Michael McCary
The foundational bass voice whose smooth, resonant lows provided the harmonic anchor for Boyz II Men's record-breaking R&B harmonies.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American singer·Birthday: December 16·Generation X
Biography
Michael McCary was the often-understated fourth pillar of Boyz II Men, the Philadelphia group that redefined vocal harmony in the 1990s. While the spotlight frequently found the group's tenors, it was McCary's deep, buttery bass that grounded their lavish arrangements, adding a rich, soulful bottom to hits like 'End of the Road' and 'I'll Make Love to You.' His stage presence, marked by his signature seated performance due to back issues, became a quiet trademark. McCary's voice was more than just a low note; it was an essential texture, the glue that allowed the group's intricate harmonies to soar. His departure from the group in 2003, attributed to a long-standing battle with multiple sclerosis, marked the end of an era for the original quartet. Though he stepped away from the public eye, his vocal contributions remain an indelible part of the soundtrack of a generation, proving that the foundation is just as vital as the melody.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Michael was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Michael Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Michael's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- As a member of Boyz II Men, he helped the group set a record for the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 number-one single with 'End of the Road' (13 weeks).
- Performed on 'Motownphilly,' the group's debut single that catapulted them to fame and defined the new jack swing era.
- Contributed to the group's massive commercial success, selling over 64 million records worldwide.
- Won four Grammy Awards as a member of Boyz II Men.
Did You Know?
He was known for performing seated during Boyz II Men concerts due to chronic back pain from scoliosis.
Before joining Boyz II Men, he sang in a church choir.
He left the music industry largely due to his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
“You need that low end to make the harmony complete, to give it foundation.”
