New Kids On The Block To Reunite On "Today"

BOSTON — They may be pushing 40, but the New Kids are returning to the block. The Boston boy band New Kids on the Block, which sold 70 million albums in the 1980s and early 1990s, has reunited and plans to release a new album and go on tour. The reunion comes 20 years after the release of the group's multi-platinum album, "Hanging Tough."

The group released a new photo Wednesday and reportedly will appear on the Today show Friday morning _ the same time an unmarked countdown clock on ends. http://www.nkotb.com

"The fan response to this has been incredible," band member Donnie Wahlberg told the Boston Herald.

Wahlberg said he was convinced to get back together with his former bandmates _ Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood _ when they decided to record new music. Wahlberg said he wrote 80 percent of the new material with McIntyre and Jordan Knight.

"I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material," said Wahlberg, 38.

But he added, "We absolutely will do the old songs for sure."

Producer Maurice Starr formed the group in Boston in the 1980s, hoping to recreate the success he had with another teen group from the city, New Edition.

At the height of their popularity, New Kids sold out world tours, marketed millions of dollars in merchandise and spawned a Saturday morning cartoon.

The group disbanded in 1994. Wahlberg has acted on television and in movies, while Jordan Knight, McIntyre and Wood released solo albums. Jonathan Knight became a real estate developer.

Comments

[MetalCanuck]

And the hell continues.

[Alony]

23/6 has video of it:
http://www.236.com/feed/2008/04/04/nkotb_reunion_on_today_video_1_5662.php

[InternationalObserver]

I'm guessing these guys are back now because its taken this long to be freed of their record contracts. They probably signed a 20 year deal way back when! I never bought their records but if they want to reunite that's fine by me. The public will decide if they make any money this time around, or not!

Will Marky Mark be playing support?

re the question below -- it's possible the guys weren't photographed together! They may have been shot individually and then photoshopped together. But still.

[governor67]

two questions :

1) who's the rocket scientist who put three guys in grey suits in the *middle* of this photo? (glaring visual faux pas)

2) of the dozens, if not hundreds, of press photos they shot, THIS is the one they approved?

Day One...Strike Two...not exactly an auspicious beginning