New Kids On The Block Perform Hangin' Tough

In an era where boy bands, girl bands and bubblegum pop stars ruled the roost, new Kids On The Block were the first of the preteen sensations to hit multi-platinum, parlaying their teen idoldom in the 80s into multiple reincarnations and reunions over the decades. The iconic quintet returns to the stage for a special one-night-only show at New York's Apollo Theatre this fall, celebrating the 30th anniversary of album that made them.

Released in 1988, 'Hangin' Tough' may be the album that jump started their career, but it actually wasn't NKOTB's first sonic foray into the industry. Whilst their self-titled debut achieved airplay success around their hometown of Boston, its heavily manufactured pop sound failed to gain traction nationally, so the boys returned to the studio with a new sound in mind and experimented with an urban contemporary feel, blended with pop rock. The resulting album had a slow start, but caught on like wildfire when its lead single 'Please Don't Go Girl' became the most requested song on radio stations across the nation's playlists.