90’s R&B Takes Center Stage When Bell Biv Devoe Performs at Chevy Court Aug. 30
Group’s Members Were Part of New Edition, Then Made Their Own Contributions One of the pioneering groups of 90’s R&B will remind Fairgoers of why their music was so important when Bell Biv Devoe performs at the Great New York State Fair’s Chevy Court at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, State Fair Acting Director Troy Waffner announced today. Bell Biv DeVoe was hatched in the minds of its members — New Edition’s Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe — upon the departure of lead singer Bobby Brown in 1986. But it wasn’t until after New Edition completed its supporting tour for the album Heart Break in 1988 that the trio gave in to the urgings of Heart Break producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and decided to chart its own course. The success of Heart Break in 1988 set the stage for solo projects in heady, rapid-fire succession. Ricky, Michael, and Ronnie joined forces to create the cutting-edge hip-hop trio Bell Biv Devoe, while both Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant were simultaneously working on their respective solo careers. Bell Biv DeVoe enlisted a variety of producers for its debut album, including Jam and Lewis and Public Enemy producers Hank and Keith Shocklee. The results were quite unlike anything in New Edition’s repertoire: The beats were funkier, the lyrics and vocals were sexier, and the overall sound had a harder, hip-hop-tinged edge. The album’s title track, “Poison,” became a number three smash, and it was followed by the equally successful “Do Me” and the R&B hits “B.B.D. (I Thought it Was Me),” “When Will I See You Smile Again?,” and “Dope!” The album itself went on to sell over three million copies and was followed by a remix album the next year. Meanwhile, Bivins assembled the East Coast Family, discovering and producing debut albums for Another Bad Creation and Boyz II Men. As if this were not enough, Michael Bivins became a successful music executive, discovering and developing through his Biv10 Entertainment company the superstar vocal group Boyz II Men, among other acts. New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe have been given the coveted distinction of being the founding fathers of the male vocal group trend represented by such groups as Boyz II Men and ABC. “Bell Biv Devoe spans the recent history of the entire rhythm and blues genre. The music they made then is still compelling and they continue to evolve as artists. I think this will be one of the highlight shows of our year,” said Waffner. The 23 free performances by national artists on the Chevy Court stage are sponsored by Chevrolet. Acts previously announced for the Chevy Court stage include: Kellie Pickler, at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 21 Barenaked Ladies, at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 21 Smash Mouth, at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 22 Jason Derulo, at 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 22 The Bacon Brothers, at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, August 23 Young The Giant, at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, August 24 Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 25 John Kay and Steppenwolf, at 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 25 Bowzer’s Rock & Roll Party, at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 26 Night Ranger, at 8:00 p.n., Tuesday, August 26 Chef Anne Burrell, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 27 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 27 Angie Johnson, at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 28 The Eli Young Band, at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 28 Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, at 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 29 Uncle Kracker, at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 30 MKTO, at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 31 The Doobie Brothers, at 6:00 p.m., Monday, September 1 At the Grandstand, very limited tickets remain available for the Saturday, Aug. 30 concert by Jason Aldean with Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr. Tickets remain available for: Brad Paisley with Randy Houser, Charlie Worsham, and Leah Turner, on Thursday, August 21 The Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival, August 22 Pitbull, on Saturday, August 23 Kid Rock, on Monday, August 25 Train with The Wallflowers, on Tuesday, August 26 Carrie Underwood, on Wednesday, August 27 Journey with Cheap Trick, on Thursday, August 28
