1986

In April 1986, Columbia Records released the group's self-titled debut album. The album, almost exclusively written and produced by Maurice Starr, featured mid 80s bubblegum pop material. The first single, Be My Girl received minor airplay around the group's native Boston, but failed to capture nationwide attention. The album's second single, Stop It Girl, fared even worse. Subsequently, New Kids on the Block wound up flopping. Starr remained diligent and persuaded the label to allow the group to record a second album. (Note: Though a commercial failure upon its original release, 'New Kids on the Block' would eventually go triple platinum, in response to the group's later popularity.)