Ricky Bell on New Edition Being Broke, Only Getting $1.87 After Major Tour (Part 2)

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In this VladTV exclusive, Ricky Bell of New Edition spoke about the up and down moments of the early New Edition days. Bell spoke on how the group went on their first tour and ended up coming back home to a check for $1.87.

Bell said he wasn’t worried about his reaction to receiving the check, but was definitely worried about his mother’s reaction. Bell also spoke about being on TV with New Edition but still living in the projects. Bell noted that after being gone on tour for months, the tour bus dropped them off right in front of the projects.

[naturallydayseye]

His wife does not mess this interview up. She is the one that has stood by his side throughout the years... she deserves to be there.

[factsfacts]

Watch her reaction everytime he talks about financial woes. She knows the story inside out, Ricky doesn't have to have a penny on his back but she'll ride with him. The whole New Edition crew ended up with really good women Big ups!

[shawnettajones]

It's still appalling how they were used.

[fredrandle]

All aspiring artists need to here these interviews! Very good lessons to learn here.

[Throwboy]

I’m happy that Rick and the guys are getting to tell their story. They paved the way for so much of what we have today.

[MARYSSON]

I saw New Edition in concert back in Gary, Indiana 1988...12 years old and watching girls pass out and me standing on the seats watching history being made...Still a HUGE fan of N. E. till this day

[ProjectDystopia]

"Industry rule #4080, record company people are shadyyyy!" - Q-Tip,

[newvibes]

Ricky Bell is a really cool cat met him back in the day. These brothers were all very humble brothers.

[tamihughes]

Man I’m so sorry you all went through that! It’s not right. You all are so talented. I hope you get back double for your trouble.

[thablakhippi]

This is Just Sickening to HEAR how these Leeches took advantage of these Talented Young Brothas! Someone Deserve Jail TIME!

[cloudsleyfalconbridge]

This interview really puts their song "Boys to Men" into perspective. So when Napster hit the Net, it was the record companies that lost out, not the artists.

[keetholean]

This sounds like slavery. Slavery on paper-work. Mind you these were kids😬

[genesmith]

ricky sang his butt off on when will I see you smile again remix he really showed he could sing lead & not in spots.

[franchiseplaya]

I'm just so amazed how youthful they still look after all these years. Ricky to me looks better now than he did when he was younger.

[DaveSincere]

This is a good interview. Ricky has lived thru it and can speak from experience.

[jameswatts]

They took advantage of them as kid's not knowing the music business it is sad

[newme]

they did show the bus letting y'all back off into the projects

[calroach]

He seems like a nice guy. I hope that he gets his life and finances straightened out.

[IceManLikeGervin]

Jump 'n Shoot Productions signed NE to a production deal which is like legalized slavery where they get the money from all of the group's contracts first and hand it out to the members as they saw fit. NE thought that they were signed directly to MCA Records at the time. NE had to each pay $500, 000 dollars to get out of that bad contract. Also, NE members owed the IRS $250, 000 each (some owed a little more) due to bad accounting from Jump 'n Shoot. That's why Under The Blue Moon & NE Christmas albums profits were used to get them out of debt-contracts. NE didn't make any real money until their NE Heartbreak album in 1988. The music industry is demonic- Chaka Khan (on CNN)

[gmcneoplan]

I'm a go on the record and say that Ricky has aged very well. That brother still look fresh. The music industry, them female groupies, drama with New Edition and etc., and Ricky still came out on the positive side. Good for him.