Get on Board: New Edition

Catch the R&B G.O.A.Ts at the 2012 Soul Train Awards.

New Addition - Inspired by the Jackson 5, New Edition forms in Boston, MA, in 1978 with members Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell. The group is complete in 1980 with the addition of Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe. After winning talent shows around Bean Town, the five become local teen stars. (Photo: Echoes/Redferns)

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New Addition - Inspired by the Jackson 5, New Edition forms in Boston, MA, in 1978 with members Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell. The group is complete in 1980 with the addition of Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe. After winning talent shows around Bean Town, the five become local teen stars. (Photo: Echoes/Redferns)

The New Style - After New Edition is discovered by music writer/producer Maurice Starr at a talent show, they are signed to his indie Streetwise label. In 1983, the group’s single “Candy Girl” (off their debut LP of the same name) is released and, with limited radio play, becomes a huge hit. With their incorporation of rap, their early b-boy wardrobe and their street corner swag, N.E. are the first group to infuse R&B with hip hop. (Photo: MCA Records)

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The New Style - After New Edition is discovered by music writer/producer Maurice Starr at a talent show, they are signed to his indie Streetwise label. In 1983, the group’s single “Candy Girl” (off their debut LP of the same name) is released and, with limited radio play, becomes a huge hit. With their incorporation of rap, their early b-boy wardrobe and their street corner swag, N.E. are the first group to infuse R&B with hip hop. (Photo: MCA Records)

Is This the End? - Disagreeing with the financial agreement they had with Maurice Starr, N. E. fire him as their manager, leave his label and sign with MCA. Starr would eventually hit it big with the same boy band concept when he discovers a white fivesome he would christen New Kids on the Block. (Photo: Polydor/Arista Records)

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Is This the End? - Disagreeing with the financial agreement they had with Maurice Starr, N. E. fire him as their manager, leave his label and sign with MCA. Starr would eventually hit it big with the same boy band concept when he discovers a white fivesome he would christen New Kids on the Block. (Photo: Polydor/Arista Records)

A New Begining - In 1984, N. E. releases their sophomore self-titled album on MCA. The LP goes platinum with the help of hit singles “Cool It Now” and the Ray Parker Jr.-produced “Mr. Telephone Man.” (Photo: MCA Records)

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A New Begining - In 1984, N. E. releases their sophomore self-titled album on MCA. The LP goes platinum with the help of hit singles “Cool It Now” and the Ray Parker Jr.-produced “Mr. Telephone Man.” (Photo: MCA Records)

Love Grows - A year later, the group scored another platinum plaque with the release of their third studio LP All for Love. (Photo: MCA Records)

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Love Grows - A year later, the group scored another platinum plaque with the release of their third studio LP All for Love. (Photo: MCA Records)

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Screen Idols - N.E.’s immense popularity leads to their first movie cameo, appearing as themselves (performing “My Secret (Didja Get it Yet?”) in the classic hip hop film Krush Groove in 1985. Dressed in sparkling silver suits, they can be credited with rocking the shiny metallic suit look a decade before Sean “Diddy” Combs popularized it in music videos. (Photo: Warner Bros Records)

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Screen Idols - N.E.’s immense popularity leads to their first movie cameo, appearing as themselves (performing “My Secret (Didja Get it Yet?”) in the classic hip hop film Krush Groove in 1985. Dressed in sparkling silver suits, they can be credited with rocking the shiny metallic suit look a decade before Sean “Diddy” Combs popularized it in music videos. (Photo: Warner Bros Records)

Boys to Men - After recording a remake of The Penguins 1954 doo-wop hit “Earth Angel” for The Karate Kid 2 soundtrack, New Edition is inspired to put out the disc Under the Blue Moon in 1986. This album of doo-wop covers, which includes such classics as “Tears on My Pillow” and “Duke of Earl,” goes gold. (Photo: MCA Records)

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Boys to Men - After recording a remake of The Penguins 1954 doo-wop hit “Earth Angel” for The Karate Kid 2 soundtrack, New Edition is inspired to put out the disc Under the Blue Moon in 1986. This album of doo-wop covers, which includes such classics as “Tears on My Pillow” and “Duke of Earl,” goes gold. (Photo: MCA Records)

Brown Out - Because of Bobby Brown’s growing dissatisfaction with N.E. and his behavioral problems, the group — under pressure from management — votes him out N.E. in 1986 and continue touring as a quartet. Brown would go on to an immensely successful solo career in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. (Photos from left: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, MCA Records)

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Brown Out - Because of Bobby Brown’s growing dissatisfaction with N.E. and his behavioral problems, the group — under pressure from management — votes him out N.E. in 1986 and continue touring as a quartet. Brown would go on to an immensely successful solo career in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. (Photos from left: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, MCA Records)

In Walks Gill - With Bobby Brown gone (and rumors that Ralph Tresvant may go solo) Johnny Gill is recruited to join N.E. in 1987 not only as a member, but possibly as a lead. In the music industry Gill was known as a prodigy who’d had his first hit at 17 when he recorded the hit duet with Stacy Lattisaw “Perfect Combination.”  (Photo: Ron Wolfson /Landov)

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In Walks Gill - With Bobby Brown gone (and rumors that Ralph Tresvant may go solo) Johnny Gill is recruited to join N.E. in 1987 not only as a member, but possibly as a lead. In the music industry Gill was known as a prodigy who’d had his first hit at 17 when he recorded the hit duet with Stacy Lattisaw “Perfect Combination.”  (Photo: Ron Wolfson /Landov)

N.E. Heartbreak - N.E. drops their fifth studio LP Heart Break in 1988. The disc eventually goes double platinum due to popular singles like “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain.” (Photo: MCA Records)

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N.E. Heartbreak - N.E. drops their fifth studio LP Heart Break in 1988. The disc eventually goes double platinum due to popular singles like “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain.” (Photo: MCA Records)

Photo By Photo: MCA Records

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New Edition - As one of America's oldest cities, Boston is a place steeped in tradition and history. Last week's deadly bombings caused the whole country to rally around Beantown. To pay tribute to the city of cobblestone and ivy, we spotlight some of its most famous sons and daughters. One of the many firsts to come from Boston is the first modern-day boy band. New Edition formed there in 1978 and quickly took the world by storm. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Stand and Deliver - Inspired by Bobby Brown’s tremendous success with the 1988 LP Don’t Be Cruel, which sold eight million copies, the members of N.E. decide to go on hiatus to pursue side projects. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Hip Hop Smoothed Out on the R&B Tip - Rickie Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe form Bell Biv Devoe and release their debut album Poison on MCA in 1990. Incorporating new jack swing and elements of hardcore hip hop music into their R&B sound, their LP becomes a phenomenon, going multi-platinum. It tops both the pop and R&B charts with the help of songs like the title track and “Do Me.” (Photo: MCA Records)

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Hip Hop Smoothed Out on the R&B Tip - Rickie Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe form Bell Biv Devoe and release their debut album Poison on MCA in 1990. Incorporating new jack swing and elements of hardcore hip hop music into their R&B sound, their LP becomes a phenomenon, going multi-platinum. It tops both the pop and R&B charts with the help of songs like the title track and “Do Me.” (Photo: MCA Records)

Power Balladeers - In 1990, N.E.’s vocal leaders get their time to shine. Ralph Tresvant releases his self-titled solo album, which goes platinum by way of single “Sensitivity.” That same year, Johnny Gill releases his self-titled solo LP, which goes double platinum with hits like “Rub You the Right Way” and “My My My.” (Photo: MCA/Motown Records)

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Power Balladeers - In 1990, N.E.’s vocal leaders get their time to shine. Ralph Tresvant releases his self-titled solo album, which goes platinum by way of single “Sensitivity.” That same year, Johnny Gill releases his self-titled solo LP, which goes double platinum with hits like “Rub You the Right Way” and “My My My.” (Photo: MCA/Motown Records)

Coming Home - Although group members were having successful side careers, a promise to their fans (and a contractual agreement with MCA) to reunite brings N.E. back together to record and release the LP Home Again in 1996. The reunion album goes double platinum. (Photo: MCA Records)

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Coming Home - Although group members were having successful side careers, a promise to their fans (and a contractual agreement with MCA) to reunite brings N.E. back together to record and release the LP Home Again in 1996. The reunion album goes double platinum. (Photo: MCA Records)

R&B's New Bad Boys - N.E. sign with Bad Boy Records in 2003 and release their seventh LP, One Love, in 2004. (Photo: Bad Boy/Universal Records)

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R&B's New Bad Boys - N.E. sign with Bad Boy Records in 2003 and release their seventh LP, One Love, in 2004. (Photo: Bad Boy/Universal Records)

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New Edition - They rose to fame in the '80s, went away in the '90s, and came back strong in the '00s. New Edition is still rocking with Bobby Brown and going strong. Admit it, you love them too!(Photo: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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Bonafide Legends - All six members of N.E. (including Bobby Brown) reunite at the 2011 Essence Music Festival. The event is used to kick off a successful reunion tour celebrating the group’s 30th anniversary. (Photo: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

N.E. Legacy - New Edition was conceived as an update to the phenomenon of the Jackson 5. And, in the process, their own trailblazing music and success became the blueprint for boy band phenoms — from Boyz II Men to New Kids on the Block to N’Sync — heading into the 21st century. (Photos from left: Steve Granitz/WireImage, Kevin Winter/ABC/Getty Images)

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N.E. Legacy - New Edition was conceived as an update to the phenomenon of the Jackson 5. And, in the process, their own trailblazing music and success became the blueprint for boy band phenoms — from Boyz II Men to New Kids on the Block to N’Sync — heading into the 21st century. (Photos from left: Steve Granitz/WireImage, Kevin Winter/ABC/Getty Images)