New Edition proves ascendancy on 40th anniversary Legacy Tour

Any career that spans 40 years in the ever-evolving music industry is literally unheard of, but then again, New Edition is no ordinary musical group. No other performing artist deserves to be enshrined into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame than the group from Roxbury in Boston, Massachusetts.

With more than 20 million albums sold, not only has New Edition had colossal success as a group, but who else can boast that each member reached their own monumental status – Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and, of course, Bell Biv DeVoe (Rickey Bell, Mike Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe)? Short answer, no one. Not even the Jackson 5. They were often imitated, but never duplicated.

Through trials and tribulations, New Edition has withstood the greatest test, which is time and relevancy. Their music, fashion sense and dance moves, were influential to 100s of artists and continues to be heard on radio, commercials and night clubs all around the world.

And 40 years later, they have been introduced to yet another generation of music fans. Following last year’s sold-out Culture Tour, New Edition embarked on the 30-city Legacy Tour, which graced the Toyota Center near downtown Houston on Saturday, April 1, and brought with them fellow R&B icons Keith Sweat, Guy and Tank.

It was announced in-house that Bobby Brown was feeling under the weather and would be unable to perform, but the downer was quickly erased when the lights went out and NE was elevated from below the stage to thunderous roars of appreciative yells and screams from the capacity crowd.

With a setlist that featured 24 hits that spanned the New Edition catalog plus all the big songs from Tresvant, Gill, Brown and BBD.

“Crucial” was the opener, which is from the group’s fifth album “Heart Break.” Released in 1988, the record is my absolute favorite from NE’s collection. First and foremost, the album cover is terrific. All five members dressed in fresh suits. That photo along with the style of songs definitely showed the maturity and growth of the group. It was also the first appearance by Gill. Oh, the album went on the sell more than 2 million copies.

Of course “If It Isn’t Love,” “Can You Stand the Rain” and “NE Heartbreak,” all from the same hit record, were perfectly performed during the 90-minute set. DeVoe then led us back to the early ‘80s with “Mr. Telephone Man” and “Cool It Now.”

I particularly loved the flow of the set and how individual hits were sewn in like Gill’s “Rub You the Right Way” and “My My My,” Tresvant’s “Sensitivity” and BBD’s “When Will I See You Smile Again,” “Do Me!” and “Poison.”

With Bobby B. not performing, NE stepped up with renditions of “My Prerogative,” “Roni,” Don’t Be Cruel” and “Every Little Step.”

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the performances of Sweat, Guy and Tank. Sweat, who is now 61 and looks and sounds like he is 21, has sold 13 million albums and can still go with the best of them.

He’s been unfairly criticized as of late on social media about having a few drinks before performing and so Sweat decided to have a little fun with it. “So I hear there are some people talking shit about ol Keith Sweat,” he told the crowd, which then erupted in laughter. “But when it’s time for you fellas to hook up with ya girls, ya’ll turn on some Keith Sweat music to finish the job.” Sweat then went right into “Twisted.” So good.

Sweat also paid tribute to the late Gerald Levert, who made up one-third of the supergroup LSG along with Sweat and Johnny Gill, and performed the LSG hits “My Body,” “Round & Round” and “Door #1.”

For those who may not know, Sweat has also written several songs for other artists like “Freak Me” by Silk and “Just Got Paid” by Johnny Kemp. It was really cool to see Teddy Riley of Guy join him on stage for those.

Speaking of Riley and Guy, brothers Aaron and Damion Hall have relaunched the group with Riley, who is also credited for the creation of the New Jack Swing genre. This was a first time for me for Guy, so I was thrilled to hear “Groove Me,” “Piece of My Love,” and “I Like.” Aaron Hall actually went into the crowd, shirtless, for "Let's Chill." Tens of thousands of people singing along with Guy was a memorable moment. Riley ended the set with the massive radio hit, “Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-n-Effect, which was written and produced by Riley, and includes him in the song with the famous line, “All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom.”

The Legacy Tour includes 4-plus hours of amazing music from artists who have combined to sell over 57 million records. That’s incredible.

The tour continues through April 30. For cities and ticket, view blackpromoterscollective.com/legacytour/

New Edition Setlist
1. Crucial
2. Rub You the Right Way
3. My Prerogative
4. If It Isn’t Love
5. Mr. Telephone Man
6. Cool It Now
7. I’m Still in Love with You
8. Candy Girl
9. Popcorn Love
10. Count Me Out
11. A Little Bit of Love (Is All it Takes)
12. Is This the End
13. Lost in Love
14. Roni
15. My My My
16. There U Go
17. Sensitivity
18. When Will I See You Smile Again?
19. Do Me!
20. Don’t Be Cruel
21. Can You Stand the Rain
22. Every Little Step I Take
23. Poison
24. NE Heartbreak

- Chad Cooper is the Entertainment Editor. Contact cooper@theexaminer.com