Photo: Splash News

NKOTB and BSB, Baby! No, this isn’t some silly shorthand text greeting. New Kids on the Block and Back Street Boys are hitting the stage together for a living-out-the-glory-days Summer ’11 tour. For those that aren’t familiar, “Block” essentially defined “boy band” back in the late 80s and early 90s and became one of the most successful to date. They produced two number one albums on the US Billboard charts and went on to sell 80 million records worldwide. In 1991, Forbes listed the band as the highest-earning entertainers, beating Madonna and Michael Jackson. Assembled in Boston in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr, the members consist of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.

They disbanded in 1994, but after secretly reuniting and recording a new CD, the group released that new album in 2008 and fueled a comeback thanks to a resurgence in the  “bubble-gum pop” sound (can you say, Beiber fever?). Their North American concert tour with the Back Street Boys promises a bevy of those familiar hits–along with some brand new ones too. You may have gotten a little taste of what’s to come if you caught “NKOTB/BSB”‘s live performances on the American Music Awards in November or the 2011 New Year’s Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest show.

Gotta admit, the boys are still looking hot, too–especially NKOTB front-boy (er, sorry, front “man”), Joey McIntyre. During the time off from the band, he never sat idle. He released several solo albums, became a regular on the Fox television show Boston Public, and has performed in Broadway musicals including Wicked. He even placed third on the reality show Dancing with the Stars. He may be pushing 40, but Joey’s still got it, especially in these ultra-cool Ray Ban shades, available in four metal frame colors.  –rpuccia

Buy these now: Ray Ban RB3136 CARAVAN, $89