Susannah Melvoin (born January 26, 1964) is an American vocalist, songwriter and actress who got her start working with Prince in the mid-1980s during twin sister Wendy's stint with The Revolution. During this period, she also dated Prince and was tapped to be co-lead vocalist of Prince's side project The Family. Later, she joined the expanded line-up of The Revolution, adding backing vocals to Parade, designed the the Dream Factory jacket, and, unlike the rest of The Revolution, received a credit on Sign o' the Times. She has subsequently worked as a background vocalist for such artists as Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield among others.

As a songwriter, she has co-written songs performed by Madonna, Eric Clapton, Prince and husband Doyle Bramhall II who was a founding member of Arc Angels with Charlie Sexton and members of Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section (drummer, Chris Layton and bassist, Tommy Shannon). She has also performed in small or cameo roles in three small-budget films, including Skin & Bone and Luster. As a singer, she performed back up vocals on Prince's 1986 single Anotherloverholenyohead.

Coming from a musical family, Melvoin is sister to the late Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin and daughter to jazz pianist (and former NARAS president) Michael Melvoin.

In 2007, The Family reunited to record a new CD.

Melvoin is married to guitarist Doyle Bramhall II.


[edit] Relationship with Prince
Shortly after hiring Wendy in May 1983, he also met Susannah. The pair were instantly attracted to each other, and it wasn't long before she split with her boyfriend at the time and moved from California to Minneapolis to be near Prince. This new relationship played a part in Vanity's departure from the Prince camp as well as pushing Jill Jones into the background. (Some felt the formation of the Prince side project The Family was so he could keep her close in the studio with him.) Prince originally had planned to have Susannah play the lead role in Under the Cherry Moon, but it was clear she couldn't act and replaced by Kristin Scott Thomas. Although Prince tried to have monogamous relationship, he continued to have his various affairs, which caused tension within The Revolution. Whenever Prince upset her, she would confide in Wendy, who in turn would talk to Lisa, which made it almost impossible for them to all work together. Eventually Susannah left him in December 1986.

A number of classic Prince songs are said to have been inspired by her and their relationship including "The Beautiful Ones", "Nothing Compares 2 U", "If I Was Your Girlfriend", "Forever in My Life", and "Adore". Contrary to popular opinion, "Strange Relationship" was not one of those songs, as it was previously written and demoed in 1982.

Two other songs inspired by her, but never officially released include "Big Tall Wall" that was slated for the Dream Factory album and "Wally", reportedly a song Prince recorded where he confided his deepest thoughts about her to his bodyguard and dancer, Wally Safford. Prince erased the song once, before recording it again for posterity but never released it

wrong forum

Interesting read. I never knew there was a jacket for the Dream Factory project.
Does anyone have a link to that jacket design ?

KoolEaze said:

Wouldn't that be a nice find?

Is there any woman in Princes life that he DIDNT cheat on?

3232 said:

I've read somewhere that Nothing Compares 2 U was written about his personal assistant at the time.

But the rest are about Susannah. I think Violet The Organ Grinder and Curious Child are too.

And, of course, Empty Room, Sexual Suicide, Big Tall Wall, 101, Come Home and Zannalee.
[Edited 3/3/09 5:18am]

Poor girl. I feel sorry for Prince too.

noah said:

Feel sorry for a cheater

NOT!

toots said:

Absolutely. I feel sorry for anyone with no moral compass.

...unlike the rest of The Revolution, received a credit on Sign o' the Times...

The Revolution did received credit on It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night(that was the Revolution live) Lisa & Wendy received credit on Slow Love and I believe Strange Relationship

But as we all 1/2 of the songs that made it 2 SOTT came from the Prince & the Revolution album:Dream Factory

She also sang back up on Rock Hard In A Funky Place(Black Album)

noah said:

My ex hubby is like that I dont feel sorry for him at all. He still cheats on women to this day.

toots said:

He ain´t cheatin, he´s spreading the love, trying to make the universe a much more bearable place.He´s got too much love bottled up inside of him.Maybe he is of the opinion that love is the only thing that, when given away, doesn´t decrease but can only increase and multiply. Maybe he wants to show his appreciation for as many beautiful creations as possible. Try to look at it as some sort of appreciation and love and devotion for the universe´s multitude of beautiful creations.As long as he isn´t a mean person, it´s all good.He´s just full of love, that´s all.

KoolEaze said:

Sorry but I dont believe those lines your saying in that post

"Although Prince tried to have monogamous
relationship, he continued to have his various affairs"

I find this hard to believe as well.....
- unless they agreed to have a open relationship....

and even with that.... why would you risk losing a good nurse
and jeopardizing the sister hood...,,,, ?

toots said:

Some of guys never grew past the cave man stage.

scififilmnerd said:

I take alot of these stories with a grain of salt I recall a 1986 interview with Jerome Benton and he mentioned that "Nothing Compares 2 U" was written about a painful breakup that HE was going through at the time.He told Prince about it,and next thing he knew,Prince comes up with that song.

I really doubt that the song was written about Susannah,since she was still with him when the song was recorded.

jackblack said:

That's why I chuckle when I hear about these ladies that he was "engaged" to.Back then,he wasn't serious about settling down,and he knew it.

SoulAlive said:

yeah. funny. Sure the women thought so too.

Even AFTER he thought he could settle down he didn't.

And who thinks playing women isn't mean? Spreading the the love. PUH -lease...

jackblack said:

NoT.Whaat gets me is those two still talk, If cheat they are gone I would block his ass from my phone if i were her. Hell, If I were I would ave chewed him up one side and down the other.

jodi081630 said:

you assume HE makes the call for himself from one phone...lol

toots said: