Boyz II Men at AVA Amphitheater

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Boyz II Men one of the biggest selling R & B group
AVA Amphitheater, Tucson, AZ,USA, May 20, 2018
By Mary Andrews

Boyz II Men are still hold the record as the biggest selling R & B group in show business. They are wildly popular after 27 years and Tucson fans will testify to their longevity and timeless music. Their first album, Cooleyhighharmony, has sold more that nine million copies and garnered a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group in 1992. They opened the show with ”Motownphilly” and that set the pace for the rest of the evening.

Boyz II Men started as a quartet in 1991 with Michael McCary (bass), Nathan Morris (baritone), Wanya Morris (tenor), and Shawn Stockman (tenor, falsetto), Michael McCary left Boyz II Men due to chronic back problems resulting from multiple sclerosis in 2003. Since then Boyz II Men have continued with the three core members. Morris took on the bass as well as the baritone parts of the group’s sound. Each member functions as lead singers during their show. They have maintained their sound of hip-hop meets doo-wop.

Their songs set the standard in the nineties as music to seduce or use as the background for lovemaking. Stockton

Boyz II Men (credit: Mary Andrews)

joked about a male fan declaring that ‘he hated “I’ll Make Love To You” because his wife got pregnant to the song.’ The ‘Boyz’ are keenly aware that there were a lot of babies conceived to their tunes like “On Bended Knee” and “4 Seasons of Loneliness.” As great and timeless as their love songs are, it was a nice change of pace when they strapped on instruments for a medley of Lenny Kravitz’ “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” the Guess Who’s “American Woman” the Beatles’ “Come Together,” and Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven.” Journey’s “Open Arms” seemed to be a natural inclusion to the set list. The group’s biggest hit “End of the Road” was the show’s closing song.

The crowd was out of their seats from the very beginning of the show. Fans needed little encouragement when it came to finger snapping, arm waving, and singing along to the classic songs. The ‘Boyz’ hit the stage running. They were in constant movement as they changed their positions. This was partially due to the change in lead singers as they strived to keep the crowd’s energy going and they succeeded. There was ample interaction with the fans that was present throughout the show. And there was an extra reward for the ladies in front of the audience as the group threw out red roses. It was a fun show from the legendary group.

Set list:
1. Motownphilly
2. On Bended Knee
3. It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
(G.C. Cameron cover)
4. 4 Seasons of Loneliness
5. Are You Gonna Go My Way / American Woman / Locked Out of Heaven
6. Come Together
(The Beatles cover)
7. Amazed
(Lonestar cover)
8. Open Arms
(Journey cover)
9. Water Runs Dry
10.I’ll Make Love to You
11.A Song for Mama
12.End Off The Road