New Edition biography
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. The group recorded mostly as a quintet.
At the height of their early popularity in 1983, the group consisted of Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ralph Tresvant. Early hits included songs like 1983's "Candy Girl" and 1984's "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man". Brown left in late 1985 to embark on a successful solo career. The group continued for a time with four members, but eventually recruited singer Johnny Gill to record their 1988 album Heart Break. The group went on hiatus in 1990, while its various members worked on side projects, such as the group Bell Biv Devoe. Gill and Tresvant also recorded successful solo albums.
All six members of the group reunited in 1996-1997 for the album Home Again, but during the ill-fated follow-up tour both Brown and Bivins quit the group, and the tour had to be canceled. Various reunions have occurred since, usually with the 1987-1990 lineup, though occasionally also including Bobby Brown. Their last studio release was 2004's One Love. As of 2010, two New Edition descendants were recording and touring: Bell Biv Devoe, and Heads of State, featuring Brown, Tresvant, and Gill.
On May 3, 2011 New Edition issued a press release on their official website announcing that all six members were reuniting as New Edition to kick off the 30th anniversary celebration of "Candy Girl" with their fans.
History
Formation
Guided by producer Maurice Starr, the group was formed by Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, and Ricky Bell, then living in the Orchard Park housing projects (popularly known as "The Bricks" as many housing projects are in the Greater Boston area) in 1978. Two other guys Travis Pettus & Corey Rakley also were a part of the original group with Ricky, Michael, & Bobby but left the group early on. They soon brought friend Ralph Tresvant in on the act after Corey left & shortly before Travis's departure. Ralph quickly became their lead singer. They would soon meet a young local group manager named Travis Gresham and choreographer Brooke Payne, who would give them the name
New Edition to signify they were a new edition of the Jackson 5.
Travis left the group in 1980 and after winning second place in their community talent show in 1980, Payne rounded out the line-up by bringing in his nephew, Ronnie DeVoe.
1982-1985: Beginnings
The group would perform all around Massachusetts and would eventually land a spot at a talent show which was run by Maurice Starr. The first prize was $500.00 and a recording contract. Though New Edition came in 2nd place, Starr decided to bring the group to his studio the following day to record what would become their debut album,
Candy Girl. Recorded in late 1982 and released in 1983 on Starr's Streetwise Records, the album featured the hits: "Is This The End," "Popcorn Love," "Jealous Girl" and the title track, which went to number one on both the American R&B singles chart and the UK singles chart.
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