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Timeline : Backstreet Boys

October 3, 1971

Kevin Richardson of Backstreet Boys is born in Lexington, Kentucky.

August 22, 1973

Howie Dorough of Backstreet Boys is born in Orlando, Florida.

February 20, 1975

Brian Littrell of Backstreet Boys is born in Lexington, Kentucky. His cousin is bandmate Kevin Richardson.

January 9, 1978

A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys is born in West Palm Beach, Florida.

January 28, 1980

Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys is born in Jamestown, New York. He is just 13 when he joins the boy band in 1993.

April 20, 1993

Looking to mimic the success of New Kids on the Block, entrepreneur Lou Pearlman sets out to create his own boy band. After auditioning hundreds of performers, he chooses five unknowns to be his Backstreet Boys.

May 8, 1993

The newly formed Backstreet Boys give their very first public performance, at SeaWorld Orlando.

May 6, 1996

Backstreet Boys release their self-titled debut album to international markets, aiming to tap into Europe's fascination with boy bands. A US release comes the following year.

May 19, 1997

Backstreet Boys release "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," their breakthrough single in the US.

August 12, 1997

Backstreet Boys issue their self-titled debut album in America, where it goes on to sell over 14 million copies. The album was released to international markets a year earlier.

August 11, 1997

Backstreet Boys release their second album, Backstreet's Back, in international markets. It tops the charts in several countries, including Canada, Spain and Germany. In America, some of the songs appear on their next album, Millennium, in 1999.

March 14, 1998

The Backstreet Boys appear on Saturday Night Live for the first time, performing "As Long As You Love Me" and "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)."

April 12, 1999

Backstreet Boys release "I Want It That Way."

May 18, 1999

Backstreet Boys release their third album (second in America), Millennium, with the hits "I Want It That Way" and "Larger than Life." Primarily produced by Max Martin, it sells over 13 million in America and many more worldwide.

November 21, 2000

Backstreet Boys release their fourth album, Black & Blue. Catering to the screaming teenage girl demographic, they promote it with an appearance on MTV's Total Request Live. The album is one of biggest debuts in history, with initial shipments of about 6 million.More

July 9, 2001

During an appearance on MTV's TRL, four of the Backstreet Boys announce their Black & Blue tour will be put on hold so their fifth member, AJ McLean, can enter rehab to treat alcoholism and depression.

June 14, 2005

Backstreet Boys stray from their traditional pop fare with their rock-leaning comeback album, Never Gone. It debuts at #3 in America, sells over 10 million copies worldwide...and is slayed by critics.

June 23, 2006

Kevin Richardson of Backstreet Boys leaves the group to pursue other interests.

October 24, 2007

Backstreet Boys release Unbreakable, their first album without Kevin Richardson.More

June 19, 2010

Backstreet Boys join New Kids on the Block at NKOTB's show in Radio City Music Hall. The response is so great that the re-formed bands begin touring together... as NKOTBSB.

August 19, 2016

Former music mogul Lou Pearlman, creator of 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys, dies at age 62 while serving a 25-year sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, Texas. In 2008, he was convicted of conspiracy and money laundering related to a massive Ponzi scheme.

March 29, 2020

With most of the world homebound as the coronavirus pandemic takes hold, Elton John hosts the "Living Room Concert For America" from his home, featuring virtual performances by Mariah Carey, H.E.R., Backstreet Boys, and Tim McGraw. The concert raises money to help local food banks and support first responders during the crisis.More

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