Music is a powerful tool that can make us experience various emotions. Music enthusiasts might like most of the bands they hear, but they will likely have a list of bands that stand out from the rest. Through the years, some bands have made such an epic impact in the music industry that they can’t be overlooked. They always remain superstars in our minds.
34. LMNT
While most people might look at this band’s name in confusion, their fans know their unique name is simply pronounced ‘element.’ Many Glee fans might not realize that years before actor Matthew Morrison starred in Glee, he was in a boy band.
Glee had such a significant following during its time on air, making it one of the most successful shows ever. In the early 2000s, the boy band industry was highly competitive, so LMNT struggled to stand out because of big bands like the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.
33. Shinhwa
Everyone knows that K-pop is boy band central. As a result, we aren’t surprised that one of the biggest boy bands of all time, Shinhwa, is a K-pop band. While this band’s success might be small compared to other boy bands, the truly extraordinary thing about this band is their determination to succeed.
Struggling with management issues, the band decided to form their own management company in 2011. As a result, their sales improved, and they have sold nearly half a million records worldwide.
32. Super Junior
This K-pop supergroup has received a long list of awards and was South Korea’s most successful band for four years in a row. While they have sold only half a million records worldwide, it is rather impressive, considering that nearly all of that was only in South Korea.
The band’s biggest hit, “Sorry Sorry”, became a global hit — with people worldwide copying their dance moves. The band received the International Band Award in 2015, proving they deserve global recognition.
31. Dream Street
Another boy band that struggled to get ahead of the competitive boy band market in the early 2000s was Dream Street. This band, led by Jesse McCartney, had some success with their first album named after the band. They even recorded a song for the Pokémon The Movie 2000 soundtrack.
While they were off to a good start with their first album, Dream Street, the band experienced problems with each other, and they ended their journey after a few months. It seems that creative differences can easily make or break a boy band.
30. 5ive
In the late ’90s, the Spice Girls were on top of the world. Everyone seemed to be singing along to their tunes. Britain tried to find a male version of this superband, and 5ive seemed to be the answer. However, they enjoyed the fame and fortune to a different extent than the ladies.
5ive did pretty well in the U.K., and they even spent a few weeks on the Top 10 with their single “When the Lights Go Out”. However, they have yet to become international superstars. That notwithstanding, the band had a small but loyal following.
29. SoulDecision
Most bands are considered part of superstardom when chosen to be an opening act for a megastar like Christina Aguilera. However, SoulDecision’s future would be less successful.
While the band’s single, “Faded”, did well, this Canadian band struggled to get along and move ahead after their first album was released. As a result, they split up.
28. BBMak
While this band managed to stay together longer than most boy bands in the 1990s, it didn’t enjoy worldwide fame. This British boy band was formed in the late 1990s, and ten years later, they were still at it.
In the early 2000s, their single, “Back Here”, did well enough to get them on the show Even Stevens. BBMak took a break from making music together, but the band got back together in 2018. We can’t wait to see what they get up to.
27. Crazy Town
While it might be a good idea to take a step back at times before attempting something again, it doesn’t always work out as you’d expect. This is what happened with this rock band, which released a single called “Butterfly” in 2000.
The single was such a global hit that the band was invited to attend and perform at many award shows and festivals, and they had a spot at Ozzfest. However, the band decided to take a break from it all. In 2015, they got together again, but their efforts could have been more successful.
26. LFO
Unfortunately, sometimes life has other plans. The band LFO had a lot of bad luck that stood in their way of becoming superstars. In the late ’90s, the band released a few singles that did well on the charts, with their biggest hit being “Summer Girls”.
Sadly, the band split up shortly after they began to receive international recognition. In 2009, the band decided to give it another go, but their plans were halted when one of the band members, Rich Cronin, passed away. Nearly ten years later, the two remaining members tried to get together again, but Devin Lima passed away, leaving only Brad Fischetti.
25. O-Town
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, all music enthusiasts tuned in to watch MTV. However, reality music T.V. was popular before that. That is why people quickly began mentioning a new band called O-Town. They were featured on a show called Making the Band, which was shown on ABC.
The band had a few hits, including All of Nothing and Liquid Dreams, but they never seemed to receive global fame. This hasn’t stopped them from enjoying their local fame; the band still performs for their loyal fans today.
24. B2K
What should you do if it is the beginning of the new millennium? The members of B2K will tell you to start a band because that is what they did. While the band seemed to do well in the early 2000s, they split up in 2004 so that one of the members, Omarion, could focus on his acting career.
While many would argue that B2K’s shot at fame was cut short, they had a few smash hits that topped the charts. These included Bump Bump Bump and Santa Hooked Me Up. In 2019, they got together again for a world tour before going their separate ways again.
23. Menudo
Fans of Ricky Martin should be grateful to this band because they paved the way for the superstar, although they weren’t nearly as successful. This Puerto Rican band released a smash hit, Hold Me, which stayed in the U.S. Top 100 hits list for weeks in 1985.
Their success on the billboard charts led to ABC producers opening up slots for the band to entertain viewers on Saturday mornings. This resulted in a significant following of fans in the U.S. and Latin America.
22. New Edition
This is another band that has managed to stand the test of time. After more than 40 years of working together, New Edition received the Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award. Even though the band began making music in the 70s, they only became really successful in the late 90s.
The band re-released their album Home in 1996. This album became a multi-platinum record, proving that the band had some serious musical talent. These days, New Edition doesn’t tour anymore, but they do once-off events on occasion.
21. 112
Beginning in the 90s, this R&B band won the hearts of R&B fans around the world. 112 has enjoyed worldwide success, which has led them to Grammys, gold albums, and millions of adoring fans. With hits like It’s Over Now and Only You, this band took the R&B world by storm.
Their most recent album, Peaches & Cream, was released in 2017. It is their sixth album to be released, and it has done tremendously well. While they aren’t actively working together now, they reunite on occasion to record a song or to do a performance.
20. 98 Degrees
With music spanning over 30 years, 98 Degrees is still touring and recording today. The band has enjoyed some international fame because of their hits, including I Do, Because of You, and The Hardest Thing.
In 2013, the band went on a massive tour with other successful acts, including Boyz II Men and New Kids on the Block. It is clear that this band is committed to giving their fans their best.
19. Hanson
These days, all young music fans seem to love the Jonas Brothers. However, they are not the first successful boy band formed by brothers. In the 1990s, three brothers began the band Hanson, which took the world by storm.
Their multi-platinum hit, MMMbop, still has people singing along to its catchy tune. Even though the band’s later albums didn’t enjoy as much success, they still tour and get together to record on occasion.
18. Savage Garden
This fantastic Australian duo had everyone singing along to their number-one hit, Truly Madly Deeply, in the late 1990s. The band’s first album, Savage Garden, topped the charts worldwide in 1997, and as a result, the duo experienced great fame.
They received many awards and completed a few successful world tours. With the release of another smash hit in 1999 called I Knew I Loved You, everyone thought they were going from strength to strength. Unfortunately, the band broke up two years later.
17. Boyzone
The Irish aren’t really known for their boy bands, but in the early ’90s, there was great excitement because of this band. The band became very popular with hits like No Matter What and Words.
Even though the band didn’t enjoy international success, they did well in the U.K. Their hit, Love Me for a Reason, held on to the 2nd spot in the U.K. Top 10 for weeks. Boyzone has sold 8.9 million records worldwide.
16. Take That
Boy bands were trendy in the ’90s, and this British boy band was one of the top ones in the U.K. Following their superb performance on Top of the Pops in the early ’90s, the band began to enjoy fame and fortune in the U.K. at an alarming pace.
Interestingly enough, they could have done better in the U.S. In fact, they only had one big hit in the U.S., Back for Good. It managed to slot in at the 7th spot in 1995. Take That has sold 14,5 million records worldwide, and although they have gone through numerous member iterations, their excellent music is still the same!
15. Arashi
The translation of this band’s name is Storm, and true to the name, they took the world by storm in the 90s. This Japanese band’s big breakthrough came with the Volleyball World Cup in 1999 when their debut single, “Arashi”, was used as the theme song for the event.
Today, Arashi has sold more than 30 million records worldwide, but naturally, their most extensive following is in Japan. Their single “Calling/Breathless” reached triple-platinum status in Japan in 2013.
14. Westlife
Even though this Irish band was off to a shaky start, they enjoyed great success in the U.K. and Ireland after they changed management. Their new manager, Louis Walsh, inspired the band to create music that suited their talents. Their hit single “Sweat it Again” stayed at the top spot in the U.K. and Ireland for weeks.
Once again, Westlife is an example of a band that did very well in the U.K., but has yet to make much impact in the U.S. They have sold an impressive 55 million records worldwide. We know we have at least a few of those copies — how about you?
13. The Monkees
The Monkees were big news in the ’60s. In fact, they were regarded as the American version of The Beatles. Most people might not know who they are today, but they were considered the ninth most successful boy band in the ’60s.
With hits like “Daydream Believer” and “I’m a Believer”, The Monkees have sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Of course, that isn’t a small number, proving they belong in the boy band Hall of Fame.
12. New Kids on the Block
When it comes to boy band royalty, no one can deny that New Kids on the Block has enjoyed an impressive musical career. In fact, after half a century of recording and touring together, the band is still widely recognized.
Even though the band took a pretty extensive break from the late ’90s until 2010, they came back with a bang when they toured with other superbands — including Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees.
11. Boyz II Men
In the 90s, the music industry was awoken by an R&B giant called Boyz II Men. This amazing boy band topped charts worldwide with their catchy love songs and harmonious tunes. They enjoyed worldwide fame thanks to songs like “End of the Road” and “On Bended Knee”.
Surprisingly, the band has enjoyed a different amount of success in the 2000s, with their two albums, Under the Streetlight and Collide, not doing as well on the charts. However, loyal R&B fans will always support this phenomenal boy band.
