If you ever wanted to resurrect New Kids on the Block or Boyzone, you're probably sad and single with too many pets. That said, help is at hand. I have observed a clever strategy that will allow almost anyone to bring a boy band back from the dead*.By the time the Backstreet Boys lineup was finalized in '93, talent scout Lou Pearlman had spent around three million dubiously-acquired dollars and had to put on brave face until his investors saw some kind of return. The Backstreet Boys debuted that year to a crowd of 3,000 teenagers at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. From there it was a blur of shopping centre and high school performances. No US album was forthcoming.
In desperation, record bosses Clive Calder and Barry Weiss pioneered a bold re-launch strategy to try and bring the band mainstream success. Changes involved facial hair, haircuts and one of those 90's guy "I cry when I'm upset" wardrobes. Max Martin and Denniz Pop were commissioned to write some new tunes for the planned US debut album. What they came up with was a Thriller for the next generation, something that becomes abundantly clear when you watch the video. Luck Michael Jackson wasn't broke at the time or he might have sued.
*Imagine trying to bring back Human Nature in the 00's, they'd need to wear nail polish and tights while singing about how miserable everything is. Come to think of it, their 'Labrador optimism' may have been the reason they flopped.
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