Backstreet Boys framed print with clock

Boy band creator Lou Pearlman was inspired by the success of the New Kids on the Block in the 1980s to create his own clean-cut band. After a series of auditions in 1992 and 1993, he recruited Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, and A.J. McLean. Following the departure of two previous members, Sam Licata (later performed as Phoenix Stone) and Charles Edwards, Kevin Richardson came aboard in March 1993. The group took its final member in April 9, 1993, when Brian Littrell, Richardson's cousin, joined the group after a phone audition. Lou Pearlman called on his friend, Bob Curiano, to be the first one to write and produce for the Backstreet Boys. Their first two songs ever recorded were Lover Boy, which was written and produced by Bob Curiano, and Get Ready, a cover tune. Their first concert, on July 8, 1993, was performed for 3,000 teenagers at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. Pearlman later booked them at grade-school assemblies and shopping malls, and assigned management duties to Johnny Wright, who had worked with New Kids on the Block. Some of the songs they performed in their early days were the covers: "Get ready" (original by The temptations), "I adore (mi amor)" (by Color me badd), "End of the road" (Boyz II Men, "If I ever (fall in love)" (Shai), "I'll be loving you (forever), "Step by step" and "Please don't go girl" (New kids on the block), "Got to be there" (Michael Jackson's beginnings), "I want you back", "I'll be there" (both by The Jacksons 5) and Backstreet Boys original songs: "Stay in my life" (first not official music video recorded), "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" (first promoting song), "Loverboy" (first public performance), "Got to get it", "Do you wanna go to Jamaica", "Everytime I close my eyes" (oldest song to come into an album), the eventually b-sides "I'll Never Find Someone Like You", "Give Me Your Heart", and later "Darlin'" and "Boys will be boys" (which would be in the International debut album);

European popularity grew, and the Backstreet Boys kicked off 1996 being voted the No.1 International Group by TV viewers in Germany - "I'll Never Break Your Heart" went gold there and hit No.1 in Austria. The group earned their first Platinum record in Germany and toured Asia and Canada.