From The Beatles to BTS: The Most Successful Boybands of All Time

Since the founding of the very first one, boybands have left indelible marks on pop culture like no other artists. With infectious melodies, synchronised performances, a medley of voices, and endless charisma, they captivate audiences and command some of the biggest fandoms in the world. From the clean-cut harmonies of the 1960s to new-gen pop, boybands have shaped pop culture in unforgettable ways. Here are the most successful boybands of all time who have changed the music scene forever.

From the frenzy of Beatlemania to the passionate devotion of BTS’ ARMY, boybands have enjoyed unparalleled fandom love for decades. Let’s dive into how these groups have redefined the genre, shattered records, and captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

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Here are the most successful boybands of all time (by decade)

1960s: The Beatles

Years active: 1960-1970

The Beatles may not be considered a boyband in today’s mainstream culture, but they laid the road for all upcoming boybands at that time. The Beatles, also known as the Fab Four, were a rock band formed in 1960 in Liverpool featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The band rapidly rose to prominence in the early 1960s thanks to their innovative sound, captivating melodies, and charismatic personalities. Their debut album, Please Please Me, was released in March 1963 and became the first of eleven consecutive Beatles albums to reach number one in the UK.

The Beatles revolutionised music with their innovative approaches to songwriting, recording, and performance. They were among the first to explore multitrack recording, breaking new ground in studio production. Their impact quickly expanded to fashion, movies, art, and social movements. Their “mop-top” hairdos became a major fashion trend. “Beatlemania” swept the globe, with The Beatles enjoying unparalleled levels of popularity and admiration.

The Beatles disbanded in 1970, yet their impact continues to influence music and popular culture. They have sold over 600 million records globally, making them one of the most successful boybands of all time. Their songs, including Hey Jude, Let It Be, Yesterday, and A Day in the Life, continue their reign as timeless classics that have been covered by countless musicians across all genres.

1970s: The Jackson 5 or The Jacksons

Years active: 1964–1989, 2001, 2012–present

In 1965, The Jackson 5, often known as The Jacksons, was formed in Gary, Indiana. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson were the group’s original lineup. Their father, Joe Jackson, managed them while they refined their craft in talent shows and small venues before signing with Motown Records in 1969. Their first single, I Want You Back, was a huge success, hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Jackson 5’s fresh and youthful energy captivated the audience. They created a melodic fusion of pop, soul, R&B, and funk. Their early songs, like ABC, The Love You Save, and I’ll Be There underlined their harmonies, dramatic choreography, and the extraordinary talent of young Michael Jackson, who rapidly emerged as the group’s star. The Jackson 5 were among the first African American musical artists to achieve significant crossover success, breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry. They served as role models for young African Americans and impacted future generations of musicians with their talent, style, and showmanship. Their success contributed to increased representation and opportunities for black performers in mainstream music.

The Jackson 5’s appeal transcended racial and regional boundaries, propelling them to international stardom. While the Jackson 5 were most popular in the 1970s, their legacy lives on. Most notably, Michael Jackson’s solo career catapulted him into global superstardom, bestowing him with the title “King of Pop.” The group’s innovative music, choreography, and stage presence continue to inspire young artists from all genres. Songs like Dancing Machine, Can You Feel It, and Blame It on the Boogie are regarded as classics today.

1980s: New Kids on the Block

Years active: 1984–1994, 2008–present

New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) is an American boy band formed in 1984. The original lineup was Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block gained popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling over 80 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling and most successful boybands of all time.

NKOTB were among the first to blend a polished pop sound with R&B iNFLuences, setting the tone for future boy bands. Their catchy melodies, harmonies, and coordinated dance routines established the foundation for the boyband genre. They were masters at writing songs that spoke to young audiences, which led to them becoming a phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s. NKOTB became an international sensation, inspiring a generation of followers and paving the way for the boyband mania of the 1990s.

The group toured extensively, performing in sold-out arenas all over the world. Their concerts were famous for their great intensity, spectacular stage sets, and active fan participation. The buzz surrounding their performances fuelled the phenomena known as “New Kids Mania.”

Despite their disbandment in 1994, the legacy of NKOTB has persisted today. They reunited in 2008 and have released two new albums since then, both of which garnered positive feedback from both old and new fans. The group’s influence is evident in the boybands that followed, such as Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, who frequently mention NKOTB as an inspiration.

1990s: Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC

Backstreet Boys

Years active: 1993–present

Backstreet Boys was an American boyband comprising AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell. Talent manager Lou Pearlman created the band after a nationwide talent search. A deep dive into how the Backstreet Boys was founded can be seen in Netflix’s new limited series Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam, which focuses on the Y2K golden boyband era and the success of *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. While the bands’ successes can be attributed to Pearlman, he was eventually revealed to be a conman, and the documentary highlights some of his shady dealings behind the scenes.

Their first taste of popularity came from their debut international album Backstreet Boys (1996), which was followed by their second international album Backstreet’s Back (1997), and their self-titled US debut album in 1997. They quickly achieved fame with songs like Quit Playing Games (with My Heart) and As Long as You Love Me.

Backstreet Boys fused pop and R&B elements to create a sound that was both commercially successful and artistically revolutionary. Albums such as Millennium (1999) and Black & Blue (2000) sealed their status in pop music history. Millennium, which included singles such as I Want It That Way, Larger Than Life, and Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely, became one of the best-selling albums of all time. The Backstreet Boys became cultural icons in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They ruled the charts, sold out arenas, and became the definition of the boyband phenomenon. Their influence spread to fashion, with fans adopting their style and fashion.

The group achieved international sensation status and toured worldwide, performing to sold-out audiences in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. To date, the Backstreet Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful music artists of all time. Despite facing challenges and shifts in the music industry, they maintained a dedicated fan following. Their reunion in the mid-2000s and subsequent albums, Never Gone (2005) and DNA (2019), were well-received and successful. They continue to tour and perform live, and fans all over the world are still quite enthusiastic about their favourite boyband.

*NSYNC

Years active: 1995–2004, 2023–present

Formed in 1995, *NSYNC is a legendary group comprised of Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass. In 1997, they achieved their first bout of success in Europe with their self-titled debut album. Their breakthrough in the US came in 1998 with the release of the American version of their debut album, which featured singles such as I Want You Back and Tearin’ Up My Heart. *NSYNC became famous for their perfect harmonies, catchy pop songs, and intricate choreography. Their second album No Strings Attached (2000) broke records, selling more than 2.4 million copies in its first week. The album included singles such as Bye Bye Bye, It’s Gonna Be Me, and This I Promise You, all of which became widely popular, contributing to the band’s reign.

*NSYNC became pop culture icons in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The dominance of two of the most successful boybands of all time *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys turned the 1990s into the golden era of boy bands. They toured extensively, performing in sold-out venues throughout the world. Their No Strings Attached Tour and PopOdyssey Tour were among the highest-grossing tours of the time. *NSYNC’s appeal eventually grew beyond music, their ascension into global popularity marked by appearances in movies, television shows, and even expansion into their own line of merchandise.

Despite their hiatus starting in 2002, *NSYNC’s legacy endures. They have sold more than 70 million records worldwide, making a profound impact on pop music. Members like Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez went on to have successful solo careers, with Timberlake becoming one of the most popular pop artists of his generation. The group’s influence can still be felt in today’s pop music scene. In 2023, they reunited to record the song Better Place for the animated film Trolls Band Together. In the recent Marvel movie Deadpool & Wolverine, the opening credits featured a dancing Deadpool (aka Ryan Renolds) to *NSYNC’s nit song “Bye Bye Bye”.

2000s: Westlife and Jonas Brothers

Westlife

Years active: 1998–2012, 2018–present

Westlife was formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1998 by Louis Walsh. The original lineup included Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, and Brian McFadden. The band originally signed with Simon Cowell, but after failing to get a BMG record deal with him, they opted to part ways with Cowell and instead signed a four-million-pound record deal with RCA Records. They soon gained popularity with their debut hit, Swear It Again, which topped the UK charts. Their self-titled debut album (1999) had multiple successes, making them the next big pop stars of that time. Unfortunately, Brian McFadden left the band in 2004 to focus on his family.

Westlife was recognised for their powerful ballads and vocals. They established themselves by focusing on emotionally charged, catchy pop tunes with orchestral arrangements. Their hit songs include Flying Without Wings, My Love, Fool Again, and You Raise Me Up. Their ability to continuously produce chart-topping singles and albums propelled them to the forefront of the late 1990s and early 2000s pop landscape. In Ireland, the band had 11 number-one albums, 16 number-one singles, and 34 top-fifty hits. They have sold over 55 million records and have held four Guinness World Records.

Through their clean-cut appearances and heartfelt songs, Westlife amassed a dedicated following all over the world. They have sold over 55 million records worldwide and had 14 number-one hits in the United Kingdom, second only to Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Their tours were huge successes, selling out huge arenas and stadiums. Despite their temporary breakup in 2012 and eventual reunion in 2018, Westlife’s music has stayed timeless. Their reunion was received with enthusiasm by fans, and they continue to release new music and tour today.

Jonas Brothers

Years active: 2005–2013, 2019–present

The Jonas Brothers is an American pop-rock band consisting of three brothers: Kevin, Joe, and Nick. They started out in 2005 and rose to prominence thanks to appearances on Disney Channel shows and movies including Jonas and Camp Rock. They signed with Columbia Records and released their debut album It’s About Time in 2006. However, their big break came when they signed with Hollywood Records, with whom they released their second album, Jonas Brothers, in 2007. This album included singles like S.O.S. and When You Look Me in the Eyes, which skyrocketed their popularity as a boy band.

The Jonas Brothers mixed pop-rock with catchy melodies and relatable lyrics, which appealed to a wide demographic, particularly teenagers. Their third album, A Little Bit Longer (2008), had hits like Burnin’ Up and Lovebug. They became famous for their high-energy performances, excellent melodies, and captivating stage presence, building a fanbase all over the world and performing to sold-out audiences across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Their Burnin’ Up Tour and following tours were huge successes.

Despite taking a break from 2013 to 2019, during which the boys focused on solo projects, the Jonas Brothers’ reputation endured. They reunited in 2019 with the hit track Sucker, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Their comeback album, Happiness Begins, was a commercial success, and fans responded enthusiastically to their reunion tour.

2010s: One Direction

Years active 2010–2016

One Direction was formed in 2010 during the seventh season of the British singing comPetition The X Factor. Initially, each member auditioned individually and failed. But judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, and Louis Walsh gave them another shot as a group. Despite finishing third, the band, with members Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, rapidly earned a large following. They signed with Simon Cowell’s Syco Music and released their first single What Makes You Beautiful in 2011. The song became a global hit, turning 1D into a household name.

One Direction’s music is a beautiful concoction of pop, rock, and dance, with catchy tunes, relatable lyrics, and harmonised vocals. Their debut album Up All Night (2011) was followed by successful albums such as Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014), and Made in the A.M. (2015), as well as hits like Live While We’re Young, Story of My Life, and Drag Me Down. One Direction became a global phenomenon, with a devoted fan base called “Directioners.” They took over social media, setting trends on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, and their music videos were viewed billions of times on YouTube. Their relatable characters and honest connections with one another and their fans have rightfully earned them a place among the most successful boybands of all time.

Despite taking a hiatus in 2016, One Direction still has fans crying and reeling. The members have had successful solo careers and continue to influence the music business. Harry Styles even has a Grammy to his name, while other members, like Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik, have released successful solo albums. Zayn left the band in 2015 due to personal reasons, but fans still consider him very much a part of 1D. Fans continue to stream and showcase their love for the music while they desperately wait for the band to reunite.

2020s: BTS

Years active: 2013-present

In 2013, Big Hit Entertainment founded BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, in South Korea. The seven-member group includes RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. They launched with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, but their global recognition came with their 2015 album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1. The group continued to gain momentum and finally broke through the US market with Wings (2016) and Love Yourself: Tear (2018). BTS became famous for bending the rules and mixing K-pop, hip-hop, R&B, EDM, and rock genres. Their lyrics frequently address personal and social issues such as mental health, self-love, and the struggles of youth. Their popular tracks DNA, Fake Love, Boy With Luv, Dynamite, and Butter, have topped global charts time and time again.

BTS has had a profound impact on global pop culture, breaking language barriers and reaching a diverse audience. They are the first Asian act to achieve such global success and recognition. They now coMMAnd the largest fan base in the world known as ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth) who devotedly support and promote the group’s work. They popularised K-pop around the world, paving the way for other Korean singers to break into the international music industry.

BTS’ global appeal has sold out stadiums all around the world, including legendary venues such as Wembley Stadium and the Rose Bowl. They have garnered multiple accolades, several Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. In 2021, BTS received their first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Dynamite. BTS hasn’t only become one of the most successful boybands of all time; they’re also an inspiration for non-English artists to chase global success.

BTS’ impact transcends music and borders. They are the cultural ambassadors for South Korea, helping to promote Korean culture, which is often called the “Korean Wave” or “Hallyu”, on a global scale. They were invited to speak at the United Nations General Assembly, where they discussed the topics of self-acceptance and mental health. Their collaboration with UNICEF on the Love Myself campaign seeks to improve the mental health of children and the youth. The BTS members are currently serving their mandatory military service, with Jin being the only one who has completed his service. ARMYs are eagerly waiting 2025, when BTS are expected to make their comeback as a band.

(Main and featured image: bts_twt/X)