Once upon a time, back in 2006…Kevin left the group. And I mean completely left. We didn’t know if he was coming back. In retrospect I wonder if the others knew. But at the time, we didn’t. We didn’t have a clue. I mean, it hit us pretty hard because it felt like an end, didn’t? But it wasn’t. The group kept surviving, they’re perservered. And while there’s much debate about the This Is Us and Unbreakable because they’re the albums that came betwen, the Backstreet Boys continued on. Still creating, and still performing. I have so many good memories from those eras and I loved them. But this quote, looking it up…still breaks my heart. And it’s been sixeen years.
After 13 years of what can only be described as a dream come true, I have decided that it is time to leave the Backstreet Boys. It was a very tough decision for me but one that was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life. Howie, Brian, A.J., and Nick will always be my little brothers and have my utmost love and support. I would like to thank the Backstreet fans for all the beautiful memories we have shared together and look forward to including you in the next phase of my life. I wish my brothers continued success and look forward to their new album.
But if I’m being honest with myself, it wasn’t the same. Because the magic they had? It existed at it’s purest form as a quintet. I don’t care what member goes missing, I’ll die on the hill that it wouldn’t be the same without all of them. Sooooo…why am I making this post then, if I’m happier now?
Well, on April 29th, 2012 on a live broadcast of NKOTBSB in London…Brian screamed to the world that Kevin was coming back. It was glorious. I remember watching this online and SCREAMING from my bedroom cause I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.
Twitter exploded.
Shit, the fandom exploded!
Because like I’d said, we’d all assumed the worst. That this was the new forever version of Backstreet. And while we still loved them, we still had that hole in our hearts. A piece was missing from the puzzle. We were…IN-COM-PLETE.
Sorry. it was too easy.
But return Kevin did. And man, was it everything.
Later that year we got It’s Christmas Time Again which is the closest thing we’ve gotten to a Chrismas album *hint hint hint!* but I digress. It was like, coming home in a way. Because you don’t always realize what you had till it’s gone. And then, you see just how incredibly special that thing you lost was because you were blessed enough to get it back you know? I always loved and appreciated Kevin. We all did in some form, but it’s easily tripled since his return. All because now I know just what it’s like to not have him there.
And if you look at what came after, it’s been nothing but magic. The documentary, In A World Like This which had it’s own irresitable sparkle. The collaboration with FGL. Then what I will argue might’ve given them their biggest revitalization, the Vegas residency. That led directly into DNA and while it’s an era interrupted, it’s still their biggest one since their “heyday” of the 90’s. The meet and greets have gotten more intimate since he’s returned, those moments on stage where he does his damnedest to make sure you know he appreciates you. The harmonies richer and deeper than ever before.That balance within the group was back in full force and I don’t just mean musically.
I’m talking about that brotherhood we all cherish.
So Kevin on behalf of all of us, we’re so graetful you’ve come back. You were desperately missed and we hope you never leave again. We understand you weren’t happy back then and just pray you never feel that way again because I don’t think we could handle that level of heartbreak twice. That and honestly we just want all five of you happy beyond all else. Know we see you Kevin, and know we feel all the love and appreciation you give the fans. It touches us more than you know.
Really in the end, all we’re saying is…
Kevin, we love you.
The Dark Side 