KIDZ II MEN: Q&A with Jonathan Knight of New Kids On the Block
By JASON HARPER
Unless you’ve been in a pop-deprivation chamber for the past couple months, you know that founding-foundling boy band New Kids On the Block has reunited after 14 years for a new album and a world tour. Heralded by instant hits like the nostalgic (i.e., re-introductory) “Summertime” and the more modern, hip-hoppy “Single” (feat. Ne-Yo), The Block has been burning up the charts like it’s 1988. But now, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight are all pushing 40 as they get on the floor and do the New Kids dance at sold-out venues across the country.
While his brother and his former bandmates have remained active in making music, Jon Knight has been involved in the real estate business. He has, however, fallen into the role of the group’s most prolific blogger — read about his post-stardom emu farm and other endeavors here. We caught up with Jon last week to talk about the presidential election, Lou Pearlman and what it’s like being an older New Kid. For best authenticity, read all of his answers to yourself in a thick Boston accent, a là Mystic River or Good Will Hunting.
How’s the tour been going?
Awesome. It’s been going incredibly well. It’s blown my mind. I never expected it could be this large.
What’s been the best show so far?
There’s been so many of them — it’s been different cities, different energies. God, I couldn’t say that there’s been one really good one. It’s just there’s something about each city that brings something different to the table.
What’s it been like touring before and after the presidential election?
It caused us to be late one night. [Laughs.] We went home to vote, and our bus came to pick us up, and we were trying to watch the speeches and stuff, and we were two hours late getting on to the next city, but it’s been awesome. We’ve all be talking about it. It seems like everybody’s been talking about this election this year. It’s weird. I was in a taxicab in New York City, and this guy was listening to the news about all the speeches and stuff, and he was from a foreign land — i’ve been running into a lot of that, just, like, everybody’s talking about it.
