New Edition
Encyclopedia
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
, Ralph Tresvant
, Bobby Brown
, Michael Bivins
, and Ricky Bell
. Early hits included songs like 1983's "Candy Girl
" and 1984's "Cool It Now
". 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 kickoff the 30th anniversary celebration of "Candy Girl" with their fans.
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. Bell and Brown soon brought their best friend Ralph Tresvant
in on the act, who 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.
After winning second place in their community talent show in 1980, Payne rounded out the line-up by bringing in his nephew, Ronnie DeVoe
.
. 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.
Returning from their first major concert tour, the boys were dropped back off to their homes in the projects and were given a check in the amount of $1.87 a piece for their efforts. Tour budget and expenses were given as the explanation as to why they were not paid more. Due to financial reasons, New Edition parted company with Starr in 1984 (Starr responded by promptly creating the group New Kids on the Block
; essentially formatted after New Edition, but with white teenagers.) The group, meanwhile, hired the law-firm of Steven and Martin Machat and sued Streetwise for relief from a contract that was unenforceable as well as materially breached by Streetwise. The Machat's won the legal game and then secured the group a huge recording deal with MCA after holding a bidding war among all the major recording labels. The band, in need of management, signed with Steven Machat and his two management partners Rick Smith and Bill Dern. The management company was called AMI and AMI proceeds to break the group both in the urban and pop world. MCA, through the production affiliate of AMI, Jump and Shoot, released the groups self titled second album
the same year. Eclipsing their debut album, New Edition spun off the top five hit "Cool It Now
" and the top twenty "Mr. Telephone Man
," and went on to be certified double platinum in the United States.
AMI releases with MCA New Edition's third album, All for Love, was released in the latter half of 1985. While not duplicating the success of its predecessor, the album was certified platinum, and spawned the hits: "Count Me Out
", "A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)", and "With You All the Way". The growing popularity of the group led to a guest appearance (as themselves) in the 1985 film Krush Groove
, performing "My Secret".
Toward the year's end, Christmas All Over The World
, a holiday EP, was released as well as an oldies album of tunes from the fifties sang by the group with an 80's production style. All overseen and orchestrated by AMI.
1954 hit "Earth Angel
" for the soundtrack to The Karate Kid, Part II
. The song peaked at #21 and inspired the group to record Under the Blue Moon
, an album of doo-wop
covers.
was voted into the group by Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell and Ron DeVoe in 1987, despite Tresvant ultimately deciding to remain in place. A native of Washington, DC, Johnny Gill is the only non-Boston native among the group's six members. According to IMDB:
New Edition's fifth studio release, Heart Break
—which also featured Gill as the co-lead vocalist—was released in the summer of 1988. Primarily produced by the production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the album was a departure from the group's previous bubblegum
sound, and instead took on a smoother, stronger, and more adult resonance. Spinning off five hit singles: "If It Isn't Love
", "You're Not My Kind of Girl
", "Can You Stand The Rain
", "Crucial" and "N.E. Heartbreak
"; Heart Break became New Edition's most commercially successful album up to that point, certified double platinum in the United States, with worldwide sales of close to four million. The success of Heart Break would launch the group on a very successful concert tour as well in the closing months of 1988; with former member Bobby Brown
, and Al B. Sure!
, as their opening acts.
, after the run of Heart Break, New Edition went on hiatus to pursue side projects away from the group. At the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis—Bell, Bivins and DeVoe formed a trio, Bell Biv DeVoe
. Their 1990 debut album, Poison, went triple platinum. The same year, lead singers Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill (who had already recorded as a solo act prior to joining New Edition) also released self-titled solo albums, which also achieved multi-platinum success. Later that year, the group (including Bobby Brown) had a semi-reunion of sorts when they performed at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards
. In 1991, all six members recorded a remix of the Bell Biv DeVoe
track "Word To The Mutha!"; Brown, Gill and Tresvant also appeared in the music video. Prior to this, Brown also appeared in the music videos for Bell Biv Devoe's "BBD (I Thought It Was Me)" video, as well as Tresvant's "Stone Cold Gentleman" and "Sensitivity" remix videos.
, their first new album in eight years. The album debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200
and R&B Albums chart, and became the most commercially successful album of the group's career, selling over four million copies worldwide. Home Again, meanwhile, produced several hits, including the top ten pop hits: "Hit Me Off
" and "I'm Still In Love With You
". The ensuing 1997 Home Again Tour, however, would prove disastrous for the group. Despite not having toured together in close to a decade (and over ten years for Brown), old rivalries repeated themselves as if no time had passed. By the middle leg of the tour, both Bobby Brown and Mike Bivins left, ultimately resulting in the tour's end. Each of the group members again went their separate ways, this time on more hostile terms than ever, resulting in an indefinite hiatus that appeared to be the swan song for New Edition. In November of that year, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, & Johnny Gill appeared on Whitney Houston
's track "Somebody Bigger Than You and I" featuring singers Faith Evans
and Monica for the soundtrack to the film, The Preacher's Wife
which stars Houston herself.
that Brown has reconciled with New Edition and rejoined the group and will be on the next New Edition album. By January 2006, New Edition announced that the group would launch a new album and tour in 2009.
On August 26, 2006, New Edition filmed a concert at the University of South Carolina
's Koger Center in Columbia
set for a future DVD release, the concert was billed as "Spend the Night with New Edition", a BET
special presented by Lincoln
with whom the group has advertised. Bobby Brown also made an appearance at the show.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
are expected to handle 90% of the album's production and writing duties. Also in the works are a bio-book and a biopic (movie) about the group. In an interview with NJS4ever.com, Bobby Brown spoke about the group's release, as well as mentioning that both he and Johnny Gill were scheduled to release albums in 2008, but neither album materialized. The group (minus Brown) had recorded a new song with New Kids on the Block
called "Full Service" for their latest album, The Block
. Meanwhile, Brown, Tresvant and Gill have formed a new group called Heads of State, which performed at "The Summit Tour" in 2009. According to Gill, their group name "is inspired by the original name for The Rat Pack called "The Summit" or "The Heads of State".
On June 28, 2009, the group performed a medley of Jackson 5 hits in tribute to Michael Jackson
on the BET Awards. Led by Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, and Ricky Bell, New Edition sang and danced through classics such as "I Want You Back", "ABC" and "The Love You Save".
On December 20, 2009, Ricky Bell
and Johnny Gill
joined New Kids on the Block
onstage at a House Of Blues
benefit show for Toys For Tots
in Boston, performing "Full Service" and "This One's For The Children
".
Johnny Gill
confirms that New Edition will reunite once again and will sign with manager Irving Azoff
. They are currently signed with Geffen Records
and Interscope Records
to release a new comeback album.
Bobby Brown
confirms the possibility of a New Edition/New Kids on the Block
concert tour.
On July 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana
, all six members of New Edition have reunited at the Essence Music Festival
to kickoff and celebrate their 30th anniversary tour; which will officially begin early 2012. “This is just the beginning. We’re preparing for a world tour and many other exciting things that we’ll be announcing soon. The next chapter of New Edition is going to be an incredible celebration to thank our fans for all of their support over the last 30 years,” said Ricky Bell speaking on behalf of the group.
On July 7, 2011, a few days after performing at the Essence Music Festival, New Edition performed at DJ Cassidy's birthday party and Hennessy Black's one year anniversary in New York City
.
Other albums
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
group formed in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
, Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
, Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
and 'N Sync
'N Sync
N Sync was an American boy band formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich, *NSYNC consisted of JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick...
. The group recorded mostly as a quintet.
At the height of their early popularity in 1983, the group consisted of Ronnie DeVoe
Ronnie DeVoe
Ronnie DeVoe, aka R.D., is one of the members of the R&B sextet New Edition....
, Ralph Tresvant
Ralph Tresvant
Ralph Tresvant , aka Rizz, is an American tenor singer, best known as one of the lead singers in New Edition.-New Edition:Tresvant sang lead on many of the New Edition lead singles including "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "If It Isn't Love"...
, Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
, Michael Bivins
Michael Bivins
Michael Lamont Bivins, a.k.a. Biv , is the founder and member of the R&B group New Edition and the hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe...
, and Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell (singer)
Ricky Bell, nicknamed "Slick" is an American R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of New Edition and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe...
. Early hits included songs like 1983's "Candy Girl
Candy Girl (New Edition song)
"Candy Girl" is an R&B song by boy band New Edition. Released in 1983, it was the first single from their debut album of the same name. It hit number one in the United Kingdom in May 1983, becoming the 31st best selling single of the year there.-History:...
" and 1984's "Cool It Now
Cool It Now
"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and is the first single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. The song peaked at #4 in January, 1985 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.-Overview:...
". 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
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
to record their 1988 album Heart Break
Heart Break
Heart Break is the fifth studio album by American R&B and pop group New Edition, released June 20, 1988 on MCA Records. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill as member of...
. The group went on hiatus in 1990, while its various members worked on side projects, such as the group Bell Biv Devoe
Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe is an American R&B musical group which branched off from New Edition. It consists of three of New Edition's previous members, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe...
. Gill and Tresvant also recorded successful solo albums.
All six members of the group reunited in 1996-1997 for the album Home Again
Home Again (New Edition album)
Home Again is the sixth studio album by American R&B group New Edition. Released on September 15, 1996, it is the group's only album as a sextet, and was their final recording for MCA Records...
, 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
One Love (New Edition album)
One Love is the seventh studio album by American R&B group New Edition, released by Bad Boy/Universal Records in 2004.-The making of the album:...
. As of 2010, two New Edition descendants were recording and touring: Bell Biv Devoe, and Heads of State
Heads of State (R&B Group)
Heads Of State was formed at the end of 2008 by New Edition members Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant & Johnny Gill. During the Home Again tour in 1997, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis; whom have suggested the other three members of New Edition; Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, & Ronnie DeVoe to form Bell Biv DeVoe...
, 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 kickoff the 30th anniversary celebration of "Candy Girl" with their fans.
Formation
Guided by producerRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Maurice Starr
Maurice Starr
Maurice Starr is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer.-Biography:Starr, originally from Florida, moved to Boston with his brother Michael in the early 1970s. After moving to Boston he recorded two unsuccessful R&B albums, Flaming Starr and Spacey Lady...
, the group was formed by Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
, Michael Bivins
Michael Bivins
Michael Lamont Bivins, a.k.a. Biv , is the founder and member of the R&B group New Edition and the hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe...
, and Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell (singer)
Ricky Bell, nicknamed "Slick" is an American R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of New Edition and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe...
, 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. Bell and Brown soon brought their best friend Ralph Tresvant
Ralph Tresvant
Ralph Tresvant , aka Rizz, is an American tenor singer, best known as one of the lead singers in New Edition.-New Edition:Tresvant sang lead on many of the New Edition lead singles including "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "If It Isn't Love"...
in on the act, who 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.
After winning second place in their community talent show in 1980, Payne rounded out the line-up by bringing in his nephew, Ronnie DeVoe
Ronnie DeVoe
Ronnie DeVoe, aka R.D., is one of the members of the R&B sextet New Edition....
.
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 GirlCandy Girl (album)
Candy Girl is the debut album by New Edition, released on the Streetwise label, in 1983.- Production and conception :The title song was written and produced by Maurice Starr after seeing New Edition perform at a talent show. He signed them and had them record "Candy Girl" in a small studio in...
. Recorded in late 1982 and released in 1983 on Starr’s Streetwise Records, the album featured the hits: "Is This The End
Is This the End
"Is This the End" is a 1983 song by R&B/Pop group New Edition, written and produced by Maurice Starr, and is the second single from their debut album, Candy Girl....
," "Popcorn Love," "Jealous Girl" and the title track
Candy Girl (New Edition song)
"Candy Girl" is an R&B song by boy band New Edition. Released in 1983, it was the first single from their debut album of the same name. It hit number one in the United Kingdom in May 1983, becoming the 31st best selling single of the year there.-History:...
, which went to number one on both the American R&B singles chart and the UK singles chart.
Returning from their first major concert tour, the boys were dropped back off to their homes in the projects and were given a check in the amount of $1.87 a piece for their efforts. Tour budget and expenses were given as the explanation as to why they were not paid more. Due to financial reasons, New Edition parted company with Starr in 1984 (Starr responded by promptly creating the group New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
; essentially formatted after New Edition, but with white teenagers.) The group, meanwhile, hired the law-firm of Steven and Martin Machat and sued Streetwise for relief from a contract that was unenforceable as well as materially breached by Streetwise. The Machat's won the legal game and then secured the group a huge recording deal with MCA after holding a bidding war among all the major recording labels. The band, in need of management, signed with Steven Machat and his two management partners Rick Smith and Bill Dern. The management company was called AMI and AMI proceeds to break the group both in the urban and pop world. MCA, through the production affiliate of AMI, Jump and Shoot, released the groups self titled second album
New Edition (album)
New Edition is the second studio album released by American R&B quintet New Edition on July 6, 1984 in North America. It was their first album on MCA Records. It was also their first album without Maurice Starr who would depart from the group during the making of the album after the group accused...
the same year. Eclipsing their debut album, New Edition spun off the top five hit "Cool It Now
Cool It Now
"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and is the first single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. The song peaked at #4 in January, 1985 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.-Overview:...
" and the top twenty "Mr. Telephone Man
Mr. Telephone Man
"Mr. Telephone Man" is a 1984 song by R&B/pop group, New Edition, and the second single from their eponymous second album, New Edition.-Overview:"Mr...
," and went on to be certified double platinum in the United States.
AMI releases with MCA New Edition's third album, All for Love, was released in the latter half of 1985. While not duplicating the success of its predecessor, the album was certified platinum, and spawned the hits: "Count Me Out
Count Me Out (song)
"Count Me Out" is a dance-pop/R&B song released as a single by R&B/pop group New Edition from their All for Love album, released in September 1985 on the MCA label....
", "A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)", and "With You All the Way". The growing popularity of the group led to a guest appearance (as themselves) in the 1985 film Krush Groove
Krush Groove
Krush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz . This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons , portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut...
, performing "My Secret".
Toward the year's end, Christmas All Over The World
Christmas All Over the World (album)
Christmas All Over the World is a Christmas album released by R&B quintet New Edition.-Release and reaction:Released December 12, 1985. It's notable that this was the final album to feature vocals from original member Bobby Brown who shortly departed for a solo career after the release of this...
, a holiday EP, was released as well as an oldies album of tunes from the fifties sang by the group with an 80's production style. All overseen and orchestrated by AMI.
1986: The departure of Bobby Brown
In December 1985, under pressure from MCA and their management, the group voted Bobby Brown out, due to behavioral problems. Brown embarked on a solo career in 1986, while New Edition continued to promote All for Love as a quartet. In spite of their financial and internal conflicts, New Edition continued to peak. During this era of the group's evolution, the group appeared in the episode of Knight Rider titled "Knight Song", performing "Count Me Out." As 1986 wound to a close, they recorded a cover of The PenguinsThe Penguins
The Penguins were an American doo-wop group of the 1950s and early 1960s, best remembered for their only Top 40 hit, "Earth Angel ", which was one of the first rhythm and blues hits to cross over to the pop charts...
1954 hit "Earth Angel
Earth Angel
"Earth Angel " is an American doo-wop song, originally released by The Penguins in 1954 on the Dootone label , as the B-side to "Hey Señorita." The song became a major hit for The Crew-Cuts in 1955, reaching the Billboard charts on January 29, 1955. It peaked at #3 on the Disk Jockey chart, #8 on...
" for the soundtrack to The Karate Kid, Part II
The Karate Kid, Part II
The Karate Kid, Part II is a 1986 American martial arts film and is a sequel to 1984's The Karate Kid. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi, respectively. The original music score was composed by Bill Conti...
. The song peaked at #21 and inspired the group to record Under the Blue Moon
Under the Blue Moon
Under the Blue Moon is a tribute album released by R&B group New Edition on the MCA label on October 10, 1986 . Their fourth album and third with MCA and first album after New Edition member Bobby Brown was voted out of the group, the group was going through a transitional phase during this period....
, an album of doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
covers.
1987-1989: The introduction of Johnny Gill
The management firm of AMI breaks up and agrees to give up their control of the group as senior partner Steven Machat chose to move on and the group did not wish to be with Bill Dern or Rick Smith any longer. Going the road without AMI, after having already lost a member when Bobby Brown was terminated from the group, New Edition's future became more uncertain when murmurings began to surface that lead singer Ralph Tresvant was eyeing a solo career as well. To pad his potential departure, singer Johnny GillJohnny Gill
Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
was voted into the group by Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell and Ron DeVoe in 1987, despite Tresvant ultimately deciding to remain in place. A native of Washington, DC, Johnny Gill is the only non-Boston native among the group's six members. According to IMDB:
New Edition's fifth studio release, Heart Break
Heart Break
Heart Break is the fifth studio album by American R&B and pop group New Edition, released June 20, 1988 on MCA Records. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill as member of...
—which also featured Gill as the co-lead vocalist—was released in the summer of 1988. Primarily produced by the production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the album was a departure from the group's previous bubblegum
Bubblegum pop
Bubblegum pop is a genre of pop music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers, produced in an assembly-line process, driven by producers, often using unknown singers.Bubblegum's classic period ran from 1967 to 1972...
sound, and instead took on a smoother, stronger, and more adult resonance. Spinning off five hit singles: "If It Isn't Love
If It Isn't Love
"If It Isn't Love" is a 1988 song by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
", "You're Not My Kind of Girl
You're Not My Kind of Girl
"You’re Not My Kind of Girl" is a 1988 song by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and the second single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
", "Can You Stand The Rain
Can You Stand the Rain
"Can You Stand the Rain" is a ballad by R&B/Pop group New Edition. Released in 1988, it is the third single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
", "Crucial" and "N.E. Heartbreak
N.E. Heart Break (song)
"N.E. Heart Break" was New Edition's fifth and final single from their studio album, Heart Break. "N.E. Heart Break" peaked at number 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The music video for the song depicts the group members riding mopeds after finishing their Heart Break tour...
"; Heart Break became New Edition's most commercially successful album up to that point, certified double platinum in the United States, with worldwide sales of close to four million. The success of Heart Break would launch the group on a very successful concert tour as well in the closing months of 1988; with former member Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
, and Al B. Sure!
Al B. Sure!
Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
, as their opening acts.
1990–1995: Solo projects
Inspired by the substantial success Bobby Brown was having with his multi-platinum 1988 breakthrough album Don’t Be CruelDon't Be Cruel (album)
Don't Be Cruel is the second album by American R&B singer Bobby Brown, released in 1988 on MCA Records. It includes four hit singles "Don't Be Cruel", "My Prerogative", "Roni" and "Every Little Step." All were #1 R&B singles except "Roni," which peaked at #2, while "My Prerogative" became Brown's...
, after the run of Heart Break, New Edition went on hiatus to pursue side projects away from the group. At the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis—Bell, Bivins and DeVoe formed a trio, Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe is an American R&B musical group which branched off from New Edition. It consists of three of New Edition's previous members, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe...
. Their 1990 debut album, Poison, went triple platinum. The same year, lead singers Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill (who had already recorded as a solo act prior to joining New Edition) also released self-titled solo albums, which also achieved multi-platinum success. Later that year, the group (including Bobby Brown) had a semi-reunion of sorts when they performed at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
. In 1991, all six members recorded a remix of the Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe
Bell Biv DeVoe is an American R&B musical group which branched off from New Edition. It consists of three of New Edition's previous members, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe...
track "Word To The Mutha!"; Brown, Gill and Tresvant also appeared in the music video. Prior to this, Brown also appeared in the music videos for Bell Biv Devoe's "BBD (I Thought It Was Me)" video, as well as Tresvant's "Stone Cold Gentleman" and "Sensitivity" remix videos.
1996-1997: Home Again reunion
By 1996, the members of New Edition had arguably achieved greater commercial success with their own side projects than the group had during its run. However, after having promised fans that there would be a reunion—and still contractually owing MCA Records another New Edition album—the group (with Bobby Brown) reunited to record Home AgainHome Again (New Edition album)
Home Again is the sixth studio album by American R&B group New Edition. Released on September 15, 1996, it is the group's only album as a sextet, and was their final recording for MCA Records...
, their first new album in eight years. The album debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and R&B Albums chart, and became the most commercially successful album of the group's career, selling over four million copies worldwide. Home Again, meanwhile, produced several hits, including the top ten pop hits: "Hit Me Off
Hit Me Off
"Hit Me Off" is a 1996 single by R&B group New Edition and their first single in seven years. The song was the first release off the group's sixth studio album, Home Again. The song featured lead vocals for all six New Edition members. The song was a substantial success for the group, debuting at...
" and "I'm Still In Love With You
I'm Still in Love with You (New Edition song)
"I'm Still in Love with You" was the second single for New Edition as a sextet on the album Home Again. Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell sing lead vocals. In the song "You Don't Have to Worry" Bobby Brown is the lead vocalist, and Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe rap...
". The ensuing 1997 Home Again Tour, however, would prove disastrous for the group. Despite not having toured together in close to a decade (and over ten years for Brown), old rivalries repeated themselves as if no time had passed. By the middle leg of the tour, both Bobby Brown and Mike Bivins left, ultimately resulting in the tour's end. Each of the group members again went their separate ways, this time on more hostile terms than ever, resulting in an indefinite hiatus that appeared to be the swan song for New Edition. In November of that year, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, & Johnny Gill appeared on Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
's track "Somebody Bigger Than You and I" featuring singers Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
and Monica for the soundtrack to the film, The Preacher's Wife
The Preacher's Wife
The Preacher's Wife is a 1996 romantic-family-dramedy-christmas film directed by Penny Marshall, and starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Loretta Devine. It is a remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife....
which stars Houston herself.
2005-present: New beginnings
In the fall of 2005, New Edition performed a medley of hits at BET’s 25th Anniversary Special. During their set, they brought Bobby Brown out onstage for an impromptu rendition of their 1985 hit "Mr. Telephone Man". It was later announced on BET and Access HollywoodAccess Hollywood
Access Hollywood is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently directed by Robert Silverstein. In previous years, Doug Dougherty and...
that Brown has reconciled with New Edition and rejoined the group and will be on the next New Edition album. By January 2006, New Edition announced that the group would launch a new album and tour in 2009.
On August 26, 2006, New Edition filmed a concert at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
's Koger Center in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
set for a future DVD release, the concert was billed as "Spend the Night with New Edition", a BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
special presented by Lincoln
Lincoln (automobile)
Lincoln is an American luxury vehicle brand of the Ford Motor Company. Lincoln vehicles are sold mostly in North America.-History:The company was founded in August 1915 by Henry M. Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac . During World War I, he left Cadillac which was sold to General Motors...
with whom the group has advertised. Bobby Brown also made an appearance at the show.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
are expected to handle 90% of the album's production and writing duties. Also in the works are a bio-book and a biopic (movie) about the group. In an interview with NJS4ever.com, Bobby Brown spoke about the group's release, as well as mentioning that both he and Johnny Gill were scheduled to release albums in 2008, but neither album materialized. The group (minus Brown) had recorded a new song with New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
called "Full Service" for their latest album, The Block
The Block (album)
The Block is the fifth studio album by New Kids on the Block. The album was released on September 2, 2008, along with a deluxe edition that included four bonus tracks. It sold 100,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at number one on the U.S. Top Pop Albums chart and at number two on...
. Meanwhile, Brown, Tresvant and Gill have formed a new group called Heads of State, which performed at "The Summit Tour" in 2009. According to Gill, their group name "is inspired by the original name for The Rat Pack called "The Summit" or "The Heads of State".
On June 28, 2009, the group performed a medley of Jackson 5 hits in tribute to Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
on the BET Awards. Led by Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, and Ricky Bell, New Edition sang and danced through classics such as "I Want You Back", "ABC" and "The Love You Save".
On December 20, 2009, Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell (singer)
Ricky Bell, nicknamed "Slick" is an American R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of New Edition and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe...
and Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
joined New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
onstage at a House Of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
benefit show for Toys For Tots
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L...
in Boston, performing "Full Service" and "This One's For The Children
This One's for the Children
"This One's for the Children" is a 1989 single from New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. Taken from the group's holiday album, Merry, Merry Christmas, the single peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 Singles Chart in December, and #9 on the UK singles...
".
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
confirms that New Edition will reunite once again and will sign with manager Irving Azoff
Irving Azoff
Irving Azoff is an American personal manager, representing recording artists in the music industry such as Christina Aguilera, Journey, Jewel, the Eagles, X Japan, Bush, REO Speedwagon, Seal, David Archuleta, Alter Bridge, Van Halen, 30 Seconds to Mars, Neil Diamond, New Kids on the Block, Steely...
. They are currently signed with Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
and Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
to release a new comeback album.
Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
confirms the possibility of a New Edition/New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
concert tour.
On July 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, all six members of New Edition have reunited at the Essence Music Festival
Essence Music Festival
Essence Music Festival is an annual music festival celebrating contemporary African American music and culture. It is the largest event celebrating African American culture and music in the United States. It has been held in New Orleans, Louisiana every year since 1995 except for 2006, where it...
to kickoff and celebrate their 30th anniversary tour; which will officially begin early 2012. “This is just the beginning. We’re preparing for a world tour and many other exciting things that we’ll be announcing soon. The next chapter of New Edition is going to be an incredible celebration to thank our fans for all of their support over the last 30 years,” said Ricky Bell speaking on behalf of the group.
On July 7, 2011, a few days after performing at the Essence Music Festival, New Edition performed at DJ Cassidy's birthday party and Hennessy Black's one year anniversary in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Discography
Studio albums- Candy GirlCandy Girl (album)Candy Girl is the debut album by New Edition, released on the Streetwise label, in 1983.- Production and conception :The title song was written and produced by Maurice Starr after seeing New Edition perform at a talent show. He signed them and had them record "Candy Girl" in a small studio in...
(1983) - New EditionNew Edition (album)New Edition is the second studio album released by American R&B quintet New Edition on July 6, 1984 in North America. It was their first album on MCA Records. It was also their first album without Maurice Starr who would depart from the group during the making of the album after the group accused...
(1984) - All for Love (1985)
- Under the Blue MoonUnder the Blue MoonUnder the Blue Moon is a tribute album released by R&B group New Edition on the MCA label on October 10, 1986 . Their fourth album and third with MCA and first album after New Edition member Bobby Brown was voted out of the group, the group was going through a transitional phase during this period....
(1986) - Heart BreakHeart BreakHeart Break is the fifth studio album by American R&B and pop group New Edition, released June 20, 1988 on MCA Records. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill as member of...
(1988) - Home AgainHome Again (New Edition album)Home Again is the sixth studio album by American R&B group New Edition. Released on September 15, 1996, it is the group's only album as a sextet, and was their final recording for MCA Records...
(1996) - One LoveOne Love (New Edition album)One Love is the seventh studio album by American R&B group New Edition, released by Bad Boy/Universal Records in 2004.-The making of the album:...
(2004)
Other albums
- Candy Girl 25th Anniversary Edition (2008)