Larry Curtis Johnson (born July 14, 1953), better known by his stage name Maurice Starr, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer.
Unsuccessful as a solo artist, and described as "a cross between Berry Gordy and P. T. Barnum,"[3] Starr decided to create a band to perform the songs that he wrote.
Despite the album's success, and a lengthy tour, New Edition members were paid less than two dollars each, and they fired Starr in late 1983, accusing him of embezzlement.
[2][4] In 1986, 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 later attempted to repeat his success with artists such as Perfect Gentlemen, Rick Wes,[8][9] Homework, the Superiors, Heart Body & Soul, Classic Example, Tommy Page, and Ana.