Boy bands through the years

'N Sync

The Monkees to Day26: Boy band evolution

By Sheigh Crabtree, Stephanie Lysaght and Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

The Spice Girls got back together last year, and now the boys are getting in on the reunion action. The members of New Kids on the Block announced in early April that they will tour and record new material.

And the timing, perhaps, couldn't be better. When the New Kids on the Block made its announcement, the top of the charts featured the likes of Danity Kane and Day26, one girl group and one boy band, respectively. Indeed, boy bands and girl groups are a formula that the music business and the music fans never seem to tire of, even as generational looks and sounds may change.

From pop to hip-hop and R&B, the Monkees to the Osmonds to Boyz II Men to Day26, here s a look at some notable boy bands over the years.

(Pictured: 'N Sync on tour)