ORIGINAL 7VEN STATEMENT REGARDING
JESSE JOHNSON

FROM:
MORRIS DAY
JIMMY JAM
TERRY LEWIS
JELLYBEAN JOHNSON
MONTE MOIR
JEROME BENTON

Before we address the topic on most everyone’s mind, please let us do two things.

First of all let us begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Although our good wishes may be a bit tardy in coming they are nonetheless sincere.

Second let us thank everyone for their overwhelming support of our Original 7ven project.

This project never would have happened without your continued encouragement and blessings.

Now to address the rumors regarding Jesse’s departure from the band.

On the morning of December 15th we were awakened to the news that Jesse had issued a message on his Facebook page which said the following:

"Hello Babies, I don't really think I'll be performing with the Original 7 (or The Time if your nasty) any more! We simple don't see eye to eye on anything. Love the guys, but I feel in my heart it's "Time" to walk away while we're all still friends. May Peace be you.


PeaceLove,

Jesse Johnson Bey"

We were all surprised to read Jesse’s Facebook that morning because the 7 of us had spent nearly 3 hours on a conference call the afternoon before, and his desire to leave was not part of the discussion at that time.

On that call we were in fact making plans for the future. And while not everyone was in total agreement on all points, we felt like everyone was committed to this project for the long haul.

Out of respect to Jesse, and because of the holidays we decided it best to take a moment to catch our breath before making any decisions about our future.

While we know that this “silence” was frustrating to everyone who cared (mostly our fans), we believed a few weeks wasn’t too much to ask after 30 years of making music together. While we don’t have all the answers, we have come to the following conclusions:

1. We respectfully accept Jesse’s announcement to not perform with the Original 7ven. His desire to walk away “while we’re still all friends” is admirable, and we support and wish Jesse nothing but the best in all his future endeavors.

2. Jesse will not be “replaced” because there is no way to replace a family member, but we will begin the search to fill the now empty guitar spot in the band. Stay tuned.

3. While we’re not prepared to disclose any detailed plans at this time, please know that “the remaining 6ix” remain committed to this project for the long run and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you on the road this year!

In the meantime we thank YOU our fans for your continued belief, patience, support, and love.

Best,



Mo, Jam, T, Bean, Monte & Rome

I'm glad that they didn't give up on this project.

Someone mentioned it on the old Original7ven thread, so I posted it over there...

Yay!

I was looking forward to seeing them.

Looks like I might get my chance.

Put Prince in the BAND..............and do some thangz.

Won't they just put the guitarist in from 'Morris Day & The Time' ?

Good to know they responded. I see they wrote '6ix'. Cute. Glad to also know they are not quititng. Now I could go out and by their cd and maybe, I will attend one of their shows if they come out to the NYC.

Six Icks! (Sicks Icks? )

NouveauDance said:

Won't they just put the guitarist in from 'Morris Day & The Time' ?

That would make perfect sense.He already knows all the guitar parts that Jesse would have played

SoulAlive said:

NouveauDance said:

Won't they just put the guitarist in from 'Morris Day & The Time' ?

That would make perfect sense.He already knows all the guitar parts that Jesse would have played

Minus all the new songs... dammnit, i wonder if they'll avoid all the Jesse penned songs on the new album

Thanks to the fellas for adressing the issue...the statement is very well done. I'm overjoyed that they decided to keep the project going and will look forward to catching a few shows.

Jesse was a hired guitar player for The Time. All of those cats/Fylte Tyme grew up togther, have an enourmous history together and played in bands prior to The Time. I sure he always felt like an outsider, but maybe he never met them halfway.

Prince was the guy that actually hired him, right? He was hired based on Morris' recommedation to Prince.

Jesse being a recluse and probably just as shy and introverted as Prince, maybe wasn't a good personality match for the brothers, hence the fallin in and out over the course of their career. Jesse knew he was bad and would have made a name for himself as a guitar player, but this was his destiny and he must own up to that. He had to play Prince's lines note for note during those concerts, because that what was on the record and what people paid to hear. That has to fuck with your ego.

I don't think he never fully came to (The Time) party, just crashed it, had a good time and moved on.

written with respect, integrity and dignity... a touch of class and a lesson in taking the higher ground from morris, jimmy jam, terry, monte, jellybean and jerome

[Edited 1/18/12 15:50pm]

1)I'm GLAD I got 2 C them in MPLS in Nov.!!!!!

2)Wish they didn't HAVE 2 REPLACE Him!!!!!

3)If they MUST, I'd say either Tori Ruffin (from Morris Day & The Time), or Mike Scott (formerly of the NPG)

All right! So the tour is back on again...hope they come to a town near me!

Jesse's always seemed flaky - that press release saddens me, seems like he really let them down. Probably apt that he's playing with someone even more flaky than him...

ehh.. I'm now leaning towards NOT seeing the fellas whenever their tour actually starts.

the great irony is: I found out about this "Time reunion" (via the org) weeks after people started talking about it here..

then.. just as I start to get REVVED UP about possibly seeing the "original 7".. Jesse drops his bombshell..

Jesse is a grown man & obviously can do (or not do) what he wants. too bad he didn't want to "fake it" through a 6-month (or longer?) tour..

I believe this group - touring now - would have given prince a run for his money.

just like they did on the Controversy & 1999 tours.

I suppose they could stick Tori Ruffin in his usual "backup guitarist" spot..

that would be the "predictable choice" to me..

to jump start this alleged tour & get some real buzz going.. it would be interesting to see them get a "big name" to play guitar..

I personally would like to see Eddie Van Halen be the guitar player.. but I think he's got a tour coming up with "some other group" he was in for a while..

I wonder what "big name" they could get..

ah - maybe ERNIE ISLEY ! ! !

yeah, he's "older" than the guys in the time (who themselves are mostly in their 50s) but we know ERNIE CAN TEAR UP A GUITAR..

imagine HIS interpretation of the solo on "777-9311"..

just imagine..

Mong said:

Jesse's always seemed flaky - that press release saddens me, seems like he really let them down. Probably apt that he's playing with someone even more flaky than him...

What he did was low down but the fellas are keeping it on the high road despite the fact that it must have been a blow to them...especially the way it was done.

I don't think it will have much impact with the general public who aren't as familiar with the individual band members as we are.

Graycap23 said:

Put Prince in the BAND..............and do some thangz.

...You know that's not gonna happen...right?

It'd be cool if it did but hell would freeze over, first.

Dren5 said:

Graycap23 said:

Put Prince in the BAND..............and do some thangz.

...You know that's not gonna happen...right?

It'd be cool if it did but hell would freeze over, first.

Do I know? Lol.......of course I do.

SoulAlive said:

I'm glad that they didn't give up on this project.

Yeah, that's the biggest thing that made me feel relieved. Sounds like they're still planning on supporting the album, which wholeheartedly deserves it.

But, how cruddy was Jesse for not even letting the fellas know he was leaving the group first? They found out when we all did from his damn Facebook page. Not cool. He could've at least given them a heads up first and brought up his displeasure and intentions during that conf call the day before. Now THAT was indeed fucked up and unprofessional, Jesse.

alexnvrmnd777 said:

SoulAlive said:

I'm glad that they didn't give up on this project.

Yeah, that's the biggest thing that made me feel relieved. Sounds like they're still planning on supporting the album, which wholeheartedly deserves it.

But, how cruddy was Jesse for not even letting the fellas know he was leaving the group first? They found out when we all did from his damn Facebook page. Not cool. He could've at least given them a heads up first and brought up his displeasure and intentions during that conf call the day before. Now THAT was indeed fucked up and unprofessional, Jesse.

I agree and i'm a Jesse fan.

The could rename themselves Vapalonia 6ix

madhouseman said:

Jesse will not be “replaced” because there is no way to replace a family member, but we will begin the search to fill the now empty guitar spot in the band.

So there's going to be an unofficial member like the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, & Duran Duran.

Damn, Jesse pulled a LeBron James to Miami move, lol.

SoulAlive said:

I'm glad that they didn't give up on this project.

Me too

I won't believe they are coming back, without JJ, until I see it. It would take some serious force of will to pull this thing off at this point. O6ix has my full support though. Hopefully, at minimum Jam and Lewis continue to produce albums for Morris Day.

Thats GREAT news!! Hope to see you guys soon on the road.

Genesia said:

Six Icks! (Sicks Icks? )

OhSixIx, sounds like an Egyptian Pharao

All 7 and we'll...no wait

I think they should release a new single (maybe "Faithful") and continue on with the tour plans.Get together with Cameo and Midnight Star and do a complete 2012 tour for 80s funk fans!

...

[Edited 1/19/12 0:24am]