Boy bands have been a staple in the music industry for several decades now. From the Jackson 5 in the 1970s to BTS in the 21st century, boy bands have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. These groups typically consist of three or more male members who sing, dance, and perform together. They often have a distinct image and style, and their popularity often transcends age and cultural barriers.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 20 of the most famous boy bands of all time. Some of these groups have been around for decades, while others have risen to fame more recently. Regardless of when they started, these bands have all left an indelible mark on the music industry and their fans. We’ll explore their origins, their biggest hits, and their impact on the music world.
From the harmonies of the Beach Boys to the synchronized dance moves of NSYNC, boy bands have come in many forms over the years. They’ve given us unforgettable pop anthems and iconic music videos, and their influence can still be seen and heard in the music of today’s artists. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the world of boy bands, this article is sure to have something for everyone.
1. BTS
BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band that has taken the world by storm. They debuted in 2013 and have since become one of the biggest acts in the music industry, known for their energetic performances, socially conscious lyrics, and genre-bending sound that blends K-pop, hip-hop, and pop. BTS has broken records and won numerous awards, including Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. They have also used their platform to address issues such as mental health and youth empowerment, making them not only a musical phenomenon but also cultural icons.
2. Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group that rose to fame in the 1990s. The group consists of Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman, and they are known for their soulful harmonies and romantic ballads. Boyz II Men has released numerous hit singles, including “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” and “One Sweet Day,” which held the record for the longest-running number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks. They have won multiple Grammy Awards and have sold over 25 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful R&B groups of all time.
3. The Beatles
The Beatles were a legendary British rock band that formed in Liverpool in 1960. The band consisted of four members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are widely considered one of the most influential bands in the history of music, known for their innovative songwriting, musicianship, and cultural impact. The Beatles’ music spanned a wide range of genres, from rock and roll and pop to folk and psychedelic rock, and they revolutionized the music industry with their experimentation and creativity. Their numerous hits, including “Hey Jude,” “Let it Be,” and “Yesterday,” have become timeless classics and continue to be celebrated by music fans of all generations. The Beatles disbanded in 1970, but their legacy lives on as one of the most beloved and influential bands of all time.
4. One Direction
One Direction is a British-Irish boy band that formed on the reality television show, The X Factor, in 2010. The group consisted of members Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, and they quickly became a global sensation with their catchy pop tunes and boy-next-door charm. One Direction released five studio albums, including Up All Night and Take Me Home, and their hits, including “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life,” topped charts around the world. Despite going on hiatus in 2016, One Direction’s influence on pop culture and their devoted fan base continues to endure.
5. *NSYNC
*NSYNC was an American boy band that formed in 1995. The group consisted of members Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass. Known for their slick dance moves and catchy pop songs, *NSYNC quickly became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group released four studio albums, including No Strings Attached and Celebrity, and their hits, including “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me,” topped charts around the world. Despite going on hiatus in 2002, *NSYNC’s legacy as one of the most successful and influential boy bands of all time continues to live on.
6. 98 Degrees
98 Degrees is an American boy band that gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The band consists of four members – Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre – who blend pop and R&B sounds in their music. They are known for their tight harmonies and romantic ballads, such as “Because of You” and “My Everything.” The group has released several albums, sold millions of records worldwide, and won awards such as the Billboard Music Award for Album of the Year. They continue to tour and perform, pleasing fans with their nostalgic hits and new music.
7. The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5, on the other hand, is a legendary Motown group formed in 1964 in Gary, Indiana. The group consisted of five brothers, including the late Michael Jackson. The Jackson 5’s blend of soulful vocals, energetic dance routines, and catchy pop hooks made them a sensation in the 1970s. Their biggest hits include “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.” The group won numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards and American Music Awards, and are regarded as one of the greatest pop groups of all time.
8. SHINee
SHINee is a South Korean boy band formed in 2008 by SM Entertainment. The group consists of five members – Onew, Key, Minho, Taemin, and the late Jonghyun. They are known for their unique blend of pop, R&B, and electronic dance music, which has earned them a strong following both in Korea and internationally. SHINee has released numerous hit songs, including “Ring Ding Dong,” “Lucifer,” and “Sherlock.” They have won multiple awards, including the Mnet Asian Music Award for Artist of the Year, and have been praised for their live performances and intricate choreography. Despite the tragic loss of Jonghyun in 2017, SHINee continues to make music and captivate audiences around the world.
9. New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block, also known as NKOTB, is an American boy band that rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The group, consisting of members Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood, released their debut album in 1986 and quickly gained a massive following of young fans, known as “Blockheads.” They became known for their catchy pop songs, synchronized dance routines, and fashion sense. Despite a hiatus in the late 1990s, the group has continued to perform and release music, including a reunion tour in 2008 and a new album in 2017. NKOTB’s legacy as one of the pioneering boy bands of the era has made them a cultural icon in pop music history.
10. 2ge+her
2ge+her was a satirical boy band that gained popularity in the early 2000s. The group was created as a parody of popular boy bands at the time, such as *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. The band consisted of five fictional characters: Mickey, Jerry, Chad, Doug, and Jason, each with their own exaggerated personality and quirks. Their music, which consisted of comedic lyrics and upbeat pop beats, poked fun at the formulaic nature of boy band music. While they were never meant to be taken seriously, 2ge+her garnered a devoted following and even had a short-lived TV show on MTV.
11. CNCO
CNCO is a Latin American boy band that was formed in 2015 as the result of a music competition show called “La Banda”. The band consists of five members: Christopher Vélez, Richard Camacho, Zabdiel De Jesús, Joel Pimentel, and Erick Brian Colón. Their music is a blend of Latin pop, reggaeton, and R&B, with catchy beats and lyrics in both Spanish and English. CNCO has released three studio albums and has won several awards, including several Latin American Music Awards and a Billboard Music Award for Latin Pop Album of the Year. They have a large and dedicated fan base, especially in Latin America and the United States.
12. O-Town
O-Town is an American boy band that formed in 2000 as part of the reality TV show “Making the Band”. The band consisted of five members: Ashley Parker Angel, Erik-Michael Estrada, Dan Miller, Trevor Penick, and Jacob Underwood. Their music was a mix of pop, R&B, and rock, with catchy hooks and harmonies. Their debut single, “Liquid Dreams,” became a hit in the United States and internationally. O-Town released three studio albums and went on several tours before disbanding in 2003. They later reunited in 2013 and released a new album, “Lines & Circles,” in 2014. O-Town continues to tour and release music today.
13. New Edition
New Edition is an American R&B group that formed in Boston in 1978. The group originally consisted of five members: Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, and Ralph Tresvant. Their music blended pop, R&B, and funk, with catchy hooks and smooth harmonies. New Edition achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with hits like “Candy Girl,” “Cool It Now,” and “If It Isn’t Love”. Bobby Brown left the group in the late 80s to pursue a successful solo career, and Johnny Gill later joined as a sixth member. New Edition has released several albums and continues to tour and perform today. They are considered one of the most influential R&B groups of all time.
14. Hanson
Hanson is an American pop rock band that formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1992. The band consists of three brothers: Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson. Hanson’s music is a mix of pop, rock, and soul, with catchy hooks and harmonies. They achieved mainstream success in 1997 with their hit single “MMMBop,” which topped the charts in several countries. Hanson has released multiple albums and continues to tour and release music to this day. They have a dedicated fan base and are known for their high-energy live performances. The band has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including founding their own charity organization, the Hanson Foundation.
15. Take That
Take That is an English pop group that formed in Manchester in 1990. The band initially consisted of five members: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Robbie Williams. Take That’s music is a blend of pop, R&B, and dance, with catchy melodies and harmonies. They achieved huge success in the 1990s with hit songs like “Back for Good,” “Pray,” and “Everything Changes.” Robbie Williams left the group in 1995 to pursue a successful solo career, and the band went on hiatus in 1996. They later reunited in 2005 as a four-piece and have released several successful albums and embarked on multiple tours since then. Take That is considered one of the most successful British pop groups of all time.
16. Jodeci
Jodeci is an American R&B group that formed in North Carolina in 1989. The group consists of two sets of brothers: Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “JoJo” Hailey, and Donald “DeVante Swing” DeGrate and Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate. Jodeci’s music is a blend of R&B, soul, and hip hop, with powerful vocals and raw lyrics. They achieved mainstream success in the 1990s with hit songs like “Forever My Lady,” “Come and Talk to Me,” and “Freek’n You.” Jodeci’s influence can be heard in the music of many contemporary R&B artists. After a hiatus in the early 2000s, the group reunited and continues to tour and perform today.
17. Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers is an American pop rock band that formed in New Jersey in 2005. The band consists of three brothers: Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. The Jonas Brothers’ music is a mix of pop, rock, and R&B, with catchy hooks and harmonies. They achieved mainstream success in the late 2000s with hit songs like “Burnin’ Up,” “Lovebug,” and “S.O.S.” The band went on hiatus in 2013 to pursue solo projects, but reunited in 2019 and have released multiple successful albums since then. They are known for their energetic live performances and have a dedicated fan base, often referred to as “Jonatics.” The Jonas Brothers are considered one of the most successful boy bands of all time.
18. Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys is an American vocal group that formed in Florida in 1993. The group originally consisted of five members: Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and Brian Littrell. Backstreet Boys’ music is a blend of pop, R&B, and dance, with harmonized vocals and catchy hooks. They achieved global success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hit songs like “I Want It That Way,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and “Larger Than Life.” The group has released multiple albums and continues to tour and perform today. They are considered one of the most successful boy bands of all time, with over 130 million records sold worldwide.
19. All-4-One
All-4-One is a vocal group from the United States that rose to fame in the 1990s with their hit song “I Swear”. Composed of Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, and Tony Borowiak, the group is known for their harmonious singing style and romantic ballads. Their music is primarily R&B and soul, but they also incorporate elements of pop and doo-wop. In addition to “I Swear”, they have had other successful singles such as “So Much in Love” and “I Can Love You Like That”. With over 22 million records sold worldwide, All-4-One is a celebrated group that has left an indelible mark on the music industry.
20. Westlife
Westlife is an Irish pop group that formed in 1998. The group consists of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan. They have been described as one of the most successful boy bands of all time, with a career spanning over two decades. Westlife’s music is known for its upbeat tempo and catchy melodies. They have released numerous hit singles, including “Swear It Again” and “Flying Without Wings”, and have sold over 55 million records worldwide.
Macey West is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
