1. What Else Was On The Radio? Do we really wanna know? 80s-90s Pop Trends

2. Influences This lecture focuses on the “boy band” & “girl group” trends of the 80s & 90s These groups were directly influenced by 60s & 70s groups like The Jackson 5 & The Supremes; who were in turn influenced by Doo-Wop & Gospel groups from the 40s/50sThe Jackson 5The Supremes Songs were often love songs, songs of heartbreak/ache, & party or empowerment songs

3. Attributes In most cases, members of these groups do not play instruments (unlike The Jackson 5, for example) In most cases, members have extensive vocal & dance training They are viewed as being trendy & fashionable over being original & talented They are not only popular in the U.S. – Menudo w/Ricky Martin (Puerto Rico) Menudo

4. New Edition

5. Candy Girl New Edition Formed 1978 in Boston, MA Helped establish the New Jack Swing genre After their breakup, members went on to find greater success: – Bell Biv DeVoe Bell Biv DeVoe – Bobby Brown Bobby Brown – Johnny Gill Johnny Gill Their most successful lineup included: – Ricky Bell – Michael Bivens – Ronnie DeVoe – Bobby Brown – Ralph Tresvant

6. Candy Girl continued Released 1983 on Streetwise Records – Candy Girl (album) Managed by Maurice StarrMaurice Starr 1980s boy bands (and girl groups) began adding elements of rap/hip-hop into their sounds The group was specifically put together with members that sounded similar enough to the Jackson 5 Video

7. New Kids On The Block

8. Please Don’t Go Girl New Kids On The Block Formed 1984 in Boston, MA by Maurice Starr (New Edition) We see definite “characters” developing due to marketing/media hype They went on to become one of the highest selling boy groups in history Members include(d): – Donnie Wahlberg (The bad boy) – Danny Wood (The Quiet One) – Jordan Knight (The Cute One) – Jonathan Knight (The Shy One) – Joey McIntyre (The baby) – Mark Wahlberg – left before big break (Marky Mark)Marky Mark

9. Please Don’t Go Girl continued Released 1988 on Columbia Records – Hangin’ Tough (album) Written & produced by Maurice Starr This pop ballad features Jonathan & Joey’s high falsetto vocals (very Michael Jackson, no?) This was their first hit, off of their 2 nd album (#10 on Billboard Chart) Video Cheese

10. Boyz II Men

11. Motownphilly Boyz II Men Originally formed 1985 as Unique Attraction They utilize a familiar format (2 tenors, 1 baritone, & a bass singer – very Doo-Wop) All members met in choir at a music school They broke a record for longest stay at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (held for 20+ yrs by Elvis Presley) Part of the New Jack Swing movement started by New Edition, built on by Bell Biv DeVoe (who managed Boyz II Men…)

12. Motownphilly continued Released 1991 on Motown Records – Cooleyhighharmony (album) Michael Bivens (Bell Biv DeVoe) raps on this song The lyrics include a “shout out” to BBD & ABC (Another Bad Creation)ABC Here’s the videovideo Here’s another!another

13. Backstreet Boys

14. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) Backstreet Boys Formed 1993 in Orlando, Florida & managed by Lou Pearlman The band nearly signed to Mercury Records, but John Mellencamp threatened to leave the label if “they got in the boy band business.” John Mellencampthey got in the boy band business Members include: – A.J. McLean – Howie Dorough – Nick Carter – Kevin Richardson – Brian Littrell

15. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) continued Recorded 1996 on Jive Records – Backstreet Boys (album) The song was recorded several times to have certain “popular” members sing the verses The song became a hit despite not having a strong MTV presence The band continues to record/tour into the present, & has teamed up with NKOTB to form NKOTBSB NKOTBSB Video

16. N’ Sync

17. Bye Bye Bye ‘N Sync Formed 1995 in Orlando, Florida by manager Lou PearlmanLou Pearlman Timberlake & Chasez had been cast members on the Mickey Mouse Club Mickey Mouse Club The group went on “hiatus” in 2002 & hasn’t recorded new music since Members include: – Lance Bass – JC Chasez – Joey Fatone – Chris Kirkpatrick – Justin Timberlake

18. Bye Bye Bye continued Released 2000 on Jive Records – No Strings Attached (album) The band had recently separated from their manager (Pearlman) & their record label (RCA) The song/album garnered many awards, reached #1 on the US Top 40, and #17 in Rolling Stones “Most Annoying Songs” Video

19. Wilson Phillips

20. Hold On Wilson Phillips Formed in 1989 in LA, CA Their debut album & single knocked Madonna from the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Members include: – Chynna Phillips (daughter of Michelle Phillips (The Mamas & The Papas)) Mamas & The Papas – Carnie & Wendy Wilson (daughters of Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys))The Beach Boys

21. Hold On continued Released 1990 on SBK Records – Wilson Phillips (album) Written by Chynna Phillips, Glen Ballard, & Carnie WilsonGlen Ballard Carnie went on to become a successful tv host Chynna has a successful career as a singer/actor Wendy has concentrated on her music career with occasional forays into television work Video

22. TLC

23. Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg TLC Formed 1989 in Atlanta, GA They have worked with producers/managers such as Jermaine Dupri, Anthony “L.A.” Reid, “Pebbles” Reid, & “Babyface” EdmondsJermaine DupriAnthony “L.A.” Reid “Pebbles” Reid“Babyface” Edmonds Members include(d): – Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins – Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (d. 2002)

24. Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg continued Released 1992 on LaFace Records – Oooooooooh…On the TLC Tip (album) The band asserted their strong, independent female personalities & often advocated for sex education (that’s not bubble gum…) & AIDS awareness female personalitiessex educationAIDS awareness The song was their first big break in the U.S., cracking the top 40 Video

25. En Vogue

26. Free Your Mind En Vogue Formed 1989 in Oakland, CA One of the most successful female groups in history, 18 th most successful group of the 90s The idea behind their formation was to create a group that had the power-house vocals of 50s/60s girl groups while being “sexy” & “strong females” I think they succeeded…

27. Free Your Mind continued Released 1992 on East West Records – Funky Divas (album) The lyrics speak to freeing one’s self of prejudice (& use a guitar-heavy rock sound) The song paraphrases George Clinton/Parliament FunkadelicGeorge Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic Nominated for 2 Grammys & numerous MTV awards Video Also, this…(from the intro to the video)this

28. Spice Girls

29. Wannabe Spice Girls British group formed 1994 in London One of the most profitable merchandising machines everprofitable merchandising machines The most successful British band since the Beatlessuccessful Members include: – Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) – Mel B (Scary Spice) – Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) – Mel C (Sporty Spice) – Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice)

30. Wannabe continued Released 1996 on Virgin Records – Spice (album) The lyrics reflect female-empowerment, the value of friendship over sex Generally well-received critically, it won several awards, including “Worst Single 1997”Worst Single 1997 Video

31. Destiny’s Child

32. Bills Bills Bills Destiny’s Child Formed in 1990 in Houston, TX as “Girl’s Tyme” The group was managed by Mathew Knowles & styled by Tina Knowles (wonder if there was any favoritism…?) The group disbanded in 2006 All members have had continued success Members included: – Beyonce Knowles (with Justin Timberlake!!) Beyonce Knowles – Kelly Rowland Kelly Rowland – Michelle Williams Michelle Williams – LaTavia Roberson LaTavia Roberson – LeToya Luckett LeToya Luckett – Farrah Franklin Farrah Franklin

33. Bills Bills Bills continued Released 1999 on Columbia Records – The Writing’s on the Wall (album) The song has been interpreted as “anti-male” & as female-empowering Listen to the lyrics & decide for yourself This was DC’s breakout hit (& the last album to feature LeToya Luckett Video