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Robin Power: Diary of an Uptown Dame and REHEARSAL TAPES The following is a resumption of a thread that had to be pulled. I was permitted to repost highlights of my stories (summarized below). Please feel free to ask me questions as if in an interview format.
http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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is that robin on guitar? she plays? “Absurdity is what I like most in life, and there's humor in struggling in ignorance. ” ~ David Lynch |
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sosgemini said: is that robin on guitar? she plays?
No, that's Joanie, who looks a little like her. Prince noticed that they looked alike. Joanie was my bud. We were both from the Washington DC area. She's the one who got me this job. She had already worked with Jam and Lewis, so they called her for the band first. Robin told her that they were considering Joanie (black woman) or some other woman, who was Asian, to be the bass player. They would prefer to have a black woman on bass (fits the stereotype better) if Joanie happened to know of an Asian keyboard player (me!). I remember when she called. She asked, "So what are you up to these days?" "Oh, I'm in a play at the Studio Theater. It's really kinda cool..." "Well drop everything and forget that," she interrupted. "Huh?" (I thought being in a real play was kinda impressive) "You're gonna be in a band that Prince is putting together. We're gonna open for him on his next tour and back his new protoge Robin Power. Quick - send them your tape and headshot. NOW!!!" Joanie and I had been in other bands together - people always wanted to put us together in a band cuz of that "look" thing. One of them was an all girl go-go band called "Pleasure." Boy that was scary - we saw fights and guns and chairs flying at some gigs. We musicians felt safe on the stage, though, cuz nobody wanted to shoot the musicians. On top of that, the other girls played some real bad jokes on us - apparently cuz we were like "light skinned" blacks to them. Once they bought special outfits for a big gig and "forgot" to get our outfits. We had to play in whatever we happened to be wearing. From then on, Joanie and I wore our own matching outfits to gigs. I've lost touch with Joanie over the years. I hope she's okay. http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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my goodness, you have such an awesome memory for details...i read each and every post with my mouth open...
“Absurdity is what I like most in life, and there's humor in struggling in ignorance. ” ~ David Lynch |
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sosgemini said: my goodness, you have such an awesome memory for details...i read each and every post with my mouth open...
so are you still in the industry? I have an IQ of 200 and a photographic memory. I write music for TV, film and video. My favorite is a documentary I scored for the Discovery Channel. It took me a while to recover from this Prince thing falling apart, so for years, people had to pay me to write music. I'm just now starting to write for myself again. I do have a song on a compilation album called "Octaves Beyond Silence." Predictably, it is about life's disappointments. You can google that or find it at amazon.com. [Edited 4/27/05 19:59pm] http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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cool..thanks!! have you hung out at the org musician forum? theres some awesome musicians doing their thing over there.. “Absurdity is what I like most in life, and there's humor in struggling in ignorance. ” ~ David Lynch |
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sosgemini said: cool..thanks!! have you hung out at the org musician forum? theres some awesome musicians doing their thing over there..
I posted once there. I should check it out some more. http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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artpal said: sosgemini said: is that robin on guitar? she plays?
No, that's Joanie, who looks a little like her. Prince noticed that they looked alike. Joanie was my bud. We were both from the Washington DC area. She's the one who got me this job. She had already worked with Jam and Lewis, so they called her for the band first. Robin told her that they were considering Joanie (black woman) or some other woman, who was Asian, to be the bass player. They would prefer to have a black woman on bass (fits the stereotype better) if Joanie happened to know of an Asian keyboard player (me!). I remember when she called. She asked, "So what are you up to these days?" "Oh, I'm in a play at the Studio Theater. It's really kinda cool..." "Well drop everything and forget that," she interrupted. "Huh?" (I thought being in a real play was kinda impressive) "You're gonna be in a band that Prince is putting together. We're gonna open for him on his next tour and back his new protoge Robin Power. Quick - send them your tape and headshot. NOW!!!" Joanie and I had been in other bands together - people always wanted to put us together in a band cuz of that "look" thing. One of them was an all girl go-go band called "Pleasure." Boy that was scary - we saw fights and guns and chairs flying at some gigs. We musicians felt safe on the stage, though, cuz nobody wanted to shoot the musicians. On top of that, the other girls played some real bad jokes on us - apparently cuz we were like "light skinned" blacks to them. Once they bought special outfits for a big gig and "forgot" to get our outfits. We had to play in whatever we happened to be wearing. From then on, Joanie and I wore our own matching outfits to gigs. I've lost touch with Joanie over the years. I hope she's okay. ----- Hey, just want to give a shout out to a fellow D.C area person. I remember Pleasure they were a really good band. (Don't worry about the guns and violence at Pleasure show. It is a D.C. thing (LOL) > | |
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Girl, go ahead with your bad self. I think you're probably over it, but I just wanted to say don't let nobody- especially P back in the day- make you feel like you or any of the other girls were anything less than absolutely talented and worth it.
Nasty girls, dance, dance, DANCE! | |
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ScarletteP said: Girl, go ahead with your bad self. I think you're probably over it, but I just wanted to say don't let nobody- especially P back in the day- make you feel like you or any of the other girls were anything less than absolutely talented and worth it.
I'm sorry to hear about the way Sheila treated your drummer too. For the most part she seems like she'd be a pretty decent person... Maybe it was a really shitty/hard day for her... With P (@ that point in time) hanging over one's head, you all could probably well understand how that could be. Also, I know she was very sick for many years, which may have had something to do with it too. The moral of the story is that- never mind any of our professions- we all have to take matters into our own hands (and obviously you did!). Irregardless of him or anybody else, you have your own career (and you seem like an awesome writer BTW!). If you stay strong & focused enough, you'll come out on top & MF's will be kicking themselves. It's a sort of trial by fire... Those who walk through, survive and keep doing that thing irregardless (& it sounds like you are in the here & now) are the ones who sky rocket. All others fall to the wayside. Hey, where can I/we hear your solo stuff? Also a big shout out to Laura R for the J-Bean interview... And DC rox! Much respect ladies, ScarletteP What does "P hanging over one's head" mean? Didnt he make Sheila and all those other proteges famous in the forast place? Didnt he give them their breaks? | |
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laurarichardson said: Hey, just want to give a shout out to a fellow D.C area person. I remember Pleasure they were a really good band. (Don't worry about the guns and violence at Pleasure show. It is a D.C. thing (LOL) >
Hey Homey! Glad to know ya! Joanie and I were in that band for only a few months. Pleasure's lead singer Michelle (?) and some other originals left, so the manager hired us. Towards the end, they wanted us to sign a very suspicious looking contract so we said no thanks (we knew we had that Prince gig anyway). So whatever did happen to Pleasure after we left? I didn't keep track. I also played a few college tour gigs with TRJ - a faction of Trouble Funk after they broke up - the one with Taylor, Dyke and James (TRJ). And I also toured with another homegirl Stacy Lattisaw. DC rocks, yes it does! http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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ScarletteP said: Girl, go ahead with your bad self. I think you're probably over it, but I just wanted to say don't let nobody- especially P back in the day- make you feel like you or any of the other girls were anything less than absolutely talented and worth it.
I'm sorry to hear about the way Sheila treated your drummer too. For the most part she seems like she'd be a pretty decent person... Maybe it was a really shitty/hard day for her... With P (@ that point in time) hanging over one's head, you all could probably well understand how that could be. Also, I know she was very sick for many years, which may have had something to do with it too. The moral of the story is that- never mind any of our professions- we all have to take matters into our own hands (and obviously you did!). Irregardless of him or anybody else, you have your own career (and you seem like an awesome writer BTW!). If you stay strong & focused enough, you'll come out on top & MF's will be kicking themselves. It's a sort of trial by fire... Those who walk through, survive and keep doing that thing irregardless (& it sounds like you are in the here & now) are the ones who sky rocket. All others fall to the wayside. ScarletteP, I can't tell you how much you just touched me. Seriously. I actually went to the piano and started playing something from the heart. I think I'll call it "New Beginning." Yes, I did get over it. Over the years, I started seeing what seemed like a series of disappointments as in fact a series of exciting adventures that ended when they ended. I am grateful for them. That's why I am now happy to share my stories about Prince with fond memories. I wear all the rejection I got in my career as a badge of honor. Hey, where can I/we hear your solo stuff?
Also a big shout out to Laura R for the J-Bean interview... And DC rox! Much respect ladies, ScarletteP I have that one song "New Little Girl" on the "Octaves Beyond Silence" benefit CD. Maybe I'll post that on my website so you don't have to buy the whole CD. Meanwhile, you can hear what I've done for TV and Film on my website at http://www.artpal.tv/MusicDemo.html Thanx for your interest! Are you from DC too? [Edited 4/28/05 11:22am] http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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artpal said: laurarichardson said: Hey, just want to give a shout out to a fellow D.C area person. I remember Pleasure they were a really good band. (Don't worry about the guns and violence at Pleasure show. It is a D.C. thing (LOL) >
Hey Homey! Glad to know ya! Joanie and I were in that band for only a few months. Pleasure's lead singer Michelle (?) and some other originals left, so the manager hired us. Towards the end, they wanted us to sign a very suspicious looking contract so we said no thanks (we knew we had that Prince gig anyway). So whatever did happen to Pleasure after we left? I didn't keep track. I also played a few college tour gigs with TRJ - a faction of Trouble Funk after they broke up - the one with Taylor, Dyke and James (TRJ). And I also toured with another homegirl Stacy Lattisaw. DC rocks, yes it does! ----- Pleasure just disappeared like a lot of good Go-Go bands. Only the new Thug Go-Go gets any airplay or club dates around the city. | |
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What does "P hanging over one's head" mean? Didnt he make Sheila and all those other proteges famous in the forast place? Didnt he give them their breaks?[/quote]
Nasty girls, dance, dance, DANCE! | |
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ps, why did they pull this thread before? Nasty girls, dance, dance, DANCE! | |
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ScarletteP said: ps, why did they pull this thread before?
because there was a slip of the toungue in regards to something personal that artpal felt should not have been said on her part...we mods agreed but it was too hard to edit out the statement so artpal and anxiety agreed to pull the thread and start a new.... all previous information has been carried over by artpal who deserves a lot of credit for showing discression. “Absurdity is what I like most in life, and there's humor in struggling in ignorance. ” ~ David Lynch |
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kidcreole said: What does "P hanging over one's head" mean? Didnt he make Sheila and all those other proteges famous in the forast place? Didnt he give them their breaks? Sheila had a career long before Prince. She was Lionel Ritchie's percussionist right before the whole Prince thing. | |
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laurarichardson said: artpal said: Hey Homey! Glad to know ya! Joanie and I were in that band for only a few months. Pleasure's lead singer Michelle (?) and some other originals left, so the manager hired us. Towards the end, they wanted us to sign a very suspicious looking contract so we said no thanks (we knew we had that Prince gig anyway). So whatever did happen to Pleasure after we left? I didn't keep track. I also played a few college tour gigs with TRJ - a faction of Trouble Funk after they broke up - the one with Taylor, Dyke and James (TRJ). And I also toured with another homegirl Stacy Lattisaw. DC rocks, yes it does! ----- Pleasure just disappeared like a lot of good Go-Go bands. Only the new Thug Go-Go gets any airplay or club dates around the city. "Thug Go-Go" "Wind em' up Chuck! Wind 'em up!" By the way - yes I'm from D.C. too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll play it first and tell you what it is later. -Miles Davis- | |
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Gimme some good ole Chuck Brown "Go-Go Swing" anyday...all 18 mins. That cut still rocks like 20 years later. "Wind em' up Chuck! Wind 'em up!"
By the way - yes I'm from D.C. too.
How bout these guys? Pump pump pump pump me up! ![]() [Edited 4/28/05 20:13pm] http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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Am not from DC (am a Minneapolis girl like Krystal), but get out there a couple times a year... love Baltimore too! You still over there?
Yup. Got too much family here to leave. Last but not least, I want a copy of NEW BEGINNING when you're done
XO Scarlette P Aw shucks... sure why not? (blush) [Edited 4/28/05 20:08pm] http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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Thanks for the cool stories, Artpal - there are some cool "people in the know" here at the org.
Purchase my new novel, "Tones" at: http://www.cacoethespubli...08&book=74
Purchase my novels, "Rage and the City" and "Star" at: www.amazon.com Check out my music: www.myspace.com/jddejablue | |
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artpal said: Gimme some good ole Chuck Brown "Go-Go Swing" anyday...all 18 mins. That cut still rocks like 20 years later. "Wind em' up Chuck! Wind 'em up!"
By the way - yes I'm from D.C. too.
How bout these guys? Pump pump pump pump me up!
[Edited 4/28/05 20:13pm] Ha! Trouble Funk... "We gon' drop the bomb on the SE Crew!, Drop the bomb, drop the bomb. Tell me SE Crew now wha'cha gonna do? Drop the bomb, drop the bomb!" Thanks for sharing the stories. And digging up some old go-go memories ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll play it first and tell you what it is later. -Miles Davis- | |
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JesseDezz said: Thanks for the cool stories, Artpal - there are some cool "people in the know" here at the org.
Oh yeah, you're pretty hot, too You're welcome! And thanks for the compliment. You really like that mullet? http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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artpal said: JesseDezz said: Thanks for the cool stories, Artpal - there are some cool "people in the know" here at the org.
Oh yeah, you're pretty hot, too You're welcome! And thanks for the compliment. You really like that mullet? Yeah, JesseDezz can work with that Purchase my new novel, "Tones" at: http://www.cacoethespubli...08&book=74
Purchase my novels, "Rage and the City" and "Star" at: www.amazon.com Check out my music: www.myspace.com/jddejablue | |
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Ifsixwuz9 said: Thanks for sharing the stories. And digging up some old go-go memories
You're welcome! HA! What a segue - if you like go-go then you might like "Robin Power and the Uptown Dames'" opening song of the show. This is from a rehearsal tape (as you know, we never did the studio/album thing with it). As in your Miles Davis quote, first I'll play it, then I'll tell you about it. Here it is!!! http://www.garageband.com...RobinPower ![]() [Edited 4/29/05 16:14pm] http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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artpal said: Ifsixwuz9 said: Thanks for sharing the stories. And digging up some old go-go memories
You're welcome! HA! What a segue - if you like go-go then you might like "Robin Power and the Uptown Dames'" opening song of the show. This is from a rehearsal tape (as you know, we never did the studio/album thing with it). As in your Miles Davis quote, first I'll play it, then I'll tell you about it. Here it is!!! [snipped] http://www.garageband.com...RobinPower To be honest. I like the music a lot but, Robin's rapping...uhh, err..no. I know she's your girl and all but ... Thanks for sharing. I'd never heard of the band until you posted here. You had real potential. Too bad your project never really got off the ground. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll play it first and tell you what it is later. -Miles Davis- | |
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To be honest. I like the music a lot but, Robin's rapping...uhh, err..no.
I know she's your girl and all but ... Thanks for sharing. I'd never heard of the band until you posted here. You had real potential. Too bad your project never really got off the ground. I'm glad you like the music. As far as Robin is concerned - don't worry I don't take it personally. Heck, I just worked there. http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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Wow, now you are REALLY making me wish the Uptown Dames cut an album! Thanks artpal! | |
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Artpal, just listened to Robin Powers and The Uptown Dames.
I AM BEATLOAF
www.myspace.com/teriteriboberi www.stickam.com/profile/Beatloaf www.myspace.com/americasfunnyman www.stephenking.com www.tomgreen.com I'm my own favorite orger and that trumps any elitist list you guys can come up with. | |
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Krystal666 said: Wow, now you are REALLY making me wish the Uptown Dames cut an album! Thanks artpal!
http://www.myspace.com/powerroyal
Original Robin Power and the Uptown Dames music at http://www.myspace.com/lizafigueroa | |
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