news archives

August 30, 2001 - Rolling Stone reports the Backstreet Boys new greatest hits album, titled Chapter 1, will have a different set of tracks in the various countries it will be released in on October 23rd, though all versions will have the Drowning tune included. Read more.

August 30, 2001 - Thanks Mark. KRBE has been running ad promos mocking AJ McLean's battle with alcoholism which is prompting fans to complain about the Houston station.

August 29, 2001 - The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profiled the Carter family and their successes in the music business. Check out there report here.

August 28, 2001 - David Wick, an expert on alcohol and chemical dependency in Seattle, tells the New York Post staying sober won't be easy for AJ McLean. Wick admits, "He's got unlimited funds and unlimited resources for having a good time. That's a tough ticket." Read more.

August 28, 2001 - Sonicnet reports the Backstreet Boys have already shot a video to the new song on their upcoming greatest hits album tentatively titled Chapter One. The new album is due out October 23rd. Read more.

August 27, 2001 - Sonicnet profiles the Backstreet Boys return to touring as they report AJ told the crowd at the Bradley Center, "I just wanted to say I wish I could go out and hug each and every one of you. Thank you for letting me go through what I needed to go through to get myself better. I'm celebrating 51 days sober today. One day at a time." Read more.

August 26, 2001 - The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has a report from the guy's gig on Friday where Brian Littrell told the crowd, "We took a little break for some things. Because the Backstreet Boys aren't the Backstreet Boys without all five of us." Read more.

August 25, 2001 - Fans Illustrated, Inc. announced today that 10,707 fans each sponsored one yellow jellybean in a campaign to help support AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys.

August 25, 2001 - The Backstreet Boys were featured on Access Hollywood Friday where they showed footage from the show rehearsal and announced the guys will release the Backstreet Boys Greatest Hits Chapter 1 which debuts October 23rd.

August 25, 2001 - Ahead of Backstreet's appearance in Milwaukee, the Journal Sentinel created their own boy band, The Sidestreet Boys. Read more.

August 23, 2001 - AP reports Willa Ford says she and Nick Carter are now good friends and share five dogs. Willa also talked about jealous fans of Nick saying, "I think at the end of the day, he knows that I caught the brunt of it. Like, I really got the bad part because I wasn't the boy band celebrity at the time. I think he feels bad that it happened."

August 23, 2001 - Katrillion reports Brian Litrell has formed a new record label with his wife Leighanne, named BriLeigh Productions. The two are  working on their first project, the soundtrack for the straight-to-video indie flick Olive Juice.

August 23, 2001 - With so many of the sales of Celebrity on the front end, it now appears after dropping like a stone in sales figures the Backstreet Boys Black and Blue was the more successful album, selling 3.4 million vs. 2.8 million for Celebrity in the first month.

August 21, 2001 - Katrillion.com has quotes from Howie on AJ McLean after his stint in rehab saying, the break "gave us a chance to really reevaluate our lives and our careers and our health." Read more.

August 21, 2001 - If AJ's hair is platinum blonde as Howie told TRL last week, it sure didn't look that way during his appearance on Entertainment Tonight Monday. AJ was spotted shopping with a buxom female friend.

August 21, 2001 - The Sun's Dominic Mohan reports Nick Carter told him, "We want to thank our fans for standing with us through this, and we know it will be worth the wait for them to see the five of us back on stage."

August 19, 2001 - The Backstreet Boys have added a date in Malaysia where they'll perform on November 12th, reports The Star. Read more.

August 16, 2001 - Extra had video clips of AJ McLean driving in his white sportscar on Wednesday's show. They report A.J. was released August 5th and was out shopping for clothes and even signing a few autographs in L.A. Tuesday.

August 16, 2001 - The New York Post reports Sugar Ray covered the Backstreet Boys Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) at a concert in the Hammerstein Ballroom earlier this week.

August 12, 2001 - Conan O'Brien spoofed on celebrities with their own companies and Backstreet Boys A.J. McLean's was "Because When I'm Sober Even I Think We Suck."

August 14, 2001 - AllStar reports several reports of A.J. drinking since his check into rehab have surfaced, and a spokesperson for the group had no comment, other than to report there have been several McLean hoaxes going around the last few weeks. Read more.

August 14, 2001 - A spokesperson for the Backstreet Boys reports the group is on course to resume their their tour as planned on August 24 in Milwaukee. For the updated schedule, click here.

August 13, 2001 - A headband wearing Nick and Aaron Carter were at the Teen Choice Awards last night. For photos from the event, including arrivals and press room photos, see the gallery at WireImage and eZuma.

August 13, 2001 - Johnny Wright talked to hitsdailydouble.com about the success he's had working with the Backstreet Boys saying, "When we first signed the Backstreet Boys to Jive, the first release took 13 months and we were antsy because we had already been on the project for three years. But that ended up being a good learning experience in terms of dealing with the label on a day-to-day basis." Read more.

August 13, 2001 - While A.J. McLean continues treatment for alcoholism, depression and anxiety, the Backstreet Boys are on course to resume their tour as planned on August 24 in Milwaukee, the group's spokesperson said. Read more.

August 13, 2001 - An MTV.com poll asking what is July's biggest story shows AJ and James Hetfield (Metallica) checking into rehab were the biggest stories, with 64% voting on the pair. *NSYNC selling 1.88 million of Celebrity was 2nd with 15%, while Mariah's hospitalization got 12%. Vote here.

August 12, 2001 - Thanks Mark. Tune in to 20/20's exclusive interview with Backstreet mom Denise McLean and join her in a live chat Monday, August 13, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Read more.

August 12, 2001 - Goldi.com reports they hear AJ not only drank, but also had a nasty cocaine habit.

August 12, 2001 - ABCnews.com has a great recap of AJ's mother interviewed on 20/20 earlier this week. AJ recently told her mom, "'Mom, you've got your son back." Read more.

August 9, 2001 - AJ McLean's mother will be on ABC's 20/20 on Friday to talk about the problems that led him into rehab for alcohol and depression. Read more.

August 8, 2001 - USA Today profiled stars having a hard time dealing with the pressures of fame including AJ McLean. Lou Pearlman is quoted as saying, "A.J. had been a little remiss about his personal life, because he gives so much to his fans. I told him he should take a step back and look at things. But then he went on tour, and on top of everything else he was dealing with, he had to learn dance moves and travel and give interviews. The pressure just built up, and A.J.'s release was to drown his sorrows in his hotel room." Read more.

August 8, 2001 - Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and The Backstreet Boys will be amongst those showcased in a major exhibition tracing teen idols at Cleveland's Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame.

August 6, 2001 - News of the World reports the Backstreet Boys are losing £500,000 for every week their tour is postponed. With sponsors threatening to pull out, an insider told the tabloid, "They're losing huge amounts of money. No one knows when they'll be back on the road."

August 6, 2001 - Nicole Kidman revealed to the New York Daily News' Mitchell Fink that her and Tom's child Isabella is a big fan of The Backstreet Boys. She says during a cell phone call with Isabella where she passed a hotel they were in, "She went wild, Britney Spears does that to her, too."

August 5, 2001 - Nick and Aaron Carter are scheduled to perform at the Teen Choice Awards August 12 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, which will air from 8 to 10 p.m. ET on August 20 on Fox.

August 5, 2001 - Rick Dees interviewed Kevin Richardson where he discussed AJ's condition and Kevin says he doesn't have a problem with *NSYNC or O-Town. He says if they are selling records, it's good for everybody. Kevin also adds Nick was in Orlando hanging with his family and is on his way out to LA. Check it out half hour interview here.

August 3, 2001 - Popbitch.com reports AJ McLean's nickname among groupies was "Backdoor boy", a reference to his love of bum sex.

August 2, 2001 - Nick Carter told the BBC, "We truly want to thank our fans for standing with us through this. And we know that it will be worth the wait."

August 2, 2001 - Peoplenews.com reports Michael Barrymore is helping Backstreet Boy AJ McLean battle his drink and drug habits. Read more.

August 1, 2001 - Kevin Richardson tells MTV, "A.J.'s initial treatment is going very well. His doctors have suggested it would be in A.J.'s best interest to take an additional two weeks in transitional care." Read more.

Click here for July news headlines and links