Maurice Starr


Maurice Starr is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Although he has attempted a solo musical career, he is best known for his work creating songs and albums with pop and soul bands such as Con Funk Shun, New Edition, and the New Kids on the Block.

Early life

Originally from Deland, Florida, Johnson moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in the early 1970s.

Career

Johnson was a member of The Johnson Brothers and the seminal electro group known as the Jonzun Crew with brothers Michael Jonzun and Soni Jonzun. In 1980, Johnson changed his name to Maurice Starr and recorded two R&B albums, Flaming Starr and Spacey Lady. Unsuccessful as a solo artist, and described as "a cross between Berry Gordy and P.T. Barnum," Starr decided to create a band to perform the songs that he wrote.
In 1982, Starr discovered the band New Edition on his talent show. He co-wrote and co-produced their debut album with the hits, "Candy Girl", "Is This The End", and "Popcorn Love". Subsequent to the album's success, creative differences resulted in Starr and New Edition parting ways. The group continued to produce a number of U.S. Top 10 R&B hit singles throughout the '80s, including the top 5 hit in the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1984, Starr created New Kids on the Block, a band consisting of five male teenagers, brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Starr intended New Kids on the Block to be a white version of New Edition; he stated "I honestly believe that if they'd been white, would have been 20 times as big." By 1989, New Kids On The Block was the fastest-rising act in the United States. Starr handled the group’s lucrative marketing of posters, T-shirts, and other spin-offs.
Starr later attempted to repeat his success with artists such as Perfect Gentlemen, Rick Wes, Homework, the Superiors, Heart Body & Soul, Classic Example, Tommy Page and Ana. None of these groups attained anything like the massive popularity of New Edition and New Kids on the Block.

Most recent work

Starr manages NK5, another boy band he assembled. Like his earlier successful boy bands, he produces and writes the group's songs.

Discography

Albums