Maurice Starr was working hard on those two groups during the 80s in Boston, was he? It was New Edition first with Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe, Michael Bivins, and Ricky Bell. Then it was New Kids On The Block. True, both those boy bands hated Maurice's guts and wanted to write their own material, hence breaking up with him. But, still, Maurice was pretty much a genius to create that niche in the teen market. Hence, later in the 90s, you will have boy bands like Backstreet Boys, Boyz To Men, In'sync, etc. following the fad that was just as old as time itself. Dating back to the 50s.
Personally, I think New Kids on The Block was either a love-it or hate-it band. You either loved them and didn't want anybody to know you listen to their music. That was pretty much what NKOTB stood for. |