The Rebels

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The Rebels


Overview

The Rebels was the name given to Prince and his backing band during a specific set of recording sessions, from 10-21 July 1979 at Mountain Ears Sound Studio in Boulder, Colorado (shortly after Prince finished work on his second album Prince). The band recorded nine tracks together. Although the band was Prince’s own backing band, songwriting and lead vocals were shared between members, and Prince simply acted as a member of the band. Although some songs from the sessions were later re-recorded and released, no recordings from The Rebels' sessions were released, and the band did not play live under that name (although the band continued to act as Prince’s band in live shows).
It is commonly believed that the sessions were intended to produce an album by the group. Dez Dickerson has since said he believed The Rebels' "album" was never more than an incentive for the band, however, rather than a real album idea.



Line-up



Studio Work

From 10-21 July 1979, the band recorded nine tracks together at Mountain Ears Sound Studio in Boulder, Colorado: Too Long, Disco Away, Thrill You Or Kill You, You, If I Love You Tonight, The Loser, Hard To Get, an untitled instrumental by Dez Dickerson and an untitled instrumental by André Cymone). No further sessions under the name "The Rebels" are known to have taken place.

Discography

No music has been released under the name "The Rebels". You was later re-recorded and released (as U) by Paula Abdul on her 1991 album Spellbound. If I Love You Tonight was later re-recorded and released (as If I Love U 2 Nite by Mica Paris on her album Contribution (and later by Mayte as If EyeBlue.png Love U 2night on her album Child Of The Sun).

Live Performances

The Rebels never performed live as a band, although members of the band continued as Prince’s band on the Prince Tour and the Rick James Tour ’80. Gayle Chapman left the band, while the others continued on the Dirty Mind Tour. André Cymone then left, while the others continued on the Controversy Tour and the 1999 Tour.



Reference