AJ's A Solo Backstreet Boy

Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean is making his mark revealing plans to release a solo album and do a string of solo gigs.

However, he’s not quitting the hugely successful boy band and will record a new album with them next year.

Tickets for his first two solo gigs went on sale on Tuesday – they’ll happen the Los Angeles area over the weekend and early next week.

He’ll follow those up with more small shows in Europe when the Backstreet Boys hit the road together in a few months time.

His manager, Eric Podwall, has told People magazine in the US: "After 13 years with the Backstreet Boys, and 75 million records sold worldwide, A.J.'s excited to take a step out on his own and present his music, in his style."

"He's excited to connect to his fans on a one-on-one basis at smaller venues – something you can't do in large arenas – and to give them a taste of some of the music that will appear on his first solo record later this year."

A.J.’s first solo album doesn’t have a name yet but it will include songs called What If, I Hate It When You're Gone, London, and Drive-By Love - a tune he has already been singing at Backstreet Boys shows.