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Ricky Nelson: Ozzie and Harriet’s younger son was the rock era’s first TV-bred idol. Key song: “Lonesome Town”

The Monkees: Concocted as a(n even more) teeny-bopper version of the Beatles, this quartet had its own zany charm. Key songs: “Daydream Believer,” “I’m a Believer”

David Cassidy: The 1970s heartthrob rode the bus with his fake family, the Partridges, and set the stage for his brother Shaun’s success a few years later. Key song: “I Think I Love You”

The Jackson 5: Motown’s family act had great moves, soulful songs and one troubled genius at the center: Michael. Key song: “ABC”

Donny Osmond: This puppy lover had the whitest teeth in showbiz. Key song: “Go Away Little Girl”

Andy Gibb: Younger brother to the Bee Gees, Gibb made disco perfect for high schoolers. Key song: “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”

Rick Springfield: General Hospital’s Dr. Noah Drake had one big hit but still has a thriving cult career. Key song: “Jessie’s Girl”

Wham!: England reasserted its reign over teen pop via the duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. Key song: “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”

New Edition: This Boston-based group’s dance moves and harmonies are the root of all things boy-band. Key song: “Mr. Telephone Man”

New Kids on the Block: Put together by Maurice Starr, the producer who discovered New Edition, NKOTB wasn’t just that group’s vanilla cousin — just ask the fans flocking to see them on this year’s reunion tour. Key song: “Step by Step”

Debbie Gibson: Along with Tiffany, Gibson embodied the pop version of the John Hughes-movie-style mall rat. Key song: “Only in My Dreams”

Kris Kross: This fashion-forward duo showed that rap could be a kiddie affair. Key song: “Jump”

Brandy: The prototypical fly ingénue revived girl-group wistfulness for a savvier generation. Key songs: “The Boy Is Mine” (with Monica), “Sittin’ Up in My Room”

Take That: Huge in Europe, hardly known here, Take That blessed the world with Brit-brat Robbie Williams. Key song: “Pray, Relight My Fire, Babe”

Spice Girls: This quintet transformed the energy of punk-rock feminism into an irresistible cheerleader routine. Key song: “Wannabe”

Hanson: The Jonas Brothers acknowledge their debt to this bro-trio, which stood out for playing instruments. Key song: “MMMBop”

’NSync/Backstreet Boys: Assembled almost simultaneously by creepy mogul Lou Pearlman, these groups brought the boy-band concept to its logical end. Key song, ’NSync: “It’s Gonna Be Me”; Key song, Backstreet Boys: “I Want It That Way”

Britney Spears: The ruling Lolita of the new millennium had a kitten voice and no qualms about exhibiting her pubescent charms; then she tried to grow up. Key song: “Toxic”

Avril Lavigne: This Canadian’s snotty-cute music teaches Disney girls how to toughen up. Key song: “Complicated”

Raven-Symone/the Cheetah Girls: The Disney networks’ first star of the millennium was not a squeaky-clean rocker but a Cosby Show vet. Key song: “Fuego” (as part of the Cheetah Girls)