Photos By: Abigail Miller

Boyz II Men is celebrating twenty years in the music industry. The Philadelphia-based group is the most successful R&B vocal group of all time, based on sales. Having signed with Motown Records in 1990, the group started on a path that lead to five number one R&B singles, and that exceeded records for the longest period of time a single remained on the Billboard top 100.  These singles included, “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love To You,” and “One Sweet Day,” with Mariah Carey. During this time, the four-man group, also won four grammys. After 2000, the “heydey” of Boyz II Men had ended, and they signed with a slew of different record companies. Still, they most recently signed with Motown producer Randy Jackson, and in November of 2009 released Love.  This album includes covers hits by Bonnie Raitt, The Spinners, Sam Cooke, and many other artists.

After twenty years, they’ve kept it together better than the Temptations!

March 6, Boyz II Men played @ Club Nokia at L.A. Live, as part of their twentieth anniversary celebration.  The crowd slowy filtered in the venue for two hours before “the Boyz” were to take the stage.  The energy was fun and light-hearted.  It seemed that most in attendance probably had a high school prom between 1992 and 1997, although there were a few exceptions.   The first half of the main level at Club Nokia, was reserved for seating, which is logical, considering not everyone would be slow dancing (even though I was). The guys flew out onto the stage with an unmistakeable energy, ready to deliver to the crowd, in dapper looking suits. Then I noticed something strange… The group was down to three. I didn’t have time to be dismayed, as the ‘Boyz’ kicked-off the show with the unmistakable “Motownphilly,” sending the packed club into a frenzy; this was the most “upbeat” song played all night, and still a personal favorite.

Having read through the Boyz II Men website, it was noted, and seemingly in a cordial and disappointed way, that bass singer Mike McCary” left due to a nagging back ailment (as well as many other reasons).”  Despite the missing person, the other three members, Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, and Shawn Stockman, delivered with those unmistakable gospel voices that never fail to make women melt.  After segueing with “Motownphilly,” the group performed slow song, after slow song, which is to be expected, and Stockman at least twice, told sentimental, and long anecdotes about the group’s hard times over the past seven years.

This seminal return-to-form seems to be Boyz II Men’s attempt at standing on two feet again.  Fortunatley Boyz II Men, still have their harmonic voices, which is after all, pure talent and the key to their success.  The show was beautiful to listen to, a little less eventful to watch, but still an homage to a group that really has after twenty years, kept it together better than the Temptations!