By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
August 1, 1998
There were three rules for the 250 or so Hanson fans who finagled their way inside Planet Hollywood Friday afternoon for the popular pop trio’s press conference.
No screaming. No standing. No flash photography.
All three rules were broken quicker than you could say “MMMBop” when 15-year-old Taylor Hanson announced that his secret, unfulfilled fantasy was “to meet every single person here.”
“I love (Taylor) so much,” 11-year-old Kate McCarthy of Lincolnwood said. “I think he’s really talented and cute.”
Asked what her secret unfulfilled fantasy was, she smiled shyly and said, “To marry him when I get old enough.”
Each fan had her favorite Hanson brother, be it lead singer Taylor, guitarist Isaac, 17, or drummer Zachary, 12. The brothers have sold more than 13 million copies worldwide of their album, “The Middle of Nowhere.”
About 400 fans waited outside Planet Hollywood to get a glimpse of the boys. Policemen patrolling the area said the girls were “well-behaved and very sweet.”
Sisters Lori and Linda Albano hugged each other and cried.
A Planet Hollywood spokesman said fans began gathering outside the restaurant as early as 11 a.m. Thursday, in the hopes of getting a spot inside the restaurant.
Later that evening at the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park, the flaxen-haired brothers performed their first full-length Chicago area concert.
It looked like one large Girl Scout convention, except the de rigueur outfit included a Hanson T-shirt (those without could buy one at the show for $25 to $35).
There were lot of first-time concertgoers in attendance, including 7-year-old Alisa Bok. “I like Hanson because their songs are good,” she said. “I like Zak because he’s cute.”
Hanson even attracted some unlikely fans, including one girl with blue hair and dog collar around her neck.
