Lou Pearlman, the man behind the 90s boy bands ‘NSYNC’ and ‘Backstreet Boys’ has died in prison at the age of 62. His death closed the book on what can only be described as a life of cons, yet the singular success of a man that molded a music sound in the 90s with male dominated vocal groups.
Lou was the consummate con man, graduating from Queens College in the 70s, forming a helicopter transporting service in New York then a blimp airship company in the early 80s. Lou eventually grew weary of competing in the air carrier business, deciding to get into the music business, placing an ad in the Orlando Centennial Newspaper for ‘teen male vocalists,’ with the hopes of renting a recording studio and creating a band to make music. He did have enough ‘ears’ and business savvy to discover Justin Timberlake, Nick Carter, and Lance Bass.
Lou had been serving a 25 year sentence after being found guilty in 2008 for operating a ‘Ponzi’ scheme, milking trusting friends and investors out of nearly $400 million dollars. No cause of death has been given, with details of his death in the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, Texas sketchy.
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