<a href=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB040402080938021912&sql=B7kd4vwxta9xk>Maurice Starr</a> produced New Kids on the Block, the first major boy band act in the 1980s.

The Pet Shop Boys-- vocalist Neil Tennantand keyboardist Chris Lowe -- navigated the constantly shifting landscape of modern dance-pop with rare grace and intelligence, moving easily from disco to house to techno with their own distinctive image remaining completely intact. Satiric and irreverent -- yet somehow strangely affecting -- the British duo transcended the seeming disposability of their craft, offering wry and thoughtful cultural commentary communicated by the Morse code of au courantsynth washes and drum-machine rhythms. Lowe was born October 4, 1959, in Blackpool, England; as a youth, he studied piano and trombone, later playing in a traditional dance band. Lowe also studied architecture before co-founding Pet Shop Boysin London in August 1981 after first meeting Tennantat an electronics shop; discovering a shared passion for dance music and synthesizers, they immediately decided to start a band. Their 1984 debut "West End Girls" was a minor hit in the U.S., but went nowhere in Britain, and its follow-up, "One More Chance," was also unsuccessful. Upon signing to EMI, the Pet Shop Boysissued 1985's biting "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)"; when it too failed to attract attention, the duo's future appeared grim, but they then released an evocative new Stephen Hagueproduction of "West End Girls" that became an international chart-topper. Its massive success propelled the Pet Shop Boys' 1986 debut LP Pleaseinto the Top Ten and when "Opportunities" was subsequently reissued, it too became a hit. In 1987, the duo resurfaced with the superb Actually, which launched three more Top Ten smashes: "It's a Sin," a lovely cover of the perennial "Always on My Mind," and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?," a duet between Tennantand the great Dusty Springfield. A year later, the Pet Shop Boysissued their third studio LP, the eclectic Introspective; the single "Domino Dancing" was their final Top 40 hit in the U.S. The duo next collaborated with a variety of performers, most notably Liza Minnelli, for whom they produced the 1989 LP Results; they also produced material for Springfield. The Pet Shop Boysreconvened in 1990 for the muted, downcast Behavior, while 1991 saw the release of their hit medley of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." It was followed in 1993 by Very, lauded among the duo's finest efforts to date. After a three-year absence, the Pet Shop Boysresurfaced with Bilingual, a fluid expansion into Latin rhythms; Nightlifefollowed in 1999.

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As a frequent lead vocalist for late-'80s teen-pop sensations New Kids on the Block, Jordan Knight lent his sweet falsetto to such Top Ten hits as "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)," and "Cover Girl." Additionally, Knight added backing vocals and his nascent production skills to records by the likes of Tommy Page and Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch, and began to step into that latter role for the New Kids as Maurice Starr's influence over the group waned. However, by the time of 1994's Face the Music, their popularity had waned as well, and Knight was virtually silent for several years following the group's subsequent breakup. In one of the unlikelier music-industry comebacks, though, Knight -- as did fellow New Kid alum Joe McIntyre -- took advantage of a resurgence of interest in teen-oriented "boy bands" (like 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys) to launch a solo career. The single "Give It to You" was released in early 1999 and became a hit, setting the stage for Knight's eponymous solo debut album later that year.

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As one of the Backstreet Boys, singer Nick Carter became an international superstar during the mid-'90s as his band became one of the best-selling teen pop bands in history. Born Nickolas Gene Carter on January 28, 1980, in upstate New York, Carter's life in entertainment began at an early age. He starred in various commercials and participated in countless talent shows as a child. By the time he was a teenager, he left the public school system for a home-schooled environment so he could focus on being a performer. He was barely 13 when he got the chance of a lifetime: Carter became the youngest member of the Backstreet Boysupon their formation in 1992. A tour of Europe catapulted the boys into fame by 1994 and the young Carter was elated. The Backstreet Boysbroke America three years later with "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me," and the next few years would be unstoppable for the vocal quintet. Their self-titled American debut sold 13 million copies. Millennium(1999) was an impressive sophomore effort; however, the band's third album, Black & Blue(2000), resulted in poor sales. Carter took a well-needed break after touring the world for seven years, but he remained conscious of future musical ideas. Within a year, he and KNS(Josh Schwartzand Brian Keirulf) were working on Carter's first solo album. What followed was a deeply personal piece of rock & roll and R&B entitled Now or Never, which appeared on Jive in October 2002. Carter coincided the release with his first-ever solo tour in February 2003.

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With those dazzling poster boy looks, Ronan Keating became one of Europe's most endearing stars as the leader of the Irish boy band Boyzone. The five Irish lads in Boyzone, who made their debut in 1993, built their charismatic style into one of the biggest European pop/rock acts of the '90s. But before he was winning over the world, Keatingwas a middle-class kid living in Dublin. Born Ronan Patrick John Keatingon March 3, 1977, he was the last of four children in the Keatinghousehold. His father Gerrywas a pub owner and his mother Mariewas a hairdresser, so financially the Keatingfamily was trying to make ends meet. The working trudge instilled the desire to work in the youngest Keating. While working in a local shoe store, he noticed an ad that was searching for an Irish Take That. The 14-year-old beat out 300 hopefuls with his own rendition of the Cat Stevenssong "Father & Son" and was onto becoming a celebrity. Boyzonereleased four albums, every one debuting at number one in the U.K. They released 16 singles, each one also charting in the top three on the U.K. charts. Most notably, Americans will recognize this five-piece as the dashing young men singing behind U2's Bonoin "The Sweetest Thing" video.

Six years into being part of one of the U.K.'s brightest and biggest-selling pop bands, Keatingsearched for an alternate creative outlet. He began managing another male pop group called Westlife. He married Irish model Yvonne Connellyin April 1998 and the following year they had a son, Jack. Musically, however, Keating's intentions stayed in tune with his internal spirit. He couldn't possibly steer clear of the media spotlight for long and something positive was bound to come of it. He recorded his debut solo effort in early 2000 under the craftsmanship of artists such as Bryan Adamsand Barry Gibb. His sensual and childlike persona was full-fledged. He is a working songsmith with the utmost class, and counterparts like Robbie Williamsand Gary Barloware a bit shy of such inborn grace. Ronanwas issued overseas in mid-2000. A U.S. version followed in October.

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Beginning his career during the mid-'80s under the name the Fresh Prince, by the following decade rapper Will Smithwas one of the biggest superstars of his time -- not only a pop music sensation, he also conquered television and eventually feature films, starring in a string of box-office megahits. Born September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, he was 16 when he met aspiring DJ Jeff Townes; joining forces as DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, the duo immediately became local favorites, but their continued existence was threatened when Smith graduated high school and was offered a scholarship to MIT. Ultimately, he chose to pursue a career in music, and in 1987 he and Townesissued their debut record, Rock the House, scoring a hit with the single "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble."

Propelled by the smash "Parents Just Don't Understand," DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Princebroke into the mainstream a year later with He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, one of the first hip-hop LPs to achieve double-platinum status. Clean-cut, witty, and easygoing, the duo's bubblegum approach was a stark contrast to the dominant, harder-edged rap sound of the period; viewed as a non-threatening alternative to their peers, they received the parental seal of approval, and their appeal spread across racial lines as well. And in This Corner...followed in 1989, and soon Hollywood began taking notice of Smith's success; in 1990, he was tapped to star in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a sitcom for NBC. An immediate hit, it made Smith a household name, and continued in production through 1996.

Smith also continued his music career, and in 1991 DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Princescored their biggest chart hit to date with the excellent "Summertime," from the album Homebase. The year following, he made his feature film debut in the drama Where the Day Takes You; in 1993, his supporting turn in Six Degrees of Separationwas the subject of much critical acclaim. That same year, the final Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Princerecord, the disappointing Code Red, was released. In 1995, Smith co-starred in the action film Bad Boys, a major box-office hit; it set the stage for his leading role in 1996's Independence Day, the summer's biggest smash. A year later, he starred in Men in Black, again the box-office champ of the summer season; recording for the first time under his given name, he also scored a smash with the movie's rap theme. Smith's debut solo LP, Big Willie Style, also appeared in 1997, notching the hits "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It," "Just the Two of Us," and "Miami." Shortly on the heels of his first box-office disappointment, 1999's Wild Wild West, he returned with the album Willennium.

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New Kids on the Block Member.

Danny Wood was a member of New Kids on the Block that was never heard of again after the group disbanded.

Joe McIntyre used to be a member of New Kids on the Block.

Take That member.

Part of Take That.