 The pop/R&B ensemble New Edition was created in 1983 by record producer/songwriter Maurice Starr, who saw a big market for a slick, young urban R&B group, a sort of teenage Jackson 5 for the '80s. Recruiting Boston teenagers Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant, Starr launched the group with a pop song he had written, "Candy Girl." Its chart success led to a full-length album of the same name, which also proved to be a smash. The New Edition phenomenon was born. During the next few years New Edition was one of the most popular teen acts ever, wowing audiences with their tightly choreographed shows, smooth vocal harmonies and catchy Starr-penned ditties such as "Mr. Telephone Man," "Cool It Now," "Count Me Out," "A Little Bit of Love (Is All It Takes)" and "With You All the Way." In 1986 Bobby Brown left the group to begin a highly successful solo career -- in fact, he became the best selling R&B solo artist of all time. Bringing on vocalist Johnny Gill, the group returned with more hits: "If It Isn't Love," "Can You Stand The Rain," "You're Not My Kind O Girl," and cover of the '50s tune "Earth Angel." The amazing success of both New Edition and Bobby Brown inspired other members to leave the group for solo careers; Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill began performing solo, while Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe formed the successful R&B group Bell Biv Devoe, one of the first groups to popularize the "New Jack Swing" style of R&B. Meanwhile Maurice Starr began a new project of his own, creating the pop group New Kids on the Block in much the same style as he created New Edition. In 1996 the original members of New Edition, along with Johnny Gill, re-formed the group to record the album Home Again, featuring the hit single "Hit Me Off." The group has no definite plans for the future; Ricky Bell is working on a solo career, while Johnny Gill is currently involved in the LSG project with Keith Sweat and Gerald Levert.
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