When people ask about the most famous person I’ve ever met, I’d probably name a few of my favorite writers and maybe a B-list celebrity or two.
Usually when that question is asked, however, my brain immediately glazes over these actual celebrities and pivots to one of the most glorious moments of my childhood.
Let me just set this magical scene for you. It was my first real concert and the Jonas Brothers were on fire. If the neon “It’s my birthday” sign and rhinestone Nick Jonas t-shirt didn’t exude pre-teen passion, then nothing did.
While the sound of thousands of screaming girls blared throughout the concert venue, I stood on my chair, bouncing and waving. I felt a tap on my shoulder as I nearly fell to the ground. The Jonas Brothers’ bodyguard stood towering over me. He wished me a happy birthday, gave me a high-five, politely asked me to try not to die from falling again and went on his way.
Hailey Stewart | Argonaut
According to my 12-year-old brain, his hand had to have touched Nick Jonas’ hand at some point that day. By proxy, I had officially touched Nick Jonas’ hand, too.
Aside from the love I felt for everything Jonas Brothers related, their music was an important aspect of my childhood and the childhoods of many others like me.
Then, in 2013, the Jonas Brothers separated. For nearly five years, Jo-Bros fans watched their favorite band of brothers sing, act and stand in their spotlights separately.
But that all changed in February 2019 when the three announced their return to the pop music scene together.
With the countless late-night television interviews, multiple cover stories and a couple new songs to add to their 2019 comeback success, the Jonas Brothers seem stronger than ever.
The single “Sucker” came out with a bang early March and featured talents we hadn’t seen from each of the brothers in quite a while. To add to an already great first comeback track, the “Sucker” music video — which features each of the brothers’ significant others — was truly wonderful. It’s fun, funky and poppy — something we missed in the Jo-Bros for over five years.
The band’s newest single, “Cool” is the perfect song to take into summer. Largely falling on Nick’s vocal talents, this track, simply put, is a bop.
While the band’s latest singles are climbing the charts, it’s still fun to look back at some of their greatest hits.
“Lovebug” was the only love song we all needed in 2009 and it might still be the best one around. Don’t forget the quintessential song for the mid-2000s music scene, “Year 3000” and “Kids of the Future.”
And, if you don’t spend at least some of your drive time listening to “Burnin’ Up” — a true Jonas Brothers classic — then you aren’t using your radio right.
Everything from the good old days of Jonas to their current content can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
Big Rob might not actually be in the picture anymore. And I’ve come to terms with the fact that I have not actually high fived Nick Jonas.
But when our beloved boy band tours again, you can bet I will still hold up a neon sign, still stand on my seat and still scream like a 12-year-old girl.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HaileyAStew