Monday, the Boys will perform at the American Music Awards. They are up for two awards.
Here, a backstage look at Backstreet life in the words of the Boys themselves--Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, and A.J. McLean.
"We hope to be old people onstage together, as old as the Rolling Stones," says Carter, 18. So, do the Stones look like grandparents to him? "Well, their drummer [Charlie Watts, 57] is looking up there."
The group hug: Before a show, teh five-man hug "is like a sentimental moment," says McLean, 20. "It's like saying, 'Let's not take any of this for granted. We're blessed.'"
"David Cassidy said he had no control of merchandising," says Richardson. "We're trying to contrl our destiny. Enough with [Backstreet] pajamas, bedsheets, lunch boxes. It was out of hand, but we've now gained control legally."
What's the toughest part of being a Backstreet Boy? "When you're walking in the mall and they recognize you and scream," says McLean. "Then everyone comes up and your whole shopping day" is ruined. Adds Carter: "Screaming is all right. But if you want to approach us, come say 'Hi, we respect your music,' That's waht we're all about: music."
Carter, an artist, hopes to publish a comic book soon. "It's a dark Batman-like story, a sci-fi type of thing, and all the Backstreet Boys are characters. I believe it'll open us up to male fans."
Frank Sinatra was a master of retaining his audience as they matured from bobby-soxers to senior citizens, says McLean. "He did everything right."
Being big in Europe first and nobodies in America "was humbling," says Richardson. Adds Carter: "Because we had to work for it here, it made the success sweeter."
"Our shows are for the whole family--younger sisters, older sisters, the cats, the dogs..." says McLean. "We even had a dog chasing our bus. I said to Nick, 'Look, now we have animal fans! That's when you know you've made it.'"
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