New Edition Heartbreak Zip
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s.
Ne Heartbreak New Edition
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'.1 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.
New Edition Heartbreak Tour 1988
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.
's early, -inspired material made them the forerunners of two generations of teen pop (most of which was geared to white audiences). As they matured and progressed, they laid much of the groundwork for the fusion of hip-hop and R&B known as new jack swing. In fact, after drifted apart, all of its members had at least some significant success outside the group as part of the new jack movement, which helped ensure that their original incarnation would be remembered for much more than the bubblegum urban soul that made their name. Was formed in the Roxbury section of Boston, MA, by, and, who began singing together in 1978 while still in elementary school, hoping to perform for pocket cash. They eventually recruited friend as a fourth member, and after winning a talent show in 1980, also added.
More talent show victories followed, including a prestigious gig at the local Strand Theater, where they performed 's 'The Love You Save.' They were discovered by writer/producer/impresario, who signed the group to his small Streetwise label in hopes of launching a phenomenon for the '80s. 'Candy Girl,' a song co-wrote for the group, was released as their first single in 1983, when the members ranged in age from 13 to 15. Despite a lack of major-label interest in the group, 'Candy Girl' was a smash, topping the R&B charts. Their debut album, also titled, spawned two more R&B hits in 'Popcorn Love' and 'Is This the End?,' and MCA offered the group a deal., however, wanted the group to remain with Streetwise; summarily fired him as their manager and signed with MCA.
Attempted to sue the group for their name, unsuccessfully claiming that ' actually referred to a whole new style of pop music he'd created., of course, would go on to strike it rich with a similar concept, assembling a quintet of white teenagers he dubbed. Meanwhile, released their eponymous MCA debut in 1984 and scored their biggest pop hit with the Top Five smash 'Cool It Now,' which ended with a short rap section. The -penned 'Mr. Telephone Man' soon became their third R&B chart-topper, and the group had reached full-fledged teen idol status. Yet they were growing up fast, as demonstrated on their next album, 1985's. Not only were their voices changing, but their material was becoming more adult, with harder-edged funk and more mature romantic ballads. Later that year, they also released a holiday album, and struck an endorsement deal with Coke.
However, rumors of 's growing dissatisfaction proved true and he left for a solo career in 1986. Temporarily down to a quartet, the rest of the group recorded the covers album, a set of vintage doo wop and R&B numbers from the '50s and '60s; it produced a hit revival of ' 'Earth Angel.' 's replacement came in the form of, a deep-voiced friend of the group who'd been recording as a solo artist without much luck. Made his debut on the 1989 album, which found working with star producers and. The move paid immediate dividends, as they scored several R&B hits from the album, including the number one 'Can You Stand the Rain.' Meanwhile, had become a superstar with his second album, the new jack swing landmark.
Feeling vindicated by, split up to work on other projects. Returned to his solo career, with considerably more success this time around, and also went solo. The remainder of the group teamed as and wound up having greater success than anyone save; their debut album, was another new jack style-setter and ' interest in developing new talent gave their big break. By the mid-'90s, new jack swing was giving way to new fusions of hip-hop and soul that were alternately more organic or aggressive.
Although their status as innovators was secure, many of the splinter acts had a hard time keeping up and maintaining their career momentum. Thus, given their individually positive reputations, it made sense for the group to announce its triumphant reunion, with all six members participating in what was essentially an R&B supergroup. The public loved the idea; when the comeback album was finally released in 1996, it debuted at number one, and the first single, 'Hit Me Off,' was a smash, hitting number one on the R&B charts. The follow-up, 'I'm Still in Love With You,' was another big hit, and the group embarked on a blockbuster tour that, while popular, found relationships between some of the members fraying. After the tour, returned to their various prior projects, with the prospect of any future reunions looking dim. Those prospects increased significantly when it was learned that P. Diddy had signed the group to his Bad Boy label for the release of another comeback, 2004's One Love.