'Johnny You're Not Going to Sing Any Leads': Jimmy Jam Reveals Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell of New Edition Were Against Bringing Johnny Gill Into the Group

The late 1980s marked a pivotal moment for New Edition , as the Boston-bred R&B group faced a crossroads that would either make or break their future.

After Bobby Brown’s departure left a significant void in their lineup, the remaining members found themselves grappling with how to move forward while maintaining the chemistry that had made them stars.

The solution would come in the form of Johnny Gill, a powerhouse vocalist whose addition would prove both controversial and transformative.

The story of how Johnny Gill became the sixth member of New Edition has remained largely untold until now, when producer Jimmy Jam recently revealed the behind-the-scenes drama that nearly prevented one of music’s most successful group makeovers.

During an appearance on Shawn Stockton’s “ On That Note