Boyz II Men Reignite R&B’s Golden Era at Chateau
Few groups have shaped modern R&B the way Boyz II Men have. Emerging from Philadelphia’s celebrated music scene in the late 80s, the trio, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman, became one of the most influential vocal groups of all time. Their blend of gospel‑trained harmonies, emotional storytelling, and polished production helped define the sound of the 90s, earning them four Grammy Awards, five Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, and a place in music history as the artists who broke chart records previously held by Elvis and The Beatles. Their sophomore album II remains one of the best‑selling R&B records ever released, and their songs are woven into the emotional fabric of multiple generations. Their artistry continues to resonate thirty‑five years later, which is exactly why their show at Chateau Ste. Michelle felt like a homecoming for thousands of fans who grew up with their music.
The energy was on another level as we walked into the venue on a wonderful summer Saturday. People were everywhere as a completely sold‑out show, the most packed I’ve ever seen the winery lawn. It felt like a testament to how deeply fans still adore the group after thirty‑five years. I overheard resale prices climbing past $500, which was a shock but also strangely heartwarming; that kind of devotion only exists when an artist has shaped people’s lives. Boyz II Men have done that for generations.
Their music takes me back to such a specific time in my life, when I was still figuring out what sounds resonated with me and how artists were expressing emotions, I didn’t yet have words for. Even though I was on the younger side when they first emerged, by the time they released II in 1994, I was completely submerged. R&B was dominating the airwaves, artists were releasing hit after hit, and Boyz II Men were at the center of it all. I still have so many of their songs on my 90s playlist, tracks I’ll never get over listening to. What a time to remember these hits being released in real time, discovering them through MTV and the radio stations we relied on. That was all we had.
The night began with local artist Parisalexa, who took the floor around seven and serenaded the crowd as people settled in. Her warm, soulful tone was a perfect way to ease into the evening. After a few songs and a quick changeover, it was time for the legendary group to take the stage a little past eight. People screamed as the three members emerged in white and walked out, instantly commanding the space. They opened with an intro and a few covers before moving into favorites like “On Bended Knee,” “Water Runs Dry,” and “4 Seasons of Loneliness,” each one landing with the kind of emotional weight only decades of connection can create. As I looked around and saw everyone singing, swaying, and smiling, it felt surreal to hear these songs from my adolescence live. I never thought that would happen for some reason, so getting to be a part of this was more than I expected.
Midway through the set, they shifted into audience‑favorite covers that got people out of their chairs. “Are You Going to Go My Way,” “American Woman,” and “Purple Rain” turned the lawn into a full‑on sing‑along as Shawn and Nathan picked up guitar and bass. Then they paused to talk about the artists who shaped them, Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, names they spoke with reverence, noting these were friends whose conversations they still carry with them. “We’ve lost many important women in our lives these past years and it makes it hard to even sing ‘A Song for Mama’ anymore. It’s just so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.” Wanya started the song alone, with Shawn and Nathan joining halfway through, and everyone held onto each other as they sang the broken lyrics that mean so much to so many of us.
Then came one of their biggest global hits as “One Sweet Day” played, Mariah Carey’s voice floating through the speakers in playback. I could still picture them in the studio together thanks to the video that played every hour on MTV back then. Hit after hit, the night passed quickly as we went down memory lane straight back to the mid‑90s. I found myself back in that cherished time where everything was ahead of me and the world felt wide open. Being a teenager comes with so much angst, but I remember it with such love, a time I hope I never forget.
The set did feel short for such a massive artist, clocking in at a little over an hour and leaning heavily on covers. I wish they would’ve played more of their lesser‑known songs and fit in more of their own catalog. I understand wanting to get the crowd going, but everyone wanted more of them, that’s why we were all there. Still, they closed with the classics: “End of the Road” and “Motownphilly,” the first song I remember hearing by them. It was amazing to catch the Boyz, who are men now, and go back to the 90s for a while. Definitely worth seeing them if they come through your city.
