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Jordan, Jon, Joe, Donnie, and Danny. They set the bar for every boy band that followed and changed the course of pop music forever. In the 1980s, for millions of young girls around the world, they were gods. But behind the scenes, they were just kids. In this authorized biography of the band, the New Kids tell it all to rock journalist Nikki Van Noy.
From makeshift stages in Boston clubs to soldout shows at Madison Square Garden, through winning American Music Awards and selling 80 million records, the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) were a rite of passage and a touchstone of youthful memories. Scoring platinum albums, and with a series of sold-out international tours, NKOTB blazed through North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, leaving throngs of screaming teen and tween girls in their wake. But after a few heady years, the guys (and their fans) grew up, and moved on. The New Kids disbanded in 1994 and, for nearly fifteen years, there was every reason to believe that the NKOTB phenomenon was over once and for all.
But then an unexpected thing happened. The band (and their fans) got a second chance to relive their youth when NKOTB reunited in 2008. And they realized that this band has something special—an unbreakable bond with their fans and with each other that has only strengthened with the passage of time. Today, fans both old and new celebrate the band’s triumphant comeback with sold-out concerts, cruises, and top-selling albums. And this time, Jordan, Jon, Joe, Donnie, and Danny are enjoying it all right alongside them. An intimate, all-access backstage pass to everything New Kids on the Block, from their meteoric rise to fame
Nikki Van Noy talks directly to those loyal fans, as well as to all five band members and their families, weaving their stories together in this no-holds-barred chronicle. With frankness and honesty, each New Kid recalls nearly thirty years of experience with the group, both on and off the stage. Like a time machine, this book will take you right back—giving you an inside look at the New Kids like you’ve never seen them before.
An intimate, all-access backstage pass to everything New Kids on the Block, from their meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s to the band’s breakup in the 1990s— and their triumphant comeback today
“We’re siting there, and all of a sudden Jordan said, ‘You know we’re gonna be famous, right? We’re gonna be famous.’ And he was right.” —Joe
“All that stuf f we never experienced in college, we experienced on the road, just the five of us.” —Jon
“There’s just no words to describe it. I guess the only thing similar is a Super Bowl quarterback winning it for his hometown.” —Danny
“It’s amazing. It’s almost like going through life and then geting another chance at life, knowing what you know now.” —Jordan
“My dad said, ‘I’ll tell you what—if you ever make it big and you come home and you’ve changed, I’m gonna kick your ass.’ That always rang in my head.” —Donnie
“The story of how five boys from Boston rose from nothing to become unlikely international recording stars in the late 1980s … there is true profundity in the stories of accomplished adult women who, during their formative years, fell in love with five flickering images on TV screens and never let go.”
“In the dozens of fascinating interviews with super fans that Van Noy records for posterity in this well-researched, smartly organized book, it becomes clear it's not about the music. (It never is.) It's about remembering the way we were — those junior-high days when so many of us loved nothing more than this band, when you could dream of marrying Jordan Knight and fully believe it really would come true.”
“What distinguishes 'Five Brothers' from similar biographies is Van Noy’s inclusion of the voices of dozens of NKOTB fans both in the story itself — commenting on events from a fan’s perspective — and sharing personal tales of kindnesses shown by the band members at the end of each chapter. … If you didn’t think NKOTB had the right stuff in the ’80s, “Five Brothers” won’t change your mind, but it does a decent job of explaining what those million sisters continue to scream about.”
“This new book offers readers an intimate all access, backstage pass to NKOTB including their incredible rise in the 1980s, the group’s tumble during the following decade and, of course, the triumphant rebirth… a highly readable story.”
“The book deftly shows the sense of community the group has with its fans, the genuine love and affection both sides feel, and how five young boys from Boston became a cultural phenomenon. Fans of the group will want to get this inside look into their life on and off the road.”
Chapter 01 Coming Home 1
Chapter 02 What's a Nynuk? 17
Chapter 03 We're the New Kids on the Block 43
Chapter 04 You Got it 63
Chapter 05 Five Guys, One Bus 82
Chapter 06 First Time was a Great Time 99
Chapter 07 Remember When we Traveled 'Round the World? 122
Chapter 08 Hold on 144
Chapter 09 Face the Music 162
Chapter 10 The Thought of you Still Makes me Crazy 184
Chapter 11 Stronger then Ever 210
Chapter 12 Five Brothers and a Million Sisters 235
Chapter 13 This Love will Last Forever 253
acknowledgments 257
index 259
Anonymous
Posted October 4, 2012
Reading this book gave me the chills and goosebumps all over again. These 5 guys are amazing!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 2, 2012
I am in love with book. Thanks Nikki for wrighting this. The live we have for NKOTB & their love for us is truley the best.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 2, 2012
I LOVE this book! It brings back so many Amazing memories!! I LOVE NKOTB, this book made me laugh and cry....great job Guys and a Nikki
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 16, 2013
It's awesome to just get some insight into a group that I love so much. It's well written and easy to read. I hope i get lucky enough to meet them one day and tell my story as many fans in the book did
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2013
Big time fan from the very begining! Love these guys always! Have not read the book yet, but love anything about them and their reunion and their NKOTBSB tour!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.N_Marroquin
Posted December 13, 2012
After reading New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters my first reaction was this book is hollow. And I know I will end up making the same comments as other people. However the book really is more about the fans. It is still worth reading. Yet, the book is in no way a biography about NKOTB. I though the author said she was going to sit down and really dive in and interview NKOTB's family members, friends, and Maurice. I mean dude were is Maurice's voice. What I do not understand, why there was no explanation on the very song that really got Donnie Wahlberg so pumped up contacting Jordan Knight and Joe Mcintyre which was not added to the Block CD. I may be wrong but I always thought Click, Click, Click was the song that lit the fire. According to a couple of interviews done with NKOTB. Now after reading the book and learning there was another and possibly better song then Click, Click, Click is interesting. Has left me wondering why hasn't this been mentioned (more) in interviews with the band before? And in the book the guys are said to be fighters and hands on be it with their careers and all things concerning New Kids On The Block. Yet, where was that fighting spirit when the song(s) were not added to the Block CD. Yes, Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood grew up in a very urban/tuff area of Boston. To me it just looks like the street tuff since ability is missing in the guys. Since they have been away from urban city living for a long time. Don't get me wrong I don't mean the guys have to live in an urban area to rekindle and keep their urban roots. Its a matter of remembering where a person grew up. There are stories through out the book such as this one about the song(s) which has a lot of empty holes to them.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The biography starts, well at the beginning, when they were just a bunch of boys in their neighborhood. It was interesting to read how most of their lives overlapped and how they came together. I think for me the first part of the book was the most interesting. They discussed some of the issues/rumors that surrounded the band being manufactured and the Milli Vanilli scandal. I mean as a teen girl I loved them, but reading this took me back and walked me through where they came from, who they were before the hype and during the hype. Honestly, made me like the band a whole lot more.
It was also a cool biography because it gave the fans a chance to speak out about their part of the NKOTB movement. I had to laugh because I remember being like so many of the girls (well I guess now they are women too!). It was fun to go back. As I read, I'd sit there looking up videos of them on you-tube and watch them.
They talk about the bands break-up and getting the band back together. I remember watching Dancing with the Stars when Joey Intyre was on, thinking man I'd love it if the New Kids got back together! I would have liked to have read a little more about their time not being in the band and would have enjoyed seeing more photos over the last thirty years included in the book. I'm not one who normally reads biographies or memoirs, but honestly this was a treat. Took me back to my youth and allowed me access to the boys that once adorned my bedroom walls.
I felt this would be an enjoyable read for NKOTB fans, even if you just enjoyed the music and weren't all 'into' the band.
Anonymous
Posted November 26, 2012
Complete puff piece. Nothing new. Pics used were terrible-so many other great photos out there!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MaritimeReader
Posted November 5, 2012
As a fan this was an awesome read. I had goosebumps and got teary eyed remembering all the memories from then and now. I also appreciated the frankness with which NKOTB and the author addressed the happenings from back in the day; definitely something that had been spun differently back then. It was this forthcomingness that made the book both personal and touching. If you are not a fan and wonder why we are you should read this book. You may just become a BH too. It will certainly show fans and non-fans alike why these 5 "brothers" have been named the 5 hardest working people in show business. It will also show you why BH love is Love Eternal.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 31, 2012
I read the entire book the day it came out. I really enjoyed it, but i did feel as though there could have been more information shared... i was already aware of a lot of the stuff in the book before actually reading it. The author did a great job and the book really flowed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.TheMomJH
Posted October 26, 2012
This a great book for any NKOTB fan. I purchased this book for my thiry something daughter and she just loves it. It would make a great Christmas present for any NKOTB fan.
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Posted October 9, 2012
Nikki really seems to fully understand what it means to be a Blockhead! Thank you for this wonderful book! I bought the Kindle version and I am now going to buy the hard cover as well. I want a book I can hold and have as a keepsake!! I can't tell you how many times I got the goosebumps, laughed and smiled while reading this book. It is a true testament to these 5 wonderful men who have mad a lasting impact in so many lives. Well written page turner that I simply could not put down!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 3, 2012
Can anyone else get the pics that were sup to be in the book?
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 2, 2012
Thought this would be a tell all, no holds barred biography. Instead it was a watered down puff piece.
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Posted October 12, 2012
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Posted April 1, 2013
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Posted October 23, 2012
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Posted November 10, 2012
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Posted October 23, 2012
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Posted October 17, 2012
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Overview
Jordan, Jon, Joe, Donnie, and Danny. They set the bar for every boy band that followed and changed the course of pop music forever. In the 1980s, for millions of young girls around the world, they were gods. But behind the scenes, they were just kids. In this authorized biography of the band, the New Kids tell it all to rock journalist Nikki Van Noy.
From makeshift stages in Boston clubs to soldout shows at Madison Square Garden, through winning American Music Awards and selling...