Ricky Bell is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of the R&B vocal group New Edition and the R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe. He has achieved tremendous success in the music industry and has been credited with influencing the sound and style of contemporary R&B music. This article will provide a brief biography of Ricky Bell and provide an overview of his life and career.
Early Life of Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell was born on September 18, 1967, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He was raised in a musical family and began singing in the church choir at a young age. As a child, Ricky had dreams of becoming a professional singer and was heavily influenced by the music of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. He was also inspired by the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson.
At the age of twelve, Ricky Bell formed the group New Edition with his friends Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Bobby Brown. The group quickly gained popularity and signed a record deal with Maurice Starr, a local record producer. New Edition went on to become one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1980s and 1990s.
Music Career of Ricky Bell
In the early 1990s, Ricky Bell and his bandmates Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe formed the group Bell Biv DeVoe. The group released their debut album Poison in 1990 and it went on to become one of the most successful R&B albums of all time. The album featured the hit singles “Poison”, “Do Me!”, and “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)”.
Ricky Bell has also released several solo albums throughout his career. His debut solo album, Ricky Bell, was released in 1991 and featured the hit single “When Will I See You Smile Again?”. He has also released several other solo albums throughout his career, including Ricky Bell: The Return in 2009 and Ricky Bell: The Collection in 2016.
Later Life of Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell has continued to be a major influence on the sound of contemporary R&B music. He has been honored with several awards throughout his career, including a BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He has also appeared in several films and television shows, including The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story.
In recent years, Ricky Bell has focused on giving back to the community and has been involved with several charitable organizations. He has also continued to tour with New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe, performing their greatest hits for fans around the world.
Ricky Bell is a true icon of the music industry. He has achieved tremendous success in his career and has been credited with influencing the sound and style of contemporary R&B music. He has also been devoted to giving back to the community and inspiring the next generation of musicians. His legacy will continue to live on in the music industry for years to come.
