The New Kids Are Just Growing Up So Fast...

A hearty "Happy Birthday!" goes out to the youngest New Kid On The Block, Joey McIntyre (he goes by 'Joe' nowadays).  I was tempted to call him a 'former' New Kid On The Block, but I say once a New Kid, always a New Kid...

Joey's the cute one in the Twins jersey and hat.

Anyhow, cute little Joey is 39 today, and who can believe it's been over 20 years since the New Kids were the raddest thing on radio?  It seems like just yesterday (22 years ago, in 1989) when the New Kids were in the midst of their chart dominance -- 'Cover Girl' had peaked at #2 just a few weeks earlier, and the Christmas (dare I say) anthem 'This One's For The Children' was in the Top 10.  How many of you got a Top 10 hit for your 17th birthday?

Since then, the New Kids have changed their name to NKOTB, and the individual members have gone on to more grown-up things.  But don't let the initials fool you, or the solo albums, or the fancy acting careers.  Keep hangin' tough, New Kids On The Block.

Richard Marx: Is It an Af-Let? Or A Mul-Fro?

I'll admit I'm not a big fan of Richard Marx's music.  Or his hair.  But for two solid years beginning in the summer of 1987, both Marx's music and his hair dominated the American music charts like few other artists ever had.

That is *some* hairdo.  Oh my.

By 1987, Marx had already established himself as a decent songwriter and backup vocalist, working with a number of popular artists such as Kenny Rogers, Luther Vandross and Lionel Richie.  He would embark on his own recording career in 1987, releasing his self-titled debut album and first single, "Don't Mean Nothing" that spring.  "Don't Mean Nothing" and its follow-up, "Should've Know Better" would peak at #3 on the charts in 1987.

"Endless Summer Nights" would do one better, peaking at #2 in 1988.  Marx's next three singles, "Hold On To The Nights", "Right Here Waiting" and "Satisfied" would each top the chart over the next 14 months, and "Angelia" would peak at #4 in late 1989.  All told, Marx would place his first 7 singles in the Top 5.  In spite of his hair.