It was a very generous offer, and we took him up on it. We said we were a new group, and we were looking to put our demo together, and he offered his studio to us. This guy heard us sing the anthem, asked us who we were. We did, I think, four songs.ĬHASEZ: It was kind of our first break. JOEY FATONE: The very, very first time we recorded stuff, it was a demo - and we recorded at Shaquille O’Neal’s house, actually. JC CHASEZ: Back in the day, everyone imagined a grand, studio setup, but in today’s day and age, people are making records on tour buses and just about anywhere now. “Walking Into Shaquille O’Neal’s House Was a Real Moment” 1 albums, countless classic hits, and coming April 30 of this year, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Ĭover art for *NSYNC's self-titled debut album. The set’s success kickstarted a career for the quintet that led to two more No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and selling 10 million copies in the United States alone. *NSYNC mania ultimately ensued, with the album catapulting to No. But that summer, the guys performed on a Disney Channel concert special, and suddenly the tides turned. 82 on the Billboard 200, and “I Want You Back” wasn’t seeing the reaction it received overseas. on March 24, 1998.Ī slow burn at first, the album debuted at No. edition of the album, and released *NSYNC in the U.S. Initially releasing their first single “I Want You Back” in January of 1998, *NSYNC switched out a few tracks for a U.S. Upon gaining the attention of RCA A&R rep Vincent DeGiorgio, the guys were offered an American record deal with RCA in November 1997. All Five Members of *NSYNC to Reunite for Hollywood Walk of Fame CeremonyĪfter releasing a European version of their debut LP in May of 1997 (released on Trans Continental, owned by the band’s co-manager Lou Pearlman), *NSYNC became superstars in the international market - yet, no one in their home country had a clue who they were.