When the American rock band Eagles disbanded in 1980, a group of five musicians came together to fill the void.However, unlike most tribute bands, Hotel California won’t dress like the band or even try to act like the band.NEW YORK – For Donnie Wahlberg it’s not a matter of why now, rather “why not?”
The recording artist-turned-actor was referring to the news of a major tour with his New Kids on the Block, who’ll be joined this summer on “The Package Tour” by 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men.
“The state of the boy band union is strong,” Wahlberg joked Tuesday. “Even though technically we’re not really boy bands, but we’re OK with that, so we’ll accept it.”
The Boston-based NKOTB formed in 1984 and amassed 10 Top 20 hits. They broke up in 1994. Wahlberg said he feels the break coincided with the maturation of their fan base.
“They needed time to have families and husbands and children and get jobs and live their life,” Wahlberg said.
But now he sees his band’s music as a complement to the fans’ adult lives.
“We created an outlet for them to feel good about themselves and tap into that youthfulness that had been put to bed for a long time; ... you may be 40, but the euphoria of it makes you feel 14 all over again,” Wahlberg said.
The band also announced a new single, “Remix (I Like The),” which will be released Jan. 28, and a new album, “10,” which is out April 2.
That music will be a bit more mature, member Joey McIntyre said.
“It is about the decisions that a grown man makes and goes through, as opposed to singing songs like ‘Popsicle,’ ” he said.
