Finally, after weeks of debating and voting, the 80s boy band throwdown between Menudo, New Edition and New Kids on the Block has a WINNER!

Menudo	New Edition	New Kids on the Block
66 points	41 points	76 points

Many of you are probably thinking, “This is RIGGED!”. So, in the spirit of total transparency, I have outlined the breakdown between the three bands, and added in a few pieces of BB trivia for your reading enjoyment (and to help you win an 80s Trivial Pursuit game….)

Menudo

Formed slightly before the 80s in Puerto Rico, Menudo is one most popular Latin American teen musical groups of the era and has sold over 20 million records worldwide. The band had an unusual model with the boys getting replaced when they turned 16, keeping the members, and fans, forever young. While the band had over 30 members during its two decades, more notable members of the group are Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa.

How does Menudo stack up?

Criteria	Details	Points
Longevity (core years)	Formed in 1977, Menudo continued with various members until 1996 with some brief reunions after.	20
Number of albums	33	33
Billboard Top 100 hits (Total + 5 extra points per #1)	1 with Hold Me peaking at #62 on the charts in 1985.	1
Choreo-ability (1-10)	This group, in all iterations can pull off some choreographed moves. But they weren’t super sophisticated and usually were based on hip shaking or leg kicks.	5
Swoon/Scream-ability (1-5)	Menudo definitely gave fans “menudoitis” and some people compared the pandemonium accompanying the band to Beatlemania. Menudo also had a reality series and because of the constant turn over of members and fans, they still have a huge following.	3
Trendy-ness (1-5)	In the 80s Menudo was setting trends – with their tight sparkly spandex, acid washed denim and hip shaking. They also had some merchandise – including dolls – so safe to say they influenced trends of the time – especially in the early 80s.	4
Total		66

New Edition

Made up of five members from Boston, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe, New Edition began as BB in the early 80s. The group began working with Marice Starr in 1983 and achieved some success on the charts, but were plagued with management and money woes, and had a lot of drama with badly behaved members and solo aspirations.

How does New Edition stack up?

Criteria	Details	Points
Longevity (core years)	1981-1989 +1996-97	10
Number of albums	7	7
Billboard Top 100 hits (Total + 5 extra points per #1)	16 top 100 hits with Hit Me Off topping the charts at #3 in 1996	16
Choreo-ability (1-10)	New Edition had some choreography on stage and in their videos but it isn’t the hardest, or catchiest. So points for trying.	4
Swoon/Scream-ability (1-5)	While New Edition had hits, they were never able to achieve the same level of stardom as other bands of the era – specifically Menudo and NKOTB. And all the drama made this band a bit less swoony IMO.	2
Trendy-ness (1-5)	New Edition didn’t have the level of trendsetting ability as a band as others of the era. In fact, some members (like Bobby Brown) set more trends once they left the band, rather than while they were in it.	2
Total		41

New Kids on the Block

Donnie, Danny, Jordan, Jon and Joey! NKOTB burst onto the scene in 1986 and quickly achieved super BB success with hits like Hangin Tough, You Got It (The Right Stuff) and Please Don’t Go Girl. NKOTB broke countless records in their time, including being the top-grossing touring act in the U.S., having one of highest-grossing concert tours of the decade, breaking cable TV history with their 1990 pay-per-view special and having one of the largest fan clubs in the U.S.

But how does NKOTB stack up?

Criteria	Details	Points
Longevity (core years)	1985-1994, 2008-2020	21
Number of albums	7	7
Billboard Top 100 hits (Total + 5 extra points per #1)	13 Top 100 hits 31 hits with Step by Step, Hanging Tough and I’ll be Loving You (Forever)	28
Choreo-ability (1-10)	Some NKOTB choreography is LEGENDARY with Right Stuff choreography still being performed by fans all over the world and featured in this hilarious Target commercial and shows like Fuller House. They were the first band of this era to take choreography up a notch with break-dancing and more complicated moves.	6
Swoon/Scream-ability (1-5)	Us “Blockheads” think EVERY SINGLE NKOTB SONG is scream-worthy. But actually, with NKOTB having the largest fan base of the time, and the ability to sell out stadium tours in North America, Europe and Asia, they definitely get a high ranking on this scale.	5
Trendy-ness (1-5)	NKOTB was hugley merchandised during their time – cartoons, dolls, lunch boxes, clothing, comic books and more. So pretty safe to say they had a HUGE impact on trends of the day. Leather jackets, ripped or acid washed jeans and hats of some kind was NKOTB dress of choice – and you better believe EVERYONE was trying to wear the same stuff!	4
Popular Vote (extra 5 points)	Although it was close, NKOTB had the most votes in the poll last week.	5
Total		76

So, with the first BB throwdown behind us, I will be relaxing for the rest of the afternoon to the AMAZING sounds of the Hangin Tough album!

Let me know what you though of this throwdown in the comments below.

Next up – 90s British Boy Bands. And this one will be tough!