New Edition
Click for more images
Ricky Bell
Click for more images
LINCOLN, CA – New Edition pulled out all the stops as they performed to a sellout crowd at Thunder Valley Casino’s Summer Concert Series on Friday in support of their 2014 Reunion Tour.
The boy band that, for good or bad, paved the way for other boy bands such as New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men and Backstreet Boys, came to Thunder Valley Casino armed with original band members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, and Ralph Tresvant. Longtime member, Johnny Gill joined the group as well. Gill was brought in to fill the void left after Brown decided to pursue a solo career back in 1985.
Ronnie DeVoe
Click for more images
As the sun started to descend and the mercury level was still north of the century mark, all six members of New Edition made a dramatic entrance as they walked out to center stage. The color for the night was white as the stairs they descended were painted white along with a white flowing curtain in back and on both sides of the stage, making for some great lighting affects as the night took over.
New Edition started their set off with “Once in a Lifetime Groove” and “N.E. Heartbreak” with everyone in the audience on their feet.
After their first two songs, Bell, Bivins and Devoe took over the stage as their own successful group known as Bell Biv Devoe, singing their hits “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?,” “When Will I See You Smile Again?” and “Do Me!”
Michael Bivins
Brown followed the energetic trio with his original hits “Don’t be Cruel,” “On Your Own” and “Good Enough.” Brown fell short with his vocals and it almost felt as if he was simply going through the motions, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind.
Brown, ex-husband of the late singer Whitney Houston, has had a troubled past and it appears he is continuing to battle his demons. He started out the tour earlier this year only to drop out to recover from an “undisclosed medical issue.”
Bobby Brown
In a statement, the 45-year-old Brown said, “I apologize to the fans of New Edition. I really wanted to be with my brothers, but presently I am unable to give fans what they typically expect from New Edition.”
The unexpected departure of Brown followed a show in Mississippi when Brown, who was visibly winded during a performance of “If It Isn’t Love,” abruptly left the stage before the end of the song.
He recently came back to the tour to play the final six shows of the Reunion tour.
Johnny Gill
Tresvant turned things around with the ladies as he took center stage with his shirt open and performed his hit “Sensitivity,” followed by “When I need Somebody” and “Money Can’t Buy You Love.” He finished his set with “Stone Cold Gentleman” and “Sex-O.” During his set Tresvant brought a couple of lucky ladies on stage to sing to.
Ralph Tresvant
Not to be left out, Johnny Gill popped up on stage and performed a number of his hits including, “Fairweather Friend,” “There U Go,” “My Body” and finishing up with “Transition.” Gill was tossing out roses during his solo performance.
The original five members followed Johnny and performed a number of songs including “Candy Girl” and “Telephone Man.”
They ended the show with Brown’s “My Prerogative,” Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison” and New Edition’s “If It isn’t Love.”
The post New Edition at Thunder Valley Casino appeared first on Celebrity Examiner.
