Joey, Jordan, Jon, Donnie, and Danny ... sigh ...
New Kids on the Block exploded onto the music scene and into the hearts of girls everywhere with albums and . Jordan Knight, in my five-year-old eyes, was especially dreamy with his breathtaking good looks, smooth dance moves and amazing voice.
Heartthrob Jordan Knight still has the right stuff, and he is just as sweet and charming as ever. Stroll down memory lane and see what Jordan has to say about the past and the future.
To me, Jordan was the leader of the group.??He produced a spark that held the guys together and provoked girls of all ages to fall in love with them. I asked Jordan if competition existed among the members of the band.
\I don't think so,"" he said. ""The things Maurice wrote were written for a certain vocal range. Danny could not hold a note I could. It was what Maurice wrote that dictated who would sing what part. Everybody got along great, there was no animosity or jealousy. Each guy had their own fans and each girl could identify with each guy and still do today.""
As a mature kindergartner, I wore my oversized New Kids button with pride, watched every award show and live performance, and read every magazine article. Well, my older sister actually read the articles to me. At that time, critics compared NKOTB's popularity to the Beatles.??
""I don't like the claim 'to the Beatles' because I am a huge fan of the group. You can look at the New Kids on the Block phenomenon in comparison to the Beatles. We had great material for the time, but there is just no comparison to the music of John Lennon or Paul McCartney. I have the utmost respect for them,"" Jordan said.
Jordan's voice is especially outstanding because he is able to sing and sustain incredibly high notes. He told me about how he discovered his talent.
""The only training I had was in the church choir. It is pretty much all on my own. I don't want to sound like I am bragging, but my voice is just natural and it is something I am proud of, to have that range.""
I especially remember him singing ""I'll Be Loving You (Forever),"" one of my favorite songs at the time displaying his amazing vocal range.
Not only did I start to grow up and listen to new music, but all New Kids fans also grew and changed their musical tastes. Unfortunately, every good thing comes to an end. We all heard the break-up rumors, but Jordan wants everyone to know the truth about what happened.
""We were not forced out. We left on our own terms. We were on tour and had a meeting on the back of the tour bus. We decided we accomplished all the goals of the group and wanted to move on to other things. We were all ready and welcomed it. I was ready to branch out and start a solo record.""
Jordan did branch out and, in 1999, released his first solo album, . This March he will be releasing a NKOTB remix album, followed up by a solo album in summer.
The remix brings listeners back to the old days, but is modified for the millennium. Jordan exhibits his youthful flare and vocal talent.
""I was initially going to come out with a second solo album and remix 'My Favorite Girl,'"" he said. ""It came out so well, we decided to do a whole remix record. Fans are going crazy over it."" He added, ""The vocal ranges are the same, but the music is 2004. The music has changed dramatically, but the melodies and vocals are the same. I went back and re-recorded everything.""
Currently, Jordan is touring to promote the remix album.
""You get the old stuff and the new stuff and everything else in between,"" he said of the show. ""I am behind the piano singing ballads for half the show."" He will be coming to Madison at the end of February.
Ten years after NKOTB released their last album, I admit my sister and I still blast their music and sing along to their songs. I pulled out the old New Kids T-shirt, revisited '80s magazines articles, wore my oversized button, and relived juvenile experiences. Jordan has nothing but fondness for his NKOTB memories.
""We were fortunate to have a great producer and songwriter. Maurice was great and talented. I think the songs just seemed to hit at the right time. I am proud to say that I think they are great songs now. You can definitely listen to one of the songs off the record and bring yourself back to those great years and great times.""
As for a New Kids reunion Jordan said, ""There is talk. You never know what 2004 will bring; YOU NEVER KNOW.\
