Maurice Starr facts for kids

Larry Curtis Johnson (born November 19, 1953), known as Maurice Starr, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is famous for creating and producing popular boy bands like New Edition and New Kids on the Block. New Edition stopped working with him after disagreements about money.

Maurice Starr's Life and Music

Early Life and Beginnings

Maurice Starr grew up in Deland, Florida. In the early 1970s, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts.

Starting His Music Career

Maurice Starr was part of a group called the Johnson Brothers. He was also in an electro music group called the Jonzun Crew. In 1980, Larry Johnson changed his name to Maurice Starr. He released two R&B albums as a solo artist. These albums were Flaming Starr and Spacey Lady.

When his solo career did not take off, Starr decided to create a band. He wanted a group to perform the songs he wrote. People described him as a mix between a music boss and a showman.

Discovering New Edition

In 1982, Starr found the band New Edition on his talent show. He helped write and produce their first album. This album included hit songs like "Candy Girl", "Is This the End", and "Popcorn Love".

Even though the album was very successful, the members of New Edition felt they were not paid fairly. They stopped working with Starr in late 1983. They even went to court and won the right to keep their group name. New Edition then signed with a new record label. They continued to release many hit songs throughout the 1980s.

Creating New Kids on the Block

In 1986, Starr formed a new group called New Kids on the Block. This band had five teenage boys: Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Starr wanted NKOTB to be a group similar to New Edition, but with white members. He believed New Edition would have been much bigger if they had been white.

By 1989, New Kids on the Block became incredibly popular in the United States. Starr also managed the group's merchandise, like posters and T-shirts. In the fall of 1989, their holiday album Merry, Merry Christmas became a huge hit. It sold millions of copies and included the top-ten song "This One's for the Children". This song was recorded in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Other Projects and His "General" Look

Maurice Starr tried to create more successful groups after NKOTB. He worked with artists like Perfect Gentlemen, Rick Wes, and Ana. However, none of these acts became as famous as New Edition or New Kids on the Block. He also tried to help Tiffany with her third album, New Inside, but it did not become a hit in the U.S.

Starr often dressed up in special outfits. He called himself "the General" and wore military-style uniforms. These uniforms were black, white, or red, with medals and gold trim. He admitted that he did not earn these medals from military service.

Maurice Starr Today

Maurice Starr continues to work in music. He manages a boy band called NK5. Just like with his earlier successful groups, he writes and produces their songs.

Maurice Starr's Music Work

Albums as a Solo Artist

• Flaming Starr (1980)
• Spacey Lady (1983)

Albums He Produced

• Candy Girl - New Edition (1983)
• Rockin' Radio - Tom Browne (1983) - he wrote the main song
• Electric Lady - Con Funk Shun (1985)
• New Kids on the Block - New Kids on the Block (1986)
• Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block (1988)
• Step by Step - New Kids on the Block (1990)
• Rated PG - Perfect Gentlemen (1990)
• Homework - Homework (1990)
• New Inside - Tiffany (1990)
• Body Language - Ana (1990)
• North, South, East, Wes - Rick Wes (1990)

See also

In Spanish: Maurice Starr para niños