Kenney Quarles 4/12/1 1B

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Robert Braisford Bobby Brown was born in Boston Massachusetts as one of six
children of Carole Elizabeth (nee Williams), a substitute teacher, and Herbert James Brown, a
construction worker. Brown grew up in Roxburys Orchard Park Projects. Browns first taste of
being onstage occurred at age three when one of his childhood idols, James Brown, performed in
Boston. This performance had sparked a dream of becoming a singer. New Edition was founded
by 9-year-old Brown and childhood friends Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Travis Pettus, and Corey
Rackley who all knew each other growing up in the Orchard Park Projects in Boston. However,
Rackley left the group early and good friend Ralph Tresvant joined the group at the suggestion of
Bell who sang with Tresvant as a duo.
Brown was also familiar with Tresvant since they were kids. Travis Pettus would also leave the
group and they became a quartet of Bell, Tresvant, Bivins, and Brown. In 1982, they became a
quintet when their manager Brooke Payne insisted on bringing in his nephew Ronnie DeVoe, to
complete the group. After performing in several talent shows in the Boston areas in 1982, they
won a deal with Maurice Starr's label and released their debut album, Candy Girl. Th