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The rise and fall – and rise again – of the Monkees, New Kids, Backstreet Boys & 'N Sync

July 24, 2015 at 7:41PM

December 1968 Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, David Jones, Peter Tork (Left to Right) “The Monkees” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Manufactured boy bands don't last forever — but they do have reunion tours. Here's a look at the big four who predated One Direction.

The Monkees

Svengali: TV producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider, music producer Don Kirshner.

First record: 1966.

Expiration date: 1969.

Biggest hit: "I'm a Believer."

First reunion: 1986.

Best solo career: Michael Nesmith.

New Kids on the Block

Svengali: Manager Maurice Starr.

First record: 1986.

Expiration date: 1994.

Biggest hit: "Step by Step."

First reunion: 2008.

Best solo career: Donnie Wahlberg.

Backstreet Boys

Svengali: Manager Lou Pearlman.

First record: 1996.

Expiration date: 2002.

Biggest hit: "I Want It That Way."

First reunion: 2007.

Best solo career: No one, really.

N' Sync

Svengali: Manager Lou Pearlman.

First record: 1997.

Expiration date: 2002.

Biggest hit: "Bye Bye Bye."

First reunion: Still waiting.

Best solo career: Justin Timberlake.

JON BREAM

Four members of the teen pop group “ New Kids on the Block” pose backstage at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Jan. 22, 1990, where they won in the category Favorite Pop Album. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Backstreet Boys music group (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The US singing group N’Sync arrive for the MTV Video Music Awards at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York on 09 September, 1999. They were scheduled to perform during the show. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

American teen pop group "New Kids on the Block" are performing their hit number " Call It What You Want" as they kick off a world tour at the Tokyo Dome, Japan, on January 31, 1991. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara) ORG XMIT: APHS212 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)