memory of interviewing the group for a Barnstable cable-access show when the band played a concert at her high school in 1989. Her mother enjoys showing the tape of the interview to guests. St. John says with a laugh, "I don't blush; I'm beet red on that thing." Now an advocacy coordinator for the Arthritis Foundation in D.C., St. John says she is already planning to travel back to Boston to see her adolescent heroes. Mark Lamberti, 29, of Somerville will be in line, too, when tour tickets go on sale. He became a New Kids loyalist in 5th grade when he bought the band's Christmas album on tape, which, of course, included "Funky, Funky, Xmas." When he heard about the reunion, the financial analyst was thrilled. He even told off the haters in his office who questioned the need. "I'm like, those guys are awesome. I'm all about them," he says. Like Lamberti, most fans confessed to having never stopped loving the boy band, even after the great New Kids backlash of '94, when the quintet tried to toughen up its bubblegum image to appeal to an aging fan base gravitating toward hip-hop. Smith says she still wanted to dance to "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" at her wedding a few years ago. "He said no," she said, referring to her husband. And while the excitement has returned for fans, as with all boy bands, critics are also weighing in. Nancee Jenne, who at 60 was never much of a New Kids enthusiast, still was fired up enough to post her doubts on a message board. She questions why Wahlberg, in particular, would want to revisit a past he seemed determined to shed to be taken seriously as an actor. Since New Kids on the Block, Wahlberg has scored roles in films such as "The Sixth Sense" and the "Saw" franchise and the TV series "Boomtown." "For people that are changing fields like he has, I think they really have to work to earn people's respect," says Jenne. Even diehard fan Hennessey admits to initially wondering "what [are] they thinking?" but says she doesn't mind if it means she can relive her childhood for a night. "I'll feel like a teenager again," she says, already envisioning herself in the arena. "I think that's what the consensus is with all of the 30-something women: 'I can go back to my youth for a couple of hours.' " Š Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
nkotbthing.com RADIO SHOW USA On air with Ryan Seacrest 05.05.2008 http://1035kissfm.com
IN STUDIO PHOTOS
COURTYARD PHOTOS
nkotbthing.com USA JOHNJAY AND RICH 104.7 FM 05.05.2008 RADIO SHOW http://www.kzzp.com
JOEY MCINTYRE did an interview this morning with Johnjay and Rich on 104.7 Kiss Fm in Arizona. You can listen to his interview at http://www.kzzp.com
USA CHANNEL 993 KHTS SAN DIEGO 05.06.2008 RADIO SHOW
nkotbthing.com USA Q102 PHILADELPHIA 05.06.2008 RADIO SHOW
USA CHUM FM TORONTO 05.06.2008 RADIO SHOW
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD. INSIDE TRACK 05.06.08 http://www.bostonherald.com
WE HEAR: By Inside Track That professional New Kids on the Block fan David Corey told Joey McIntyre that he, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood have a hit on their hands with the justleaked "Summertime." "I told Joey this morning that it will go to No. 1, he is excited," said Corey, the former program director at KISS 108 who is now the PD at CHUM-FM in Toronto. KISS, you may recall, was instrumental in launching the New Kids to worldwide fame in their first go-round back in the '80s and early '90s. A snippet of "Summertime" was released online yesterday at People.com.
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM 103.5 05.07.2008 RADIO SHOW
MY INTERVIEW WITH DONNIE WAHLBERG OF NKOTB!!!
nkotbthing.com SPAIN UNIVERSAL RECORD COMPANY 05.07.08
nkotbthing.com SPAIN 20 MINUTOS 05.07.2008 http://www.20minutos.es
PRIMERAS FECHAS DE LA GIRA MUNDIAL DE LOS RESUCITADOS NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK • • •
De momento, darán algunos conciertos en EE.UU. y Canadá. El 16 de mayo ofrecerán un directo en la NBC como aperitivo. Ya puedes escuchar en su MySpace el single Summertime.
Los 'chicos del bloque' han anunciado ya las primeras fechas de su gira de regreso a los escenarios que, de momento, se limita a dos países, EE.UU. y Canadá. Además, el próximo martes 13 de mayo editarán -en iTunes y puntos de venta digital- el avance de su nuevo trabajo, el single Summertime, que ya puedes escuchar en su MySpace. El gigante Live Nation será quien lleve la producción del esperado tour y quien gestione la puesta a la venta de las entradas, que podrán comprarse en www.livenation.com a partir del próximo sábado. Pases VIP para los fans Joey, Donnie, Danny, Jordan y Jonathan, que han vendido 90 millones de discos en todo el mundo, darán un aperitivo de su directo el día 16. Será en el programa de televisión Today de la cadena NBC, en el que ofrecerán una actuación en vivo. La web del grupo se colapsó tras el anuncio de su regreso Después, su gira pasará, al menos de momento, por Nueva York, Nueva Jersey, Montreal, Toronto, Providence y Chicago, puesto que están aún por confirmar muchos de los conciertos. Los fans podrán tener acceso a pases VIP para ellos. La página web de la banda norteamericana, www.nkotb.com, estuvo colapsada durante varios días a raíz del anuncio oficial de su regreso. Ahora, la han actualizado con vídeos, fotografías y noticias sobre esta nueva etapa que comienzan.
New Kids On The Block en una imagen promocional.
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB.COM 05.08.2008 email sent only to LA members
"NKOTB FINAL REHEARSAL IN HOLLYWOOD ON MAY 13TH" THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO ATTEND AN EXCLUSIVE FINAL REHEARSAL FOR THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK'S FIRST LIVE TELEVISION PERFORMANCE NEXT FRIDAY ON THE TODAY SHOW. TUESDAY, MAY 13TH 2008 8:00PM HOUSE OF BLUES SUNSET STRIP 8430 SUNSET BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069 TICKETS ARE ON A FIRST COME-FIRST SERVE BASIS. NO PLUS ONES, EVERYONE MUST RESPOND INDIVIDUALLY.
nkotbthing.com USA 97.1 ZHT SALT LAKE CITY, UT 05.08.2008 RADIO SHOW
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nkotbthing.com USA THE NEW YORK OBSERVER 05.08.2008 http://www.observer.com
HOT TICKETS: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, SMOKING POPES, ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN, SAVED by Joe Pompeo
CONCERTS In case you were wondering what this year's official summer jam might be, wonder no more: A few days ago, People unveiled a taste of New Kids On the Block's comeback single, "Summertime," and as the title suggests, it is indeed all about the summertime, or, perhaps more accurately, meeting hot chicks in the summertime. Some of our favorite lines include, "I played it cool / The weather was hot / You had the beauty and the beach on lock" and "You wasn't lookin' for a man / When you saw me in the sand / But you fell for a boy from the city," and (here's the best one) "I was like, 'Hey girl, can i getch' yo' number?'" NKOTB plays the Meadowlands' Izod Arena on Sept. 23. (Pre-sale is on now, public sale starts Monday.) [On Sale: Monday, May 12]
Getty Images
nkotbthing.com USA WRVQ 94 RICHMOND VIRGINIA 05.09.2008 RADIO SHOW
DANNY WOOD FROM NKOTB Danny talks about why NKOTB is coming back, what he's been doing, and answering some of the rumors. Plus, Sid embarrassed Melissa.
USA 103.7 KISS MILWAUKEE, WI 05.09.2008 RADIO SHOW
USA MIX 96, MONTREAL CANADA 05.09.2008 RADIO SHOW
USA FLY 92 05.09.2008 RADIO SHOW
nkotbthing.com USA X17 VIDEO 05.09.2008 http://x17video.com/celebrity_video
X17 XCLUSIVE!! NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PHOTOSHOP!!!!! We spotted the original “New Kids On The Block” looking like old men on the highway after a promotional photo shoot in Malibu this past Friday. Although we may give them a hard time, I'm sure tons of hard-core NKOTB fans are going to make their comeback a roaring one! We can't help but to pull for you guys, hope to see more of you soon!
nkotbthing.com USA FIVE CENTNICKEL 05.09.08 http://www.fivecentnickel.com
LATE FRIDAY ROUNDUP - STIMULUS SPENDING EDITION I just ran across an interesting site that features personal accounts of how people are spending their tax stimulus rebates. Some of the more amusing uses include: - donating it to the Obama campaign (take that, W!) - buying plane tickets to catch the New Kids on the Block reunion tour (seriously?) - treating “a sudden and particularly messy case of giardia contracted by our puppy” (yuck!) - installing a giant chocolate fountain in the backyard (yum!) And with that, here are some articles that caught my eye over the past week…
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB.COM 05.12 2008 email
DEAR XXXX, * WE'VE BEEN REHEARSING! CHECK OUT EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE JUST FOR YOU * * "SUMMERTIME" AVAILABLE @ ITUNES AND ALL DIGITAL RETAILERS MAY 13 * * ONLY 4 MORE DAYS UNTIL TODAY SHOW MAY 16. CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR INFO * ON SALE TODAY - ALL TIMES EDT: 9.21 AIR CANADA CENTER/TORONTO, ON/ 11 AM 9.23 IZOD CENTER/EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ/ 10 AM 9.24 NASSAU COLISEUM/UNIONDALE, NY/ 10 AM 9.26 TD BANKNORTH GARDEN/BOSTON, MA/ 12 NOON 9.28 TD BANKNORTH GARDEN/BOSTON, MA/ 12 NOON CLICK HERE TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND FOR MORE AND UP-TO-DATE EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION, ALWAYS VISIT WWW.NKOTB.COM
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB 05 12 2008 www.youtube.com/nkotdotcom
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05. 12.2008 http://blog.myspace.com
’SUMMERTIME’ RING TONE AVAILABLE! CLICK HERE!
NEW SHOW ADDED: MOHEGAN SUN ARENA! WHEN: 9.30.08 WHERE: MOHEGAN SUN ARENA, UNCASVILLE, CT ON SALE: 5/17/08 @ 10 AM EDT
nkotbthing.com USA THE RIVER 107.5 05.12.2008 RADIO SHOW
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK INTVW: PART 1 Danny from NKOTB joins us on the phone to dish out how the reunion happened and why they chose to not do it as part of a TV show!
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK INTVW: PART 2 The guys from New Kids On The Block have reunited and Danny joins us on the phone to talk about the tour and new record!
nkotbthing.com USA KHOP 95.1 05.12.2008 RADIO SHOW
DONNIE WAHLBERG Fifteen years later he's still one of the New Kids most popular and with the big reunion happening, it was perfect timing for Donnie Wahlberg to visit The Morning Paper. Besides Reagan being absolutely star-struck by her back-in-the-day teen heart-throb, it was an interview that hit on a wide variety of topics. Growing up in Boston, his brother (Mark Wahlberg) declining the invite to join the New Kids, his personal life, the reunion and so much more. If you're a NKOTB fan this is a must listen. Enjoy.
nkotbthing.com USA TMZ 05.12.20 08 http://www.tmz.com
DONNIE WAHLBERG: BITTER KID ON THE BLOCK by TMZ Staff Reunited NKOTBer Donnie Wahlberg isn't excited about his upcoming concert with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers -- and he isn't excited by Miley's racy pics either. Nor should he be.
nkotbthing.com USA WNBC, NEWS 5, KCRA3, WGAL, 4KNBC, LOCAL 10 .WBALTV, WSOCTV, KCTV, NBC4, WPTZ, 8 WTMW, CLICK2HOUSTON 05.13.2008
NEW KID 'NOT EXCITED' ABOUT SHOW WITH CYRUS Block Singers To Also Share Stage With Jonas Brothers It appears that '80s New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg isn't a big fan of his modern counterparts. In a video posted on celebrity site TMZ.com, Wahlberg was asked by paparazzi about his thoughts about an upcoming show with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. "I'm not excited, but I'm ready," Wahlberg said with a smile. Also asked if he's seen Cyrus' controversial Vanity Fair photos, Wahlberg said, "I don't look at 15-yearold girls' pictures." The New Kids, Cyrus and Jonas Brothers will share the stage at the Zootopia music festival Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J., on Saturday. The group, consisting of Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood, recently announced a new album and reunion tour after 20 years apart.
nkotbthing.com USA INTERSCOPE 05.13.2008 http://www.interscope.com/artist
"SUMMERTIME" NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES! The hot new single from the New Kids On The Block "Summertime" is now available through iTunes! Check it out HERE
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05. 13.2008 http://blog.myspace.com
SUMMERTIME’ @ iTUNES! NOW AVAILABLE! VISIT NKOTB.COM for more INFORMATION!
nkotbthing.com USA TMZ 05.13.2008 http://www.brightcove.tv/
NKOTB STILL GOT IT (THE RIGHT STUFF) With a tour on the horizon, the New Kids on the Block were all hard at work on their new video shoot this weekend.
nkotbthing.com USA TICKETMASTER 05.13.2008 www.ticketmaster.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK RETURN TO THE WORLD STAGE! The reunion of all five members of the famed 90s group that sold millions of albums and sparked a worldwide phenomenon was enthusiastically embraced by screaming fans for band members: Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight. Don't miss the reunion tour everyone is talking about!
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK MP3 ALBUM/TICKET PACKAGE Get tickets to see New Kids On The Block and add the New Kids On The Block MP3 Album/Ticket Package to your order! With your purchase, you will get an instant bonus MP3 now; their new single "Summertime." PLUS, as an ADDED BONUS, the album will come with an additional audio program; "The Making Of The Album" an interview with the group talking about each song. The code for the MP3 album will be delivered by Sept 9 to the email address you supply so please be sure to enter a valid email address. *Offer Valid for US Markets and Residents Only** Disclaimer: For every pair of tickets / album package ordered, you will receive one (1) code that you will need in order to access your MP3 album download. (For example 4 tickets purchased /album packages receive 2 codes for 2 album downloads. 6 tickets/album packages ordered receive 3 codes for 3 album downloads, etc).
nkotbthing.com USA ABOUT.COM 05.14.2008 http://top40.about.com
Bill's Top 40 / Pop Blog By Bill Lamb, About.com Guide to Top 40 / Pop since 2005
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ARE BACK WITH "SUMMERTIME," FIRST HIT IN 14 YEARS It has been 14 years since the last new release from New Kids on the Block, the standard bearers of boy bands of the early 90's. The group sold over 70 million albums worldwide. It looks like pop fans may be eager to welcome them back. The new single "Summertime" is one of the top added songs at pop radio giving it the opportunity to show up on this week's Top 10 Hot Pop Songs chart. New Kids on the Block are also plotting a concert tour in advance of the fall 2008 release of a new album. Check out "Summertime" below. Listen to "Summertime" at the New Kids on the Block MySpace page.
4. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - "SUMMERTIME" This is the first New Kids on the Block single in 14 years Courtesy Interscope
nkotbthing.com USA PEREZ HILTON 05.14.08 http://www.perezhilton.com
BUSIEST KID ON THE BLOCK Donnie Whalberg is one busy bee! He's going out with his old band New Kids on the Block for a reunion tour. Plus, he'll be acting in AND producing a TNT crime drama called Morse Code, once the "Kids" summer outing is over. The show is about a young war hero who returns to his hometown of Boston (Wahlberg's real hometown), where he works as a Drug Enforcement Administration officer. Wicked good???? Hey, at least he keeps collecting those paychecks. Smart!
nkotbthing.com REUTERS 05.14.08 http://www.reuters.com
DONNIE WAHLBERG TO STAR IN BOSTONSET CABLE DRAMA LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Donnie Wahlberg and director/producer Jon Avnet have teamed up with cable network TNT to develop a crime drama about a young war hero turned Drug Enforcement Administration officer working in his hometown of Boston. Wahlberg, a Boston native, is expected to star in the tentatively titled "Morse Code," which is being written by former "Law & Order" writer-producer Walon Green, with Avnet expected to direct. Michael Wright, TNT's top programmer, described the project -one of several expected to be announced Wednesday at Turner's "upfront" presentation to advertisers in New York -- as being in the vein of "The Departed," with the commingling of law enforcement and organized crime. "Our original shows are character-based dramas that speak directly to the audience," Wright said. "The guy at the center of this is a relatable everyman kind of cop -- an honest, authentic character that our audience can connect with on a personal level." Wahlberg and Avnet worked together on "Boomtown" and the upcoming film "Righteous Kill." Wahlberg also has reunited with his New Kids on the Block bandmates for a tour kicking off Friday on NBC's "Today." Singer Donnie Wahlberg of the music group "New Kids on the Block" makes an appearance on NBC's "Today" show in New York April 4, 2008.
nkotbthing.com USA SPOIL THE ENDING 05.14.08 http://spoiltheending.blogspot.com
I HEART NKOTB!!! Did I mention...I LOVE NKOTB!! My heart beats fast, time stands still and the world seems like a better place to be. Ok...a little dramatic...but its New Kids On The Block. Love Them!! They will be at Macy's Herald Square in NYC for an appearance. This Friday, May 16th @ Macy's (34th street and Broadway) from 12pm - 1pm on the Main Floor in the Fragrance Arcade. I might pass out!! Mostly because they will be in the fragrance area. But I never got to meet them when I was younger. If you are interested in meeting the guys, just be one of the first 150 customers (beginning at store opening) on May 16th to make an IZOD fragrance or menswear purchase and you will meet the guys, get their autographs and a copy of their new CD single, Summertime. You have to buy something so don't be acting surprised and holding up the line. It's suppose to rain on Friday...so be ready to stand in the rain Don't feel like fighting the crowds and the rain you can see them perform May 16th on The Today Show.
nkotbthing.com SPAIN HOLA 05.14. 2008 www.hola.com
ASÍ ERAN LOS 'NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK' HACE QUINCE AÑOS La banda comienza su primera gira de conciertos en la que repasarán sus grandes éxitos y algunos temas nuevos En la era en la que el revival musical de las décadas de los ochenta y noventa está de moda, los New Kids on The Block volverán a emocionar a los nostálgicos. Ellos fueron uno de los grupos que protagonizaron el multitudinario fenómeno fan en los noventa, un furor que compartieron con las Spice Girls, los Back Street Boys y Take That, que también se han vuelto a reunir recientemente con gran expectación. Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg y Danny Wood eran apenas unos adolescentes cuando conquistaron a las jóvenes de medio mundo, con sus letras románticas y estudiadas coreografías. Vendieron más de setenta millones de discos nada menos y arrancaron los suspiros del público que abarrotó sus conciertos. Ahora ellos mismos son padres y salen de nuevo a la carretera, tras quince años de aventuras en solitario y un nuevo tema como carta de presentación, Summertime. El día 16 de mayo comienza su gira internacional de conciertos en la que prometen la misma fuerza que tenían cuando comenzaron. “Somos aún jóvenes y apasionados. Nuestros fans ahora tienen entre 25 y 35 años así que también son jóvenes, atractivos y legales. Así que las chicas volverán a salir solas. Sé que mi mujer estará ahí conmigo, pero va a ser divertido” explican entre risas.
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nkotbthing.com USA NYSE Closing Bell 05.15.2008 PHOTO AGENCIES
nkotbthing.com USA NYSE EURONEXT 05.15.2008 http://www.nyse.com/events
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK KICK-OFF REUNION TOUR AT THE NYSE New Kids On The Block visits the NYSE to kick-off reunion tour and to celebrate the release of their new single "Summertime". In honor of the occasion, Original Band Members Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Jordan and Jonathan Knight rings The Closing Bell®.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: New Kids On The Block sold more than 80 million albums worldwide -- including back-toback international #1 songs, 1988’s Hangin’ Tough and 1990’s Step By Step -- and a series of crossover smash R&B, pop hits like “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “Cover Girl,” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “Hangin’ Tough,” “I’ll Be Loving You,” “Step By Step” and “Tonight.” The group shattered concert box office records playing an estimated 200 concerts a year, in sold out stadiums throughout the world. They still hold many of these records to date. They were Forbes highest paid entertainers of 1990, beating out Michael Jackson and Madonna. The band boasted an extensive and highly profitable merchandise line which included everything from lunch boxes and sleeping bags to comic books, marbles and dolls.
LIVE NATION (NYSE: LYV): Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the “About Us” section.
nkotbthing.com USA KNST 05.15.>2008 http://www.knst.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK RING NYSE CLOSING BELL By Tracy Bratten Associate Entertainment Editor
The New Kids on the Block are poised to take America by storm - and they're starting with New York City. The reunited fivesome is set to perform on NBC's Today Show Friday morning, May 16, but not before visiting the New York Stock Exchange Thursday evening to ring the closing bell. According to the band's Web site, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Jordan and Jonathan Knight had the right stuff to drop by Wall Street Thursday Evening, where they rang the closing bell before a crowd of screaming fans. The guys took turns with the gavel and smiled for photographers. They better go straight home and get some rest, though! It's bound to be a busy morning the enduring squeals and screams of fans who have been holding back their New Kids obsession for over a decade. The "Summertime" singers will play their first concert on Saturday at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
nkotbthing.com USA US MAGAZINE*COM 05 15 2008 www.usmagazine.com
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: "WE'RE DANCING FOOLS!" Want to know what the New Kids on the Block tour will be like? "Cirque du steamy nights with the New Kids!" jokes Jordan Knight to Usmagazine.com, comparing the boy band to the flexible Las Vegas performance troupe. On Thursday — the day before the early ‘90s mega group reunites this morning on the Today Show — they hung out with Us and spilled tour secrets. They also sang a little, which you can watch on the video, above. "We're doing all the old dances, and we're doing new dances," Danny Wood says. Adds Donnie Wahlberg: "We're dancing fools! "We're not old guys — we're not like in boy band boot camp, if you know what I mean," Wahlberg jokes.
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON GLOBE 05.15.2008 www.boston.com/ae
CELEBRITY GARDEN PARTY By Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan Globe Staff
It's always nice to see famous faces at a Celts game, but where were these people when the team was tanking? Celebs scoring sweet seats at the Garden for last night's Game 5 against the Cavs included: Jay-Z and bride BeyoncĂŠ; Warner Music kingpin Kevin Liles; New Kid Donnie Wahlberg; teen sensation JoJo; actors Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, and Louis C.K.; former Celtics Antoine Walker, M.L. Carr, K.C. Jones, and Jo Jo White; and Pats players Matt Cassell, Lonie Paxton, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Ben Watson, Vince Wilfork, and Victor Hobson.
nkotbthing.com USA DAILY NEWS 05.15.08 www.nydailynews.com
FANS AND NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Hundreds of women eagerly waited in line along 48th Street outside the "Today" show studios to catch the New Kids on the Block reunion.
It's been more than a decade sine the five once-young singers were cheered by adoring teenage girls.
The New Kids On The Block (l. to r.) Joey McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight and Danny Wood are a bit older now. But so are their fans.
Karen Alexander came to the city from Virginia to catch the "Today" show reunion.
Although most of those waiting anxiously outside the "Today" show were mostly women, there were some guys among the fans. Ron Immormino came to New York City from Michigan to see the NKOTB perform
... or even Paola Orozco of Mexico.
nkotbthing.com DENMARK GAFFA 05.15.2008 http://gaffa.dk
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK GAV KONCERT Gruppen spillede i weekenden deres første koncert i 15 år Af John Fogde
Folk lå i weekenden i kø i op til 48 timer for at se New Kids On The Block give deres første koncert i femten år. Gruppen optrådte i tv-showet The Today Show i New York fredag 16. maj, hvor de samtidig kunne offentliggøre, at de til september sætter gang i deres amerikanske turné. De fem sangere optrådte med "You Got It (The Right Stuff)", "Hangin' Tough" samt den nye single "Summertime", der vil dukke op på et album til næste år. Gruppen starter deres turné i Toronto 19. september, og derefter følger koncerter helt frem til slutningen af november. Der er dog endnu ikke programsat europæiske datoer
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nkotbthing.com USA TODAY SHOW 05.16.2008 http://today.msnbc.msn.com
NEW KIDS ARE BACK, AND SO ARE FANS’ CHILDHOODS The group is in the spotlight again, but with a much older following
By Caitlin Johnson
As I look back on my life, I realize there was a time before the New Kids on the Block, and there was a time after. Their high-energy, late-’80s/early-’90s dance moves, their feathered hairdos, their shoulder-padded blazers — it all entered my consciousness like a bolt from the blue. I turned around one day and all my friends at the Sheehan School in Westwood, Mass., were wearing New Kids pins and New Kids shirts. My friend Nikki Delaney had New Kids sheets and a New Kids bedspread. She laid her little head down on a pillowcase adorned with all five of their faces. Her older sister took her to a concert (they had to leave because it was too noisy and Nikki began crying). She also had a Joey doll and someone gave her a poster signed by him. “It said, ‘To Nikki from Joey,’ ” she recalled. “It was the greatest thing in my life.” I think I was a little late to the Kids because my parents didn’t get cable. The only chance I had of glimpsing the videos was going to my Nana’s or hanging out with the kids next door. But sure enough, by 1988, I was in full swing with the Jordan, Joey, Donnie, Danny and Jonathan mania. Now, they are back. The Kids — er, men — have a new single called “Summertime,” and performed live for the first time in 15 years on Friday's TODAY. Mass(achusetts) mania The New Kids on the Block took Westwood, a small Boston suburb, by storm. It helped that they were hometown boys. Bad-boy Donnie Wahlberg and jockish Danny Wood grew up in the grizzled Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Front-man Jordan Knight and his brother Jonathan were born in Worcester. The baby, Joey (who is now 36!), grew up in Jamaica Plain. To the kids of Westwood, these guys were bigger than Aerosmith, bigger than Bobby Brown — even bigger than the Red Sox! My former classmate James Nasman was a mellower sort of New Kids fan. He liked Donnie, who he described as “the closest thing to a badass that group had.” James roller-skated to “Please Don’t Go Girl,” and liked to rock out to “Step by Step.” But most of all, James, now a researcher at Children’s Hospital in Boston, recalls the New Kids “mass hysteria” that overtook our elementary school. In all probability, 26-year-old Betsy Narciso was one of those girls. She was the first person who came to mind when I learned the New Kids on the Block were getting back together. Betsy and I attended the same after-school program. I distinctly recall sitting with Betsy on a picnic table. She wore a black bowl hat, a denim vest and definitely a giant New Kids on the Block button. Come to think of it — I remember singing the songs with her! Betsy took being a New Kids fan seriously. “I believe I had a New Kids on the Block birthday party,” she told me recently. “I had the dolls. I had all the pins. I had all the tapes. I had T-shirts. I know I didn’t have the bedding. I know at one point I had a backpack. That’s all I can remember that I had.” Rise and fall of the Kids Girls like Betsy helped make the man behind the supergroup very wealthy. Producer Maurice Starr
nkotbthing.com created Bobby Brown’s original group, “New Edition,” and thought he might find even more success if he replaced the black kids with white ones. The New Kids on the Block released their self-titled debut in 1986 to little fanfare. The “mass hysteria” James referred to began in 1988 with their second album, “Hangin' Tough,” which included songs like “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “Cover Girl,” “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “I’ll Be Loving You Forever.” They recorded a successful Christmas album and then moved on to the more mature “Step by Step,” named for its first single, which also features the oddly Beatle-esque “Tonight.” By 1994 gangster rap and grunge relegated the Kids into cheesy artifacts of the previous decade. Their attempt to become harder and hipper by changing their name to NKOTB failed with the fourth album, “Face the Music.” “I think it went downhill from there,” Nikki said. Thus the Kids went their separate ways. Jordan kept singing and scored a huge hit in 1999 with his suggestive song “Give It to You.” Joey starred on “Boston Legal,” competed on “Dancing With the Stars” and had a few hits of his own. Jonathan Knight left show business to become a real estate developer. Danny Wood formed an independent record label and recorded a few solo albums. Donnie followed his Oscar-nominated brother Mark (aka Marky Mark) into acting, starring in “Sixth Sense” and HBO’s acclaimed miniseries “Band of Brothers.” Fine accomplishments to be sure, but none of the New Kids received the same adulation and adoration apart as they did together. ‘It’s like your childhood is back’ My friend Brent Stackhouse got a chance to watch the phenomenon upclose when he lived in the same Boston apartment building as Jordan Knight. Each Monday, young Brent left his apartment to attend his guitar lessons. Every week, while he made his way to the building’s lobby, the elevator stopped at the 18th floor and Jordan Knight, accompanied by two large bodyguards, got on. Even at age 12, Brent, who now works in finance, couldn’t help but be embarrassed. Here he was, a kid “with a bowl cut, braces and (wearing a) baha,” carrying a 3/4-size acoustic guitar in front of a bona fide rock star. “I just wanted to die. If I could have found my way into the wood paneling, I would have,” said Brent, 27. “He would never say anything. They would stop talking when they got on the elevator.” Brent’s presence in the building may have made life more difficult for the New Kid. On his 13th birthday Brent and a friend were with their mothers on the elevator, on their way to see the musical “Forever Plaid.” Sure enough, they stopped on the 18th floor. Jordan and his entourage got on. “So we go down the elevator and the elevator door opens and 15 of our friends are down there waiting for us — he blanched,” Brent said. “I’m sure he thought all those 13-year-olds were there for him.” Now those 13-year-olds are in their late 20s and early 30s. Many of them, like Betsy and Nikki, are excited to relive the hysteria. Tickets for their upcoming Boston concert are about to go on sale and Betsy has her credit card ready. She’s trying to gather the same group of friends she saw the New Kids with in 1990. “It’s like your childhood is back!” she said. “We can be kids again, with alcohol this time. It was such an unbelievable phenomenon — mass following. They had a cartoon on Saturday morning. To see them come back and see them 20 years later — it’s fun!” The only question now is: Can they take it beyond the nostalgia aspect? Will their music still top charts in 2008? Brent Stackhouse is not sure if it matters. “They already made it,” he said. “All we can do is analyze their legacy.”
nkotbthing.com NEW KIDS PERFORM THEIR HITS After 15 years the guys are back together again. Watch them sing a medley of their classics like “Step by Step,” and “Please Don’t Go Girl” on the Plaza.
nkotbthing.com NEW KIDS SING ‘SUMMERTIME’ For the first time ever the group perform the brand new single, which is off their upcoming album.
nkotbthing.com NEW KIDS SING ‘TONIGHT’ Joey, Jordan, Donnie, Danny and Jonathan talk about their fans, reuniting, and their new album before performing this fan favorite on the Plaza
nkotbthing.com TRUE FAN? TAKE OUR NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK QUIZ Do you know the 'right stuff'? Test your knowledge on the reunited group
1. Where are New Kids on the Block from? Boston Orlando Los Angeles New York 2. How many albums did they sell in the '80s and '90s? 30 million 40 million 50 million 70 million 3. What was the name of their debut album? "Step by Step" "The Right Stuff" "New Kids on the Block" "Hangin' Tough" 4. Who discovered New Kids on the Block? Clive Davis Maurice Starr Lou Pearlman L.A: Reid 5. Which member starred on the TVshow "Boston Public"? Jordan Knight Joey McIntyre Danny Wood Donnie Walhberg 6. Which member's brother released the song "Good Vibrations"? Donnie Danny Jonathan Jordan
7. What is the name of their new single? "Click Click Click" "Close to You" "Summertime" "Sexify My Love" 8. When did the group break up? 1991 1992 1993 1994 9. What was the name of Jordan's platinum single from his solo career? "Stay the Same" “give it to you” “One more night” “Tonight” 10. What was the name of Danny Wood's first solo album? "Room Full of Smoke" "Coming Home" "D-Fuse" 11. What has Jonathan been doing since the band broke up? He went into real estate He started his own record label He went into acting He formed a public relations company 12.
What movie really Donnie's acting career? "Ransom" "Saw II" "The Sixth Sense" "Dreamcatcher"
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nkotbthing.com USA TODAY SHOW 05.16.2008 http://today.msnbc.msn.com
JORDAN KNIGHT IS GLAD TO BE A NEW KID AGAIN ‘It was surreal at first,’ Knight says about rehearsing their dance steps By Dennis Hensley MSNBC contributor
As you read this, there’s a good chance that Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood — aka the New Kids on the Block — are holed up a rehearsal studio somewhere, polishing up the dance moves for their long-awaited reunion tour, which hits arenas this fall, and hit the TODAY show on Friday. If the image of five men in their late 30s facing a mirror and synchronizing the swoon-inducing steps that made them boy-band superstars in the late ’80s strikes you both comical and irresistible, imagine how they must feel. “It was surreal at first,” admits Jordan Knight, the group’s de facto frontman, who in the years since the band’s break-up in 1994 has released three solo CDs, gotten married, fathered two children, and did time in VH-1’s “Surreal Life” house. “We had we talked about it a lot and I envisioned it, but when we first got in front of those mirrors and we all hit the move at the same time, it was like ‘Whoa!’” Knight lets out a self-deprecating chuckle, then proclaims, “The magic’s back, folks.” Msnbc.com: Are you reviving some of the old choreography or is it all brand new? Jordan Knight: You’ll see some old stuff and you’ll see twists on old stuff and then you’ll see brand-new stuff. It’s like riding a bike. We’ve gotten past that initial shock phase of using all our different muscles and now it feels good. It feels effortless. Msnbc.com: You guys must have been approached to do a reunion tour for years. Why now? Knight: I can only speak for myself, but I think as far as trends in music and the mood of the country, the timing was right. People want an uplifting, fun, almost reminiscent feeling back. Plus, more and more people started asking me about it and it kind of got me in the headspace of, ‘Man, that’s a good idea.’ I would go into radio stations with a new solo project and (the disc jockeys) would be like, “(Dismissively) Yeah, that’s great. When are the New Kids getting back together?” Msnbc.com: What was your wife’s reaction when you told her about the reunion? Knight: She was very excited for me. When I would bring songs home, she’d be like, “Wow, you guys are really doing it.” I’d be like, “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll be back in six months.” She’d go, “By the way this stuff is sounding, you’re going to be gone for more than six months.” Msnbc.com: Your catchy new single “Summertime” seems like the perfectly engineered comeback song, with the lyrics, “Do you remember… the times we shared together…” Knight: Yeah, it kind of works all the way around. We thought maybe it was a little too boy band-ish but then we decided it’s who we are so why not? Msnbc.com: Your bandmate, Donnie Wahlberg, has carved out an acting career with movies like “The Sixth Sense” and the “Saw” sequels. Was it hard to convince him to put that on hold for the reunion tour?
nkotbthing.com Knight: Through the years, Donnie’s always talked to me about doing a reunion so we didn’t have to yank him out of his acting schedule. He just had to move some things around. Once we said “Go,” all schedules were cleared. This is a big deal. Msnbc.com: What’s your favorite Donnie Wahlberg movie? Knight: “Band of Brothers,” the miniseries. I must have watched it 100 times. Msnbc.com: What was the silliest merchandising item you guys ever lent your image to? Knight: To me, most of our merchandising was kind of silly. There were marbles, furry pink slippers and these funny dolls — not our Hasbro action figure, Ken-kind of dolls. Those were fine. There were these other fluffy dolls that had weird hairdos and looked nothing like us. Msnbc.com: Did you hang on to any of that stuff? Knight: My mom has like a New Kids museum in her basement. It’s like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, only New Kids and maybe a little Tiffany thrown in. Msnbc.com: What’s your position on autographing body parts? Will you do it? Knight: I don’t mind as long as it’s in the right environment. I was on the TODAY show once and this girl was like, “Sign my breast!” Msnbc.com: She exposed herself on the TODAY show? Knight: No, it was just the upper part, but it was live on camera and my wife was watching the whole thing. I was like shaking my head, “Nooooo.” Msnbc.com: Back in the day, your admirers could get a little crazy. Were you ever afraid for your safety? Knight: There were times where it was dangerous, but I never got physically hurt. Once in Spain, we were at the airport ticket counter and we got bum-rushed by about 1,000 fans. We had to jump over the counter and we actually got on the conveyer belt where they put the luggage and we ended up in some big luggage bin. It was very Beatle-esque and one of the funniest things that ever happened. Msnbc.com: You’re obviously excited about the return of NKOTB but is there a part of you that’s worried about how you’re going to be received? Knight: I’m older now and I don’t feel like we need to prove anything or blaze a new trail and be trendsetters. Just going on the road and entertaining the fans, that’s amazing. Getting on stage with the four other guys, that’s amazing. Being able to do this again, at this level, is amazing. Everything else is gravy.
Dennis Hensley is the author of the books “Misadventures in the (213)” and “Screening Party” and a co-host on the national radio show Twist. www.dennishensley.com. © 2008 MSNBC Interactive
nkotbthing.com USA TODAY SHOW 05.16.2008 PHOTO AGENCIES
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nkotbthing.com USA PEOPLE 05.16.2008 http://www.people.com
WATCH NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PERFORM ON THE TODAY SHOW By Anne Marie Cruz and Michelle Tan
For the New Kids on the Block, it was just like old times. Even at 8 a.m. in the pouring rain, shrieking fans – some of whom camped out since Wednesday – packed the Today courtyard to see the reunited group hit the stage for the first time since 1994. The turnout of over 3,000 strong was one of the biggest in the history of the Today show's concert series. "We could get very weepy right now and sappy, because we absolutely have the greatest fans in the world," said Joey McIntyre, after host Matt Lauer mentioned the people who had been waiting 48 hours for them. "It's amazing." As for the weather, Donnie Wahlberg joked, "It's a little bit like Al Roker in a hurricane here," as he, McIntyre, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight got soaked in the downpour. The band sang a medley of their hits, like "Step by Step" and "Hangin' Tough" before launching into their new single, "Summertime". The dedicated bunch that had been waiting so long for a glimpse of their idols got an unexpected treat Wednesday and Thursday nights: Jonathan Knight stopped by to visit them! Up next for the Kids? Shows in East Rutherford, N.J., and Boston on Saturday and Sunday, and then prepping for their big North American tour this fall.
nkotbthing.com USA MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINAL 05.16.2008 http://www.huffingtonpost.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PERFORM AFTER 15 YEARS APART (VIDEO) A newly reunited New Kids on the Block sang and danced their aging hearts out on Friday's "Today" show, their first public performance together in 15 years. The quintet sand a medley of songs, old and new, as the rain came town on their coordinated outfits. They are heading out a reunion tour.
nkotbthing.com USA DAILY BLABBER IVILLAGE 05.16.2008 http://dailyblabber.ivillage.com
WATCH NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PERFORM THEIR HITS For the first time in 15 years, New Kids On the Block performed together in front of a crowd of screaming fans. People actually slept out for two days to get a good spot for the original boy band's Today performance, which took place in the pouring rain. I watched it, and I have to say, I found myself singing along to all the goodies and getting a tad giddy when they did "The Right Stuff" dance (they really did it!). I don't know if the Kids are great singers -- or if they ever really were - but there's something so endearing about them, and they look like they are having so much fun. So grab all of your NKOTB flair and watch this clip -- I think you'll like it.
nkotbthing.com USA THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR STALKING 05.16.2008 http://thesebootsaremadeforstalking.com
NKOTB’S FIRST PERFORMANCE! The New Kids on the Block performed on The Today Show this morning for the first time in FIFTEEN years! They busted out with all their old hits from Hangin’ Tough to Please Don’t Go Girl and it looks like they’ve still got The Right Stuff. Are you going to see them in concert?
nkotbthing.com USA US MAGAZINE*COM 05 16 2008 www.usmagazine.com
VIDEO: WATCH NKOTB PERFORM THEIR OLD HITS Flashback! New Kids on the Block performed together for the first time in 15 years on Today this morning. The boy band sang and danced their way through a medley of old and new hits — including "You Got It (the Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough" and "Step by Step." (Watch above.) Despite the rainy weather, over 3,000 fans cheered on the band — one of the show's largest turnouts for its outdoor concert series. Some fans had even camped out overnight. "I'm going to spend the night just to be ready so early!" joked Joey McIntyre to Usmagazine.com on Thursday. • • •
Watch Us' exclusive interview with NKOTB. See what your other favorite '90s stars are up to here. Tell Us: What do you think of the NKOTB performance?
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM 103.5, Max 106.3, MIX 100.7;WGMZ, NEWSRADIO WIOD, MIX 96.1, CHANNEL 955, SL 100, B104, MY 99.9, CAT COUNTRY 107.1, q101.9 .. so on! A total of 33 hits. 05.16.2008
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PERFORM FOR FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS The fivesome performed on NBC's Today Show Friday morning, marking their first live performance in 15 years. By Tracy Bratten Associate Entertainment Editor
The New Kids on the Block have officially embarked upon their comeback tour. The fivesome performed on NBC's Today Show Friday morning in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza, marking their first live performance in 15 years. Devoted fans camped out overnight in anticipation of the event braving the rain - which was 15 years in the making. Joey, Jordan, Jon, Danny and Donny performed old fan favorite "Tonight," as well as a medley of previous hits "Step By Step," "Please Don't Go Girl," "Hangin' Tough" and "You've Got It (The Right Stuff)." They also delighted fans with a performance of their new single, "Summertime," which debuted on the Billboard chart at number 40. The guys also announced additional dates for their upcoming tour, which was music to fans' ears, because tickets for shows such as the one in Toronto sold out in a mere four minutes, while Chicago sold out in ten. So what can fans expect at a New Kids concert this time around? "Cirque du steamy nights with the New Kids!" Jordan told Usmagazine.com Thursday. "We're doing all the old dances, and we're doing new dances," Danny added. "We're dancing fools! We're not old guys — we're not like in boy band boot camp, if you know what I mean," Donny told the magazine. Boy band schmoy band. The New Kids in the Block are all grown up - some of them even have kids of their own. They're a hot man band. The New Kids are back, folks, with a vengeance. And it seems they don't just have the right stuff - they never lost it.
nkotbthing.com USA ACCESS HOLLYWOOD 05.16.2008 http://www.accesshollywood.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK RISE AGAIN NEW YORK, N.Y. --
It felt reminiscent of 1989 in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza Friday morning as New Kids on the Block took the stage to the screams of thousands of elated fans. Despite pouring rain and the early morning hour, over 3,000 people showed up to see Donnie, Danny, Jordan, Jonathan, and Joey, known affectionately as NKOTB to the hardcore fans, perform for the first time since 1994 on NBC’s “Today” show. “We could get very weepy right now and sappy, because we absolutely have the greatest fans in the world,” Joey McIntyre told Matt Lauer. “It’s amazing.” The NKOTB fan turnout amounted to one of the largest ever for the “Today” show’s concert series. Some fans had camped out since Wednesday to catch a glimpse of the boys in action. The band treated fans to their hits “Step by Step” and “Hangin’ Tough” along with their new timely single, “Summertime.” The newly reunited NKOTB will make stops in East Rutherford, N.J., and Boston on Saturday and Sunday.
nkotbthing.com ACCESS EXTENDED: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PERFORM FOR FANS Not even the pouring rain could deter 5,000 die hard dans from the “Today” sow plaza where the New Kids On The Block performed for the first time in 14 years.
nkotbthing.com USA - AUSTRIA STARPULSE, KMTR &, 21WHPTV,CONTACT MUSIC, PR-INSIDE 05.16.2008 http://www.starpulse.com, http://www.kmtr.com http://www.whptv.com, http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf, http://www.pr-inside.com
NEW KIDS ARE A HIT WITH TV COMEBACK Eighties boyband New Kids On The Block performed their first concert in 14 years to legions of screaming fans who camped outside for two days awaiting their comeback on Friday's "Today Show." The five-piece performed a medley of their 1990s hits on the show - announced during a reunion appearance on the morning TV program last month. They mused of their hiatus, "It's eerie. It's almost like the last 15 years didn't happen because it's so effortless. It's very humbling. We could get very weepy right now and sappy... The friendship is still there and it really made it worth all of us suspending what we were doing with the rest of our lives to come together and do this one more time." But the bandmates - who are all now in their mid-to-late thirties - admit coming together since their teen stardom proved to be a challenge: "It's like riding a mountain bike. The recording was easier. Then we started dance rehearsals - that took a few days for all of us to get acclimated. We're being tested though, today is a test of our determination." The NKOTB reunion comes 20 years after the release of the group's album Hangin' Tough, which became one of the biggest hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, helping them to amass 70 million album sales during their career. The pop group will begin their reunion tour in September when it kicks off in Toronto, Canada. A new album is set for release this autumn.
nkotbthing.com USA OK! MAGAZINE 05.16.2008 http://www.okmagazine.com
VIDEO: NEW KIDS MAKE A WET RETURN TO THE STAGE Despite the early hour and the rain, fans of New Kids on the Block have waited a long time, since 1994 to be exact, for the return of their favorite boy band. And even with the sopping wet weather, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood didn't disappoint. The crowd outside NBC studios started forming on Wednesday morning, and by showtime, there were about 3,000 NKOTB fans. Al Roker even joked, "I haven’t seen a crowd like this since Ricky Martin and 'Nsync’s first performance." Though Al must have had 'Nsync on the brain because, when throwing it back to the weather, he added, "Rain couldn’t dampen all the spirits of ‘Nsync fans... there are airport delays from Washington to Boston.” Oops, Al... We think you meant NKOTB... NKOTB... And it appeared that the boys were loving the show just as much as the fans. "We could get very weepy right now and sappy, because we absolutely have the greatest fans in the world," said Joey. "It's amazing." To kick off the Today Show Concert Series, the boys performed a medley of "Step by Step", "Hangin' Tough", "The Right Stuff" and "Please Don't Go Girl" before singing their new single, "Summertime." Tomorrow, they will head to Z100's Zootopia at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J and later this year will be touring the country. They still have the right stuff! By Alisandra Puliti
nkotbthing.com USA EW.COM 05.16.2008 http://popwatch.ew.com
NKOTB'S 'TODAY' CONCERT: YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO WATCH Behold, the three performances from this morning's New Kids on the Block Today show concert! The guys, reuniting for their first televised performance in 15 years, drew a seriously large, loud female crowd to Rockefeller Plaza. (Some of the ladies camped out for 48 hours.) They opened with a greatest hits medley. While they looked great (Jordan Knight can almost pull off sunglasses in the rain), they sounded just okay. My favorite moment was when they turned their backs to the audience, sexily slithered out of their suit jackets like strippers, and launched into the PG-rated "Please Don't Go Girl." I did, however, genuinely (!) enjoy the dance mix of "The Right Stuff." (I'm a huge fan of the Joey Mac hip pump.) After the jump, their best (new single "Summertime") and worst ("Tonight") offerings. I took some heat on a post earlier this week when I referred to "Summertime" as both forgettable and kinda catchy. You're right. I should have explained it differently. What I meant was: It has a beat you'll move to when you hear it, but you won't carry it with you. I thought the guys sounded their best on this track. Two great moments to watch for: Donnie Wahlberg raising his shirt to show abs, and two guys in a neighboring skyscraper watching the concert from their office window (busted!). I would've preferred to hear another new track, as opposed to this Broadway-esque rendition of the saptacular "Tonight." Thoughts?
G
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05 .16..2008 www.rollingstone.com
RANDOM NOTES: METALLICA, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, MADONNA AND KANYE WEST New Kids On The Block huddle together in their reinforced steel cage amid a sea of passionate fans during their performance on Today in New York City on May 16, 2008. Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05 16 2008 www.rollingstone.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK RETURN TO “TODAY” FOR FIRST SHOW IN 15 YEARS Last month, the New Kids on the Block caused fan mayhem when they resurfaced on the Today show on a windy and rainy New York morning, and similarly dreary conditions awaited the estimated 4,000 who crowded into the show’s plaza early today for the five singers’ first performance together in 15 years. Surrounded by a hysterical throng of fans toting mementos of their adolescent obsession (old tour jackets, photographs, umbrellas and caps), the group played a short medley of their hits from the late Eighties and early Nineties — “Step by Step,” “Hangin’ Tough,” “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff)” — their new single “Summertime” and a song recalling the good old days, “Tonight.” “It’s a little bit like Al Roker in a hurricane,” joked Donnie Wahlberg, referring to the band’s somewhat awkward attempt at dancing on the wet, slippery stage. Sporting his signature half-cocked baseball cap, Wahlberg went on to say that it wasn’t he who reunited the band, but “the brotherhood … and the friendship” that remained through the years. “If the fans didn’t want it, it wouldn’t have happened.” The turnout, despite the soggy weather, is one of the largest in Today show history, approaching the massive numbers of fans who flocked to Bruce Springsteen’s performance last September, as well as those at sets by Ricky Martin and ‘NSYNC. However, a spokesperson for the show said she’d never seen fans waiting on the street more than 48 hours in advance as many diehards did for today’s New Kids show. “The story today is the fans more than it is us.” said Joey McIntyre, who elicited screams when he tossed his old-school widebrimmed hat into the crowd during his solo on “Please Don’t Go Girl.” The Today show crew passed out new versions of the oversized NKOTB buttons popular in the early Nineties and white puffy painters’ hats, which came in handy when the rain worsened during the performance. Anyone who dared keep an umbrella up as the group’s performance time approached drew angry shouts from fans and photographers perched in the press pen. While it was hard to hear the songs playing back in the plaza, the telecast revealed a poor vocal mix and a few missed harmonies. Fans, however, did not leave disappointed. “It was completely worth it and I am so excited to go to their concert in September,” said Sarah Shepherd, 25, from Long Island. “They’re coming back at a time when they can really peak. Twenty years off, it’s time for a reunion, and everybody’s ready.”
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD – THE EDGE 05 16 2008 http://news.bostonherald.com
NEW KIDS RISE AGAIN Boston’s blockbuster boy band is back ByJedGottlieb
Once upon a time the New Kids on the Block were, like, a totally awesome pop phenomenon Wait, back up and scratch that. The New Kids on the Block are, like, a totally awesome pop phenomenon Those issues of Tiger Beat you treasured may be older than Miley Cyrus, but that hasn’t stopped Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Danny and Donnie from becoming as big as Hannah Montana all over again. This morning the New Kids perform for the first time publicly in 14 years on the “Today” show. Sunday they play the sold-out Kiss-108 Concert at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield. And on Sept. 26 and 28, Boston’s fab five plan to perform before a potential 40,000 fans at two (yes, two!) TD Banknorth Garden shows. It’s insanity. All over again. And Jordan Knight knows it. “Honestly, I thought we might be singing at the Orpheum,” said Knight on a break from rehearsing with the New Kids in Los Angeles. “I didn’t know what would happen with this thing. So to be playing two nights at the Garden is amazing.” A humble Knight says the guys aren’t taking this reunion and shocking resurgence lightly. The former Hub heartthrobs - or current heartthrobs, if you’re into Kids in their late 30s - are putting in long hours re-perfecting those “Step By Step” steps. While the five have always stayed in contact with each other, the New Kids ended poorly last time. After their ’94 album “Face the Music” stiffed and the group was demoted from arenas to clubs, the boys called it quits right before a scheduled June Kiss-108 Concert performance. Now fathers and B-list actors, suburbanites and wannabe reality TV stars, the five are getting back to what they do best: singing, dancing and charming girls. Or what they did best. “We’ve been rehearsing for maybe a month and the first week I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness, I’m going to drop dead’,” said the 37-year-old Knight. “But each week it got better. It’s kind of effortless now. If you take care of your body, and we all take care of ourselves, you’d be surprised at what you can do approaching 40.” This isn’t the first time a New Kid has wanted to get back into fighting shape and reunite. In the past decade, each of the members has considered returning to the block. But it took the right timing for it to work (read: all five experienced simultaneous career stalls). Or to take the less cynical view: They needed the right song. Early last year, Knight went to a Celtics [team stats] game with Donnie Wahlberg and the two got to talking about finding the right music. A few months later, Wahlberg rang Knight with news. “He told me he had a song that was hot,” said Knight. “That same day, the same day he first listened to it, he drove over to my house and made me listen to it in his car. He told me, ‘Man, this could be the song that kicks it off.’ ” The song was Canadian r & b singer Nasri’s “Click Click Click.” “It really appealed to what the New Kids were about,” said Knight. “It was mature, It was sexy. It wasn’t too pop or too r & b, but right in the middle. If anyone was to say, ‘You guys are getting back together? I don’t see how that could possibly be.’ I could go, ‘Oh, yeah?’ Boom! And play them this song. “Click Click Click” led to more songs, including current single “Summertime,” and an album release slated to coincide with their September tour.If you’re getting acid wash flashbacks, remember: There’s one key difference between 1989 and now. The New Kids are mounting their comeback without former svengali Maurice Starr, who also created Boston’s New Edition. Knight says the group and Starr parted amicably and he still talks to Starr every once in a while (“Hey, he came to my wedding,” Knight said). But no one in the group has heard from the now Florida-based Starr since getting back together. “I do know what’d he say though,” said Knight with a laugh. “He’d tell me, ‘Hey, J, I got an opening act for you.’ ” - jgottlieb@bostonherald.com
nkotbthing.com UK BBC 05.16.2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk
HUNDREDS WATCH NEW KIDS COMEBACK Reunited boy band New Kids on the Block have performed together for the first time in 15 years. Hundreds of fans watched the group sing a medley of their hits, including Right Stuff and Hangin' Tough, at the Rockefeller Plaza in New York. Joey McIntyre said: "I think the story is the fans more than anything and that's what makes us feel so good." The band also sang their new single Summertime during their performance for TV network NBC's Today programme. ' Brotherhood' Some fans had been waiting for 48 hours so they were able to get the best view of the group - brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and McIntyre - on stage. Karen Alexander, 29, travelled from Virginia to see them. "It was absolutely amazing. New Kids are back. The singing, the dancing, they are going to take over the world," she said. Radio 1 Newsbeat's Sima Kotecha, who was there, said: "You could hardly hear yourself speak because the screaming was so loud. "The atmosphere was buzzing and it was surprising to see so many people out even though it was cold and raining." Wahlberg was the one who suggested the group get back together, but he told the crowd he did not want to "take credit for it". He said: "If we weren't getting along, if we couldn't record in the studio together and honestly if the fans didn't want it, it may not have happened. "We found a great record, we recorded it and the brotherhood was still there." Wood compared the experience of reuniting like "riding a bike". The group are releasing Summertime ahead of a North American tour which starts in September.
Hundreds of fans had queued to see the reformed group. New Kids on the Block will tour North America in September
nkotbthing.com USA MTV 05.16.2008 http://newsroom.mtv.com
NEW KIDS PERFORM LIVE, MAKE OUR INTERN’S DREAMS COME TRUE There are some things that we don’t understand about our intern Rya. To wit: how is it possible that someone obsessed with “Gossip Girl” can also be a Blockhead? Yes, that’s right — our “GG” expert is also a huge fan of New Kids on the Block, which explains why she woke up at the crack of dawn this morning: This morning, Manhattan’s renowned Rockefeller Center became Block-efeller center — a strip of city blocks packed with grown women who came from all ends of the Earth to witness an event a decade-and-a-half in the making: the triumphant return of the hottest pop group of yesteryear, New Kids on the Block. A month after an older, sleeker incarnation of the five men from Boston was unveiled, another curtain dropped – this time, a banner with the band’s new logo. The band performed a medley of their greatest hits and their newest cut as a part of the “Today” Summer Concert Series. Naturally, yours truly was on the scene. I was there for the very same reason many other women were in the audience: to see a band that they were far too young to see in concert during their heyday. Quite frankly, I felt all too much like my four-year-old self as I scrambled for a better view (or for that matter, any view), got pushed around my much older fans wearing NKOTB shirts (some threadbare, presumably from being worn in heavy rotation two decades ago), yearned for face time with Joey, and sang along far too loudly to songs I didn’t realize I still knew by heart… I got to Blockefeller Center at an ungodly 6:00 am. However, the show’s outdoor plaza had long been teeming with Blockheads, evident by all the folding chairs, New Kid blankies, and McDonald’s bags that lined 48th Street. A line of people trying to get into the pit in front of the stage snaked around the block, and the lucky first few were allowed in to watch rehearsal. Rehearsal! As space the pit reached halfcapacity, it was only then that fans who began waiting at midnight were being allowed in. They were a full six hours ahead of me. I never had a chance. At 8:40, the group was set to perform. Every once in a while, the band would start to play, causing grown women to shriek at dog-whistle decibels. I was finally settled into my barricaded section far, far from the stage and becoming acquainted with fellow fans who had traveled from as far away as Virginia and Florida for the historic event. Soon, rehearsals began during commercial breaks, and the excitement mounted as a collective realization dawned on the crowd that ohmygod! this is really happening! The performance was in a word, majestic — on par with a very surreal, delicious meal. For appetizers, the Kids served a medley of their greatest hits. The first verse of “Step By Step” turned into the “oooooh-ooohhoohhh-ooooh-oh!” refrain from “Hangin’ Tough” — but not before Donnie’s voice cracked as he called out to the audience.
nkotbthing.com Adorable! We love you anyway! After a quick dance break, the group shed their matching blazers, and they were down to untucked shirts and sneakers. The look was more “with-it real estate broker” than “pop icons with a vengeance.” To stand out as the group’s resident bad boy, Donnie donned a baseball cap. Joey then donned his signature top hat and serenaded with a section from “Please Don’t Go, Girl,” before the group launched into the obviously amazing crowd-pleaser “The Right Stuff.” After another break, they returned for the main course, their latest single “Summertime.” Quite frankly, had this been an actual meal, I would’ve sent it back to the kitchen — but I’m afraid of Blockheads, and therefore, that’s all I’ll say about that. And at long last: dessert! Donnie dedicated this number to “all the fans who weathered the rain” (such cordial words from the man who taught me the importance of fire safety), and Jordan got on the keyboard for a rousing rendition of “Tonight.” On the “Today” show — get it!? Concept number! Truth be told, I can’t objectively tell you how rousing it was, because I found myself plunged into some kind of estrogen-rich sing-along. Security guards were dancing; the woman standing in front of me announced to the crowd that she was going to leave her boyfriend for Joey; the man standing next to me continuously professed his love for Jordan; and the song became indelibly carved into my brain. I am still humming “Tonight” as I write this. Thanks, New Kids!!
nkotbthing.com USA THE MONITOR 05.16.2008 http://www.themonitor.com
SCENE & HEARD: BEST DAY IN 15 YEARS... Miriam Ramirez
I'm still perspiring. I set the alarm at the crack of dawn this morning because I knew I didn't want to miss this! It was New Kids on the Block in their first performance in 15 years. Be still my heart. Fans waited for this day in great anticipation since rumors hit the street back in February. I had to see it to believe it. Then in early April they came on the Today Show on NBC officially announcing their plans for a reunion. Meanwhile their Web site resurrected and hints of new material also surfaced. A few weeks ago their single "Summertime" found its way around the Web and of course, on to my MySpace page. It was fun, flirty and destined to be my summer anthem. Their voices zapped me back to 1989 when Joe McIntyre was just a baby-faced teenager and Jordan Knight had all the girls swooning. I don't know what I expected with their new stuff. I wasn't a huge fan of the Face the Music era and knew at that time their star was beginning to fade. I didn't know HOW much I loved them until this morning. I don't think I have jumped that high in years. I think my neighbors thought someone was being murdered in my apartment...judging by the yelps and shrieks tearing through the paper-thin walls. I didn't care. There they were, back on the stage that's rightfully theirs. The 'Kids, now grown men haven't aged a bit. But I'm sure someone encouraged them to get back into shape. Both Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg (sigh) shed a few pounds and looked better than ever. My other favorite Joey Mac was still a heart throb. He busted out that adorable and trademark bucket hat and I couldn't contain myself any longer. His baby blue eyes, his Colgate smile...melt. The original boy band played a medley of their greatest hits "Hangin' Tough, " "Please Don't Go Girl" and closed their 30-minute set with "Tonite". I didn't want this morning to end!!! My boyfriend, a tough critic all around, says the guys look pretty good for the time they've spent away from the limelight and that he didn't understand how they managed to keep the same fans so transfixed. He just doesn't understand us New Kids fans. I may not have a husband or family or wear a business suit every day but like many of them, I'm almost 30 and still as crazy for them as ever. They are hittin' the road this summer and through the end of the year. No plans for a Texas date just yet. And so far a lot of their shows around the country have sold out. My girlfriends and I are already planning a road trip. (I still haven't gotten over the fact that I missed their 30second show in Mission). NKOTB here we come!!!
nkotbthing.com USA TIMES SQUARE BILLBOARD 05.16.2008 PHOTO AGENCIES
nkotbthing.com USA MACYS 05.16.2008 PHOTO AGENCIES
nkotbthing.com USA MAVRIXONLINE 05.16.2008 www.mavrixonline.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ARE BACK! Jordan, Jonathan, Donnie, Joey and Danny are back! New Kids on the Block, seen here at today's press conference, formally made their comeback in a performance on the "Today" show this morning after 15 years. Even in dreary, rainy weather, the turnout was one of the largest in the show's history proving their fans are still as eager to hear them as ever. And, today on "Ellen," Justin Timberlake mentioned that attending a New Kids concert when he was a kid eventually led to his becoming a member of *NSYNC!
nkotbthing.com USA INTERSCOPE 05.16.2008 http://www.interscope.com/artist
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR Posted 5/16/2008 by IGA
Today the New Kids On The Block have announced their North American Tour Dates! In conjunction with Ticketmaster, tickets will be available with a special MP3 Album package. By adding the package to your order you will get an instant bonus MP3 of their new single "Summertime". As an added bonus, the package will come with an additional audio program; "The Making Of The Album". This amazing featurette includes an interview with the group talking about each song on their upcoming album!
BUY YOUR TICKETS AND MP3 PACKAGE TODAY! Dates below: Fri 9/19 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center Sat 9/20 Montreal, QC Bell Centre Sun 9/21 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center Tue 9/23 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center Wed 9/24 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Fri 9/26 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden Sat 9/27 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel and Casino Event Center Sun 9/28 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden Tue 9/30 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Thu 10/2 Washington DC Verizon Center Fri 10/3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena Sat 10/4 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Wed 10/8 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Fri 10/10 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion Sat 10/11 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Mon 10/13 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center Thu 10/16 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Fri 10/17 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center Sun 10/19 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Tue 10/21 Minneapolis, MN Xcel Energy Center Wed 10/22 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center Fri 10/24 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Sat 10/25 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills Mon 10/27 New York City, NY Madison Square Garden Wed 10/29 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center Sat 11/1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center Sun 11/2 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum Wed 11/5 Philadelphia, PA Spectrum Tue 11/11 Kansas City, KS Sprint Center Fri 11/14 Denver, CO Broomfield Event Center Sat 11/15 Salt Lake City, UT E Center Mon 11/17 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place Fri 11/21 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place Sat 11/22 Seattle, WA Tacoma Dome Sun 11/23 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena Wed 11/26 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena
***** DATES AND CITIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE ***** CLICK HERE FOR ON SALE, VIP PACKAGES AND MORE INFORMATION! Âť www.ticketmaster.com
nkotbthing.com USA DAILY CAMERA 05.16.2008 http://www.dailycamera.com
REUNITED NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK COMING TO BROOMFIELD Camera staff Eighties pop sensations New Kids on the Block are bringing their reunion tour to the Broomfield Event Center on Nov. 14. Tickets for the concert will go on sale June 9, although prices have not yet been announced. The group, which formed in the early 1980s and broke up in 1994 after selling a reported 70 million albums, includes Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight. They performed this morning on NBC's "Today" show for the first time in more than 15 years. The band New Kids On The Block appear on NBC's "Today" television show in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
nkotbthing.com Donnie Wahlberg performs with New Kids On The Block on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008. Donnie
Wahlberg, left, and Jordan Knight perform with New Kids On The Block on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
The band New Kids On The Block perform on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
The band New Kids On The Block perform on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
Jordan Knight, left, Joey McIntyre, center, and Jonathan Knight perform with New Kids On The Block on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
The band New Kids On The Block, from left, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight, and Jordan Knight perform on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
Joey McIntyre performs with New Kids On The Block on NBC's "Today" in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Friday, May 16, 2008.
nkotbthing.com USA ACCESS HOLLYWOOD 05.16.08 http://www.accesshollywood.com
NKOTB ADD NEW DATES AFTER TOUR SELLS OUT New Kids on the Block have expanded their tour after their original string of dates sold out in minutes. The band – Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight — will kick off their tour September 19 in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre and criss-cross their way through Canada and the United States before wrapping things up at the San Diego Sports Arena on November 26. On Friday, the band performed live for the first time in 15 years on the “Today” show to thousands of fans who had camped out overnight to see them. Lynne Spears, mother of Britney Spears was also in the audience, according to OK!. Friday, September 19 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre Saturday, September 20 Montreal, QC Bell Centre Sunday, September 21 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre Tuesday, September 23 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center Wednesday, September 24 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Friday, September 26 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Saturday, September 27 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Sunday, September 28 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Tuesday, September 30 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Thursday, October 2 Washington, DC Verizon Center Friday, October 3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena Saturday, October 4 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Wednesday, October 8 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Friday, October 10 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion Saturday, October 11 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Monday, October 13 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center Thursday, October 16 Houston, TX Toyota Center Friday, October 17 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
Sunday, October 19 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Tuesday, October 21 Minneapolis, MN Xcel Energy Center Wednesday, October 22 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center Friday, October 24 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Saturday, October 25 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills Monday, October 27 New York City, NY Madison Square Garden Wednesday, October 29 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center Saturday, November 1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Sunday, November 2 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum Wednesday, November 5 Philadelphia, PA Spectrum Tuesday, November 11 Kansas City, KS Sprint Center Friday, November 14 Denver, CO Broomfield Event Center Saturday, November 15 Salt Lake City, UT E Center Monday, November 17 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place Friday, November 21 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place Saturday, November 22 Seattle, WA Tacoma Dome Sunday, November 23 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena Wednesday, November 26 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena 10/4/08 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
nkotbthing.com USA HONEST TO BLOG 05.16.08 ttp://jillybn01.wordpress.com
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD…. Okay, so today was the big day, the day that New Kids On The Block performed on stage for the first time in fifteen years. Jordan started off pretty shaking on the opening lyrics of Step by Step, but quickly found his way with help from Donnie, Joey Mac, Jonathan and Danny. Wow! I really was taken back. I talked to a few of my friends, Nicola, also a big fan of NKOTB from back in the day, and she was also impressed. Especially with Donnie D. Alona sent me a comment and was amazed that they are back and ready to attack! My friend Lauren at work got the chills when she watched their performance. My friend Jordan from Chicago said that her mom would not let her go to the concert when she was in fifth grade. When I asked her if she would see them now, she said, the reunion tour is the perfect place for her to make up for lost time and drink alcohol! I checked the NKOTB website. Which is appropriately www.NKOTB.com and the boys are actually playing THE STAPLES CENTER in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 8th. THE STAPLES CENTER! They haven’t played in fifteen years, FIFTEEN YEARS, and they are still able to book, and will probably come close to selling out the STAPLES CENTER. The show in Toronto sold out in four minutes. FOUR MINUTES!! Apparently, NKOTB reuniting is right up there with reunions of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Police or The Eagles, obviously and especially for the ladies of my generation. . Many NKOTB fans are now married, some with kids and established careers. But obviously there is something comes over all of us, this undeniable feeling you get inside when you see Jordan, Joe, Donnie, Danny, and Jonathan on stage and hear those famous lyrics “Oh Oh Ohhhhh Ohhhhh”. We have all come running back and we are screaming our faces off! Meredith Viera and Matt Lauer on the Today show were in SHOCK of how many people actually came from all over to watch them perform. They said it was probably the most people they ever had turn out for a concert. Every fan was there to scream and sing along and go completely ga-ga over the first boys they ever loved! My boyfriend Eli said it reminds him of the movie Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant where he plays at the amusement park and all the older women are singing along and he’s embarrassed that this is what his music career has come to. Well, that was not the case for the 5 guys from Beantown. The turnout was huge, the fans camped out for days, and the reception they received was amazing! I want to have a big reunion with my friends down in South Florida to see the show on November 1st, in Ft. Lauderdale. I can’t think of a better pre-30th birthday present they singing along with all the lyrics of Step by Step, Please Don’t Go Girl, I’ll Be Loving You Forever, any all the other hits with my friends from back in the day, that still remain my friends today. So Nicola, Rachel, Jen, Alona, Teresa, Denise, Danielle, everyone else that wants to relive the Magic Summer Tour, Let’s do this!!! It’s a Saturday night, November 1st. I’m ready to click purchase on the plane ticket. Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 31st! Who’s with me??
nkotbthing.com NOTHING LIKE NOSTALGIA I understand there are very important topics that are happening, and I want you all to know that I don’t discount them at all. I feel horrible for the people of China and Myanmar and the tragedies that have struck, but I am not a qualified journalist nor am I an expert on natural disasters, so I stick to what I know. And what I know is…pop culture. This week many wonderful things are happening in the arena of pop culture. Most importantly is that of the REUNION OF NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!! Yes, the band millions of young girls once cheered and screamed for as a virginal, not-even-wearing-training-bras-yet eleven-year-olds is back! They have a new single, called “Summertime” which you can listen to here myspace.com/jillybn01 They are even performing this Friday on the Today Show. I do not hesitate to tell you that I belong to the fan club, the new one, and was teased with a “possible invitation” to watch their dress rehearsal at the House of Blues in Hollywood last night. However, my “possible invitation” must have got lost in cyberspace, because I did not receive the formal invite. Woe is me, but I do move on in times like these. However, I do feel very connected to this reunion for many reasons: 1) My first real crushes that I openly admitted to were on members of NKOTB, first Jordan Knight and then Joey-Joe 2) I still have my NKOTB official hat (about 18 years later)- it’s black with hot pink and flourescent green and their fake signatures all over it 3) Hangin’ Tough is an undeniable catchy song that even my current boyfriend (who happens to be a musician) sings on occasion 4) Each one of my friends and I could have their very own New Kid, depending on who called who, unfortunately, for Danny Wood, he never got picked…Rachel Bock (Rapps) you still have Jonathan Knight But most importantly the reason I still hold NKOTB near and dear to my heart is because I had a VERY inside tip over a year ago that this might happen. I was working at the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational and checking-in the many players who were invited to attend. As a man approached me with a hat, sunglasses (keep in mind it was 8:00pm and inside) and a black polo shirt that said “Hollywood Park Poker” I asked to check his photo I.D. I glanced down to the name and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. When I saw the name on his California driver’s license… Donald Wahlberg, my heart went a flutter. I couldn’t believe that a real, live New Kid was standing before me. I immediately lost all coolness and reverted back to the same frame of mind I had during the Magic Summer Tour of ‘91 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. I blurted, “Oh my God Donnie, I’m so sorry. (for not recognizing him immediately) Followed by, “I saw you in concert when I was twelve!” I couldn’t believe that I just said that. Keep in mind, I was technically working and sitting directly next to my boss, who had told me not even twenty minutes before, “Jillian, you are going to see a lot of famous people tonight, and I realize this is your first celebrity event, but please try and remain professional.” Well that went out the door pretty quickly. But come on, it was a NEW KID who gave me his I.D.!! It was obvious that Donnie was loving it. He grinned and replied, “Well how old are you now?” “28″. Then he very suavely asked, “What’s your name?” “Jillian!” I eagerly responded with a huge smile across my face. Then Donnie, casually and ever so sexy told me, “Well Jillian, you know we might be making a comeback, so look out for us.” To which I responded like a starstruck teenager “Okay, I will totally be there!” And off Donnie-D went to play hours upon hours of poker. So…the day it was announced that they were officially going to reunite, record new songs and go on tour again, I had this overwhelming feeling of happiness inside knowing that Donnie-D told me first.
nkotbthing.com USA ETONLINE 05.16.2008 www.etonline.com
NEW PIC: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK'S MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Copyright 2008 5WPR /
NKOTB gets immortalized by Hint Water. Hint Water celebrated the 20th anniversary of the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK by creating a limited edition tribute bottle. The souvenir drinks were passed out to fans this a.m., who were waiting for the reunited boy band to perform in concert on the plaza for "Today."
nkotbthing.com USA TAYLORS ENTERTAIMENT NEWS 05.18.2008 http://taylorsentertainmentnews.com
HINT WATER PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK by Taylor Blue Hint water has decided to pay tribute to New Kids On The Block’s 20th Anniversary of the release of the album Hanging Tough with these tribute bottles…now if that sentence didn’t make any sense it’s because I can’t help but think that I’m damn old… TWENTY YEARS??? OMG!!! They ended up passing out these bottles at the performance they did for the Today Show on Friday.
nkotbthing.com USA POPCRUNCH 05.16.2008 http://popcrunch.com
HINT WATER NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK LIMITED EDITION TRIBUTE BOTTLE Hint Water is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of New Kids on the Block’s landmark album, “Hangin Tough,” by creating a limited edition tribute bottle. The collectible drinks were passed out to fans who were waiting for the reunited boy band to perform on the Today Show Summer Concert Series on Friday.
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05 16 2008 www.rollingstone.com
LIVE BLOGGING NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK'S VISIT TO ROLLING STONE Now here in the Rolling Stone office: New Kids on the Block!! Everyone’s here: Donnie, Jordan, Danny, Joey, and the other guy! Like, OMG, best ever, right!! We’re turning to our correspondent who will live blog the event here in the RS offices: 12:10 PM: NKOTB arrives here in the RS conference room. Several female staffers mob the guys and pull off Donnie’s baseball cap, revealing a…pet rat named Barnaby 12:20 PM: Joey says his three favorite things are cars, pasta, and long, slow kisses. Two girls faint. 12:28 PM: Donnie says he's just looking to settle down and raise a family with a woman who can be "sweet to my mother." Five girls faint. 12:31 PM: Jordan rescues a kitten that has been lodged in a heating vent above the conference room. Nine girls faint. 12:35 PM: A bored Danny bench presses the entire staff of
US Weekly. Men’s Journal offers him a cover on the spot. 12:45 PM: Donnie reveals that on their next record, NKOTB will be working with Jon Brion and Brian Eno. 12:47 PM: Donnie says he was lying. 12:49 PM: Joey is asked what his desert island album would be. He says it would be an album of songs written by an 8-year-old girl who passed away just after recording the record. Fourteen girls faint. 12:52 PM: Danny punches someone in the head for a laugh. That girl faints. 12:54 PM: Joey says he was just kidding about the dead 8-year-old girl’s album. He’d just bring The
Chronic by Dr. Dre. 12:56 PM: Jordan adopts a puppy. 12:58 PM: A girl gives Donnie a wreath she made out of her hair and dried tears. Donnie says, "I already got too many of these." 12:59 PM: Jordan’s puppy gives birth to puppies. Twenty girls faint. 1 PM: The boys leave with a medley of "Hangin' Tough," "Step by Step," and a cover of Dylan's "Isis."
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05 16 2008 www.rollingstone.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK VISIT RS:
AN ALTERNATE (FEMALE) TAKE Aside from the free Dunkin Donuts we get every other Friday, one of the major perks of working at Rolling Stone is eating lunch with celebs. Every couple of weeks, someone famous — be it Snoop Dogg, Conan O’Brien or William Shatner — drops by our cozy boardroom to chow down and chat about whatever new project they’re working on. Depending on the guest of honor, these noontime affairs are either attended by lots of ad people and RS editors, or lots ad people and a few RS editors in search of a free sandwich. Either way, they're pretty predictable: there's always a Q&A session, polite laughter at the guests' jokes, and enough chicken-caeser wraps to go around. Yesterday's lunch was different: cameras were flashing, bodyguards were flexing, estrogen was pumping — and all the wraps got eaten. The New Kids on the Block were in the house. The NKs — who are in their mid- to late thirties and thus not so N anymore — popped in to promote their reunion, which includes a U.S. tour kicking off tomorrow in New Jersey and a new album due out this fall. It's been fifteen years since NKOTB was on anyone's pop-culture radar, but that mattered not to the masses of screaming women in the room, who whooped, batted their eyelashes, and elbowed each other out of the way to catch a glimpse of the fivesome as they entered the room. I'm ashamed to admit that my heart, too, was a-flutter. If I hadn't been so busy fanning myself and craning my neck to see Jordan Knight, my first crush [ed. note: he hasn't changed much since 1990, when his face graced my pillowcase], I would've witnessed the fascinating phenomena of grown women completely reverting back to their adolescent selves. When the room finally quieted down (save for periodically uttered sighs), the New Kids spoke. What they said, I couldn't tell you — some business about the reunion, probably. I was too busy staring into Jordan’s big, brown eyes.
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nkotbthing.com USA YOUTUBE 2008 05 17 www.yuotube.com/nkotdotcom
NKOTB 2008. TWO GIRLS AND A CUP.
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05 17 2008 http://blog.myspace.com
NEW TOUR DATES! CLICK HERE FOR ON SALE INFO, VIP PACKAGES and MORE! 2 MORE DATES have been added. They are: * November 10 - St. Louis MO @ SCOTTRADE CENTER * November 12 - Omaha NE @ QUEST CENTER The show in Phoenix on October 13th has been moved to the JOBING.COM Arena in Glendale, AZ Sun 10/19 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Fri 9/19 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center Tue 10/21 Minneapolis, MN Xcel Energy Center Sat 9/20 Montreal, QC Bell Centre Wed 10/22 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center Sun 9/21 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center Fri 10/24 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Tue 9/23 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center Wed 9/24 Uniondale, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial ColiseumSat 10/25 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills Mon 10/27 New York City, NY Madison Square Garden Fri 9/26 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden Wed 10/29 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center Sat 9/27 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel and Casino Event Center Sat 11/1 Ft. Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center Sun 9/28 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden Sun 11/2 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum Tue 9/30 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Wed 11/5 Philadelphia, PA Spectrum Thu 10/2 Washington DC Verizon Center Tue 11/11 Kansas City, KS Sprint Center Fri 10/3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena Fri 11/14 Denver, CO Broomfield Event Center Sat 10/4 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena Sat 11/15 Salt Lake City, UT E Center Wed 10/8 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Mon 11/17 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place Fri 10/10 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion Fri 11/21 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place Sat 10/11 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Sat 11/22 Seattle, WA Tacoma Dome Mon 10/13 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena Sun 11/23 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena Thu 10/16 Houston, TX Toyota Center Wed 11/26 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena Fri 10/17 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
***** DATES AND CITIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE *****
nkotbthing.com USA USA TODAY 05.17.2008 PRINTED NEWSPAPER
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD 05.17.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
NEW KIDS USE OLD TRICKS TO THRILL FANS By Lauren Carter
New Kids mania has officially shifted into high gear. Yesterday morning the newly reunited New Kids on the Block gave their first performance in 15 years outside the “Today” show studios to a throng of screaming fans, many of whom had weathered rain and a night outside in the New York streets to gain access to the gig. “It’s crazy out here!” Al Roker said from beneath his umbrella. Pretty much. The only thing stranger than seeing Meredith Vieira bouncing along to “Step by Step” was realizing how many fans the Kids still have and how very, very devoted they are. You could say the performance was, umm, well-received. Round One of the lovefest included snippets of NKOTB’s biggest hits from yesteryear, including “Please Don’t Go Girl,” “Hangin’ Tough” and a reggaeton version of “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” At one point, Jordan Knight looked slightly amused by the circumstances, and it was hard not to agree. Smiling fans screamed and swayed in unison as Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood played wingmen to focal points Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. The group later broke out “Summertime,” the first single off their forthcoming album. The fans already knew all the words. The grown-up Kids wore black suits, broke out some lame synchronized dance moves and came through with some slightly above-average singing. But based on fan reaction, you would have thought they’d brought world peace. The group, with more than 80 million albums sold worldwide, looks poised to raise that number considerably in 2K8.
Photo by AP New Kids On The Block, from left, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight appear on NBC’s ‘Today’ show in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza, yesterday.
nkotbthing.com CANADA THE DAILY GLEANER 05.17.2008 http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com
THEY’RE BACK ON THE BLOCK Together again: A huge crowd showed up to hear the group New Kids On The Block — from left, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight — as they appeared on NBC’s Today television show in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza on Friday.
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM 103.5 Chicago 05.17.2008 http://1035kissfm.com
THEN& NOW "We just started recording because we wanted to and because we were ready," Joe McIntyre said of the NKOTB reunion. "We started doing this from the ground up-just us."
THEN: November 29, 1968. Jonathan Rashleigh Knight is born. NOW: The eldest member of the group, who told Oprah he suffered severe panic attacks, went into the real estate business.
THEN: May 14,1969. Daniel William Wood is born NOW: The divorced father of four runs his own label, Damage, and has released three solo albums.
nkotbthing.com THEN: On August 17, 1969. Donnie E. Wahlberg, Jr. is born. NOW: The divorced father of two enjoyed a producing career as well as an impressive TV (Runaway) and movie career (SAW, Annapolis).
THEN: May 17,1970. Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight is born. NOW: After the New Kids disbanded, Jordan released a self-titled solo album in 1999 and Love Songs in 2006. In 2007, he starred in The Surreal Life. He has two children, Dante and Eric.
THEN: December, 31, 1972. Joseph Mulrey McIntyre is born. NOW: Joey enjoyed a successful solo career with six albums and starred in Boston Legal and Dancing with the Stars. He also appeared on Broadway's Wicked. He and wife Barrett welcomed son, Griffin Thomas in 2007.
nkotbthing.com A TO Z NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PHOTOS After 15 years, it's official. Check out everything you already know about NKOTB and feel like a teenager again. Boston, the boys' hometown. Calling it quits. Though Face the Music was widely regarded as the band's best effort, it did not sell as well as their previous albums. The group parted ways in 1994. Danny. Wood, 39, a break dancer, was one of the first to be recruited for the band by former William M. Trotter Elementary classmate, Donnie. Everything New Kids: The buttons and the pins and the loud fanare! They graced magazine covers, pillowcases, sleeping bags, and lunchboxes. They had a line of dolls, trading cards and a hotline (you know you called it more than once). Flop. Hard to believe, but their first self-titled album was a disaster, initially selling a reported 90,000 copies. G-rated. Parents loved the band too because of their anti-drug messages. "We never got together and said we were going to be good role models," Wahlberg said in 1989. "When we say no to drugs, it's from seeing people around us using them." Hangin' Tough. Their second album produced classics such as "Please Don’t Go Girl," "Hangin' Tough," "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Cover Girl," and "I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)." They became the first teen act to have five top 10 hits from a single album. If You Go Away. The song, initially included on the band's foreign album, was not intended for American market. However, the hit found a place on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart anyway in 1992. Jamie Kelley. Who? Exactly. One of the first members, Jamie replaced Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg but was then replaced by Joey. Knights. Younger bro Jordan, sang vocals while the shy older Knight, Jon, was content to sing back-up. "I almost never sing lead vocals and it doesn't bother me," he has said. "With us knowing each other so long we're more a family than a business." Like a rolling stone? In 1990, their North American tour raked in $74.1 million, just behind the Rolling Stones' tour in 1989. Multiplatinum albums? Count FIVE. Names. No one but Maurice Starr liked the group's original name, Nynuk. The name was changed to New Kids on the Block, inspired by Donnie's rap of the same name. To give them an older vibe, they changed it to NKOTB around the time of Face the Music. Other nickname: The guys now jokingly call themselves, "The Block" since most of them have kids of their own!
nkotbthing.com Pioneers. The boys from Beantown paved the way for future boy bands like Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Boyz II Men, B2K, O-Town, and 98 Degrees. Quintet. 500 boys auditioned in the early 80s in Boston for a chance to be in Maurice Starr's new boy band. His dream was to create a "white" New Edition. He borrowed $12,000 from his mother to finance a promo video that would promote "Please Don't Go Girl." Romance. Jon Knight dated pop singer Tiffany. The singer invited the boys to open up for her on tour but soon after, she opened for them! Joe also joked that he kissed her too, just ten years later. Step by Step. The song was a song originally performed by the Superiors three years before the Kids released it. Let's just say the Kids' rendition performed better. The Blockheads. That's you! A quarter of a million of you tuned in to watch their pay-per-view concert in 1990. 18 years later, you waited all night for them to perform for the first time as a band in 15 years outside the Today Show in NYC-the show's biggest turnout ever! U.S. and beyond: According to Forbes, they were the world's highest-paid performers in 1991 ($115 million). Vindicated.The boys were accused of lip syncing in 1992, and fought the accusations. The accuser later admitted he fabricated the story. Wahlbergs. Donnie first caught the attention of Starr but his brother Mark, left the group. "It just wasn't me. I didn't fit," the former Funky Bunch singer said. Xtraordinary. Billboard named them top pop group in 1989, with the most combined charted albums and singles. Youngest member. Joey McIntyre, famous for "Please Don't Go Girl," was only 12 when he joined the group. Post-split, he had a successful solo career with his Top 20 hit "Stay the Same." Zillions. Well, not quite, but NKOTB sold over 70 million albums and grossed more than a billion dollars.
nkotbthing.com USA SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN 05.17.2008 www.semissourian.com
NEW (OLD) KIDS ARE BACK ON THE BLOCK By Chris Harris I had the commemorative cups. My sleeping bag had five giant faces on it. And yes, I had the Jordan doll. The New Kids on the Block are, uh, new again. They aren't kids anymore, but Joey, Jordan, Jonathan, Danny and Donnie are back together and looking good. They have posed for press photos and already appeared on the "Today Show" to officially announce their first attempt at a reunion after their demise in the mid-1990s. They have not, however, actually sung anything. Their as-yet untitled CD will be released this summer. Before that is a New Kids single, and the only thing set in stone is that their first performance will be May 16 on the "Today Show." Then they'll head off on an international tour this fall. Most will tell you NKOTB kicked off the boy band movement. Then came Backstreet Boys and N' Sync, among others, and a flurry of attempted solo acts by the members of the broken boy bands — boy band godfathers Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight (of NKOTB) even released solo albums. The group's announced return has brought long-dormant NKOTB ladies out of the woodwork like a flurry of kids on the playground just yearning to hang tough. Their official MySpace already has more than 9,000 friends. The comments come from people like "NKOTB Holland," "Jonathan Knight's Girl Forever!!," "Susan is Pumped about NKOTB Reunion" and "Jordan's princess is Jordan's cover girl." All their fans are "ready." It only took "Katherine" 15 minutes to post on their first official group photo taken after 14 years of absence: "This photo is amazing. This reunion is amazing. Life at this point, could not be ANY MORE AMAZING then it is right now! Ok that's a lie! MORE AMAZING will be seeing you live together again! Life is perfect. You have made so many dreams come true with this reunion! I hope you feel ready to take over the world again! And we can't wait to see you do it!" And reliving her teenage years, one 34-year-old woman ends her electronic equivalent of a glitter pen and poster board sign with "Smiles!" The New Kids are not kids anymore (they're all in their mid- to late 30s) and the band is not new. We're waiting to see if they break out the break dancing and actually sing their lyrics. Let's see if they have the right stuff this time. The fist time was a great time. Will the second time be a blast?
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05.17.2008 www.rollingstone.com
ZOOTOPIA 2008: JONAS BROTHERS, MILEY CYRUS, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AND MORE Zootopia marked New Kids on the Block's first official post-reunion concert. Their set was identical to last Friday morning's Today show appearance, but the five singers had worked out some of the kinks. The resulting performance revealed a self-aware boy band more concerned with having fun than achieving the perfect show, as evidenced by their goofball antics and raw enthusiasm.
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
After a greatest-hits medley — "Step By Step," "Hangin' Tough," "Please Don't Go Girl" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" — and the comeback single "Summertime," the band paused to celebrate Jordan Knight's 38th birthday and honor their fans. "This song is for you," Donnie Wahlberg proclaimed before "Tonight." "This album, this tour, everything we do from now on is to pay you back." Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
nkotbthing.com USA CONTACT MUSIC 05.17.2008 http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK BEGIN COMEBACK It may have been 15 years since their last performances together, but New Kids On The Block are showing their comeback is well and truly underway. Fans came out of the woodwork for their concert at New York's Rockefeller Plaza and, with another set for tomorrow in Boston, the early 90s boyband are clearly demonstrating they still have the Right Stuff. Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg will be seeking to cash in on their new success with a major North American tour this September and October. Starting in Toronto, Canada they will promote their new record, out at the same time, with comeback single Summertime the warm-up. The band members, who are all not quite as young as they used to be, have admitted getting back into the swing of things have proved something of a challenge. "It's like riding a mountain bike," they said. "The recording was easier. Then we started dance rehearsals - that took a few days for all of us to get acclimated. We're being tested though, today is a test of our determination." NKOTB rung up 70 million album sales during the late 80s and early 90s, with Hangin' Tough their biggest seller.
Pic: New Kids On The Block Z100s Zootopia 2008 Presented by Izod Fragrance - Press Room at the Izod Centre East Rutherford, NJ - 17.05.08
nkotbthing.com UK HELLO MAGAZINE 05.17.2008 http://www.hellomagazine.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK WOW THEIR FANS AT NY COMEBACK GIG Since American boy band New Kids on the Block announced that they were reforming, their fans have been eagerly waiting to see the quintet back on stage. On Friday, their dreams came true when the band performed together for the first time in 15 years. Ignoring the rain, hundreds of fans gathered at the Rockefeller Plaza in New York to see the boys perform a medley of their hits, including Right Stuff and Hangin' Tough, as well as their new single Summertime. And the group certainly didn't disappoint their loyal fans, some of who had been waiting more than 48 hours to make sure they got the best view of the boys. "It was absolutely amazing, New Kids are back," said 29-year-old Karen Alexander, who had travelled from Virginia to see the band. "The singing, the dancing - they are going to take over the world." The group – Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight – are set to release their new single ahead of a North American tour which kicks off in September.
The award-winning band enjoyed enormous success in the late 1980s & early 1990s, selling more than 70 million albums worldwide Photo: © Getty Images
Hundreds of fans turned out to see the fab five take to the stage for the first time in 15 years Photo: © Getty Images
nkotbthing.com USA NME FIRST FOR MUSIC NEWS 05.17.2008 http://www.nme.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PLAY FIRST GIG IN 15 YEARS Boy band play the hits on US show New Kids On The Block played their first gig in 15 years in New York yesterday (May 16). The band played a host of hits including Number One single 'You Got It (The Right Stuff)' and 'Hangin' Tough' along with new single 'Summertime' during a performance on US news programme The Today Show. Some fans queued for the gig 48 hours before the band were due to arrive on stage. The hugely successful American boy band are set to release 'Summertime' ahead of their North American tour which starts in September, reports BBC News. They broke up in 1994 and sold more than 70 million albums worldwide during their 10 years together from 1984. Original members include brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg, who has had a successful acting and producing career.
nkotbthing.com USA TWIN CITIES 05.17.2008 http://www.twincities.com
NEW KIDS ARE BACK! BOY BAND WILL PLAY X IN OCTOBER By Amy Carlson Gustafson Pioneer Press
In a quest to prove that they're still hangin' tough, the newly reunited New Kids on the Block are stopping in St. Paul for a gig at the Xcel Energy Center on Oct. 21. According to the band's Web site — nkotb.com — tickets for the St. Paul show go on sale June 2 at 10 a.m. The members of NKOTB — Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood — performed for the first time in 14 years on NBC's "Today" show Friday where they sang their new single "Summertime." NKOTB, who emerged on the pop music scene more than two decades ago, regrouped in April and soon after announced plans for a new album and a tour set to kick off Sept. 19 in Toronto. Since their break up in 1994, the band's members have gone on to do various music and non-music related projects. McIntyre, Jordan Knight and Wood participated in reality TV shows — McIntyre competed on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," Knight joined the cast of VH1's "The Surreal Life" and Wood was on MTV's "Totally Boyband." Jonathan Knight pursued a career in real estate and Donnie Wahlberg has had a successful acting career that included a role in HBO's "Band of Brothers" and various other TV and movie gigs.
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nkotbthing.com USA WMUR 05.18.2008 http://www.wmur.com
THE NEW KIDS ARE BACK! For New Kids On The Block fans, it's a dream come true. The five Boston-bred boys are back. This week, they release a single from their new CD and kick off a muchanticipated tour that includes a sold-out performance in Boston. "The new music we're making reignited this thing," explains Joey McIntyre on the NKOTB Web site. About the reunion, Donnie Wahlberg adds, "I want this to be redemption for the fans. I want them to feel entertained, to feel treated to something special. And I want them to be so satisfied by what they get that they'll realize they weren't crazy all those years ago -- that they put their heart into the right place back then and it was worth the wait to come back again."
SO NKOTB FANS, THIS PAGE IS FOR YOU! ENJOY THE PICTURES, TAKE THE QUIZ AND SURVEYS AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
Take This NKOTB Quiz! How well do you know the New Kids On The Block? Take this quiz and find out!
Share NKOTB Stories, Memories The New Kids On The Block reunion stirs up fond memories for many fans. Share your stories with other fans here.
Fans: Upload Your New Kids Pics! Are you a huge New Kids fan? Have the pictures to prove it? Share them here with other fans! Click here to see the pictures!
Images: Where Are They Now? Who stayed in music? Who's in movies? Who's kicking back on the farm? Find out here.
Favorite New Kid? Song? Who is your favorite member of New Kids On The Block? Vote here! What was your favorite New Kids song? Vote here!
nkotbthing.com EXCLUSIVE BACKSTAGE NKOTB VIDEOS! Before the performance, NKOTB clown for tHe camera.
nkotbthing.com A FAN GETS A BACKSTAGE PHOTO
Plus, craving fried clams, anyone?
NKOTB: EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS Check out exclusive photos from NKOTB's interview with Chronicle's Mary Richardson
nkotbthing.com WATCH NKOTB SPECIAL ON CHRONICLE!
nkotbthing.com USA WMUR 05.18.2008 http://www.wmur.com
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: PART ONE Chronicle's Mary Richardson had exclusive backstage access to the New Kids on the Block
nkotbthing.com USA WMUR 05.18.2008 http://www.wmur.com
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: PART TWO Chronicle's Mary Richardson had exclusive backstage access to the New Kids on the Block
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nkotbthing.com USA VH1 BEST WEEK EVER 05.19.08 http://www.bestweekever.tv/
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WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE CAMP OUT FOR NKOTB? We sent out a crack team of photographers out to document the insane line that queud up outside of The Today Show studios in anticipation of the New Kids On The Block Reunion Concert, in an effort to answer the question: What Sort of People Camp Out for a New Kids On The Block Concert? We think we’ve narrowed it down:
People Who Have Donnie Wahlberg Spraypainted on Denim Jackets
People With Big Mams
People Who Sleep Under Umbrellas
People Who Ignore Well-Dressed Japanese Businessmen
People Who Hold Onto Things For Decades, Like This Incredible Donnie Doll
People Who Forgot To Add “Glitter = $144″ To Their Expense List
nkotbthing.com Folks Who Have Purchased Jackets From 1989’s Answer to Michelangelo
Cougars & Their Daughters
People Who Dream Big
Really Ambitious South Americans People Who Will Be Sleeping on a Bare Mattress Punsters
People With The Most Awesome Necklace Ever
nkotbthing.com USA MTV NEWSROOM 05.19.08 http://www.mtv.com/
NOT-SO-NEW KIDS TALK REASON FOR REUNION, FALL TOUR & THE JONAS BROTHERS John Norris There’s a moment at the beginning of the NKOTB’s reunion single “Summertime” where Joe McIntyre utters the words “Jones Beach, 1988.” Weird. That is almost exactly the time and place that I first met New Kids on the Block. They were one of the earliest interviews I ever did for MTV News, and there were plenty of interviews, news pieces, and even a half-hour show after that. But now, 15 years after they went their separate ways — branching off into acting (Donnie), solo careers (Jordan, Joe, Danny), real estate (Jon), and families with “new kids” of their own (several of them) — I think the last thing I ever expected was to be talking to them again, as a group. But never say never. Saturday evening, in a backstage dressing room at New Jersey’s Izod Center, there they were, the New 30-Something Men on the Block, getting ready to take the stage as part of radio station Z-100’s annual teen scream extravaganza, Zootopia. We were all a good bit older than the last time I sat down with them, and it was a surreal moment — but good surreal. The New Kids on their upcoming tour, the reason for reuniting now, and latest teen phenom the Jonas Brothers, after the jump. Their abbreviated set at Zootopia was the same one they had done the day before on the “Today” show, and would repeat on Sunday at another radio station show in Boston: most of the old hits crammed into a medley, plus “Summertime” and their rather self-congratulatory 1990 hit “Tonight.” A truncated offering for those old Blockheads from back in the day. But the guys promise that when they do their full tour in the fall they’ll do the old songs in their entirety, though Jordan said some may be “changed up a bit.” Among the things we discussed in a half-hour was the big question, Why do this now? After so many others had tried to get NKOTB to reunite over the years, including VH1 (to no avail), what was different this time? Donnie said that was the point: that they decided to do it themselves, and that it wasn’t some outside entity trying to make a quick buck on a fleeting “comeback.” He said this time it just felt “real.” Plus, there’s a nearly completed new album — that was important too, he said, so as not to make this solely about reviving the oldies. The music business has, of course, changed monumentally since the New Kids’ heyday, and we talked about that — plus the fact that they still have fans who even at 30 or 35 will camp out overnight for days on end just to see them, and what the New Kids make of the current princes of teen scream, the Jonas Brothers. “I wouldn’t give them any advice, Donnie said, “except have a good show.” Check back with MTVNews.com in the coming days for all that and more. And never say never.
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05 19 2008 www.rollingstone.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK SPEAK OUT ON UPCOMING TOUR, ALBUM During a visit to the RS offices last week before their big Today show comeback performance, New Kids on the Block sat down to chat about what can be expected of their new album, what’s in store for their upcoming tour and what their experience has been with Korean school girls. Click above for all the stories from Jordan, Joey, Jonathan, Donnie and Danny. [Video: Pete Maiden]
nkotbthing.com USA ZOOTOPIA Z100 SHOWROOOM 05.19.2008 PHOTO AGENCIES
nkotbthing.com USA ROLLING STONES 05 19 2008 www.rollingstone.com
JONAS BROTHERS, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, MILEY CYRUS EARN FANS’ SHRIEKS AT ZOOTOPIA A glance around New Jersey’s Izod Center during Saturday night’s Z100 Zootopia show revealed a divided audience: there were teenage girls clutching Jonas Brothers T-shirts, tote bags and posters, and onetime-teenage girls decked out in the same attire for the recently reunited New Kids on the Block. The Jonas gang kicked off the night to earsplitting shrieks with a half-hour set of carefully choreographed rock & roll moves, down to Kevin Jonas’ guitar spins. In addition to “Look Me in the Eyes,” “S.O.S.” and “That’s Just the Way We Roll,” the Jonases tossed in A-Ha’s “Take On Me,” a song it’s safe to say almost no one in the crowd realized was a cover. Though more than a half-dozen acts would take the stage after the Jonas Brothers, the crowd kept screeching their excitement anytime the Jersey trio’s mugs graced the arena’s screens or were mentioned by the station’s DJs. Halfway through the nearly four-hour show the night’s other anticipated moment arrived: New Kids on the Block’s first official post-reunion concert. Their set was identical to last Friday morning’s Today show appearance, but the five singers had worked out some of the kinks. The resulting performance revealed a self-aware boy band more concerned with having fun than achieving the perfect show, as evidenced by their goofball antics and raw enthusiasm. After a greatest-hits medley — “Step By Step,” “Hangin’ Tough,” “Please Don’t Go Girl” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” — and the comeback single “Summertime,” the band paused to celebrate Jordan Knight’s 38th birthday and honor their fans. “This song is for you,” Donnie Wahlberg proclaimed before “Tonight.” “This album, this tour, everything we do from now on is to pay you back.” While the sentiment was often echoed throughout the night, it felt most genuine coming from a group whose viability hinges on the support of its original fanbase. The enthusiasm failed to peak again after NKOTB, even during a closing performance from night’s other blockbuster act, Miley Cyrus. Whether it was due to the postbedtime set (Cyrus started at 10:45 p.m.), a string of newer songs or backlash residue from the Vanity Fair photo scandal, it took a confetti hurricane during “G.N.O. (Girl’s Night Out)” to wake the crowd up. Cyrus remained unfazed as she pranced around the stage, whipping her hair around and embodying the persona of a diva much older than her 15 years. Zootopia’s other performers were a hodge-podge of Top 40 acts, ranging from bizarrely short one-song performances by Ferras and Sara Bareilles to a seemingly out-of-place set by Canadian pop-punkers Simple Plan and a piano rock sing-along from Gavin DeGraw that was plagued by technical issues. While OneRepublic mixed crowd favorites “Stop and Stare” and “Apologize” with two lesser-known songs that translated to a bathroom break, the energy was palpable during Danity Kane’s “Showstopper,” “Poetry” and “Damaged.” But it was Jesse McCartney’s R&B-infused performance that was the night’s true surprise, indicating that his forthcoming third LP could cement him as a Justin Timberlake for the Disney set.
nkotbthing.com USA ZOOTOPIA Z100 05.19.2008 www.zootopia.z100..com
CONCERT PHOTOS
ROXANNE FROM STATEN ISLAND WON Z100’S NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK SUPER FAN CONTEST. WATCH AS SHE MEETS HER IDOLS AND WALKS TO THE STAGE WITH THEM FOR THEIR FIRST CONCERT APPEREANCE IN 15 YEARS!
nkotbthing.com CONCERT
nkotbthing.com MEET AND GREET
UPCOMIING CONTESTS
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CONCERT PHOTOS
nkotbthing.com USA DOTSPOTTER 05.19.2008 http://www.dotspotter.com
FULL COVERAGE: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PERFORM AT ZOOTOPIA New Kids On The Block Perform At Zootopia New Kids On The Block performed at Zootopia 2008 last night. I must admit they were doing a lot better here than on the Today show. And Joey McIntyre you still look really hot‌ *sigh* I would still put posters up on my wall of you. Not sure how the rest of the people in my family would react to that but whatever! For their performance check after the jump!
nkotbthing.com USA KISS 108 FM 05.19.2008 www.kiss108.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK! New Kids perform LIVE at KISS CONCERT 2008!
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD 05.19.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
THINGS GET HOT, HEAVY AT KISS By Lauren Carter
It was long, but it certainly wasn’t dull. KISS Concert 2008 proved to be nearly nine hours worth of radio hits, hometown reunions, shout-outs to the Boston Celtics [team stats] and search parties for fine young ladies in the house. The annual music marathon was heavy on hysterics and short sets that kept fans dancing or at least reasonably interested despite a couple of transportation mishaps that kept rapper Flo Rida from taking the stage and delayed Sean Kingston’s set. Hometown heartthrobs New Kids on the Block unveiled what Donnie Wahlberg deemed the official start of their much-anticipated reunion yesterday, and fans welcomed them with flailing arms. Anyone who saw the Kids’ performance on Friday’s “Today” show got a virtual repeat on Sunday, as the men mixed up back-in-the-day hits including “Step By Step” with their new single, “Summertime.” They wore five variations on a black suit, re-emerged in Celtics jerseys after a wardrobe change and danced in synchronicity. Jonathan Knight looked like a banker out of his element, but other than that the fivesome seemed into it. And yes, they still do the side-to-side swinging legs dance. Fellow hometown heroes Boys Like Girls also took the KISS stage yesterday, breaking out hits including the frantic “Great Escape,” then engaging in the night’s edgiest moment when lead singer Martin Johnson smashed his guitar to pieces. The sold-out show was friendly to teens, tweens and their adult escorts, with virtually no inappropriate moments and songs that parents could bounce along to and still maintain their dignity, including Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” and the slinky sounds of Maroon 5, whose funk-soul undertones were a nice counterpoint to much of the sugary pop yesterday. Former teen sensation Jesse McCartney did his best Justin Timberlake impression after the supersweet “Beautiful Soul,” while sets from Eurodance sensation Cascada and former Fugee Wyclef Jean who appeared sans his signature dreadlocks and spent the majority of his time in the crowd - helped to keep fans warm. Nearly every artist was well-received, but the Jonas Brothers appeared to be the main attraction, at least in terms of screams. Songs such as “Hold On,” “Year 3000” and “S.O.S.” were almost afterthoughts beneath all the shrieking for the impossibly cute trio. True, if youre not a die-hard Jonas fan, then the brothers’ bounce-friendly brand of pop feels a little like torture. Otherwise, you’re pretty much in heaven. lauren-carter@hotmail.com
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD. INSIDE TRACK 05.19.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
ON THE BENCH! By Inside Track The action on the parquet was riveting at the Garden yesterday, but the Track got a bigger kick out of the action (or lack thereof) in the seats! And here’s why: Every time “Ashecliffe” star Leonardo DiCaprio has shown up at a Celtics [team stats] game this year, he’s taken in the hoopla from primo courtside seats. But yesterday at Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, it was Gisele Bundchen’s current boytoy, Tom Brady [stats], who was sitting courtside while Leo was ensconced way, way up in a luxury suite. Interesting? We think so considering Leo has gone to more Celtics games and has spent more time in Boston than No. 12 has this year. But who are we to judge? Brady, wearing a San Francisco Giants cap, was parked on the parquet with his big sis, Nancy, while a pack of Patriots [team stats] including Randy Moss, Kevin Faulk [stats], Laurence Maroney [stats], Richard Seymour [stats], Ben Watson [stats] and Vince Wilfork [stats] were seated around the perimeter. Adam Levine from Maroon 5 sat in Seymour’s row while reunited New Kids on the Block Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood cheered at center court. (There was a rumor that the Kids had a helicopter waiting for them to airlift them to the Tweeter Center for KISS Concert 2008.) File Under: Final Word.
Kids stuff - Matt Stone New Kids on the Block Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood cheer on the Celtics in the second quarter.
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON GLOBE 05.19.2008 www.boston.com/ae
GARDEN PARTY By Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan Globe Staff / May 19, 2008
Considering that the New Kids on the Block had to perform last night at the KISS 108 concert in Mansfield, we were a little surprised to see Donnie Wahlberg sitting in his usual courtside seat at the Garden yesterday. Then again, you won't find a bigger Celts fans than Wahlberg, who watched Game 7 with his bandmate Danny Wood. Also in the house were actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who stayed out of sight in a suite high above the court; Maroon
5's
Adam
Levine;
Ellen
Pompeo's husband, Chris Ivery; Pats QB Tom Brady; and several of No. 12's teammates, including Kevin Faulk, Laurence
Maroney,
Randy
Moss,
Richard Seymour, Ben Watson, and Vince Wilfork. Other ringers rooting for the Celts - we hope - included ESPN's Steve Levy, "American Idol" also-ran Ayla Brown, BC football coach Jeff Jagodzinski,
Memphis
basketball
coach John Calipari, San Francisco 49ers bigwig Jed York, and former NFL player Tony Siragusa
nkotbthing.com USA OMAHA WORLD-HERALD 05.19.2008 www.omaha.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK WILL PERFORM IN OMAHA New Kids on the Block have reunited and will launch a North American concert tour that includes a show in Omaha. One of the original boy bands, New Kids will perform Nov. 12 at the Qwest Center Omaha. Before disbanding in 1994, the group had two No. 1 albums: 1988's "Hangin' Tough" and 1990's "Step by Step." Hit singles include "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" and "Step By Step." Band members, now approaching their 40s, are Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight. Ticket prices and other information are to be announced later.
nkotbthing.com USA KAT 103.7 05.19.2008 http://www.thekat.com
NEW KIDS COMING TO OMAHA A 1980's boy band will be performing at the Qwest Center in November. Monday, May 19, 2008 The New Kids On The Block are now veterans of the music industry and are no longer kids, but are continuing to entertain. The group formed in 1986 had two number one albums in 1988 with 'Hangin Tough' and in 1990 with 'Step By Step' respectively. The group disbanded in 1994, but the original band is back together and features: Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight. Ticket prices and other information will be announced at a later date.
nkotbthing.com USA US 05.19.2008 Printed magazine
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nkotbthing.com USA - international WASHINGTON POST, EXAMINER NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BUSSINESS TIMES, 05.20-22.2008 http://www.washingtonpost.com, http://www.examiner.com, http://www.ibtimes.com
In this photo released by the New York Stock Exchange Euronext, members of the 90's vocal group "New Kids on the Block" ring the closing bell at the exchange Thursday, May 15, 2008 in New York. From left are Jordan Knight; Donnie Wahlberg; Jonathan Knight; Joey McIntyre and Danny Wood. (AP Photo/NYSE Euronext, Mel Nudelman) (Mel Nudelman - AP)
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON GLOBE 05.20.2008 www.boston.com/ae
NEW KIDS, JONAS BROTHERS MAKE KISS CONCERT MEMORABLE Kiss Concert At: the Tweeter Center, Sunday MANSFIELD - The annual Kiss Concert is a behemoth pageant of chart-toppers, and this year's model was no exception, featuring a cavalcade of short sets from (among many other Top 40 darlings) sibling heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers, newly minted pop star Leona Lewis, R&B singer Ray J, and poprockers Maroon 5. But this year Kiss 108 staged a high-wattage stroll down memory lane - with a hometown twist - as New Kids on the Block, the pride of Beantown in the late '80s, reunited for its first local show in 14 years at the Tweeter Center Sunday night. In natty black suits and sneakers, Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, and Danny Wood - now in their mid-30s - trotted out a nimble facsimile of the old-school footwork set to a button-pushing medley of "Step By Step"; "Hangin' Tough"; "Please Don't Go Girl"; and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)." Five female dancers in Celtics jerseys paid tribute to the home team's win Sunday night (Wahlberg and Wood were late getting from the game to the venue, causing a reshuffling of set times). Heartfelt shout-outs to the hometown crowd were greeted with comparably enthusiastic spasms of shrieking, which didn't wane a decibel during the New Kids' sweet-natured new single, "Summertime," and "Tonight," a goofy paean from the group's second album to the good old days of their first album. The sound was so poor throughout the concert that it's nearly impossible to comment on what the New Kids sound like all these years later; ticket-holders for NKOTB's two sold-out Boston Garden shows in September will find out. It hardly mattered in the context of Sunday's love fest - but with a new album on the way, New Kids surely hope the excitement greeting their reunion deepens into something more lasting than passing nostalgia. A more current breed (‌) Joan Anderman can be reached at anderman@globe.com. For more on music, visit boston.com/ae/music/blog. Š Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
nkotbthing.com USA SIGN ON SAN DIEGO 05.20.2008 www.signonsandiego.com
JANET JACKSON, NEW KIDS' TOURS DUE HERE IN THE FALL Move over, Madonna – Janet Jackson and the reunited New Kids On The Block are headed back out on the road again, and both tours include stops at the San Diego Sports Arena. Jackson is set to do a Sept. 26 date at the arena. The Not-So-New Kids are slated to perform at the same venue on Nov. 26. Yes, it's the day before Thanksgiving, but let's leave the turkey jokes to the professionals. Madonna's previously announced show here is Nov. 4 at Petco Park. No word yet on when tickets go on sale for the Jackson and Not-Remotely-New-Kids concerts, although fans who sign up for MSN accounts will have first crack at buying seats for Jackson's tour, via her Web site. Her show is part of the “All For You” world tour, her first tour since her notorious “Nipplegate” performance with Justin Timberlake at the 2004 Super Bowl. The Nearly-Middle-Aged-Kids disbanded 15 years ago. The teen-pop quintet's last concert here, in 1989 at the SDSU Open Air Theater, was almost entirely lip-synced. It is unclear if their tour will feature live or recorded vocals, or (more likely) a combination of both. – GEORGE VARGA
nkotbthing.com USA MTV 05.20.2008 http://www.mtv.com/overdrive
BACKSTAGE WITH THE JONAS BROTHERS, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AT ZOOTOPIA Z100's annual concert brings us news from the brotherly trio, the all-grownup Jesse McCartney and the recently reunited New Kids
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB 05.21.2008 http://www.NKOTB.com
NEW BLOG FROM DONNIE! HEY ALL! SORRY IT’S BEEN SO LONG SINCE MY LAST POST BUT WE HAVE BEEN REHEARSING SO HARD TO GET READY FOR THE TODAY SHOW, ZOOTOPIA, AND THE KISS CONCERT. WE WERE DOING SIX TO EIGHT HOURS A DAY OF DANCE REHEARSAL, BAND REHEARSAL, WORKING OUT, OH YEAH DID I MENTION IN BETWEEN WE FOUND TIME TO SHOOT A VIDEO, CUT SIX OR SEVEN MORE SONGS FOR THE ALBUM, AND DO ENDLESS RADIO INTERVIEWS TO PROMOTE OUR SINGLE SUMMERTIME?! NOW THAT THE SHOWS ARE FINISHED, IT’S REALLY THE FIRST TIME I CAN CATCH A QUICK BREATH IN WEEKS! LOOKING BACK ON ALL THE SHOWS, I’D HAVE TO SAY THAT OVERALL THINGS WENT PRETTY FREAK’N AWESOME!!!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO PERFORM FOR THE FANS…IT’S REALLY THE BEST WAY TO REPAY ALL OF YOU FOR ALL OF THE LOVE YOU SHOW US. THE TURN OUT AT THE TODAY SHOW WAS UNBELIEVABLE, ZOOTOPIA WAS INSANE, AND PERFORMING IN OUR HOMETOWN AT THE KISS CONCERT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST TIMES OF MY LIFE!! TODAY I’M GOING TO FINISH EDITING THE VIDEO FOR SUMMERTIME BEFORE I HEAD TO THE STUDIO WITH JOEY AND JORDAN TO CUT A NEW SONG. I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU GUYS TO SEE THE VIDEO, IT’S A LOT OF FUN. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US, SEEING YOU AT THE SHOWS, AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS, OR EVEN MEETING YOU IN THE STREETS IS REALLY THE BEST PART OF ALL OF THIS. I FEED OFF OF YOUR ENERGY AND I CAN’T WAIT TO HIT THE ROAD. MUCH LOVE, DONNIE P.S. ALMOST EVERY TIME I MEET ONE OF YOU GUYS, YOU SAY THANK YOU TO ME FOR COMING BACK…ALL I CAN THINK TO SAY IN RETURN IS THANK YOU MORE. I’M SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU. I PROMISE TO DO ALL I CAN TO MAKE THIS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF OUR FANS.
nkotbthing.com USA EAGLE TRIBUNE, NEWS TRIBUNE, ONLINE ATHENS & YAHOO 05.21.2008 http://www.eagletribune.com & http://news.yahoo.com & http://www.onlineatehns.com
FLASHBACK ATTACK: MUST EVERY ROCK BAND REUNITE? By SANDY COHEN,
Seventies and '80s bands, too. And if not this year, maybe next. This summer's concert calendar boasts tours by reunited rockers and relics — Stone Temple Pilots (split in 2003) and New Kids on the Block (split in 1994) — and recently reenergized bands such as the B-52s, the Black Crowes, Motley Crue and Yes. A round of reunion shows filled last summer's slate as well, with the Police, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Van Halen playing their time-tested hits for fans. It seems that no matter how storied the split, almost every band is bound to get back together — and that could make the magic of an anticipated reunion a little less magical. "If you can say it's a reunion of some sort, it does make it feel special and unique," said Michael Endelman, senior editor of Rolling Stone magazine. "But some you hear and it's exciting and some you hear and say, 'Didn't they just tour last summer?'" The reunion-tour trend is inspired by money and the alluring power of nostalgia — for both fans and artists — so don't expect any slowdown, Endelman said. "To go back on stage in front of an adoring crowd and relive some of these great moments and play all these old songs of theirs, psychologically it must be very seductive and very powerful for them," he said. "Because it's become so profitable for so many bands, it's become very attractive and it's bringing out a lot of bands to try that. ... There's a lot of money to be made in cashing in on people's nostalgia for things they were excited about when they were teenagers." Not all reunion tours are created equal. They must be examined on a band-byband basis, said Erik Pedersen, music coordinator and news editor at The Hollywood Reporter. Some are really for the fans, some are really for the bands and some are really for the money. Stone Temple Pilots could hit all three. With songs still on radio playlists, the band has younger fans who know the tunes but have never seen them played live, Pedersen said. Their breakup was "spectacular" and like "a rock 'n' roll soap opera," Endelman added, so fan interest remained. And the quartet "ran out of money," singer Scott Weiland quipped at a press conference announcing their summer tour, which began Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The New Kids on the Block tour, on the other hand, inspired shrugs. "That's pretty weird since they aren't new or kids," Pedersen said. "I'm sort of surprised they ended up doing it," Endelman echoed. The group sold millions of albums and played to stadiums of screaming teens during their heyday in the early '90s. After they disbanded, four of the five members enjoyed modest success in entertainment, and one left show business to work in real estate.
nkotbthing.com They often toyed with the idea of reuniting and were offered various opportunities, said New Kid Joey McIntyre, but they wanted to wait until the time was right. "I'm sure there's a way we could sleepwalk through this thing, but that's not who we are," he said. "We want to make it real and make it last; make it last like last time." The group is recording a new album that will be released in late summer or early fall, he said. New music is a must for reunited and revitalized bands. It shows they're not just touring for dollars and helps older bands avoid the risk of "becoming a tribute act to themselves," Endelman said. Plus record sales aren't what they used to be. "If you're going to reunite, you have to tour because that's the only way it's going to be worth it financially," he said. "If they want to be taken seriously, that they're getting back together for artistic and creative reasons, they have to make an album, too." Weiland said Stone Temple Pilots would record a new album after their tour. The B-52s and the Black Crowes have new albums out, and thus new material to play at their shows. Motley Crue's new album is due June 17.
Kate Pierson of the B-52s said new music makes reunion shows more exciting — for the musicians and the audience. "Having a new record is just like a whole new life," she said. "I've seen so many bands that I've loved and when they come around again, it's really an amazing thing. You get another chance to experience it." But Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee said it's fans' familiarity with classic tracks that make reunion tours hot tickets. "It's a completely different experience going to see a new band where you only know one of their songs versus a band you grew up with and know five or six or seven albums worth of their material. I think that's what people dig," he said. "That's gotta be why a lot of the bands are getting back together. It's like, `Dude, get your (act) together. People love you.'" Another trend in rock reunions is the packaged tour. Motley Crue is hitting the road with Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt for a multi-band show dubbed Crue Fest. The nationwide Regeneration Tour is a hodgepodge of '80s acts including Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC and Dead or Alive. Seventies bands Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick are also touring together this summer. The package deal is good for bands that couldn't sell out arenas on their own, Pedersen said, and it's good for fans who want to maximize the nostalgic bang for their buck. "If people are going to spend $75 for a crummy ticket, they're going to want to see big bands playing their big hits," he said, "and ideally more than one of them on the bill."
nkotbthing.com UK DAILY STAR 05.21.2008 http://www.dailystar.co.uk
NEW KIDS SHOW OFF 'FRESH' NEW SOUND New Kids On The Block fans have reason to be excited about their forthcoming reunion album, according to the man who's produced it. RedOne says the 90s boy band's new offering has definitely got 'The Right Stuff'. Speaking at the BMI Pop Awards in Beverly Hills, Red was raving about the time he's spent working with Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Donnie and Danny. "It was an amazing feeling to work with those guys, they're so talented and so nice, so humble, they're legends," he said. The producer revealed the band didn't just sit back and let people tell them how they should sound. He said: "When I was young and listened to their music we all thought that other people made their music and they had nothing to do with it, like a product, but when I worked with them in the studio they had a lot to say." Originally born Nadir Khayat, RedOne has done remixes and production work for Shakira, Akon, and Christina Aguilera, but what can fans expect from New Kids? "The music is crazy, we're mixing old New Kids with freshness, it's a mix of both worlds," he explained.
ABOVE: New Kids have returned with a fresh new sound
"It's going to be huge, good music for everybody, every age, the old fans and the new fans - they're going to have a lot of new fans."
nkotbthing.com USA THE NORTHWESTERN & WISINFO 05.22.2008 http://www.wisinfo.com & http://www.thenorthwestern.com
NOT-SO-NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK COMING TO MILWAUKEE By Eric Klister of Weekend
I remember when I was in high school and New Kids on the Block came to town. That was the day when pretty much every girl in school skipped class to go to the concert. I wonder how many of them will trek down to Milwaukee to see the reunited NKOTB when they play Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Bradley Center. When your band name is New Kids on the Block, you’d think you’d forever be relegated to the boy band bin, but here they are, pushing 40 and writing new songs. But, hey, if the Spice Girls can get back together, so can the Kids. They just need a more grown-up name. According to the group’s official Web site, tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 2 through www.livenation.com. Prices haven’t been announced.
nkotbthing.com USA WISN 05.22.2008 http://www.wisi.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK TO PERFORM IN MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE -- The New Kids On The Block are back with a new album and they are coming to Milwaukee in October. The 1980s boy band will perform at the Bradley Center on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight are all pushing 40.
nkotbthing.com USA PEOPLE 05.22.2008 http://www.people.com
DONNIE WAHLBERG: FANS ARE 'BEST PART' OF NEW KIDS REUNION By Rennie Dyball It's New Kids fever all over again! Between their Today show performance last week – for which some of the thousands of fans in attendance camped out for 48 hours – and concerts in New York and Boston, the boys are most definitely back. "I am so happy to finally be able to perform for the fans," Donnie Wahlberg wrote on the NKOTB site. "It's really the best way to repay all of you for all of the love you show us." To prepare for the recent shows, he says, the band has been rehearsing for six to eight hours a day, working out, plus shooting a video and cutting more songs for their album. "Looking back on all the shows," Donnie blogs, "I'd have to say that overall things went pretty freak'n awesome!!!!!!!" But the guys are still hard at work. "Today I'm going to finish editing the video for 'Summertime' before I head to the studio with Joey [McIntyre] and Jordan [Knight] to cut a new song," writes Donnie. "I can't wait for you guys to see the video, it's a lot of fun." Hitting the road will be, too: "I can't wait," Donnie writes. "Seeing [fans] at the shows, autograph signings, or even meeting you in the streets is really the best part of all of this . . . I'm so grateful to all of you."
nkotbthing.com UK NOTTINGHAM 05.22.2008 www.thisisnottingham.co.uk
NEW KIDS GET 'FRESH' NEW SOUND New Kids On The Block fans have reason to be excited about their forthcoming reunion album, according to the man who's produced it. RedOne says the 90s boy band's new offering has definitely got 'The Right Stuff'. Final del formulario Speaking at the BMI Pop Awards in Beverly Hills, Red was raving about the time he's spent working with Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Donnie and Danny. "It was an amazing feeling to work with those guys, they're so talented and so nice, so humble, they're legends," he said. The producer revealed the band didn't just sit back and let people tell them how they should sound. He said: "When I was young and listened to their music we all thought that other people made their music and they had nothing to do with it, like a product, but when I worked with them in the studio they had a lot to say." Originally born Nadir Khayat, RedOne has done remixes and production work for Shakira, Akon, and Christina Aguilera, but what can fans expect from New Kids? "The music is crazy, we're mixing old New Kids with freshness, it's a mix of both worlds," he explained. "It's going to be huge, good music for everybody, every age, the old fans and the new fans - they're going to have a lot of new fans."
NKOTB have apparently got a fresh new sound
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM 103.5 Chicago 05.22.2008 http://1035kissfm.com
DONNIE: OUR FANS ARE THE BEST Donnie Wahlberg blogs for the first time since NKOTB's Today Show performance Everything NKOTB!
Make no mistake about it, the New Kids on the Block are definitely back. A week after their Today Show appearance (where thousands camped out for days to catch their first performance in 15 years) and their concerts in New York and Boston as well, the guys are back to work-and getting more and more excited about their return. "Looking back on all the shows, I'd have to say that overall things went pretty freak'n awesome!!!!!!!," NKOTB member Donnie Wahlberg wrote on his blog Wednesday. Wahlberg also promised fans that the guys are busy preparing for their tour. "We were doing six to eight hours a day of dance rehearsal, band rehearsal, working out, oh yeah did I mention in between we found time to shoot a video, cut six or seven more songs for the album, and do endless radio interviews to promote our single Summertime?!" Still, the guys remain humble and eternally grateful for the fan support and ensure that their fans know they care. "Thanks again for all you do for us, seeing you at the shows, autograph signings, or even meeting you in the streets is really the best part of all of this. I feed off of your energy and I can’t wait to hit the road. Almost every time I meet one of you guys, you say thank you to me for coming back…all I can think to say in return is thank you more. I’m so grateful to all of you. I promise to do all I can to make this a great experience for all of our fans."
nkotbthing.com USA IDOLATOR 05.23.08 http://idolator.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK HAVE A BRAND-NEW HIT Billboard charts: Last week I poured cold water on the chart comeback of New Kids on the Block, who appeared on Billboard's less-heralded Pop 100 chart but remained M.I.A. on the all-genre Hot 100. But I snarked too soon. This week, Danny, Donny Joey, Jon and Jordan have the week's highest Hot 100 debut with "Summertime," their un-Jazzy Jeff-related bid for postmillennial Top 40 radio. By debuting at No. 57, "Summertime" breaks a 14-year drought for NKOTB, who last made the middle rungs on the big chart with 1994's "Dirty Dawg." It's poetic that the ur-boy band of the modern-pop era resurfaces the very same week boy-band impresario Lou Pearlman gets thrown in the clink. After all, 1994 was pretty much the moment when Pearlman began dreaming of rejiggering the five-boy New Kids template, launching the Backstreet-*N Sync era that entrenched the boy band in pop lore. It's like a passing-back of the baton, from one pop era to its forbear. Not that I'd accept anything baton-shaped from Lou Pearlman... Say what you want about teen screamers-turned-soccer moms, they're loyal—or at least, willing to part with 99 cents. The spur for the Kids' chart appearance is iTunes, where "Summertime" made its debut last week and toted nearly 39,000 downloads. That's a respectable total for an act that's been out of the limelight for a decade and a half. But it probably satisfies the entire first wave of NKOTB's hardcore fanbase. (Imagine, if you can, the existence in 2008 of a hardcore New Kids fan.) If "Summertime" is going to move up the chart from here, it's going to need to sell to the moms' daughters, which means it's going to need radio airplay. It's nowhere to be found on the all-genre Hot 100 Airplay list, but Billboard reports that the track has made "a strong start at Top 40 radio"; on the magazine's list that's limited to pop-radio airplay only, "Summertime" is already ranked 35th among the most-played songs. The bad news for the Kids is that, at least for now, they've shot their wad on major-market appearances that might goose sales or inspire radio programmers. The aforementioned 39K downloads includes sales tallied during the week of their incompetent but warmly received Today show appearance, as well as the height of New York-based frenzy surrounding radio station Z100's Zootopia concert last Saturday. Still: if the last two decades of pop history are any indication, the last two years of a decade are ripe for a pure-pop comeback on the charts. New Kids owned that space in the early years of Bush, Sr.; whether they're destined for a lasting comeback in the waning days of Bush fils will largely depend on luck.
nkotbthing.com USA MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINAL 05.23.08 http://www.jsonline.com
NEW KIDS ARE NEITHER, BUT THEY'RE COMING By DAVE TIANEN dtianen@journalsentinel.com
Twenty years after their first hit, the New Kids on the Block are back on the road and coming to the Bradley Center on Oct. 22. Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. June 2 through www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and the Bradley Center box office. Tickets are $75.50 and $35.50. In the their late 1980s and early '90s heyday, the New Kids sold more than 50 million records and scored nine top-10 hits, including "Hangin' Tough," "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" and "Cover Girl." They also anticipated the boy band boom of the late '90s. They now range in age between 35 and 39, and they have not performed together for 14 years. Since breaking up, Joey McIntyre has continued with a solo career and worked on Broadway, while Donnie Wahlberg has acted in movies and TV, and Jordan Knight had a top-10 solo hit in 1999. Danny Wood has produced and performed occasional solo work, and Jonathan Knight left the entertainment business.
Photo/AP The New Kids on the Block are (from left) Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight. They'll play the Bradley Center on Oct. 22.
nkotbthing.com USA THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL 05.23.2008 http://www.cjonline.com
SPRINT CENTER GETS NEW KIDS The Capital-Journal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. May 31 for a New Kids on the Block concert at the Sprint Center. The reunited boy band, all of its members in their mid to late 30s, will perform Nov. 11 at the Sprint Center in support of the group's reunion CD, "Summer Time." Ticket prices will be announced Tuesday and will be sold at livenation.com, Ticketmaster outlets and by calling 234-4545.
nkotbthing.com USA BILLBOARD 05.23.2008 http://www.billboard.com
NEW IN TOWN As foreshadowed in last week's Chart Beat, New Kids on the Block return to The Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in 14 years. The reunited group has the Hot Shot Debut with "Summertime," which bows at No. 57. The Kids were last on the chart in 1994 with "Dirty Dawg," which stalled at No. 66, making "Summertime" the outfit's highest-charting song since "Let's Try It Again" peaked at No. 53 in November 1990. If "Summertime" is hot enough to reach the top 10, it will be the first Kids single to do so since "Tonight" topped out at No. 7 in September 1990.
nkotbthing.com USA BILLBOARD _HOT DIGITAL CHARTS 05.23.2008 http://www.billboard.com
Hot Digital Songs Summertime NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Summertime Chart Listing For The Week Of may 31 2008: This Week
Last Week
Two Weeks Ago
Weeks on Chart
Peak Position
26
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1
26
nkotbthing.com USA BILLBOARD 05.23.2008 printed magazine
nkotbthing.com USA BILLBOARD 05.23.2008 http://www.billboard.com & printed on magazine issue
SUMMERTIME NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK PRODUCER(S): NASRI ATWEH, ADAM MESSINGER LABEL: INTERSCOPE It's not often that a pop reunion draws the consumptive mania that New Kids on the Block is. Understandably, few boy bands have had as much impact on a generation: By 1988, NKOTB was a global phenom, launching merchandising to newfound heights, with nine consecutive top 10 singles in two years, before momentum deflated in 1994. All five original members—Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight—now in their mid- to late 30s, are in the game for a new album and tour. Ironically, first single "Summertime" melodically and thematically sounds much like "Summer Girls," a top 20 hit in 1999 for rival boy band LFO. It's all right, but enough of a youthful reminder for millions of nostalgic (and financially able) 30-something fans to at least fuel thousands of iTunes downloads of the group's "Greatest Hits" (plenty of videoclips are also available). Whether or not this particular song connects at radio, New Kids' return is a pop culture event—and certain cash cow. It's also good clean fun, and that never goes out of fashion. —Chuck Taylor
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD 05.23.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
DONNIE WAHLBERG BLOGS ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK By Herald wire services
Donnie Wahlberg says the new New Kids on the Block are Hangin’ Tough for their fans. “I am so happy to finally be able to perform for the fans. It’s really the best way to repay all of you for all the love you show us,” the Dorchester homey wrote on his blog. Donnie said the Kids have been pulling six- to eight-hour rehearsals and marathon workout sessions, in addition to recording a new video. But it’s all good. “Seeing (fans) at the shows, autograph signings, or even meeting you in the streets is really the best part of all of this,” he blogged. “I’m so grateful to all of you.” Well, you’re so welcome!
nkotbthing.com USA REUTERS 05.23.2008 www.reuters.com
DONNIE WAHLBERG BLOGS ABOUT GETTING BACK WITH NKOTB It’s New Kids fever all over again! Between their Today show performance last week – for which some of the thousands of fans in attendance camped out for 48 hours – and concerts in New York and Boston, the boys are most definitely back.
“I am so happy to finally be able to perform for the fans,” Donnie Wahlberg wrote on the NKOTB site. “It’s really the best way to repay all of you for all of the love you show us.” To prepare for the recent shows, he says, the band has been rehearsing for six to eight hours a day, working out, plus shooting a video and cutting more songs for their album
“Looking back on all the shows,” Donnie blogs, “I’d have to say that overall things went pretty freak’n awesome!!!!!!!” But the guys are still hard at work. “Today I’m going to finish editing the video for ‘Summertime’ before
I head to the studio with Joey [McIntyre] and Jordan [Knight] to cut a new song,” writes Donnie. “I can’t wait for you guys to see the video, it’s a lot of fun.” Hitting the road will be, too: “I can’t wait,” Donnie writes. “Seeing [fans] at the shows, autograph signings, or even meeting you in the streets is really the best part of all of this . . . I’m so grateful to all of you.”
nkotbthing.com CANADA TSN 05.23.2008
www.tns.ca
JAYS HANG TOUGH TORONTO A.J. Burnett used "Hangin' Tough" by New Kids On The Block for his warm-up music last night and sees in that unfortunate boy band hit a theme for the Toronto Blue Jays. No joke, even though it started out as one. "I was just looking for something different. I found it," Burnett said after throwing six solid innings in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels. "It was just a little joke that me and B.J. (Ryan) decided to come out with something, he suggested that and we've stuck with it. "Why not? We're hanging tough right now, we're going to get on a roll here soon, so hang tough." While his teammates are ready to embrace the message, the song is another matter. Lyle Overbay, whose timely solo shot in the sixth inning provided the margin of victory, called Burnett "a dork" for requesting it. "That is not my suggestion," Ryan said. "That is all him. I might have encouraged it a little bit from the peanut gallery, but that is all him right there." Rather than just hanging tough, the Blue Jays (24-25) hope to use their upcoming four-game series with the visiting Kansas City Royals as a means to make a push after avoiding a three-game sweep against the AL West leaders.
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nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON GLOBE 05.24.2008
www.boston.com/ae
The mighty Quinn By Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan
RIGHT TIME FOR THE KIDS If anyone was questioning the commercial viability of the reunited New Kids on the Block, looks like the man band might end up selling a few records. "Summertime," the new single from Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, and Jonathan and Jordan Knight, is this week's highest debut on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. You can credit the New Kids' sales surge to iTunes, where "Summertime" racked up up almost 39,000 downloads last week.
nkotbthing.com
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nkotbthing.com USA ONLINE ATHENS 05.26.08 http://www.onlineathens.com
BANDS REUNITING EVERYWHERE LOS ANGELES - Your favorite '90s band broke up? Fear not, they'll be back. Seventies and '80s bands, too. And if not this year, maybe next. This summer's concert calendar boasts tours by reunited rockers and relics - Stone Temple Pilots (split in 2003) and New Kids on the Block (split in 1994) - and recently re-energized bands such as the B-52s, the Black Crowes, Motley Crue and Yes. A round of reunion shows filled last summer's slate as well, with the Police, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Van Halen playing their time-tested hits for fans. It seems that no matter how storied the split, almost every band is bound to get back together - and that could make the magic of an anticipated reunion a little less magical. "If you can say it's a reunion of some sort, it does make it feel special and unique," said Michael Endelman, senior editor of Rolling Stone magazine. "But some you hear and it's exciting and some you hear and say, 'Didn't they just tour last summer?"' Not all reunion tours are created equal. They must be examined on a band-by-band basis, said Erik Pedersen, music coordinator and news editor at The Hollywood Reporter. Some are really for the fans, some are really for the bands and some are really for the money. Stone Temple Pilots could hit all three. With songs still on radio playlists, the band has younger fans who know the tunes but have never seen them played live, Pedersen said. Their breakup was "spectacular" and like "a rock 'n' roll soap opera," Endelman added, so fan interest remained. And the quartet "ran out of money," singer Scott Weiland quipped at a press conference announcing their summer tour. The New Kids on the Block tour, on the other hand, inspired shrugs. "That's pretty weird since they aren't new or kids," Pedersen said. "I'm sort of surprised they ended up doing it," Endelman echoed. The group sold millions of albums and played to stadiums of screaming teens during their heyday in the early '90s. After they disbanded, four of the five members enjoyed modest success in entertainment, and one left show business to work in real estate. They often toyed with the idea of reuniting and were offered various opportunities, said New Kid Joey McIntyre, but they wanted to wait until the time was right. "I'm sure there's a way we could sleepwalk through this thing, but that's not who we are," he said. "We want to make it real and make it last; make it last like last time." The group is recording a new album that will be released in late summer or early fall, he said. New music is a must for reunited and revitalized bands. It shows they're not just touring for dollars and helps older bands avoid the risk of "becoming a tribute act to themselves," Endelman said. Plus record sales aren't what they used to be.
nkotbthing.com "If you're going to reunite, you have to tour because that's the only way it's going to be worth it financially," he said. "If they want to be taken seriously, that they're getting back together for artistic and creative reasons, they have to make an album, too." Kate Pierson of the B-52s said new music makes reunion shows more exciting - for the musicians and the audience. "Having a new record is just like a whole new life," she said. "I've seen so many bands that I've loved and when they come around again, it's really an amazing thing. You get another chance to experience it." But Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee said it's fans' familiarity with classic tracks that make reunion tours hot tickets. "It's a completely different experience going to see a new band where you only know one of their songs versus a band you grew up with and know five or six or seven albums worth of their material. I think that's what people dig," he said.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 052608
The band New Kids On The Block, from left, Danny Wood, Joey McIntrye, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight and Jon Knight, perform during Z100's Zootopia '08 concert at Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., earlier this month. Associated Press
nkotbthing.com USA BOSTON HERALD. BUSINESS TODAY 05.26.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
STADIUMS STRUGGLE TO FILL SCHEDULES WITH CONCERTS It’s slower times for big arena shows this summer, with Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park [map] combining for just a trio of big music events. While Fenway, which in recent years has featured a few nights for big acts, is touting a single Neil Diamond show, so far just two big acts are coming to Gillette: Bruce Springsteen and the fifth annual New England Country Music Festival. Meanwhile, TD Banknorth Garden has not been unaffected either, though after struggling through a slow start to the year the arena is expecting a full house this summer. For the owners of the area’s three big sports venues, summer concerts have been an increasingly lucrative sideline. However, rising gas prices and the economic slowdown are having an impact on this year’s concert season, at least for the big outdoor venues. There have been fewer groups touring, and those that have hit the road are taking a more cautious line when it comes to ticket prices, stadium executives said. Springsteen’s prices for his Gillette show top out at $95, said Dan Murphy, vice president of Gillette Stadium business development. “Overall, with gas prices and the economy, I think people are using their discretionary income more wisely,” Murphy said. So far, of the three big sports complexes, the Garden appears to have a comfortable lead, with eight big acts booked for the summer, ranging from Madonna to Tom Petty to New Kids on the Block. The arena is also hoping to add Janet Jackson and Coldplay to its schedule as well, arena chief John Wentzell said. Gillette’s roster is a work in progress as well, with a third major act in the works, Murphy said. But if the music doesn’t pan out, there are always sports. Along with Red Sox [team stats] games, Fenway will host a minor league doubleheader. Gillette, meanwhile, drew thousands over the weekend for the NCAA men’s lacrosse championships. That’s not to mention Patriots [team stats] practices and exhibition games and Revolution soccer matches. sbvanvoorhis@bostonherald.com
nkotbthing.com USA RADIO AND RECORDS 05.26.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
SINGLE SUMMERTIME IS #34 ON THE TOP 40 CHART WITH 1267 PLAYS LAST WEEK! IT IS ALSO THE SECOND MOST ADDED SONG OF THE WEEK BEHIND THE NEW MILEY CYRUS SONG WITH 27 ADDS.
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB 05.27.2008 http://www.NKOTB.com
NEW BLOG FROM JOEY MAC! I GUESS WHEN I WAS 16, EVERY NOW AND AGAIN I WOULD THINK, “WOW! I AM AMAZING…” OR “I DID HIT THAT STEP IN AN EXTRAORDINARY FASHION…” ITS EASY TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY NIGHT SCREAMING YOUR NAME. LUCKILY, I NEVER FELL INTO THAT TRAP LONG ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT I WAS BIGGER THAN ALL OF IT. NOW AS AN ADULT, THOSE THOUGHTS NEVER COME CLOSE TO MY EGO. IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. ITS NOT ABOUT THE NEW KIDS. ITS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND THE FANS. THE LOVE THAT IT REPRESENTS IS POWERFUL AND EVIDENTLY EVER LASTING. I AM GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF IT. I HAD THE THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN JUST AS HAPPY IN THE CROWD AT THE KISS CONCERT WATCHING THE NEW KIDS AS BEING UP THERE. THERE WAS SO MUCH LOVE IN THAT MOMENT THAT I DIDN’T CARE WHAT PART I PLAYED IN IT. IT JUST FELT GOOD TO REJOICE OVER SOMETHING TOGETHER WITH SO MANY PEOPLE. THAT BEING SAID IT WAS INCREDIBLE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. EVERYTHING HAS GONE PERFECTLY. WHEN I LOOK BACK ON THE TODAY SHOW PERFORMANCE, IT JUST WOULDNT HAVE FELT RIGHT IF IT DIDN’T RAIN. ( I’M SURE THAT THE AMAZING PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP FOR US WOULD BEG TO DIFFER… “SUNNY AND 70 DEGREES WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT TOO, JOE”). WHEN WE DID THAT LAST INTERVIEW ON THE STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CROWD… WHOA! ANOTHER WAVE OF “I THOUGHT WHAT WE HAD BACK IN THE DAY WAS SPECIAL, BUT THIS IS CRAZY!” THIS RIDE HAS REALLY JUST BEGUN. WE’RE GONNA HAVE SOME GOOD TIMES I’M REALLY EXCITED TO PUT THIS LIVE SHOW TOGETHER. WHAT A GIFT TO HAVE SUCH A CHALLENGE. I SAY CHALLENGE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH ITS SO MUCH FUN, WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY. WE WANT TO PUT ON THE SHOW OF YOUR LIFE TIME.PROBABLY THE MOST OFTEN SAID THING FROM OUR FANS I HEAR IS ” YOU GUYS WERE MY FIRST CONCERT!” AND THATS A VERY SPECIAL MILESTONE TO BEHOLD AND BE A PART OF. WE CHERISH THAT AND WANT TO TAKE THAT TO ANOTHER LEVEL X 20.
WE’LL KEEP YOU POSTED. HOPEFULLY, YOU GUYS WILL LISTEN AND AGREE WITH EVERY AMAZING IDEA I HAVE - JM
nkotbthing.com USA STL TODAY 05.27.2008 www.stltoday.com
CONCERT UPDATES: NINE INCH NAILS; NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK TICKET PRICES SET By Kevin C. Johnson Tickets prices for the upcoming Nine Inch Nails and New Kids on the Block concerts are set. Tickets for Nine Inch Nails, who perform Aug. 20 at the Scottrade Center, are $35-$55, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets for New Kids on the Block, who perform Nov. 10 at the Scottade Center, are $29.50-$69.50, and go on sale at 11 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 314-241-1888, and at the box office.
nkotbthing.com USA MEXICO 04.27.2008 http://www.diario.com.mx
GROOVE PRODUCE PARA NEW KIDS ON... Juan Carlos García Agencia Reforma
Distrito Federal— Tan ecléctico es el estilo de la dupla británica Groove Armada que no le importan los géneros con los que experimente, y por eso están produciendo algunas nuevas canciones para los New Kids on the Block. Andy Cato, integrante del dúo, dijo, en entrevista exclusiva, que están trabajando con el quinteto estadounidense, que hace poco anunció su reunión y gira. “Estamos trabajando con los New Kids on the Block. Ya hemos hecho algunas cosas, algunas canciones. Es un género totalmente distinto lo que ellos están buscando de lo que nosotros estamos haciendo. Será muy interesante el resultado, nos intriga cómo quedará al final, porque están participando mucho”, señaló. La agrupación que forman Jordan y Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg y Danny Wood firmó con Sony BMG para ofrecer nuevas y viejas canciones en un disco y hacer un tour que los llevará por todo el mundo. “Fueron un fenómeno, y, obviamente, por naturaleza, han madurado. Conocerlos a una edad y verlos en otra será muy atractivo para mucha gente”, añadió Cato. Cato y su compañero, Tom Findlay, además de crear su propia música han hecho remixes y han colaborado con estrellas como Madonna, Fatboy Slim, Neneh Cherry y Shirley Bassey, entre otros. Antes de su concierto del viernes, en el Parque Alameda Santa Fe, Groove Armada ensayó con sus músicos para probar el sonido, tras darse cuenta de la inmensidad de la capital del País, y externaron su emoción por hacer un recorrido con su grupo esta semana en Monterrey, D.F. y Guadalajara. “Lástima, no pudimos hacer turismo, pero nos encantó lo que vimos, qué ciudades tan grandes, ustedes tienen varias ‘Europas’ en cuanto a población. La cerveza de aquí es buena, más ligera, con más cuerpo, eso me ha gustado”, dijo Cato. Creadores de éxitos como “I See You Baby”, los músicos y productores explicaron que antes de que termine el año lanzarán un disco con canciones nuevas; ahora promueven el acoplado ‘GA10:10 Year Story’.
nkotbthing.com USA NKOTB.COM 05.28.08 www.NKOTB.com
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MAY 13, 2008 HOUSE OF BLUES WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK INVITED FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FANS TO AN EXCLUSIVE DRESS REHEARSAl
TO WITNESS THE THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK RETURN TO STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS
nkotbthing.com
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05 28 2008 http://blog.myspace.com
NEW FEATURES! BILLBOARD, MTV, NEW VIDEO! NEW video from House of Blues! WATCH IT HERE! MTV/JOHN NORRIS INTERVIEW! Legendary music journalist John Norris sat down with the New Kids on the Block backstage before their Z100 Zootopia performance. Read the interview HERE! BILLBOARD MAGAZINE 'SUMMERTIME' REVIEW! READ IT HERE! NEW SHOWS/Date change November 18, 2008 - REXALL PLACE, Edmonton, AB November 19, 2008 - SADDLEDOME, Calgary, AB
nkotbthing.com USA PEOPLE 05.28.2008 www.people.com
VIDEO: INSIDE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK'S INVITATION -ONLY SHOW They've already performed on television but before the New Kids on the Block hit the road for their big tour, the grown-up boy band rehearsed for an invite-only crowd at West Hollywood's House of Blues. PEOPLE.com has an exclusive look inside the packed club during the band's May 13 dress rehearsal. Check out the footage, and catch the group performing a medley of hits including "Step By Step" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)." – Brian Orloff
nkotbthing.com USA MTV 05.28.08 http://www.mtv.com
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ARE REUNITING 'FOR THE RIGHT REASONS,' BY JOHN NORRIS The reunited group talks comeback, self-respect and boy bands past and present. Unless you are a glacier or a giant sequoia, 15 years is a long time. In the music business, it's a very long time. In the teen-pop world, it's an eternity. And the past 15 years have been a time of such dramatic, fundamental change in the music industry that today the "biz" looks like a different "biz" altogether. So you'll forgive Jordan Knight, of the newly reunited senior citizens of boy-band-dom, New Kids on the Block, when he speaks of a "new CD" coming out in the fall, or of the band's new single called "Summertime" that's "climbing the charts." It's quaint, but somewhat antiquated language. "Wait! Do they even have 'charts' anymore?" chimes in Donnie Wahlberg. "No, it's 'we put our song into a computer bank. And you can go download it onto your — your not Walkman." (Now that's more like it!) Yes, much has changed since 1993, the last time the NKOTB performed together, and until recently few would have taken the bet that we would have ever seen the quintet at it again. But sure enough, in only nine months, it's gone from Wahlberg discovering a song ("Click Click Click" — on his birthday, actually) that he figured might be the right one for a reunion, to the guys finishing up a full album, beginning preparations for a fall tour — and making comeback appearances on the and at two radio station concerts, in New Jersey and Boston. Backstage at the Jersey show — Z-100's "Zootopia" concert — the new New Kids seem excited, gratified and humbled by the frenzied reaction to their return from many now 30-something fans. They seem to be in something of a zone. "Everything is just really flowing," says Joe McIntyre, who always, along with Jordan, was one of the two strongest singers in the group. "I feel like we're in a good place, and we're doing it for the right reasons and we're having a good time."
nkotbthing.com The right reasons. That, in a nutshell, is why an NKOTB reunion is happening now, when one might least expect it, when seemingly few people — OK, actually quite a few people —were clamoring for it, and in the absence of any demonstrable 'boy band wave' like we saw in the late 1990s and early '00s. Heaven knows plenty of people — outside parties, including the MTV Video Music Awards and VH1 — tried to make it happen in the past. Pleas were made, checks were no doubt waved, but Wahlberg — ever the heart, soul, conscience and mouthpiece of the New Kids — says he wasn't interested. "Every attempt in the past ... they weren't real. They were for other people's agendas, you know? It was always to serve someone else." Not one to hold back, he continues, "You know it was 'Backstreet's huge, 'NSYNC's huge ... why don't you guys reunite on the MTV Awards?' And that's what our old record company [Columbia Records] wanted. Well, why don't you just put us in the studio and finance an album and let's see if that'll work? As opposed to throwing us onstage and seeing if we get cheered or booed. You know what I mean? It was to serve their agenda. It didn't matter. If Chris Rock ripped us up and it turned into a disaster that we reunited on the MTV Awards, what was our record company gonna do the next morning? What would they do? They'd be like 'Bye, guys! Enjoy your flight home.' And I personally was not gonna put myself in that position, or us in that position." That kind of self-respect, Wahlberg says, was not always there, but was borne of having pulled himself up in the mid-'90s, post-New Kids, and having fashioned a career as a respected Hollywood actor ("The Sixth Sense," "Band of Brothers," "Ransom"). He didn't "need" to do a reunion but says he never closed himself off to it, if it went down the "right way." "And for me it was never gonna be 'let's go onstage and let's go on tour and scoop up all the money that's out there.' It was gonna be about, 'Let's make a record.' " As for that record, tracks reportedly include "Click Click Click," "Looking Like Danger," "Big Boy/Big Girl" and, of course, "Summertime." While the single is nostalgic, evoking memories of 1988, the guys seem intent on focusing on the here and now. Jordan says they're looking forward to busting out vintage hits on the fall tour, though some will be reworked: "We've performed those songs so many times that we want to give 'em a slight twist, not to get so far off where it's unrecognizable, because we don't want fans to not have that feeling they had when they were young. We want to re-create that for them." When it comes to their place in the pubescent pop pantheon, having paved the way for the boy bands that followed, Danny Wood says he's proud that New Kids left their "little stamp" on the music business. But he adds that he does not envy the 24/7 microscope of TMZ Nation that the Mileys, Britneys and Jonases of today must contend with. "The way the Internet is, there's all the sites that are always trying to get dirt on everyone, so they got it a lot different than we did. That's the part that's a little unfair, because you're walking on eggshells these days." Wahlberg concurs and knows that teen idol status ain't all roses. "I can relate to somebody being put in a fishbowl and sort of being told by the world who they are, what they are, and wanting to not be that. You know,
nkotbthing.com and fighting for that autonomy. I know what that's like, you know, so I can relate to it on many levels." That does not, however, mean he would presume to give them advice. Donnie says that back in the day, he wasn't really interested in advice from his predecessors like Donny Osmond and wouldn't dole it out today. Or if he ever did, he would do it in private. "I'm not gonna do it walking down the red carpet for 'Entertainment Tonight.' Like, 'What do you got to say to Britney?' You know, I'll say it to Britney, I'm not gonna say it to you. You know what I mean? I'll talk to her. It's just false. Sure, I probably could give a lot of people advice. But it's like all of this: It's gonna be for the right reason and in the right way." Seasoned wisdom from a onetime — and future — New Kid. 'THE FIRST SINGLE AFTER 15 YEARS IS PRETTY IMPORTANT' The reunited NKOTB talk about their new single 'Summertime' and how it recalls their glory days. (5.28.08) 'NO ONE CAN SCREW UP THE "OH OH" DANCE' The guys talk about updating all of their classic dance moves. (5.28.08) 'WHY DON'T YOU REUNITE ON THE MTV AWARDS?' Donnie Wahlberg reveals that NKOTB had been approached to reunite a couple of years ago — but it didn't feel right. (5.28.08) 'MY HAND USED TO LIVE ON MY CROTCH' NKOTB admit they weren't "THAT squeaky clean," but they think the media today is harder on pop stars. (5.28.08)
nkotbthing.com USA VH1 05.28.08 http://www.vh1.com/news
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ARE REUNITING 'FOR THE RIGHT REASONS,' BY JOHN NORRIS The reunited group talks comeback, self-respect and boy bands past and present. Unless you are a glacier or a giant sequoia, 15 years is a long time. In the music business, it's a very long time. In the teen-pop world, it's an eternity. And the past 15 years have been a time of such dramatic, fundamental change in the music industry that today the “biz” looks like a different “biz” altogether. So you'll forgive Jordan Knight, of the newly reunited senior citizens of boy-band-dom, New Kids on the Block, when he speaks of a "new CD" coming out in the fall, or of the band's new single called "Summertime" that's "climbing the charts." It's quaint, but somewhat antiquated language. "Wait! Do they even have 'charts' anymore?" chimes in Donnie Wahlberg. "No, it's 'we put our song into a computer bank. And you can go download it onto your — your not Walkman." (Now that's more like it!) Yes, much has changed since 1993, the last time the NKOTB performed together, and until recently few would have taken the bet that we would have ever seen the quintet at it again. But sure enough, in only nine months, it's gone from Wahlberg discovering a song ("Click Click Click" — on his birthday, actually) that he figured might be the right one for a reunion, to the guys finishing up a full album, beginning preparations for a fall tour — and making comeback appearances on the "Today" show and at two radio station concerts, in New Jersey and Boston. Backstage at the Jersey show — Z-100's "Zootopia" concert — the new New Kids seem excited, gratified and humbled by the frenzied reaction to their return from many now 30-something fans. They seem to be in something of a zone. Everything is just really flowing," says Joe McIntyre, who always, along with Jordan, was one of the two strongest singers in the group. "I feel like we're in a good place, and we're doing it for the right reasons and we're having a good time. The right reasons. That, in a nutshell, is why an NKOTB reunion is happening now, when one might least expect it, when seemingly few people — OK, actually quite a few people — were clamoring for it, and in the absence of any demonstrable boy-band wave like we saw in the late 1990s and early '00s. Heaven knows, plenty of people — outside parties, including the MTV Video Music Awards and VH1 — tried to make it happen in the past. Pleas were made, checks were no doubt waved, but Wahlberg — ever the heart, soul, conscience and mouthpiece of the New Kids — says he wasn't interested. "Every attempt in the past ... they weren't real. They were for other people's agendas, you know? It was always to serve someone else." Not one to hold back, he continues, "You know it was 'Backstreet's huge, 'NSYNC's huge ... why don't you guys reunite on the MTV Awards?' And that's what our old record company [Columbia Records] wanted. Well, why don't you just put us in the studio and finance an album and let's see if that'll work? As opposed to throwing us onstage and seeing if we get cheered or booed. You know what I mean? It was to serve their agenda. It didn't matter. If Chris Rock ripped us up and it turned into a disaster that we reunited on the MTV Awards, what was our record company gonna do the next morning? What would they do? They'd be like 'Bye, guys! Enjoy your flight home.' And I personally was not gonna put myself in that position, or us in that position."
nkotbthing.com That kind of self-respect, Wahlberg says, was not always there, but was borne of having pulled himself up in the mid-'90s, post-New Kids, and having fashioned a career as a respected Hollywood actor ("The Sixth Sense," "Band of Brothers," "Ransom"). He didn't "need" to do a reunion but says he never closed himself off to it, if it went down the "right way." "And for me it was never gonna be 'Let's go onstage and let's go on tour and scoop up all the money that's out there.' It was gonna be about, 'Let's make a record.' " As for that record, tracks reportedly include "Click Click Click," "Looking Like Danger," "Big Boy/Big Girl" and, of course, "Summertime." While the single is nostalgic, evoking memories of 1988, the guys seem intent on focusing on the here and now. Jordan says they're looking forward to busting out vintage hits on the fall tour, though some will be reworked: "We've performed those songs so many times that we want to give 'em a slight twist, not to get so far off where it's unrecognizable, because we don't want fans to not have that feeling they had when they were young. We want to re-create that for them. When it comes to their place in the pubescent pop pantheon, having paved the way for the boy bands that followed, Danny Wood says he's proud that New Kids left their "little stamp" on the music business. But he adds that he does not envy the 24/7 microscope of TMZ Nation that the Mileys, Britneys and Jonases of today must contend with. "The way the Internet is, there's all the sites that are always trying to get dirt on everyone, so they got it a lot different than we did. That's the part that's a little unfair, because you're walking on eggshells these days." Wahlberg concurs and knows that teen idol status ain't all roses. "I can relate to somebody being put in a fishbowl and sort of being told by the world who they are, what they are, and wanting to not be that. You know, and fighting for that autonomy. I know what that's like, you know, so I can relate to it on many levels." That does not, however, mean he would presume to give them advice. Donnie says that back in the day, he wasn't really interested in advice from his predecessors like Donny Osmond and wouldn't dole it out today. Or if he ever did, he would do it in private. "I'm not gonna do it walking down the red carpet for 'Entertainment Tonight.' Like, 'What do you got to say to Britney?' You know, I'll say it to Britney, I'm not gonna say it to you. You know what I mean? I'll talk to her. It's just false. Sure, I probably could give a lot of people advice. But it's like all of this: It's gonna be for the right reason and in the right way." Seasoned wisdom from a onetime — and future — New Kid. This report is provided by MTV
nkotbthing.com USA 05.28.2008
PHOTO AGENCIES
DETROIT PISTONS V BOSTON CELTICS, GAME 5 Singer and actor Donnie Wahlberg (3L) and director Penny Marshall (C) attend Game Five of the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the TD Banknorth Garden May 28, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts.
nkotbthing.com USA MYSPACE 05 29 2008 http://blog.myspace.com
MORE TOUR DATES ON SALE! More tour dates go on sale starting tomorrow!! Visit www.nkotb.com for more info! DATE CITY 11/18/08 Edmonton, AB
VENUE Rexall Place
GENERAL ON-SALE 5/30 @ 10am
11/10/08 St. Louis, MO 11/11/08 Kansas City, MO 11/12/08 Omaha, NE 11/23/08 Portland, OR
Scottrade Center 5/31 @ 11am Sprint Center 5/31 @ 11am Quest Center 5/31 @ 10am Rose Garden Arena 5/31 @ 10am
09/19/08 Toronto, ON 10/03/08 Cleveland, OH 10/21/08 Minneapolis, MN 10/22/08 Milwaukee, WI 10/25/08 Detroit, MI 11/19/08 Calgary, AB 11/21/08 Vancouver, BC
Air Canada Center Quicken Arena XCEL Energy Center Bradley Center Palace Auburn Hills Saddledome General Motors Place
6/02 @ Noon 6/02 @ 10am 6/02 @ 10am 6/02 @ 10am 6/02 @ 10am 6/02 @ 10am 6/02 @ 10am
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM ROMEO 05.29.08 RADIO SHOW http://www.kim108.com
nkotbthing.com USA RADIO AND RECORDS 05.29.2008 http://www.bostonherald.com
"SUMMERTIME" IS UP TO 32 (FROM 34) ON THE TOP 40. IT WAS THE FORTH MOST ADDED SONG LAST WEEK (11 STATIONS)
nkotbthing.com USA PEREZ HILTON 05.29.08 http://perezhilton.com
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMEBACK??? The New Kids on the Block's "comeback" single, Summertime, has stalled BIG TIME. The song has failed to catch on at radio and‌. According to the new Soundscan singles chart,
Summertime has dropped out of the top 50 selling songs. Ouch! To date, NKOTB's Summertime has sold a pathetic sad 62,000 downloads. Hey, at least their reunion tour is selling well.*
*Allegedly.
nkotbthing.com USA BALTIMORE EXAMINER 05.29.08 http://www.examiner.com
‘NEW KIDS’ STIR UP A LOT OF OLD FEELINGS BALTIMORE (Map, News) NKOTB Rule! These words were written in chalk on our garage wall for years. It was the 1980s, and my youngest stepdaughter was swooning over New Kids on the Block. Now, almost 32 years old, she’s swooning once again. NKOTB is coming out with a new album, and the group is planning a reunion tour. Can you believe it? If you were a teenager — or lived with one — in the late ’80s and early ’90s, you’re aware of the New Kids phenomenon. At one point in our house, the song, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” played so many times, I considered blowing my mind with a pistol. I happily stayed home when my husband took his daughter to New Kids concerts in cities around the country. When she called weeks ago and told us about the reunion tour, she and her dad knew they would have to relive those musical moments. Unfortunately, NKOTB is not coming to Baltimore. The closest concert venue is Atlantic City. Seats on the floor sold out there in 12 minutes. My husband is working every connection he can in trying to find decent seats. Of course, the “new” Kids experience won’t be the same as the old one. The band’s five members are approaching 40. Four of them have kids. They even have facial hair. I guess they figure if Mick Jagger can still draw big crowds at 64, they should be able to pull this off. The reunion says a lot for the power of nostalgia. Concert halls will be filled with thirty-somethings, returning to their teenage days, squealing and shrieking just as if 14 years had not gone by. Clearly, NKOTB did blow their minds and will do it again. And those of us who were too old to get excited the first time around will just shake our heads in wonder. After all, this isn’t Elvis. It’s not the Beatles. But to my stepdaughter, it’s too good to be true. If she’s driven to play the group’s new album as much as she played the old ones, it’s OK. Her boyfriend is the one who now will have to listen ad nauseam.
nkotbthing.com USA KISS FM 104.7 05.30.2008 RADIO SHOW
DONNIE WAHLBERG Johnjay and Rich talk to Donnie Wahlberg from New Kids On The Block.
nkotbthing.com USA FOX NEWS 05.30.2008 www.foxnews.com
THE HOT ZONE
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK’ PERFORM AT ‘ZOOTOPIA’
nkotbthing.com USA BILLBOARD & THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 05.30.2008 http://www.billboard.com & http://www.hollywoodreporter.com
NEW KIDS EYEING SEPTEMBER FOR REUNION ALBUM Cortney Harding, N.Y. With a sold-out tour already on the books, the reunited New Kids On The Block have penciled in a Sept. 8 release date for a new album, which will be released by Interscope. The group performed first single "Summertime" during a May 16 appearance on NBC's "Today." "I discussed a lot of options with them, but in the end, it made sense to create a partnership with a label," group manager Jared Paul tells Billboard. "It makes sense for us to have someone to underwrite six weeks of rehearsal and loss-leader shows like the 'Today' show; it makes sense to work with people who have good deals with great songwriters and a strong online and radio department." Both the band and the label describe the deal as a "partnership." One source close to the deal notes that the label will partake in merchandise and touring revenue. "We were driven by the music," group member Joey McIntyre tells Billboard of the decision to reunite. "Donnie [Wahlberg] and I both live in L.A., and we have had conversations about the offers we've gotten in the past. This time around, Donnie was the loudest and pushed the hardest in terms of getting going on the music. His excitement was really infectious." "Our first goal was always just to make a great album," says Wahlberg. "We wanted to work with the best, and have a great team in place so we could make an album that counted." "Our friends' kids are listening to the tracks, and they are excited," says group member Jordan Knight. "We don't come across as old guys on the record, and songs like "Summertime" have a great, '80s vibe that can be enjoyed by everyone." For more on the New Kids On The Block reunion, see the June 7 issue of Billboard, on newsstands and online today (May 30) at Billboard.biz. Single copies of the issue can be ordered by clicking here.
nkotbthing.com USA E! 04.30.2008 www.eonline.com
NEW KIDS TAKE ON THE WORLD, STEP BY STEP by NATALIE FINN
If early '90s nostalgia is what you're hankering for, this group's got "The Right Stuff." New Kids on the Block, the original arena-filling boy band, announced Wednesday that they'll be kicking off a world tour Sept. 20 in Montreal. (Only a handful of North American dates have made the itinerary so far, but we're figuring the locales that aren't in the mood for "Hangin' Tough" are few and far between.) And for those of you who are a little wary of shelling out hard-earned cash for a live glimpse at the newly reunited quintet (whose combined ages will be 191 by the time their tour launches), you can check out their moves May 16 when NKOTB performs live on Today—their first time taking the stage together in 15 years. Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Jon Knight and Joey McIntyre are also working on a new album with a collective eye on a fall release date, and a fresh single is slated to drop May 13.
nkotbthing.com USA STAR TRIBUNE 05.30.2008 www.startribune.com
TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY FOR NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AT THE X Star Tribune
Tickets for the Twin Cities performance by New Kids on the Block this fall will go on sale Monday, promoters have announced. The boy band, which had teen girls screaming as the 1980s turned into the '90s, is coming Oct. 21 to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as part of the quintet's first tour in 15 years. Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at the Xcel box office, at all Ticketmaster locations and at 651-989-5151. For the quintet's tour opener Sept. 19 in Toronto, tickets reportedly sold out in 4 minutes. The group newest single is "Summertime," its first studio recording in 17 years. PAUL WALSH
nkotbthing.com USA COLBY O DONIES PROFILE 05.30.2008 http://www.myspace.com/colbyo
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