We take a look at some of the best boy bands to walk the earth, who gave us some of the best songs and inspirations over the years. Here’s count-downing 10 greatest and most iconic boy bands of all time. You may also like; 10 Greatest Girl Bands of All Time.
10. One Direction
British-Irish boy band One Direction was created during the seventh series of British reality TV show ‘The X-Factor’ in 2010. The members of the group – Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson – all auditioned as soloists, but were eliminated at some point before the live show began. But as fate would have it, all of them were asked to come back and were put together in a group. Although they managed to come third during the competition; they have become one of the most successful musical act to come out of reality TV. They were proclaimed 2012’s “Top New Artist” by Billboard. One Direction became the first band in the US Billboard 200 history to have their first three albums debut at number one So far, they have come up with four headlining tours, four studio albums, two extended plays, 187 awards out of 291 nominations, and the list goes on. They have brought back the quintessential boybands we all love.
9. N’Sync
American boy band N’Sync was formed in the year 1995 with members Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass. The group has sold over 50 million albums during their career. They have in their credit three studio albums, three compilation albums, eighteen singles, two holiday albums and five headlining tours.
8. Boyzone
Irish boy band Boyzone formed in the year 1993 is one of the greatest boybands ever. With members Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch, the boyband has nine No. 1 Irish hit singles and six No. 1 UK hit singles and five No. 1 albums, with 25 million records sold by 2013 worldwide. It has 24 singles, 5 studio albums, 10 video albums, 6 compilation albums, 7 tours and countless awards to its credit.
7. Maroon 5
American boy band Maroon 5, formed in 1994 and consisting of members Adam Levine. Jesse Carmichael. Mickey Madden, James Valentine, Matt Flynn, PJ Morton and Ryan Dusick, has sold more than 10 million albums in the United States and over 100 million singles and 27 million albums worldwide. Maroon 5 have been the recipients of 25 awards out of 111 nominations including three Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and four Teen Choice Awards. In 2004 World Music Awards, they won the award for “World’s Best New Group”. Besides, they have 9 tours, 5 studio albums, 3 live albums, 1 compilation album, three extended plays, 20 singles, and 1 remix album to their credit.
6. West Life
Westlife, an Irish boy band, which has witnessed tremendous success worldwide with a huge fanbase, consists of members Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden and was formed in the year 1998. They have sold a minimum of 11.1 million albums and 6.8 million singles in the UK alone. In 2012, the Official Charts Company listed Westlife 34th amongst the biggest-selling singles artists in British music history. They also have 10 tours, 10 studio albums, 2 compilation albums and 32 singles, along with innumerable awards in their kitty.
5. Green Day
American boy band Green Day, formed in 1987 and consisting of members Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool, Jason White, John Kiffmeyer and Sean Hughes is one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. In 2010, Green Day were ranked number 91 in the VH1 list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. They have 11 studio albums, 3 live albums, 12 extended plays, 4 compilation albums, 40 singles and 4 video albums to their credit.
4. Backstreet Boys
American boy band Backstreet Boys, formed in 1993, consists of members A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell. The Backstreet Boys have sold over 130 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling boy band in history. They are the first group since Sade to have their first nine albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200. They have 12 tours, 9 studio albums, 1 live album, 1 compilation album and 26 singles in their hat.
3. Bon Jovi
American boy band formed in 1983, Bon Jovi is one of the most popular bands on earth. Its members include Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, Alec John Such and Richie Sambora. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. They have 16 tours, 12 studio albums, 5 compilation albums, 1 extended play, 2 live albums, 57 singles, 14 video albums and countless awards to their credit.
2. Queen
English boy band Queen formed in 1970 and consisting of members Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor was one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. Estimates of their record sales generally range from 150 million to 300 million records. They have 18 studio albums, 8 live albums, 1 extended play, 72 singles and 14 compilation albums.
1. The Beatles
English boy band The Beatles is by far the most identified, popular and successful musical act in the history of music. They were formed in the year 1960 with members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They became widely regarded as the greatest and most influential act of the rock era. They hold the record for most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart with twenty. They have sold over 600 million records worldwide. Their popularity gave rise to Beatlemania. Their achievements includes 27 studio albums, 4 live albums, 55 singles, 21 extended plays, 51 compilation albums and 10 video albums. No artist can probably match their sheer success, musical style or fan-base as a matter of fact.
List Created By: Pranay Das