The Revolution: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The Revolution is a band assembled by Prince in 1983, although an earlier form of the same band existed since 1979 (see [[Early Prince Band]]) and toured with him from 1979 to 1983. The name "The Revolution" first appeared on the cover of [[Album: 1999|1999]], written in reverse (as a mirror message) underneath [[Prince]] | The Revolution is a band assembled by Prince in 1983, although an earlier form of the same band existed since 1979 (see [[Early Prince Band]]) and toured with him from 1979 to 1983. The name "The Revolution" first appeared on the cover of [[Album: 1999|1999]], written in reverse (as a mirror message) underneath [[Prince]]’s name. The departure of [[Dez Dickerson]] from [[Prince]]’s band and his replacement with [[Wendy Melvoin]] marks "The Revolution" foundation. Although it took until the [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]] album for the Revolution to first be named as such. For the next four years not only the band was [[Prince]]’s backing band but he credited it on three albums.<br> | ||
The band never evolved as an entity of its own, but its members have been an essential resource for [[Prince]], who not only encouraged common efforts in studio sessions, but also gave the band full credits on records. Particularly, [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]] were delegated many composing tasks, and have played a major influence in his input of the | The band never evolved as an entity of its own, but its members have been an essential resource for [[Prince]], who not only encouraged common efforts in studio sessions, but also gave the band full credits on records. Particularly, [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]] were delegated many composing tasks, and have played a major influence in his input of the 80’s. | ||
In 1986, Prince disbands The Revolution and most of its members are taken of the retainer. [[Dr. Fink]], as well as [[Miko Weaver]] an additional guitarist on the [[Parade Tour]] are asked to stay, while Prince starts to form a new band around [[Sheila E]]. (see [[The 87-89 Band]]). | In 1986, Prince disbands The Revolution and most of its members are taken of the retainer. [[Dr. Fink]], as well as [[Miko Weaver]] an additional guitarist on the [[Parade Tour]] are asked to stay, while Prince starts to form a new band around [[Sheila E]]. (see [[The 87-89 Band]]). | ||
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<div align="justify">After [[Dez Dickerson]] leaves the band to pursue a solo career, [[Prince]] hires [[Wendy Melvoin]] a long time friend of keyboardist [[Lisa Coleman]]. Melvoin publically debuts with the band on [[03_August 1983|August 3rd, 1983]].</div> | <div align="justify">After [[Dez Dickerson]] leaves the band to pursue a solo career, [[Prince]] hires [[Wendy Melvoin]] a long time friend of keyboardist [[Lisa Coleman]]. Melvoin publically debuts with the band on [[03_August 1983|August 3rd, 1983]].</div> | ||
* Band members additions | * Band members additions | ||
<div align="justify">[[Eric Leeds]] joins the Revolution as saxophone player for the | <div align="justify">[[Eric Leeds]] joins the Revolution as saxophone player for the band’s performance in Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on [[26_February 1985|February 26, 1985]] for the Grammy Awards. He then remains with the band until the end of the [[Purple Rain Tour]]. He had played as guest on the same tour with the band in November 1984. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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'''Personnel''' | '''Personnel''' | ||
<div align="justify">Trumpet player [[Atlanta Bliss|Matt Blistan]] is enlisted on [[Eric Leeds]] advice, to complete the horns sections on stage. [[Miko Weaver]] is enrolled from Sheila E. | <div align="justify">Trumpet player [[Atlanta Bliss|Matt Blistan]] is enlisted on [[Eric Leeds]] advice, to complete the horns sections on stage. [[Miko Weaver]] is enrolled from Sheila E.’s band. He had frequently guested onstage on the [[Purple Rain Tour]] as a [[Sheila E.]]-band member on [[Baby I’m A Star]] jam. A second guitar player enabled [[Prince]] to give up the guitar more frequently, in order to focus on dance and vocals. | ||
The back up dancers * [[Jerome Benton]], [[Greg Brooks]], [[Wally Safford]] were added as a show element. Brooks & Safford were former security guards and often appeared on stage for the Purple Rain tour show finales. [[Jerome Benton]] formerly 'valet' in [[The Time]] and later in [[The Family]] was co-star in [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]]. | The back up dancers * [[Jerome Benton]], [[Greg Brooks]], [[Wally Safford]] were added as a show element. Brooks & Safford were former security guards and often appeared on stage for the Purple Rain tour show finales. [[Jerome Benton]] formerly 'valet' in [[The Time]] and later in [[The Family]] was co-star in [[Film: Under The Cherry Moon|Under The Cherry Moon]]. | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| 1984 | | 1984 | ||
| [[Single: | | [[Single: Let’s Go Crazy|Let’s Go Crazy]] | ||
| align="center"| | | align="center"| | ||
| align="center"| | | align="center"| | ||
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==Live Performances== | ==Live Performances== | ||
*<big>'''As | *<big>'''As Prince’s band'''</big><br> | ||
:;'''Debut appearance as The Revolution''' | :;'''Debut appearance as The Revolution''' | ||
::[[03_August 1983|3 Aug. 1983]] Minneapolis, First Avenue | ::[[03_August 1983|3 Aug. 1983]] Minneapolis, First Avenue | ||
Revision as of 17:44, 2 September 2020
The Revolution
Overview
The Revolution is a band assembled by Prince in 1983, although an earlier form of the same band existed since 1979 (see Early Prince Band) and toured with him from 1979 to 1983. The name "The Revolution" first appeared on the cover of 1999, written in reverse (as a mirror message) underneath Prince’s name. The departure of Dez Dickerson from Prince’s band and his replacement with Wendy Melvoin marks "The Revolution" foundation. Although it took until the Purple Rain album for the Revolution to first be named as such. For the next four years not only the band was Prince’s backing band but he credited it on three albums.
The band never evolved as an entity of its own, but its members have been an essential resource for Prince, who not only encouraged common efforts in studio sessions, but also gave the band full credits on records. Particularly, Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman were delegated many composing tasks, and have played a major influence in his input of the 80’s.
In 1986, Prince disbands The Revolution and most of its members are taken of the retainer. Dr. Fink, as well as Miko Weaver an additional guitarist on the Parade Tour are asked to stay, while Prince starts to form a new band around Sheila E. (see The 87-89 Band).
Original Line-up
- Wendy Melvoin: Guitar
- Brown Mark: Bass
- Bobby Z.: Drums
- Dr. Fink: Keyboards
- Lisa Coleman: Keyboards
Additional Band Members
- Eric Leeds: saxophone
Personnel
- Making of 2nd line-up
After Dez Dickerson leaves the band to pursue a solo career, Prince hires Wendy Melvoin a long time friend of keyboardist Lisa Coleman. Melvoin publically debuts with the band on August 3rd, 1983.
- Band members additions
Eric Leeds joins the Revolution as saxophone player for the band’s performance in Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on February 26, 1985 for the Grammy Awards. He then remains with the band until the end of the Purple Rain Tour. He had played as guest on the same tour with the band in November 1984.
1986 Line-up
- Wendy Melvoin: Guitar
- Brown Mark: Bass
- Bobby Z.: Drums
- Dr Fink: Keyboards
- Lisa Coleman: Keyboards
Additional Band Members
- Eric Leeds: saxophone
- Atlanta Bliss: trumpet
- Miko Weaver: guitar
- Jerome Benton: dance, vox
- Greg Brooks: dance
- Wally Safford: dance
Personnel
Trumpet player Matt Blistan is enlisted on Eric Leeds advice, to complete the horns sections on stage. Miko Weaver is enrolled from Sheila E.’s band. He had frequently guested onstage on the Purple Rain Tour as a Sheila E.-band member on Baby I’m A Star jam. A second guitar player enabled Prince to give up the guitar more frequently, in order to focus on dance and vocals.
The back up dancers * Jerome Benton, Greg Brooks, Wally Safford were added as a show element. Brooks & Safford were former security guards and often appeared on stage for the Purple Rain tour show finales. Jerome Benton formerly 'valet' in The Time and later in The Family was co-star in Under The Cherry Moon.
Studio Work
To be completed.
Discography
- With Prince
The Revolution as a band have contributed to the following releases:
- Albums
- 1984 Purple Rain
- 1985 Around The World In A Day
- 1986 Parade
- Singles
Year Song US Hot 100 US Dance US R&B Album 1984 Let’s Go Crazy Purple Rain 1984 Purple Rain Purple Rain 1984 I Would Die 4 U Purple Rain 1985 Take Me With U Purple Rain 1985 Raspberry Beret Around The World In A Day 1985 Paisley Park Around The World In A Day 1985 Pop Life Around The World In A Day 1985 America Around The World In A Day 1986 Kiss Parade 1986 Mountains Parade 1986 Anotherloverholenyohead Parade 1986 Girls & Boys Parade
Live Performances
- As Prince’s band
- Debut appearance as The Revolution
- 3 Aug. 1983 Minneapolis, First Avenue
- Original line up
- Purple Rain Tour
- 1986 Line up
- Parade Tour
Reference
