New Kids On The Block

New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block in concert, November 2008
Background information
Also known as	NKOTB
Origin	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres	Pop, R&B, hip hop, blue-eyed soul
Years active	1984–94, 2008–present
Labels	Columbia/CBS, Interscope
Associated acts	Backstreet Boys, NKOTBSB, Lady Gaga, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, Akon, Nicole Scherzinger, New Edition, Natasha Bedingfield, Ne-Yo, Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees, Nelly, TLC, Nick & Knight, Paula Abdul, Tommy Page
Website	nkotb.com
Members	Jonathan Knight Jordan Knight Joey McIntyre Donnie Wahlberg Danny Wood
Past members	Mark Wahlberg

New Kids on the Block (also initialized as NKOTB) is an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold more than 80 million records worldwide. They won two American Music Awards in 1990 for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album. The group disbanded in 1994, after which several attempts were made to get the group back together, all of them unsuccessful.

After secretly reuniting in 2007 and recording a new CD, the group released that new album and embarked on a concert tour in 2008. The album, entitled The Block, was released on September 2, 2008. New Kids on the Block was listed as number 16 on Rolling Stone's Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments. The group was on tour with the Backstreet Boys in 2011–12 as NKOTBSB. This collaboration first performed live together on November 21, 2010 at the American Music Awards on ABC and again on 2011 New Year's on ABC's Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest show. The group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 9, 2014.

In the early 1980s, Maurice Starr discovered R&B/pop quintet New Edition, and guided their early success. After breaking ties with them, Starr and his business partner, Mary Alford, sought to create a white counterpart act. Fifteen-year-old Donnie Wahlberg immediately impressed Starr and Alford with his rapping skills, dancing ability and showmanship, becoming the group's first member. Wahlberg assisted in helping to recruit other members. Among them were his younger brother Mark and his best friend Danny Wood. He also coaxed one-time schoolmate Jordan Knight - who sang an exceptional falsetto - into auditioning for Starr as well. Upon Knight's passing the audition, his older brother Jonathan was accepted into the group as well.