BOY BANDS

One of my blog articles discusses the decline of autograph collecting, including the aesthetics of a signature.  The beautiful and unique cursive autographs of Golden Age of Hollywood people like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (which could be considered works of art, in and of themselves) have morphed into scrawls like K-line for Kevin Costner and DB for Drew Barrymore. 

Now to be fair, it is understandable why so many celebrities sign quickly and illegibly when they know the item might be for sale on eBay within the hour. Especially in the arena of rock and roll or pop groups.  So let’s talk a bit about boy bands. 

ONE REPUBLIC 

I'm not here to throw One Republic under the (tour) bus, just simply showing an example of current-day hastily written cursive (?) signatures. 

This 2021 "Human" album has been authentically signed- autographed in person- by all six members: Ryan Tedder, Zach Filkins, Drew Brown, Brent Kutzle, Eddie Fisher, and Brian Willett.  

Let's play a game and see if you can identify each band member's signature. Have fun with that. We'll be "Counting Stars". (Sorry, I just HAD to say it.) 

BACKSTREET BOYS 

While we’re on boy bands, here’s an example of a group-signed photo of the Backstreet Boys.  These are clearly more carefully signed autographs.  Not fully 100% legible per member, but at least they’re attractively signed, mostly identified and the photo signed by all 5 is way more aesthetically pleasing than the One Republic album.  Granted, it’s a promotional still and not a post-concert, quickly signed album. 

Imagine my elation when I found this photo for only $10 in a frame at Community Thrift and convinced myself it was authentic because I thought I was able to erase the edge of one of the signatures.  (Breaking one of my authenticating tips per my blog article “Always try to prove it’s FAKE, not that it’s authentic”.) 

And then imagine my deflation when I saw the exact same photo described as “Autographed 8x10 Studio Reprint Promo Photo” for sale on eBay.  More than one listing.  Ummm; it’s a pre-print dummy Bobby.  That’s why it’s so pretty and patiently signed.  Oh, well.  This is how we collectors learn; sometimes the hard way for ten bucks.  Which by the way is CHEAPER than they’re selling on eBay – even advertised as reprints.  Go figure. 

I do have a Beckett Certified autographed card by Kevin Richardson from Backstreet Boys.  He did sign a lot of stuff in person when appearing on Broadway and the West End in Chicago.  Although I am dubious of most COA’s, Beckett is pretty reputable and this unreadable scrawl does indeed match Kevin’s in-person signature.  P.S. Back in the day he was my favorite Backstreet Boy.  I think it was the little goatee. 

FALL OUT BOY 

I will give Pete Wentz props for his true rock-star autograph.  Nice and big; almost fully legible and interesting loops and strokes.  I love their song “Uma Thurman” and how they sample “The Munsters”.  Hey Google - add “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy to my workout playlist.