Like a factory cranking out sausage, the teen pop music world (with epicenters in Orlando and Stockholm) has been manufacturing ready-made kiddie pop stars by the dozen over the last few years.
Although The Spice Girls and Hanson have reached their expiration dates, other bands like the Backstreet Boys have shown longer shelf lives. But even if they didn’t, there would be plenty more product in the back room ready to take their places.
The industry will be showing its flashiest wares this Saturday when four of its most popular products — Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, 98 (degrees) and ‘N Sync — come to play at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet. We thought this was a rockin’ time to take a look inside the teen machine.
SUSPICIOUS SIMILARITIES
Has any one ever seen ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys in the same room? Why do we ask? Consider that each has:
– Five guys.
– One really cute blond band member.
– One sensitive, brown-haired member.
– One odd-looking band member. And at least one dark goateed rebel.
– One guy who just goes by his initials.
– Members who either tried out for or were in the Mickey Mouse Club.
– Members who have had alleged romantic links to Britney Spears.
– An Orlando address.
– Had the same manager, New Kids on the Block impresario Johnny Wright, at one time or another.
– Traveled to Stockholm to work with Max Martin and Denniz Pop on their first hits.
