Was I a New Kids fan in the day? Yes, I admit I was. I thought it was cool they were from Boston, were around my age and the Knight brothers were born at the same hospital in Worcester that I was (back when Hanehman (sp) was just Hanehman and not part of UMASS). I think I actually joined the ranks of New Kids fans because of my much younger sisters. Or maybe it was I who turned my sisters on to the New Kids.
My sisters had all the New Kids barbie dolls and they all ended up with either missing heads or legs. Jordan would be riding around naked in Barbie’s pink convertible while Joey sat in the passenger seat, dressed but headless and helpless.
While I had all the New Kids cassettes (yes, cassettes–from the very first one–the one before “Hangin’ Tough” to “No More Games”–even the cheesy Christmas one–I still have them all), my sisters had the videos “Step By Step” and “New Kids Live” (I think that’s what it was called–it was after all a live New Kids concert).
My favorite? Donnie. I liked ‘em bad in my twenties. I’m proud to admit I had one of those huge Donnie pins, a poster, some books, T-shirts, a New Kids pillow case and of course my Donnie rag doll. Due to the fact that during this time I also had my first serious boyfriend and I was 21 or 22, I hid my Donnie collection in the closet and eventually disposed of my memorabilia. Wish I had it now!
I even remember the cartoon and sadly I would get my ass out of bed on Saturday mornings just to watch it! Yes, this of a then 21 year old woman! Here I was with a prestigious job and a car and I watched the New Kids cartoon! lol! Worse yet, I took my sisters to their concert. I went twice, taking one of my sisters each time! They were only six and seven at the time. And we all proudly wore our New Kids T-shirts after the show.
My most memorable New Kids experience came after their appearance on “Arsenio Hall”. There had been a controversy of whether they had lip synched during the show. After reading an article in a Boston newspaper regarding this, I wrote a letter to the editor expressing my disdain. Unbeknownst to me, the letter was printed. I only discovered this after I received a phone call from a student at BU who was trying to convince me to join her New Kids rally in support of the guys.
“Where did you get my phone number?” I asked her.
“Information.”
“What’s this regarding?”
“Your letter in the paper.”
Uh-huh. Nice of them to tell me they were going to print it. Needless to say, with my boyfriend sitting there listening to me chat with this over-the-top New Kids fan, I was sure I wouldn’t be attending any New Kids rally. At this time the New Kids were on the down side anyway.
So, if Joey (oops, sorry…he’s married and a father now…likes to be called Joe), Jordan, Jonathan, Donnie and Danny come my way on this reuniting tour, will I go? You’d better believe your New Kids pajamas I will!
bunchesofos