This year marks the 45th anniversary of New Edition’s formation and the 40th anniversary of their debut album, Candy Girl. All six members of the group—Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Johnny Gill, and Ronnie DeVoe—commemorated these amazing feats with the Legacy Tour, an elevated sequel of 2022’s successful Culture Tour. Despite an obvious difference in the lineup with the newly-reunited Guy, Keith Sweat, and Tank, New Edition praised their supporting acts for their extreme talent, star power, and legendary catalogue of music.
During the Legacy Tour's recent UBS Arena stop in Elmont NY on April 20th, the audience was filled with NE4Lifers but the the younger generation were in the house as well creating a welcomed balance of the old and new school. Everyone was ready to go down memory lane to the soundtrack of the good ol’ days—and they sure did. Within the four-hour show, the maturation of legacy was on full display. Each act ranged in age from their late 40s, to mid-late 50s, and early 60s, but the show was full of energy and electric.
Tank, 47, is still very much the sex symbol ladies have grown to swoon over. He performed his hit songs like “F**ckin’ Wit Me” and “Show”. He rounded out his set with “Please Don’t Go” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” all while shirtless to the pleasure of all the ladies in the house.
Guy’s set paid homage to the New Jack Swing era credited to and made popular by Teddy Riley. Aaron Hall, 58, was shirtless underneath his white leather jacket. His brother, Damion, who is four years his junior, didn’t take off his shirt until later in the set. The crowd was loving every minute of it!
On the more sensual side of that era, Keith Sweat’s hour-long set was an ode to his begging singing style that he is famous for which he referenced a few times that night. Sweat, 61, was the epitome of a man who has aged like fine wine and isn’t afraid to show he still “got it. The Harlem native definitely shined bright and still can sing with his very impressive vocals. Sweat sang hits like ”Make It Last Forever,” “Nobody,” and “Get Up On It.”
New Edition is simply the best, Ronnie, Ricky, Mike, Bobby, Ralph and Johnny. They hit the stage at the UBS Arena rising from below the stage to the roar of screaming fans. They performed all their hits like "Candy Girl", " Mr. Telephone Man", "Cool It Now", "If It Isn't Love" and of course "Can You Stand The Rain". They all had their individual sets as solo artists and groups as well. Johnny Gill sang his hit song "My My My" and Ralph Tresvant sang his hit "Sensitivity" .
Bobby Brown did his best to maintain the momentum with his bandmates, but he was noticeably on and off the stage due to not feeling well. He missed two shows in Houston and Dallas due to exhaustion as well. The rest of New Edition supported Brown tremendously and Ricky even took over and sang Bobby's hit songs like "Roni" and "Don't Be Cruel". Bel Biv DeVoe sang their hit songs "Do Me" and their anthem "Poison" with their New Edition bandmates to close out the show. It was an electrifying night that was filled with nostalgic songs from New Edition so the NE4Lifers were not disappointed.
There was a time when we didn't know if New Edition would reunite and perform together again, so I was happy to see that it really happened. Check out this interview with Ralph Tresvant in "The Hot Zone" discussing his career and New Edition's beginnings, success and longevity.
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