New Edition is an American R&B music group that was formed in 1978, in Boston, Massachusetts. They became popular during the 1980's in the United States. Their success created inspiration to form the boy bands such as New Kids on the Block and Boys II Men.

New Edition

"In every city and every market, everybody has their own flavor. There is a west coast style and an east coast style. Our influences came from who we listened to and who our parents listened to when we were growing up."

New Edition is an American R&B music group that was formed in 1978, in Boston, Massachusetts. They became popular during the 1980's in the United States. Their success created inspiration to form the boy bands such as New Kids on the Block and Boys II Men.

Starting of the Singing Career

The group was put together by Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown and Michael Bivens. Their producer Maurice Starr was their guide in getting started. Ralph Tresvant, a friend of both Ricky Bell and Bobby Brown was brought into the group, and became the lead singer of the group.

They received their group name from Brooke Payne and manager Travis Gresham. In 1980, they won second place in a local talent show. It was then that Payne added Ronnie DeVoe, his nephew, also an ex member from The Dramatics.

Gaining Fame

They started playing gigs throughout Massachusetts, they found themselves on a talent show ran by Maurice Starr. For first prize was a recording contract and $500.00. The band ended up coming in 2^nd. Starr thought that they were too good to go to waste. He brought them into his own personal studio the very next day so that they could record their debut album. The album, Candy Girl was released in 1983 on Streetwise Records that included hits such as Is This The End, Popcorn Love, and the title track, this made it to number one on the American and UK R&B singles chart.

When they returned from their first tour, they went right back into their own homes. It was there that they were each given a check for $1.87 each for the tour. They were told they did not get more pay because of the tour's budget and expenses. In 1984, the group parted ways with Starr due to financial reasons. Starr would then create the band New Kids on the Block to make up for the loss of New Edition.

Signing on with Someone New

They then signed with another label, MCA Records. They released their second album, New Edition the same year that they signed on with the new label. This album held their top five hit, Cool It Now. This helped them to become certified double platinum. All for Love, their third album, was released in 1985. This album was also certified platinum. They began to grow in popularity, and started making appearances in shows and movies.

Christmas All Over The World was released for the holidays the same year. In 1985, due to his behavior, the group had to vote out Bobby Brown. They were pressured by their management and record label to do so. Brown went his separate way to make a solo career for himself. They recorded songs for Knight Rider and The Karate Kid, Part II. The second of the two made it to number 21, and inspired them to record Under the Blue Moon.

New Member, New Start

Ricky Bell, Ron DeVoe and Michael Bivins brought in Johnny Gill in 1987 due to the murmuring of Ralph Tresvant finding a solo career. Gill was at first reluctant to join the group, having been working on a solo album himself previously. Heart Break was released in 1988. The worldwide sales of this album sold almost four million copies. On the suggestion of their producers, Bell, Bivins, and DeVoe became a trio to make an album, Poison that ended up going triple platinum.

In 1990, the group reunited to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards. In 1991, the remaining 6 recorded a remix of Word to the Mutha! In 1996, the group achieved more success doing solo albums, then working together in the group. Since they still owed the record group another album, and promised fans a reunion, they recorded their next album Home Again. This was their first new album together in nearly a decade. The album made number one on the charts, and worldwide sold over four million copies.

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