Special Report: Boyz II Men in Japan

Shawn, Erik, Wanya, and Nathan perform for over ten thousand fans in Japan

-- OSAKA-JO HALL, Japan

On February 2, 2003, Boyz II Men and Erik made history as they performed together for the first time to the cheers of around ten thousand people at Osaka Castle Concert Hall in Japan's second city.

"Unberievable," said one Erik fan, just after the show.  "Wow!"

Erik, who began the night as just another fan, sitting in the 4th row of the enormous domed concert hall, eventually invited himself on stage by singing as loudly as he could to attract the attention of several women in the front row, as well as Boyz II Men, on stage.  Erik's companion at the concert, a young woman identified only as "Eriko," stated that Erik "did not get on the stage.  He's dreaming."  Erik said, "Silence, woman!" then proceeded to say, "Please forgive me for all the wrong I've done.  Come back home, girl."

The Boyz performed all of their greatest hits, including "End of the Road," "I'll Make Love to You," and "On Bended Knee."  In addition, they sang several tracks from their new album, Full Circle, including the hit "Color of Love."

Erik said that "After performing with them, I can tell you that they are the most talented vocal group in the world right now.  Beautiful voices, complex and gorgeous harmonies, coupled with the greatest love songs of this generation make for captivating music.  I should write their promotions, shouldn't I?"

The show was a relatively simple concert, with no fireworks, and no costume changes.  Most notably, there was no Michael McCary, the group's trademark "Bass" singer who usually seductively speaks and adds foundation to the harmony on the group's best-known hits.  (Click here for a related story.)  But although it is easy to focus on what the show did not have, it's just as easy to highlight the amazing moments in the concert.

The Boyz showed their charm throughout the show by encouraging the audience to sing along, and in between songs, all three of them engaged the audience and each other with their usual, down-to-earth banter.  The best exchange between audience and the Boyz came just before the encore, when they said, "Well, we sang all of our songs already!  What do you want to hear?  Hmm?  End of the Road?  Again?  Hm?  What's that?  Oh, that's another group."  Another special moment came at the end of "On Bended Knee," when Shawn dramatically stopped his high-reaching solo.  Usually at that moment, the crowd fills in the space with hysterical cheering, but this audience left the auditorium absolutely silent.  The Boyz laughed it off and finished the song beautifully.  The audience in the front row was also treated to gifts -- roses during "I'll Make Love to You" and a few of the shirts off the Boyz' backs.

The most striking feature of the concert, according to Erik's press release, obtained by ENN, was how "absolutely silent" the crowd was during the most emotional ballads.  "Where American crowds would be cheering, shouting, and jeering at the top of their lungs, most people in this audience watched the show as though it were classical opera.  It was a silent, reflective atmosphere during the ballads.  I thought it was great, because for the first time, I could really listen to their voices instead of listening to the woman next to me.  Whenever I don't have to listen to the woman next to me, it's a good thing."

The crowd also enjoyed watching Erik in the 4th row, and later on stage.  The performance went on for just over an hour and a half, during which time Erik was seen to wet his pants "at least 4 times" according to his date.

Stay with ENN as we track this developing story on Erik's decision to perform with Boyz II Men.