Photo: Wes and Alex for iHeartRadio
Multi-platinum selling superstars New Kids on the Block shined a spotlight their eighth studio album, Still Kids, released on May 17th, with an exclusive iHeartRadioLIVE celebration which aired exclusively on PBS on Friday (September 6). The chart-topping icons answered a handful of exciting questions from iHeartRadio's very own Valentine during the show, and performed a slew of their most popular hits including a few tracks featured on their latest record.
The legendary '80s heartthrobs kicked off the show with a performance of 2013's "Block Party" followed by 1988's "My Favorite Girl," "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Cover Girl," and 2024's "Magic" to name only a few hits.
Valentine gave the band (and awe-struck viewers tuning into PBS) the opportunity to catch their breath before asking why they decided to dust off their boots and release a new album after 11 years.
"Well, first things first, they [fans] demanded it. They did. I mean for a decade they've been like 'what's the deal with the one song here and there?' We don't do EPs. There are a lot of young New Kids fans...a lot of young blockheads, but our fans you know... they like albums. They want songs. They need depth."
The artists revealed that the writing process behind their latest masterpiece took about a year and a half and was largely inspired and fueled by their fans. The entire project was created unapologetically with excitement and fan reaction at the forefront. Despite the album being the "most mature album" they've ever done, NKOTB revealed that they have yet to reach maturity, and hope to never reach it!
"I hope not! I would say in terms of maturity, we're still kids. We're all still kids. This whole band and this fandom have this magical relationship and one does not go without the other and it really is our license to feel like kids whenever we want."
Proving that the standouts are nothing without their longtime fans, band member Jordan Knight invited a "Jordan girl" on stage to sing to her during the PBS celebration, serenading the fan in front of the audience as tears streamed down her face (and the faces of a few of his bandmates).
The hitmakers also commented on how epic it was to be on tour with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff as part of their 47-date Magic Summer 2024 Tour which kicked off in June.
Speaking of touring, bandmates Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, and Donnie Wahlberg, made it a point to soak up each moment of the tour and watch their hard work pay off in real time.
NKOTB are slated to take the stage at this year's iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 21st! Listen to everything New Kids on the Block on iHeartRadio now to prepare for their highly-anticipated set!