They’ve been touring on and off since reuniting for their comeback nearly two years ago. Now New Kids on the Block are back in Eastern Connecticut with two performances this weekend at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods.
The former boy band (now perhaps man band) made it big in the late ’80s, but by 1994 had disbanded. NKOTB was defunct for about 15 years. So what were they guys up to?
The NKOTB member to most stay in the spotlight was definitely Donnie Wahlberg. Wahlberg didn’t waste anytime after the band’s break-up, launching his acting career as part of 1996’s “Bullet” with Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur. Things picked up from there and he earned roles in major movies, the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” as well as several television shows.
Jonathan Knight had a much different path. Knight was the first to leave the group in 1994. Though no reason was given at the time, Knight later revealed he suffered from panic attacks for years and sought medical help for the problem. He also got into real estate in the band’s off years, living in Essex, Mass., and rarely giving interviews.
Knight’s brother Jordan was not so reclusive. The younger Knight launched a solo career after NKOTB split, earning a Top 10 hit in 1999 with “Give It To You.” His follow-up singles didn’t do as well, nor did his follow-up albums. Jordan tried to give his career a boost in 2004 with an appearance on VH1’s “The Surreal Life,” but the stint didn’t do as much as he had hoped.
Lackluster
Danny Wood also suffered through a lackluster solo career post-New Kids. Though he has released six albums apart from the band, none of them charted. He was also a part of the MTV show “Totally Boyband,” which grouped former boy band members together into a new group. The band’s name was Upper Street, but it quickly disbanded.
Joey McIntyre saw a short-lived solo career after the band broke up. He, like Jordan Knight, had a Top 10 hit in 1999. “Stay the Same” was the title track to his solo debut, which McIntyre recorded with his own money and sold on his website. He got a record deal after the release and two more albums followed. McIntyre also starred on Broadway numerous times and appeared in the first season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
No matter what they did on their own, fans clearly like them better as a group. New Kids on the Block will be back on stage together twice this weekend at the MGM Grand.
Nancy Hall is assistant program director at Q105. She is on air from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. E-mail her at nancyhall@q105.fm
The former boy band (now perhaps man band) made it big in the late ’80s, but by 1994 had disbanded. NKOTB was defunct for about 15 years. So what were they guys up to?
The NKOTB member to most stay in the spotlight was definitely Donnie Wahlberg. Wahlberg didn’t waste anytime after the band’s break-up, launching his acting career as part of 1996’s “Bullet” with Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur. Things picked up from there and he earned roles in major movies, the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” as well as several television shows.
Jonathan Knight had a much different path. Knight was the first to leave the group in 1994. Though no reason was given at the time, Knight later revealed he suffered from panic attacks for years and sought medical help for the problem. He also got into real estate in the band’s off years, living in Essex, Mass., and rarely giving interviews.
Knight’s brother Jordan was not so reclusive. The younger Knight launched a solo career after NKOTB split, earning a Top 10 hit in 1999 with “Give It To You.” His follow-up singles didn’t do as well, nor did his follow-up albums. Jordan tried to give his career a boost in 2004 with an appearance on VH1’s “The Surreal Life,” but the stint didn’t do as much as he had hoped.
Lackluster
Danny Wood also suffered through a lackluster solo career post-New Kids. Though he has released six albums apart from the band, none of them charted. He was also a part of the MTV show “Totally Boyband,” which grouped former boy band members together into a new group. The band’s name was Upper Street, but it quickly disbanded.
Joey McIntyre saw a short-lived solo career after the band broke up. He, like Jordan Knight, had a Top 10 hit in 1999. “Stay the Same” was the title track to his solo debut, which McIntyre recorded with his own money and sold on his website. He got a record deal after the release and two more albums followed. McIntyre also starred on Broadway numerous times and appeared in the first season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
No matter what they did on their own, fans clearly like them better as a group. New Kids on the Block will be back on stage together twice this weekend at the MGM Grand.
Nancy Hall is assistant program director at Q105. She is on air from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. E-mail her at nancyhall@q105.fm
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