Hanson Span The Globe
Tiger Beat February 1998

These days, it’s really hard to keep up with Hanson! After all, they’re everywhere! But, Tiger Beat managed to hook up with them! Read on!

Zac, Taylor and Isaac Hanson just can’t go anywhere lately without signing an autograph. Not that they mind. In fact, the brothers are the kind of celebrities who readily acknowledge how important their fans are to them. "It’s awesome!" says 12-year old Zac of the attention he and his bros. receive. Agrees Taylor, 14, "It’s pretty amazing. We get to have lots of fun doing something we just love to do. In terms of the people who are into it, that just makes it more fun for us." And plenty of people are definitely into Hanson!

With Middle Of Nowhere charting through the roof, videos like "MMMBop" and "Where’s The Love" beaming on television sets worldwide, and Hanson taking the planet by storm, it’s impossible to keep track of the trio. But with all their journeying, there’s one thing there’re totally set on – not letting fame go to their heads.

Visiting places like Australia and last summer’s Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, where they were the featured musical guests for the charity event, are some of the perks of being the hottest pop group today. They’re in demand 24-7, but that doesn’t mean these thoughtful guys don’t reflect on what’s most important to them. In fact they’re cute, chirpy hit "MMMBop" has a deeper meaning than some people might think. ‘In an mmmbop they’re gone,’" explains Isaac, who recently turned 17. "It’s about holding onto your friends and the people who matter. Because in the end, as we say in the song, they’ll be the only ones there."

Staying tight with their family is not problem for Taylor, Isaac and Zac. After all, they’re buddies who love being on the road with each other! Of course, like normal brothers there’s the occasional tiff, but it never gets in the way of their friendship. "We have arguments sometimes – that’s just life," admits Taylor. "We’re really best friends." Zac agrees, "We’ve always been close."

Hanson credit their mega-supportive parents Walker and Diana with allowing them to pursue their dreams. When the boys were little, they taught them how to harmonize and totally encouraged their interest in music. And growing growing up in exotic locales like Venezuela, Ecuador and Trinidad, sometimes the only taste of home for these Tulsa, Oklahoma natives was listening to tapes of 50s and 60s American rock ‘n’ roll and learning the songs by heart.

Before they knew it, the guts realized they had something special going on and they quickly picked up instruments. "We wanted to make out own music instead of singing to a background track time," recalls Isaac. That’s when Hanson became a full fledged band – Ike on guitar, Tay on keyboards and Zac on drums. Soon to come was their first album, the R&B-flavored Boomerang, followed by MMMBop. After being discovered at a music conference a few years ago, they were quickly snapped up by Mercury Records and the rest is music History!

In the last year, Hanson have constantly been on the road! But they don’t regret having to live the life of a traveling band, especially when they get to donate their time to worthy causes. "Being in the music business can’t be about the fame or the money or any of that stuff," reminds Taylor. "You have to really love it." And having standing room only audiences everywhere they go is the perk that makes it all worth it!

From a shopping mall in New Jersey, where over 6,000 people showed up early this summer, to appearances on major talk shows (including Late Night With David Letterman and The Rosie O’ Donnell Show), to promotional concerts all over the world. Hanson admirers find their way to their faves! And Hanson appreciates their loyal fans. After all, they have them to thank for the most-loved group around today! "A lot of times we’ll have an hour break between shows," says Taylor, "and most of the time we spend that hour signing autographs and stuff."

For these very single guys, all the attention from girls is a cool thing. But don’t think they’re super studs because of their super famous status. Actually, they’re total gentlemen. "None of us have had a girlfriend," explains Ike. "But you meet people everywhere you go. I know mine will turn up some day." The ever practical Taylor says, "A girlfriend would see me, like, one minute a year." For now, they’re content to make lots of friends!

Making great music is what Hanson really have on their minds. And with the universe under their spell, they’re bound to keep coming at us with their bound to keep coming at us with their funky sounds for a long time to come! "It’s all very much a learning experience you try to learn a little bit more about what you’re doing, and try to do your job better," says Isaac. "We’ve barely just started," Taylor agrees. "There are so many places to go, so much time to expand." Spunky Zac adds, "And so many more instruments to learn!" Who knows what else they have in store for us!