Special Report: Boyz II Men Lose Member, Gain Erik

Shawn, Erik, Wanya, and Nathan.  The new Boyz II Men?

-- PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania

Boyz II Men, the quartet who can proudly call themselves the best-selling R&B group of all time, has apparently become a trio.

At their concert on February 2, 2003 in Osaka, Japan, only three of the group's four showed: Nathan, Shawn, and Wanya.  Absent was the group's unique "Bass" member, Michael McCary, best known for his seductive speeches during the group's biggest hits like "End of the Road" and "On Bended Knee."

Luckily for Boyz II Men, Erik was in the 4th row of this concert and quickly able to fill the gap.  "I have been practicing for the bass part in Boyz II Men's songs for about 20 years," Erik said, ecstatic after inviting himself on stage.

As to sporadic reports that security officers prevented Erik from actually singing onstage, Erik suggested that doubters simply "check the pictures.  The camera never lies.  I was up there, singing my heart out."

Boyz II Men were unavailable for comment.

Indeed, throughout the concert, the group made no comment on the Michael situation whatsoever.  Despite having a good rapport with the audience, including one moment when Shawn deadpanned, "Oh, that's another group," to a fan's request for a song, Boyz II Men have never been in a more precarious position in their 15-year history.

After rocketing to success in the early 1990s with hits from their smash debut Cooleyhighharmony and it's even stronger selling, more than quadruple-platinum follow up, II, the Boyz started to drop off the radar screen of American popular music after 1997.  They have released three more albums since II, but have failed to repeat their almost unbelievable success from the era of "End of the Road" and "I'll Make Love to You," both of which held the record for the longest-running number one pop single of all time.  In fact, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey still hold that record with their duet "One Sweet Day," according to Billboard.

In recent years, that kind of success has eluded Boyz II Men, which means that they now must cope with this long-running downtime.  Michael's departure seems to suggest that they have not been dealing with it well.

Still, as any fan at their concert in Osaka can tell you, the Boyz still have their voices, still have their charm, and they still are making great music.

Perhaps the addition of Erik, even if it was only from the 4th row, can help to get them back on that road again.

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