Boyz II Men perform at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., on June 24, 2007. Roman Gokhman/STAFF.

This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune.

PLEASANTON — What if Elvis or the Beatles didn’t disappear suddenly and publicly, but rather faded away slowly and quietly? What if after several underwhelming albums, they performed at the Alameda County Fair; would you be excited? 

That was the scenario Sunday night, as late’80s and early’90s sensations Boyz II Men performed at the fair. In their heyday, they broke The King’s record for consecutive weeks spent at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and became only the third act, after Elvis and the Beatles, to replace one chart-topper with another. But by the late’90s they had been replaced by numerous boy bands and have not had a top-40 hit since 1998. 

Despite being dropped from their last major label and losing one boy to scoliosis, they recorded two albums as a trio and continued to tour, which brings us to Sunday. 

Any questions about the band’s draw was quickly answered when, one hour before showtime, a line that was four people deep completely encircled the fair’s amphitheater. By the time the venue was completely packed, at 6 p.m., there were still hundreds of people waiting outside, and they were told they were now waiting for the 8 p.m. encore performance. 

The concert started late. The band’s bus had broken down. They were sorry, and there was cheesy voice-over about how the Boyz saved R&B, with sounds of a heart being defibrillated. 

The Philadelphia band — Nathan and Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman (bass singer Michael McCary was forced to retire in 2003) — took the stage dressed as extras for the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in sweater vests and plaid shorts. 

They started with a snippet of “Motownphilly,” the first single off their first album, “Cooleyhighharmony,” in 1991. 

Next they probably surprised many in the crowd with “Muzack,” off their new album — who knew they had one? — “The Remedy.” The album was released in February only on the band’s Web site. The Arabic-laced tune proved the Boyz could still harmonize, but it was the next song that got everyone inside the amphitheater swaying their arms. 

“On Bended Knee,” one of the band’s three No. 1 singles off their follow-up album, “I,” of 1994, got a standing ovation, and was the first of several songs the crowd sang along to. 

“Water Runs Dry” followed, with some lines sung in Espanol, although the harmonious ending was ruined by microphone feedback. 

The next hit, “I’ll Make Love to You,” was the climactic moment of the show. 

Women rushed to the stage as the singers began handing out red long-stemmed roses. The shrieking drowned out the P.A. system. 

“A Song for Mama,” Boyz II Men’s last top-10 hit, off “Evolution” in 1997, followed. It was dedicated to “the most beautiful women: Mothers.” 

Wanya Morris addressed the crowd afterward. “We will never let you down in terms of music,” he said. “Boyz II Men will always represent R&B.” 

The ultimate breakup song, “End of the Road,” was next. The band let the crowd take over during the chorus, and the fans did not disappoint. 

In 1992 the song broke Elvis Presley’s record 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with a 13-week stay. 

They show concluded with a full version of “Motownphilly,” and to many in the amphitheater, it might as well have been the King performing.

Follow editor Roman Gokhman at Twitter.com/RomiTheWriter.