h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I wouldn't say that New Kids on the Block were the first boyband. I think that 'honor' should go to Menudo. New Kids were an anglo-american rip off, to some extent, of the formula Menudo created. The original formula for boybands, ala Menudo, had a maximum age limit. I can't remember if the cut-off was 16 or 18, but once a member of the band reached a certain age they were, by contract, replaced. The most notable former member was Ricky Martin.

Urg, I still shudder. I hate to think what the next thing will be. Actually I think I know already: Pop Idol/American Idol. Glorified Karaoke. The new Pop stars don't even have to do original music.

Count Zero, who only knows Justin Timberlake's name because the illiterate fool tried to be an astronaut. He would have made it too if the cheque hadn't bounced.

I remember Menudo being in existence when I was a child, and there was either a 25 or 30th year anniversary celebrated for 'them' not too long ago. This entry needs to be corrected.

I wouldn't even go so far as to call Menudo the first boy band. Some might argue that the Monkees were. But Menudo did create the blatant formula that boy bands employ today. Well, as far as I know. I'm not THAT aware of the history of Menudo. For all I know they may have borrowed the formula from an Asian pop band .

There might have been some 'so-and-such brothers' song and dance teams in vaudeville and music halls, so I could be even more wrong.

I just got a mental image of the FIRST boy band. Og and the Grugs. Neanderthal pop would never be the same.

Surely the Monkees were the first boyband.

And how on earth can you describe Robbie Williams as 'the other one...who doesn't get noticed'?

B