How many of you knew that before Ralph Tresvant & Ronnie DeVoe joined New Edition in the early 80's the original lineup consisted of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Travis Pettus, & Corey Ragley, That group didn't last long cause of Mike, Travis, & Corey was more interested in basketball but Bobby & Ricky somehow got Mike to focus on the group but Travis & Corey told Brooke Payne they wanted to focus on basketball.

Mike was torn but he chose New Edition. Ricky & Bobby knew the key to getting out the projects was the group. Also Corey was the first to leave so they had another guy named James Flint who was Bobby's neighbor in projects and lived below him.

James was to take Corey's spot instead of Ralph but after a party some guys tried to steal Bobby & James bikes and a fight broke out & both Bobby & James was stabbed but Bobby was only hit in the arm. James wasn't so lucky and was stabbed in his chest and Bobby & another friend carried him to where they lived to call an ambulance and Bobby held him & watched him die and that was his determination to stay out of trouble & focus on the group.

One day Ricky & Ralph were playing basketball & Mike & Bobby arrived and they all thought it was a great idea for Ralph to join the group.

Travis stayed around for a little while then basketball started to become more of a priority for him & so did Mike. Mike thought he would be kicked out but Bobby Ricky Ralph & his mom convinced him to focus on the group and so he did and said that was the best decision he made.

They were going to stay a four man group after Travis quit but Brooke had a great idea of bringing in his nephew Ronnie DeVoe and the other fellas agreed.

So that's how the original 5 that everyone came to know Ronnie Bobby Ricky Mike & Ralph were born. I wonder how Travis & Corey feel about their decisions now & rest in peace to James Flint who Bobby dedicated his Don't Be Cruel album to,

Michael Bivins gave me some background on twitter & Rob their historian wrote a story and all of this will be a part of their movie & book.

[Edited 1/4/12 10:26am]

NE has been talking about a movie ever since Word To The Mutha.