Backstreet Boys 'Incomplete' Since Kevin Richardson Leaves

It turns out the Backstreet Boys' newest single is useful after all, but only in headlines. The boy band of the late 90s and early 2000s, The Backstreet Boys, are now "Incomplete", since Kevin Richardson has left the group.

The news came after the Backstreet Boys and Kevin Richardson, the Lexington, Kentucky native, each posted statements on the band's website. The band said that " Earlier this year, after much soul searching, Kevin Richardson came to us and told us that he had decided to leave the group and pursue other interests. He gave his blessing to continue the music without him."

Kevin Richardson's statement announced that "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. Howard, Brian, Alex and Nick will always be my little brothers and have my utmost love and support." Richardson also announced that his leaving the band was not a result of bad feelings, stating "I wish my brothers continued success and look forward to their new album."

As ABC News puts it, " The Orlando-based pop band ushered in a new teen-music craze in the late 90's, buoyed by their soulful harmonies, synchronized dance steps, clean-cut good looks and charm." That's not to say the group hasn't endured hardships during their time together. " The group took a hiatus in 2001 after A.J. McLean's highly publicized entry into rehab forced the band to postpone their 'Black & Blue' tour. They reunited to release the album 'Never Gone' in 2005".

The departure of Kevin Richardson from BSB may mark the beginning of the end of an era. After touring in Europe and Canada, gaining success in those foreign markets, the Backstreet Boys released their first US album, entitled Backstreet Boys in the United States, and Backstreet's Back internationally (their first album was never released in the US). Singles which propelled the most successful debut album in history (30 million worldwide, 14 million in the US alone), include "Backstreet's Back", "All I Have To Give", "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long As You Love Me". Their follow-up album, Millenium, sold 1.13 million in its first week: a record for most albums sold in a debut week, as well as records for the second and third weeks. "I Want It That Way", "Larger Than Life" and "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely" would dominate charts, helping the album sell well over 25 million albums. With Black & Blue, their Greatest Hits, and the recent release of Never Gone the Backstreet Boys have sold more than 83 million albums worldwide. They even have a Guinness Book of World Records entry for "Biggest Selling Album By a Boy Band" for Millenium.

As for future albums, the statement on the band's website states that " This weekend we are returning to the studio to begin the follow-up to Never Gone, and will see you later this year with a new album."

[Additional Sources: BackstreetBoys.com, ABC News, Wikipedia, Guinness Book of World Records]