A. J. McLean

For the cattleman and politician from Alberta, Canada, see Archibald J. McLean.
A. J. McLean

McLean in Malibu in February 2008
Background information
Birth name Alexander James McLean
Also known as A.J., Alex, Bone, Johnny No Name
Born (1978-01-09) January 9, 1978
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Genres Pop, R&B, pop rock
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, actor
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, saxophone, violin
Years active 1986–present
Labels Jive, Avex, Podwall
Associated acts Backstreet Boys, NKOTBSB
Website ajmclean.com

Alexander James "A. J." McLean (born January 9, 1978[1]) is an American musician, singer, dancer, actor, and entertainer. He is a member of the Backstreet Boys. McLean is also a contributor for the It Gets Better Project.

Early life

McLean was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Denise (née Fernandez) and Bob McLean. He is of Cuban and German ancestry on his mother's side and Scottish, Irish and English on his father's side. His parents divorced when he was four years old.[1] In January 1986 at 8 years old, McLean acted in his first role as Little Mike in the 1986 film Truth or Dare.[2]

In 1990, he moved to Kissimmee, Florida, with his mother and grandparents to concentrate on his acting and singing career. In early 1990s he appeared on various Nickelodeon and Disney projects, including the Nickelodeon show GUTS, Welcome Freshmen, and a comedy series called Hi Honey, I'm Home! on which he played a character named "Skunk". Upon joining the Backstreet Boys, he along with band mates Brian Littrell and Nick Carter quit high school and completed their education with a tutor who joined them on the road.

Career

Backstreet Boys

Main article: Backstreet Boys

McLean, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell formed the pop group Backstreet Boys in 1993. The group became very successful in late 90s-early 2000s, and in 2013 they celebrated their 20th anniversary and released a new album called In a World Like This.

Solo ventures

Johnny No Name (2000)

McLean created a character, whom he named "Johnny NoName", to use as his alter ego. He uses it as his name when not performing with other members of the Backstreet Boys.[3] The character has similarities to McLean; for instance, both had single mothers, and lived with their grandparents from a young age. There are also differences – Johnny has been to prison[4] whereas McLean has not. McLean has occasionally performed in rock/metal clubs around New York as Johnny No Name. He established a foundation called the JNN Foundation to raise funds for diabetes research and other causes like keeping music programs in schools. McLean also did a nine-city tour to support VH1 Save the Music as Johnny No Name.

Originally McLean's alter ego was named Johnny Suede. It shared its name with a character played by Brad Pitt and when the studio threatened to sue McLean, he changed the name to Johnny No Name.[5][6]

Have It All (2010)

In March 2008, McLean performed his first two solo shows (as himself) at the Anaheim House of Blues and The Roxy in Los Angeles. The show consisted of his solo material and a solo version of the Backstreet Boys hit, "Incomplete". The solo tour continued through Europe in May and June, in parallel to Backstreet Boys tour. While creating his solo project, McLean worked with the OneRepublic vocalist Ryan Tedder, producers Dan Muckala and Kristian Lundin, plus the former 'N Sync member, JC Chasez. On January 20, 2010, Have It All, was released in Japan. He confirmed on the Backstreet Boys cruise in December 2010 that the US version would be released on February 8, 2011.[7]

As of June 2012, McLean is working on his 2nd solo album. He also posted two of his new songs on Socialcam on July 23, 2012, titled "Peach" and "P.L.A.R.S."

Collaborations (2013)

On May 22, 2013, a Finnish rapper Redrama released a single "Clouds" featuring McLean. It peaked at No. 4 in Finland.[8]

The Anthem (2016)

McLean is set to release his second solo album titled The Anthem in 2016. The lead single, "Live Together" was released on September 4, 2015, on iTunes.[9]

Non-Music Works

On July 22, 2015, AJ launched Skulleeroz Vapor, a line of liquids for use with electronic cigarettes. [10]

Television and film appearances

In April 2002, In season 2 of Static Shock (A cartoon from 2000–2004) McLean made a guest appearance on the show. The title of the episode is called "Duped".[11] He also appeared as a contestant in the first season of the Nickelodeon game show Nickelodeon GUTS. McLean also appeared and performed with The Backstreet Boys on Arthur, Sesame Street, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, and Saturday Night Live. In 2013 McLean made his motion picture debut by appearing in the comedy This Is the End along with the rest of the Backstreet Boys.

Personal life

McLean suffered from drug and alcohol addiction. He went to rehab in 2001 (and again in 2002) following an intervention by bandmate Kevin Richardson. During an interview with New Zealand radio station ZM, McLean described his addictions as the hardest things he has ever had to go through, stating it is something he battles with every day.[12] He checked into rehab for the 3rd time on January 10, 2011, citing "personal reasons".[13] In preparation for the NKOTB and Backstreet Boys tour, McLean has said, "I want to be healthy and perform and sing for people at my very best and happiest." His time in rehab did not affect the tour.[14]

McLean married Rochelle Deanna Karidis, whom he credits for helping him overcome his addiction, on December 17, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California.[15][16] The rest of the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson were in attendance.[17] On November 27, 2012, the couple welcomed their first child,[18] a daughter named Ava Jaymes McLean.[19][20]

Discography

Albums

Year Title Peak positions
US JAP
Have It All — 31
The Anthem

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US JAP
2010 "Teenage Wildlife" – — Have It All
2015 "Live Together" – — The Anthem
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US FIN
2013 "Clouds"
(Redrama and A.J. McLean)		 – 4 Redrama album
Reflection

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Netter, Matt (January 1999). Backstreet Boys * Aaron Carter. New York: Pocket Books. pp. 46–47. ISBN 978-0-671-03539-6.
  2. ↑ "Truth or Dare?: A Critical Madness (1986)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  3. ↑ "A.J. McLean talks about "Johnny No Name"". Canoe.ca. March 29, 2000. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ Archived February 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ "A Boy Out on His Own". LA Times. March 29, 2000. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Transcript of A.J. McLean – Yahoo! Chat". March 22, 2000. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  7. ↑ "NKOTBSB Song preview and song from 'Have It All', "Mr. A"". Youtube. December 14, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Redrama feat. AJ McLean - Clouds". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Live Together (feat. Jordan James) - Single by AJ McLean". iTunes. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Welcome! Two New Flavors Launched - Skulleeroz". Skulleerozvapor.com. 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  11. ↑ ""Static Shock" Duped (2002)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  12. ↑ "Interview with Polly Gillespie on ZM". Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Backstreet Boys’ A.J. McLean Back In Rehab". MTV. 2011-01-13. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  14. ↑ "Breaking Celeb News, Entertainment News, and Celebrity Gossip". E! Online. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  15. ↑ "A.J. McLean and Rochelle Deanna Karidis to Marry", AOL Music, September 7, 2011
  16. ↑ "Celebrity Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss on Who’s Tying the Knot Next!", OK! Magazine, October 18, 2011
  17. ↑ "A.J. Mclean And Rochelle Deanna Karidis To Have ‘Craziest’ Celebrity Wedding Ever", Radar Online, September 7, 2011
  18. ↑ "AJ & Rochelle Have Some News!". Retrieved July 4, 2012.. YouTube. Retrieved on July 4, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Backstreet Boy AJ McLean's First Baby Will Be a Girl!". US Weekly. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Rep Confirms: Backstreet Boys Singer AJ McLean Welcomes Baby Girl Ava!". In Touch. November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.

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