BUT POP NEEDED FORM.......
THEN APPEARED THE BOY BAND.
THE PERFECT VESSEL TO SPREAD POPS MESSAGE TO SCREAMING GIRLS AND GAY BOYS.
So what is a boy band? Traditionally it is a self formed or formed vocal group. From Motown groups like the four tops to (and some will hate me) The Beatles. Some will say the Beatles are a rock group but they were the one of the first bands that each members distinct personalities was used to appeal to particular girls. This became the template for years to come. I would suggest the first manufactured boy band would have been 'The Monkees' formed for a TV show, concept was about 4 regular guys who were moulded to be a Beatlesque band. When the public wanted the real thing the public got what they wanted and 'The Monkees' were formed for real. The concept for the boy band was for a young girl to explore their sexuality in a safe environment. but what about these personalities? The concept for the boy band was to have the Hot one, the cute one, the bad boy, the dependable one. With extra members you then get to choose the dancer, the black guy and now the gay one. This was not always the way, there were the boy band rules. Thou shall not drink, thou shall not take drugs, thou shall not be gay and most of all THOU SHALL NOT HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!!!. The members will always need to appear available to their legion of female fans. British boy band East 17 forgot this when member Brian Harvey endorsed the use of Ecstasy. Within 2 days he had been sacked, but the band never recovered and split soon after. They have reformed a few times without great success.
East 17 - 1991
East 17 2011
The puppet master ( Manager ) ultimately wants to make money for himself, rarely will they be caring about the well being of the members both now or after the band splits. The worst words a manager can hear is " I want to be taken seriously, We want to write our own songs" This is usually the beginning of the end. Pop music is disposable, with disposable songs, but get it right and the future is bright for all concerned ( for a year or two anyway ) When British boy band 'Blue' released their first single 'All Rise,' it was quickly reported they were the boy band it was alright to like. Follow up singles were not as well written and their albums soon followed the ballad way boy bands usually go.
When it comes to boy bands it is widely known that 'Take That' are the benchmark. Popular throughout many parts of the world, initial cringe worthy songs were soon overshadowed by brilliant ballads and adult oriented pop. Lead singer Gary Barlow has also forged a career writing successful songs for other artists. When they reformed in 2006, their ultimate tour sold out witin minutes and have released 3 of the biggest selling albums of the current decade. Proving that when you get it right, you get it right.
Take That 1991
Take That 2011
In Australia, we have been less successful with boy bands. On paper Queensland quartet 'Indecent Obsession' come across as a band. Lead Singer David Dixon fronted while 3 members play instruments and offer backing vocals. When the cover work was chosen for their debut album 'Spoken Words'with all four sporting wetsuits they were quickly pigeonholed as an act men wouldn't be seen following. Despite mild success here and 3 albums ( one with replacement singer and keyboarder), their biggest market was South Africa where single 'Kiss Me' spent a remarkable 27 weeks at number 1 on the singles charts. Sony act Human nature have been going since 1996 and still selling well. They have crossed over with Motown covers albums, the first 'Reach out' becoming the highest selling Australian album in 2005.
The newest addition to the boy band clan is UK X Factor group 'One Direction'. put together by Simon Cowell and comprising of failed solo artists from the show, they became finalists in the 2010 competition and followed up with number one singles and a number two album. In recent weeks they have created hysteria world wide with record breaking selling tours and crying girls where ever they go. It is unknown whether they can maintain the same popularity for years to come, but being clean cut boys with good looks and strong song writers my bet is we will be hearing from them for a few years to come.
One Direction
While there are girls, there will always be boy bands. Their shape will change throughout the years but the ingredients will remain the same. Put in a bowl and stir gently and leave to bake under the public's eye..... but warning!! don't leave out for too long or they will go off.
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