New Edition is an American R &B/pop boy band formed in 1978 in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, often seen as a "new edition" of the Jackson 5.
History
The group started with childhood friends including Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, and Michael Bivins, gaining fame after winning a talent show and signing with Streetwise Records for their 1983 debut album Candy Girl , which spawned hits like the title track. They peaked in the 1980s with MCA albums like their self-titled 1984 release featuring "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man," evolving their sound to new jack swing after lineup changes. A 2017 BET miniseries The New Edition Story chronicled their rise, drawing massive viewership.
Members
Current lineup includes all six main members: Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill, who joined in 1987. Early members like Corey Rackley and Travis Pettus left before major success.
Achievements
New Edition won American Music Awards in 1987 and 1997, Soul Train Awards for albums Heart Break (1989) and Home Again (1997), and was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2023. They continue touring, with recent residencies and honors like a 2025 Boston street renaming in Roxbury.
