Joey McIntyre on Growing Up in Boston, NKOTB Fame, and 80s Nostalgia

Childhood and Family Life in Boston

👶 Joey McIntyre, the youngest of nine children, grew up in a working-class Irish Catholic family in Boston.
🏡 He lived in a modest house at 20 Orchard Street, which he recalls needing a paint job, and shared a room with his brother in bunk beds.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 With an 18-year age gap between the oldest and youngest siblings, his mother often joked about the "blades falling out of her" due to having so many children.
🏞️ The neighborhood once featured a large field where children could build forts, a stark contrast to the developed area seen today.

🏠 At just 17 years old, McIntyre purchased a historic house at 215 Warren Street, built in 1740, which had previously been part of the Underground Railroad.
🏡 He lived in this large house with his mother, balancing his newfound independence with family responsibilities.
🚗 His first car was a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE Cabriolet, purchased new, which he still owns and cherishes.

🎤 McIntyre's first concert experience was seeing Cyndi Lauper at Boston Common, an event that felt significant despite his casual attire.
🏈 He recalls playing Pop Warner football as a small child, struggling with oversized pads and dealing with a coach who was a heavy drinker.
📺 Favorite 80s TV shows included "Dukes of Hazzard" (specifically the General Lee jumps), "Sha Na Na," "Solid Gold," and "Soul Train," where New Kids on the Block once performed.
🚗 He reminisces about the iconic "It's 10 p.m. Do You Know Where Your Children Are?" PSA, a stark contrast to today's connected world.

🎶 McIntyre is promoting his new album, "Freedom," a 10-song, 32-minute collection perfect for car rides.
🎤 He mentions performing at venues like the Melody Tent on Cape Cod, a place where many famous artists have played.
🚗 He also touches on the early days of New Kids on the Block, including receiving Suzuki Sidekicks for a month as part of a promotion.

🏈 The family adopted Boston College as their team, with his grandfather attending and his sister now teaching there.
🚗 He shares a humorous anecdote about a friend's grandfather's gold Dodge Omni, which he later saw someone living in.
🚗 He also discusses Volvo's past advertising controversies, particularly regarding their safety claims and monster truck demonstrations.