Boyz! II Men: pop music's greatest growth spurt

Interview, August, 1995 by Richard LaGravenese

April 21, 4:30 P.M.: We're in the offices where the Charlie Rose show is taped. The Boyz are waiting to go on after the Oklahoma City report. We're on a floor filled with computer terminals and reporters working for the wire service. The place is abuzz with activity and news. The Boyz look very calm, rested, and their energy level is a little higher than earlier this afternoon.

After their interview here, the Boyz will be taken by helicopter from Manhattan to Long Island's Nassau Coliseum. It was rainy and overcast all day, but visibility should he fine for the helicopter flight.

4:50 P.M.: The Boyz have taken their seats on the Charlie Rose set. We're hearing over the wire service behind us that two suspects in the Oklahoma City bombing have been caught. It's weird energy - the composure and serenity and gentleness Inside the set and the activity that's going on around it.

The Charlie Rose show goes really well. The Boyz are funny and calm and very genuine. Charlie got them to sing a couple of times. This was a big treat for Diane Houslin, the segment producer of his show. She's a real fan. After they sang a little bit of "On Bended Knee," one of the reporters stood up and said, "Diane has melted into the carpet."

It's 6:05 P.M. The Boyz are now in the limo on the way to the helicopter en mute to the concert.

7:40 P.M.: A garage beneath Nassau Coliseum. The Boyz have just arrived in a van. The helicopter was nixed because the weather was too risky.

One more thing about the Charlie Rose show. A friend of mine was standing next to me, and when the Boyz started to sing, she said, "Notice how their faces change when they sing." It's true. They all seem like they're in love - like they're in love with the music or the sound.

8:00 P.M.: Backstage at Nassau Coliseum. There's supposed to be a "Meet and Greet" with music people, but no one really knows where it is yet. The Boyz are checking out their friends, hugging people, going out front to catch a little bit of Brandy, their opening act. They seem surrounded by friends and good feelings.

Some confusion over passes and tickets. Michael comes out and takes care of us. He's now asking where his weights are going to he set up so he can do a little workout before the show.

8:02 P.M.: Shawn downs a bottle of ginseng. Everybody's hanging out, having a good time, laughing, joking, getting their energy up for the show.

8:40 P.M.: Nate calls everyone into the hell for a prayer. The Boyz form a circle, holding hands, while Shawn leads the prayer. I will later ask their manager if I can include this in the story.

SHAWN: "This is Long island. They call this Long Island, right? O.K. Thank you, Father, for getting us here to Long Island safely. It was a hectic day, the busy day that we had - all the obligations that we had to take care of. Thank you for letting us. Father, we ask you to right now please come into our hearts and our bodies and our minds, help us stay focused and to switch now to the mode of being entertainers and performers. Please bless the band, security, the crew, every single person that has anything to do with this organization, who will help us do our job the best. And let each individual do their job the best that they can. Father, we ask you to please bless Brandy right now. This is her last night here on this tour. We're going to miss her very much, and hope and pray that her career continues to soar. Father, we thank you for letting us work with her. She's such a talent, and we love her like a sister. We're all going to miss her very much. Once again, we ask you to please come into our hearts and help us to give a great show. In Jesus' name we offer it, Amen. [Amen in unison]

8:55 P.M.: I enter the packed stadium. You can't believe the energy here, and the excitement. At nine the Boyz take the stage. They do three numbers back-to-back without a break to open the show. I can't believe these are the same four young men I first saw at one this afternoon, dead tired, hungry, having a hard time focusing and keeping their eyes open on three hours' sleep. I keep thinking as I watch them, They aren't just performing for the crowd; they are playing with them, romancing them, making love to them. You have to wonder where this energy comes from. God knows.

Earlier that day, I interviewed the Boyz in the suite of their New York City hotel.

RICHARD LAGRAVENESE: What are you guys tired of talking about?

SHAWN: One of the things would be: Where are you from? How'd you get started?

RL: What's harmony?

SHAWN: Yeah. [laughs] Like the basic small-talk type of questions people ask when they're trying to get to know a person for the first time.

RL: Well, this is the first time I've ever conducted an interview. I'm a screenwriter, but I just love your music. So maybe we should start with something I know about, because I hear you guys like movies. What kind of movies do you like?

SHAWN: I like adventure movies.

WANYA: Me too. And love stories.

MICHAEL: I like pretty much everything. And I have a strong interest also in writing for movies. I have little synopses and experiences, little treatments for different films I'm working on.