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For those of you who are too young to remember the '90s, the Backstreet Boys were kind of like five Justin Biebers, but with more interesting facial hair. For a brief time around the turn of the millennium, they were the most popular young men alive, even more popular than James van der Beek and Jonathan Taylor Thomas combined.
Then the world grew up, and people realized how ridiculous stuff like this actually is.
In the past decade, though, I Want It That Way has proven it's probably the catchiest boy-band song from the late '90s. So now that the former Orlando boy banders are touring again, fans are snapping up tickets left and right.
The Backstreet Boys are coming to Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on May 31, their Web site says. We would not be surprised if this show sells out, considering their "Backstreet Boys Cruise" in December almost immediately sold out.
And we remember the mass hysteria that followed the Boys back in 1999 and 2000. In 2000, for example, 45,000 shrieking fans crammed into Tropicana Field to watch the group descend from the rafters on surfboards, wearing "futuristic warrior uniforms" and throwing stuffed animals to fans. Yes, that actually happened.
One thing to keep in mind: The Backstreet Boys are now a four-piece, after Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006. But if the poster in your locker was of Brian Littrell, A.J. Mclean, Howie Dorough or hometown boy Nick Carter, you probably won't notice Richardson is gone.
Ticket prices haven't been announced, but we hear they'll go on sale April 23.
Idols reunite for Clearwater show
American Idol Season 2 winner and runner-up Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are teaming up for a joint 17-city tour this summer, and it'll hit Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on July 26.
"I couldn't ask for a better tour mate. To be able to share the stage with him again is so exciting," Aiken said in a statement. "He is such a talented artist. He inspires me daily and I think that respect and admiration will truly be reflected in our show."
No ticket info has been announced yet. But this show will sell out immediately, because Clay Aiken fans are insanely dedicated, and will do anything to see their dude in the flesh.
Soundbytes
• Coming to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on May 10: Louie Anderson. Two shows, 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 at Ticketmaster and at the Hard Rock gift shop.
• Tickets to Robert Plant's July 30 concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall go on sale at noon Friday, priced at $49.50-$9.50.
• Speaking of Ruth Eckerd Hall: Basia is performing there on April 30, and she'll be joined by ... um ... Bernie Williams. The former New York Yankee. Weird.
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