The early 90s were flooded by throwaway popstars. Many were brought to us by Maurice Starr (the man behind 80s boy bands New Edition and New Kids On The Block). Today's missing pop star is Rick Wes. I honestly don't remember too much about this guy other than that he was in all the teen mags around the time of his debut. He was part of the whole New Kids circle of acts (Perfect Gentlemen, Tommy Page, etc.). I don't even know if his real name is Rick. That's besides the point. His debut album (cleverly titled) North, South, East and Wes was released in 1990 on Columbia Records. The album's first single North, South, East and West failed to chart according to Billboard.com (as did his further releases). A second single Don'tchu Wanna Rock came and went as well. The album was named the worst album of 1990 by Entertainment Weekly. Ouch!This record — sung by a teenage Elvis clone — may well be the shallowest album ever made. What's most amazing, though, is that it was produced by Maurice Starr, inventor of New Kids on the Block, who, if nothing else, is a seasoned pro. Nearly as astounding is that the record's opening track is quite literally a commercial, a hype-filled promotion for the hapless music that follows.A follow up, Possession, followed in 1991. Released on then new label Hollywood Records, it quickly found its way to the cut-out bins of record stores across America despite the hunky album cover. Don't you miss cut-out bins?
(l-r: debut CD, North, South, East & West single cover, Don'tchu Wanna Rock promo single, Possesion CD)So where is Rick now? No one seems to know. Any idea readers? In the meantime I leave you with the glory that was North, South, East & West...
But it gets better. Check out the video for Don'tchu Wanna Rock. What fine acting!
11 comments:
I love me some 90s cheese, but this is bad, even by 1990s standards. No wonder I never heard of him! Poor guy had no charisma, sex appeal, nada.
On a positive note....he sure could swing that guitar.
LOL! He doesn't even fit into the "so bad they're good" category. Oh poor Rick.
Well, I think Rick is ten kinds of fabulous and will be hunting down this gutter trash!
It's great to have you back posting again!
PS. Bomitoni, I'd love you on the Panel. Send me an e-mail! (in my profile)
Little bit of helpful info for ya :)
Rick Wes's real name is Craig Gendreau, and he has a MySpace page :)
Wow. I remember seeing his single/album in stores but never ever heard him.
He's baaaaaaaaaad.
What was Maurice Starr thinking?
He runs a pizza shop in swansea ma
This is correct he does run a pizza shop in Swansea, MA. The food is much better than the music but you cant blame him for that! The music was other peoples vision.
I remember he was opening for NKOTB during their No More Games tour and I was taken backstage ill. I almost heaved on his shoes. Ahhhh the memories.
He is no Jimmy Ray.
He works in Fall River, MA at Flash Global doing Inventory Control
Met him several times a total sweetheart
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