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Jellybean Johnson Interview on "Beldon's Blues Point" blog Part 2 is quite interesting, especially when he talks about Prince.
Jellybean! The Time's Jellybean Johnson talks about Prince, the Minneapolis sound and the Blues (Part 1) http://beldonsbluespoint.blogspot.com/2013/03/in-2007-or-2008-i-saw-jellybean-johnson.html
From Purple Rain to the Blues: Part 2 of our interview with the Time's Jellybean Johnsonhttp://beldonsbluespoint.blogspot.com/2013/03/from-purple-rain-to-blues-part-2-of-our.html
From part 2 :
BBP: There was a rivalry (in the movie) between the Time and Prince’s people, the Revolution.
Johnson: And trust me, he used that—that had been going on for a couple of years—he used that to his advantage in that movie. And this is why he actually kicked Terry and Jimmy out of the fucking Time! Right beforePurple Rain! Go back and watchPurple Rain. Jimmy and Terry—and people to this day think they are (in the movie). They’re not in Purple Rain. They’re not! He kicked them out! And it was supposed to be Morris’ band. He (Prince) fired them a few days before, and that’s why they went on to be famous producers.
BBP: So he did them a favor more or less, right?
Johnson: He did them a favor, more or less. But still it’s just—it’s just—all this shit is just so childish when you look back on it 35 years later. You’re like, “what the fuck was he doing?” Because you know what, man? He could have had all of us. We could have all been working for him; we could have all been making hits for him and everything and he would have made even more money. But his ego won’t let that happen. His ego cannot take that. He had all of us: every guy in the Time, with the exception of Jerome—and Jerome had his own record deal—every guy in the Time had a top 10 hit. Every one! Monte, Jesse, Jimmy and Terry sold over 100 million records. Morris, I—all of us—had Top Ten, Top Five records. Prince could have had all of us. Didn’t want to pay us; didn’t want to do it.
BBP: So you think it was a money issue, or was it an ego issue, or both?
Johnson: I think it’s egoand money. I think it was ego and money.Because he didn’t want us to become bigger than him. When I first toured, we first went on a major tour, we made $150 a week, dude.
BBP: (laughs) Really?
Johnson: Prince made millions. Those millions he took to make Purple Rain, he made that first tour, when he got the bonuses and shit, our bonus was $150. After three fucking months on the road! That’s all we made was $150 a week! That’s all we made! Morris made more: he paid Morris more because Morris was his alter-ego, as you said. The rest of us? That’s all we got! That includes Terry and Jimmy too.
BBP: But you know what’s interesting though, that movie would not have worked if it had not been for that tension, you know?
Johnson: Yeah. You’re right. He used that, like I said, he used that to his advantage. Because the automatic tension was there, because it had been there. He used it to his advantage. And I give him credit for that. I’m still famous today for Purple Rain. I still get a little bullshit check every two or three months forPurple Rain…but Purple Rain’s going to always be part of his life too, even though he tries to poo-poo and play all of this new shit like “Screwdriver” and all that. People come to concerts, they want to hear “Purple Rain” and that old shit. This recent shit, they don’t be wanting to hear his ass with that. But it takes him time to figure shit out. But then he’ll sit down at a piano and brag about how many hits he’s got, and kick his man offstage and just play the shit by himself. That’s the kind of shit he does.
BBP: Wow. What’s the deal with these women? I mean he gets these women and he promotes them and then you never see them again. What’s up with that?
Johnson: (laughs) Women always get treated better than men in that organization. That’s why he has an all-girl band right now. This is why his drummer, John Blackwell, is gone. He’s a professor at Berkeley now. And Prince has had a cow about that because John left. John has a family like the rest of us. John needs money too. John cannot come here and just sit and don’t play and shit, or sit here and rehearse and don’t get a retainer. For a major league artist. That’s bullshit! He’s got this new group, Third Eye Girl or whatever shit, where he can play his rock and roll and rock band and all that shit, and I’m sure they’re treated like queens. He came in, he had auditioned some drummers but he ended up getting Ronald Bruner—I think he plays with Chaka Khan or whatever—he got him, but he’s talking about he’s having auditions there, but he wasn’t. He got Bruner and that’s who his drummer is now. So he’s got about two or three different versions of his band. That’s what he’s doing now.
BBP: So why do you think the women get treated better?
Johnson: This goes all the way back to Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, and how we used to get treated because of them. We played for Vanity 6 and we were in their band, we didn’t get but an extra $100 for doing that shit…and when we came to major cities like New York, L.A., he booted our asses off there. He kept them, made us play for them and wouldn’t let The Time play. Do you know what it’s like to have a major star—Quincy Jones, Sting—coming to see us, and we don’t play? You know what? You should buy the Original 7ven. There’s a DVD in the album Original 7ven. You should buy that, man and watch that.
~Using the Fat Albert emoticon 'cause no one else is...  ~ | |
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Good lawd. What's funny, is JellyBean makes all these snide comments about Prince-- his current music and band members in that interview, and speaks with some resentment towards Prince, yet in present day, JellyBean doesn't seem to have a problem performing songs written by Prince, with former, Prince band members that were once part of a group Prince created. I wonder if JellyBean thought about that when he did that interview, because he makes himself appear hypocritical in that article.
[Edited 3/20/13 7:48am] | |
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Is this the entire interview???? This must be the first time someone is interviewed and it ends up totally being about someone else, Prince
Its funny too because John Blackwell was just praising Prince the other day on facebook about the concert festival in Austin. Wow! | |
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Yep, and John probably isn't aware that JellyBean made those comments. JellyBean comes across kind of bitter in that interview, yet has no problem saying he's famous because of the Purple Rain movie. | |
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Yes, a bitter Jellybean for sure,
In this interview, he was like "Aw, f__k it! Let me tell ya how I REALLY feel." ~Using the Fat Albert emoticon 'cause no one else is... ~ | |
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The links have the full interviews. ~Using the Fat Albert emoticon 'cause no one else is... ~ | |
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Oh you're right! my bad.
Part one goes more into his background and what he's dealing with right now.
Thanks! | |
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Hey no prob, ~Using the Fat Albert emoticon 'cause no one else is... ~ | |
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I like that Jellybean was honest. A lot of times people around Prince, and really any celebrity, are only thinking of the next potential payday. They pretty much straight out lie in interviews. I don't read any malice in Jellybean's comments. The swearing may read as harsh to some, but I don't believe it was meant that way. He was just talkin'. He didn't say anything that wasn't true or anything that hasn't been said a number of times before. | |
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It's strange to be bitter after so many years. Love God and I shall 4ever Love u | |
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I agree. I dont see why he's blaming Prince for his current problems. | |
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listening 2 dez dickerson bobby z,shelby j and few others i have heard say how prince paid them very nicely and i have heard bobby and dez say that prince kept them on the payroll even after they left the fold.ive heard eric leeds say that prince would give people credit on songs they didnt write so they could get a check. jeallybean sounds made that he is not with prince anymore he sounds like a guy that wants to be back in the prince world. | |
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When someone speaks the truth about Prince it doesn't mean they are bitter. Jellybean Johnson is another person telling the truth about Prince and he seems like he also doesn't give a damn what Prince and his fans think. | |
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maybe that is his truth but that are many others that tell a different story but if prince is so fucked up like they say why do they always go back whenever he want them 2 or they always trying 2 work with him?? i would stay as far away as i can from someone like that | |
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They may go back because it's a gig with Prince. Plus, he's usually the one with the problem and that's why he's calling them back. He has a need and they are nice enough to oblige him.
I would stay as far away from someone like him, and I have. | |
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lol the fact that everybody knows prince dont need none of them when prince sell out across the country nobody come 2 see none of his associates they come 4 prince only.from listening 2 what jimmy and terry say they be contacting prince he dont call them.when majority of most artist now are asked who they wanna work with prince is the name that roll off the tongue.im sure prince doesnt lose any sleep over any of em | |
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Prince may not be losing any sleep over any of them but you can trust me when I tell you he's probably losing sleep over something...or someone. | |
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Ooh another insider with the real dirt. When  go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all  up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
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I liked the interview and Jellybean can have his opinions on what happened but the fact is he was in 2 bands that had to deal with a name change and one of them ain't letting it stop the show. Also like that he laid some blame on Jimmy and Terry finally about things going south with the O7. The issues with Prince are old news and it's time to stop rehashing it for the sake of selling an interview. It gives the impression of these people being bitter over old events even when they are just relaying their experiences. I'm glad Prince didn't get involved with either the Original 7ven or FDeluxe, if gave them a chance to stand on their own as acts and musicians without having his name attached to the projects. Also it's all their credit to how these projects sink or swim. Jellybean is a cool dude though whenever we see him at an event. He'a always smiling and taking pics with the fans. Truly a great soul. When go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
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I don't think it is a problem that he is speaking the truth, it is the way he is telling (his story) of his time/experience with Prince, that comes off in a bitter tone. He even suggests to the interviewer to buy the cd/dvd(?) to hear former members of the time, express similar feelings to his.JB atttibutes his 'fame' to the Purple Rain movie, but still sounds like he has a slight bitterness, as he mentioned that Prince could have had all the former band members he mentions, for much longer. He's apparently expressing his feelings about it 30 years later, but comes off like a young adult who left home base with some bitterness, as though he should have been breast fed a bit longer.
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Jellybean has a right to express his honest opinions of Prince but I'm not sure why he is blaming people for his current financial problems and how Prince has anything to do with it. In the interview he mentioned being attached to his rich friends. If he saw these partnerships not working out for him, as talented as he is, shouldnt he have walked away and embark on other projects outside of Prince world? Unless he tried and it didn't work out.
He is so talented and its true he's very cool when you meet him in person. I wish him the best. [Edited 3/21/13 14:50pm] | |
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i didnt know this until like last year jeallybean i think is better on guiatr than he is on drums. i saw a few videos and he killed it .he is a very talented guy put it 2 use he produced janet jackson black cat get in the studio and make sum magic 4 sum artist fuck blaming anybody when u that talented go out there and make it happen | |
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cbarnes3121 said: i didnt know this until like last year jeallybean i think is better on guiatr than he is on drums. i saw a few videos and he killed it .he is a very talented guy put it 2 use he produced janet jackson black cat get in the studio and make sum magic 4 sum artist fuck blaming anybody when u that talented go out there and make it happen Exactly. With all his talent he should have no need to have any bitterness after all these years thinking about what could have been. I think dwelling on it would only make him more frustrated. But after reading the other part of the article, I guess when you're going through financial changes, and people think you're doing great financially, because of your name, and who you have been associated with, only for them to find out you are not at a financial level they thought you were or are, that probably would be cause for anyone to harbor some form of frustration and blame for your own failures or lack of success, which is always easy to do. Especially believing if things were done a 'different' way, that life would have been better. You can see in the portions of the article below, that he does carry a sense of bitterness. I honestly believe that if you work with any successful musician/artist or one who becomes successful, at the same time, you still have to have your own back-up plan, because you are not joined at the hip with the one who may 'make it' without you, so-to-speak. If the solo musician/artist you back up in a band, decides to pursue other ventures, musically/careerwise, doesn't guarantee you will be part of their long-term package to success. If you don't have a plan 'B", then you are 'a**-out', and it is your own fault. Sometimes people get caught up in another's fame, instead of working on how they can achieve close to it or the same, and then when they see their friends/acquaintances/associates, etc., do well successfully, without them, somehow it may sting a little. But I always say, don't hate the player, learn how the player played the game. Excerpt from article: BBP: Uh. Yeah! Man! I’m surprised to hear about the bankruptcy because you’re such a talented cat and you have so much going on. How’d that happen? Johnson: Well you know, here’s the thing: that’s the myth everyone thinks. I’m so well-to-do because I grew up around them and have been in bands with rich guys,” but it didn’t translate it out to me because there’s been a lot of selfish bullshit that went on in my career over the years. So that’s where we’re at today. I hate my rich friends: I’m not going to lie, they get on my damn nerves. But at the same time, I’m attached to them for the rest of my life. It’s like HIV: they’re going to always be attached to me, so I just accept it and move on. It’s kind of a bitter pill sometimes that I’m struggling like this and I probably shouldn’t be. But I am, so I have to get through it the best I can. [b]BBP: Wow! Well who particularly are you mad at? I guess I have to ask that question. Johnson: Well, a prime example, Prince has messed up three bands I’ve been in. He wouldn’t let us be The Time. You know I’ve been in Morris Day and the Time and I’m in the Original 7ven. We put off our major release last year because he was threatening to sue us. He didn’t want us to be the Time because he’s been a selfish jerk, because he didn’t want a partner. We offered him money, we offered him everything to be part of the project and he didn’t want to be. The same thing with fDeluxe. He did the same thing with us. We got ready to put a record out, we asked him, “Man, you have any songs for us?” No, he didn’t want to have nothing to do with us. He wanted to leave it totally—he created us, and he wanted it to just stay like it is. Well, uh, I’m 56 years old; the rest of us have careers. The rest of us are talented. So we want to make albums, whether he was part of it or not! And he always thought that these bands couldn’t make albums without him. [/b] [Edited 3/22/13 8:26am] | |
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The relationship between Prince and the guys he grew up with is very sad if u ask me. This article should give u a small clue as 2 the reality of the relationship. | |
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This is the thing though that is puzzling.. if you do an interview and express bitterness towards someone you apparently claim you don't need, but you still want to hang on to a piece of the placenta that once attached you to some part of that person's life, then apparently you still have a desire to be attached to that person's life or success. If this wasn't the case, then there would be no need to express any bitterness after 30 years, and you would just hold your head up, move on, and find a way to achieve your own success without that person being a part of it. [Edited 3/22/13 8:35am] | |
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There are some situations in life that are not worth the energy it would take to confront them but it’s not for someone else to tell a person who has been hurt or treated unfairly to just get over it and move on. Certain things that have happened in people’s lives can bother them, even years later because deep down they know it shouldn’t have happened yet it did happen. They know it was unfair and it erodes at their inner peace and sense of confidence, especially when it’s something that could easily happen again to them and others.
Maybe this will make it less puzzling for you:
It’s so easy for people who haven’t been disappointed, hurt, and humiliated by Prince to try to tell people who have what they “should have” or what they shouldn’t do. It sort of reminds me how Black people have been advised by people who are unsympathetic and consider themselves superior that they should move on, get over slavery and all the separation practices of segregation. We know America has a history of forcing Black people to drink from separate water fountains and sit in the back of the bus and if it weren’t for people like Rosa Parks, who made it impossible for the world to continue to ignore the unfair treatment of Black people, you may have had to ride on the back of a bus today. If Prince can write SLAVE on his face because he didn’t like how WB was treating him, I can bring up slavery and segregation in my reply.
Jellybean Johnson might help make it impossible for people to continue to ignore and apologize for Prince’s unfair treatment of people. Jellybean’s past experiences may help musicians currently working with Prince or musicians who may work with Prince make more informed decisions before they start working for Prince. [Edited 3/22/13 13:43pm] | |
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Another case of BPS(Battered Protege Syndrome). When go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
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Sassey said:
There are some situations in life that are not worth the energy it would take to confront them but it’s not for someone else to tell a person who has been hurt or treated unfairly to just get over it and move on. Certain things that have happened in people’s lives can bother them, even years later because deep down they know it shouldn’t have happened yet it did happen. They know it was unfair and it erodes at their inner peace and sense of confidence, especially when it’s something that could easily happen again to them and others.
2elijah said:If person feels they have been 'wronged' by someone, they had a personal friendship with over a long, period of time, but then something happens, which causes division in the friendship, and there is much hurt involved, it is not unusual that bitter feelings and hurt will be involved, but I will note that in your post, you specifically stated that (see below):
Sassey said
" There are some things in life that are not worth the energy".
2elijah said: Your answer above, basically translates into saying it's best to 'move on/move forward'. Even JellyBean suggested the same, despite the hurt he says he still feels, and admitting he knows he has to find a way to accept it and 'move on'. Words from JB himself in that article; see excerpt below from article:"....
2elijah said: Given JB's experience, it's not insulting to suggest that the best thing to do is to 'move forward' with his life. Is it not better to do that, than suggesting the person continue to harbor ill feelings about a hurt situation, that may affect his health over the years? If you have tried everything in the way of compromising with the person, and that doesn't work, then it is obvious, what the response to that action tells you. You see, sometimes,when you are caught-up in years of hurt and bitterness over hurt from a 'friendship', you don't realize that you may be harming yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. There comes a time, when someone comes along, and help you to see the situation more clearly. Why continue to make yourself a 'slave' to the situation, if you know nothing may ever come of it?
As a reader of the article, I am just looking at the situation from a different perspective than yours . I'm also not saying or suggesting that JB is wrong to have those feelings, because it is his experience, not mine. The only two who can work that out, is between the two people the situation relates to. So if you don't understand my point, that's okay, like I said, it is not my experience to judge, but it is an article open to the public, and there will be different opinions expressed about it.
Sassey said: Maybe this will make it less puzzling for you:
It’s so easy for people who haven’t been disappointed, hurt, and humiliated by Prince to try to tell people who have what they “should have” or what they shouldn’t do. It sort of reminds me how Black people have been advised by people who are unsympathetic and consider themselves superior that they should move on, get over slavery and all the separation practices of segregation. We know America has a history of forcing Black people to drink from separate water fountains and sit in the back of the bus and if it weren’t for people like Rosa Parks, who made it impossible for the world to continue to ignore the unfair treatment of Black people, you may have had to ride on the back of a bus today. If Prince can write SLAVE on his face because he didn’t like how WB was treating him, I can bring up slavery and segregation in my reply.
2elijah said:
Well, of course those reading what JB is stating in that article, who have never been hurt by the same person as JB, will not have the same perspective from reading the contents of the article. It is apparent, that you, and JB are speaking from an 'emotional' place. You're probably a close friend of JB or you could just be one of his fans, but.....comparing Black history in America, and bringing Rosa Parks into this, has absolutely nothing to do with two 'friends', whose personal relationship went sour. You know why? Because the people that barred Rosa and other Blacks from specific liberties, were not personal 'friends' of Rosa or the many Black people, who were barred from specific freedoms during those eras. So using my suggestion that it is better for JB to 'move on/move forward' with his life, in comparison to someone telling Blacks to 'move on', from the history of slavery and racist situations of the Jim Crow/Civil rights' eras of this country, has nothing to do with two men who had a personal friendship at one time, and now that friendship is not where it used to be.
Using that comparison is like belittling the history of slavery/civil rights era, and the accomplishments of Rosa Parks and the many Black people who fought/suffered and died during slavery, and the Jim Crow/Civil Rights eras. I'm sure you could have thought of something much different to compare my opinion to.
Oh, and by the way, I am a Black-American woman, well-informed about the history of American Blacks within this country, as well as the history of slavery, and related experiences/cultures of many others around the world, who identify as 'Black/Black African'. Should you ever feel the need to converse on that particular topic, on another thread, just let me know, as I'm sure we can compare notes in a friendly way.
Sassey said: Jellybean Johnson might help make it impossible for people to continue to ignore and apologize for Prince’s unfair treatment of people. Jellybean’s past experiences may help musicians currently working with Prince or musicians who may work with Prince make more informed decisions before they start working for Prince.
2elijah said: Interesting, but by using his experience as a musician, and knowledge of the music industry, I think he could benefit, by working as a consultant, to younger or older musicians,who are trying to get into the music industry, and educate them, as to what to be aware of before signing contracts, working with record labels, record execs, managers, etc.
He could turn a 'hurt and bitter' situation into a positive one, and I think that could help with his healing process somewhat, as he moves forward with his music career and life. Either way, and despite any disagreements you and I may have on this topic, I do wish JellyBean the best. Peace.
[Edited 3/22/13 18:25pm] | |
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Interesting stuff...
What could have been Rest in Peace Bettie Boo. See u soon. | |
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I think everyone involved is doing a lot of Monday quarterbacking. A whole lot of speculation doesn't mean that's how it would've played out. If Jam & Lewis didn't get the boot? If Vanity didn't get hooked on coke? If Jesse didn't already have a deal in play(like Morris said)? Jam & Lewis had good material but who in Prince's camp would've been able to pull the songs off the way we know they turned out? The Alexander O'Neal tracks would've worked for Morris but that's all I can see working. But Vanity singing 'Saturday Love' or 'Affair' would've been a hot mess! When go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
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