Backstreet Mom: A Mother's Tale of Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean's Rise to Fame, Struggle with Addiction and Ultimate Triumph

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Editorial reviews

Leslie O’Shaughnessy, President of the Millennium Woman Foundation
"An inspiration to every mother working to raise her child in a difficult world. A book every mother should read!"

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The Wave-Duluth News Tribune
"Very easy to read. Denise writes it in a to-the-point way . . . the book [is] well-written."

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Synopsis
One of the most successful groups in music history, the Backstreet Boys have sold 65 million albums to date, and AJ McLean, the tattooed bad boy of the group, has fans throughout the world. An integral part of the Backstreet Boys from the very beginning, AJ's mother, Denise, travelled with the group and served as their publicist and fan club co-ordinator. In close proximity to the successes and heartbreaks of her son's career, Denise watched her son's painful descent into alcoholism and depression. This revealing account tells the tale of AJ's rise to superstardom, his descent into addiction, and his struggles through rehabilitation, and offers a look at the harsh world of the music industry. A candid and heartfelt story, this book will appeal to fans of the Backstreet Boys, readers interested in behind-the-scenes music industry stories, and mothers with children who have substance abuse problems.

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About the Author
Denise I. McLean is the mother of AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys. She has been interviewed numerous times, including a 20/20 interview with Connie Chung and interviews on MTV, VH1, and the Howard Stern Show. She lives in Orlando, Florida. Nicole P. Gotlin first met the Backstreet Boys one week after their formation in 1993. She spent the next 9 years working with them. During that time she served as their managerial assistant as well as the operations manager of their Orlando-based home office. Nicole had a front row seat as they rose from a baby band to international superstars. She currently lives near Orlando, Florida with her husband Douglas, a physician, and their son, Max Stuart.

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-04 rating:
A Must Read Book
I have been a fan of BSB for many years, and have a son of 22 who was diagnosed recently with Aspergers. We lost my mum (his gran) recently and I bought the book to find some strength. I almost found myself in the car/plane with the guys. A wonderful diary of events names and places. I laughed at times, and also cried. I saw great similarities between Alex and my son James, keeping things in and well hidden, the closeness to his grandmother and the loss of her. I salute you Denise, and the way you coped. My contrgatulations to Alex for now over 5 years clean. Your 'angel' is still watching over you. I have pulled alot of strength from this book. I will not squash my sons dreams, I will embrace and work with them. Thank you Denise, thank you Alex!

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review by: date: 2006-02-04 rating:
Truely Inspirational
As a mother myself I am completely in awe of Denise Mclean, the way in which she brought up AJ by herself and helped in the pursue of his dreams is fantastic. She gives and incredibly frank insight into the music industry and the pressures and downfalls that come with being a successesful star. AJ seems like an fantastically brave man, and both mother and son deserve a lot of respect that they have decided to share the problems they have overcome to the world. I have been a fan of the Backstreet Boys for over 10 years now and did not realise just how hard those boys work and how lonely they must get on the road. They definately deserve the success they have achieved and this book just reinforces my belief that they are the best boy band ever!

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review by: rags2803 date: 2005-11-23 rating:
Amazing
This was such an incredible insight into the lives, loves and hopes of AJ, his family and the boys alike.
I have been a fan since i was 11, and like many others out there who think they are the biggest and most knowledgeable fan in the world, this book is truly shocking and a complete eye opener. No matter how much you think you know there are things in this book that will make you realise just how human these boys actually are, and that on top of having to deal with the normal pressures of everyday life, they have the added strain of being constantly in the public eye.
One thing that this book will guarantee is that however much you think you love this man now, you will come out the other side of it loving him all the more for the sheer strength and determination he has had since the days of his rehab.
His mother, Denise, is a true inspiration to anyone who has children, regardless of whether they have the same problems as Alex or not. This remarkable lady truly shows how a mother should love her son and that nothing, no matter how big small or world shatteringly terrible, will ever come between that.

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review by: date: 2004-03-12 rating:
The book that re-defines "fame"
Underneath the glitz and glamour that fame and success brings, many are ignorant of the harsh reality of the brutal music industry whereby artists are perceived as bait for the executives in expensive italian suits. For the past ten years the Backstreet Boys have achieved astronomical success and yet beneath this fragile veneer, lies betrayal, hurt, deaths of loved ones, failed relationships and pain. For the first time the public is given an in-depth account of what it is really like to live in the bubble and meeting peoples expectations.

Two years ago it was a shock to the music scene when the "rebel" AJ Mclean entered rehab to combat his alcohol addiction, depression and PTSD. Now through his mother's words - Denise McLean - a thorough account of his challenge to overcome these demons is written.

This is an excellent book that should not be only read by BSB fans. This can applied to anyone who has experienced the same problems as AJ and definitely provides inspiration and hope that a better day will come.

Denise McLean - thank you for allowing us to see the true meaning of fame and for writing such a frank and honest account. AJ - welcome back! I SALUTE YOU BOTH!!!


review by: date: 2003-11-17 rating:
AJ
What an amazing book gives a really good veiw about AJ world. well worth the money.

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