During the late nineties / early years of this decade i wasn't really following Princes career very closely, so it might be that i missed information about this, but it struck me that Eric has never appeared with Prince on stage since the Alladin, Vegas concert / DVD.

How so? I remember reading 'somewhere' they did have an argument? Is that true?

Whats I always liked about Eric (apart from his musical imput) that he seemed a very down to earth guy, not TOO impressed with Princes star status.
I remember him saying in an interview, showed on TV, that he wasn't always happy with Princes tendency to play long aftershows at nighttime during the Lovesexy tour. He was simply admitting bandmembers get tired too, while others members of Prince bands sometimes seem to have a tendency too get too 'phoney' saying things like: Its soooo fantastic working with Prince, he is suuucch a genious!!!
I also remember reading an interview in which Eric showed his disapproval of the way Prince had handled the Lovesexy album. Prince and the band had recorded the basic-tracks of that album, and Eric considered them finished. He was not very happy with Princes decision to go back into the studio, just weeks prior to the release, and put to all kind of overdubs and sound-effects to earlier recorded tracks.
Of course i don't have heard the earlier versions of those songs, but simply the fact that Eric dared to criticize the creative process he, Prince and the other musicians ere into, was very refreshing IMO.

Could it be that this kind of honest, down to earth attitude from Eric Leeds wrecked their 'artistical relationship'? Just like he did 'shortcut' his cooperative work with Wendy and Lisa, prior to the release of Sign of the Times?

No, It's the problem Prince has with a lot of good musician/friends, MONEY

Love or Money?

There was a problem with Prince not paying Eric for some work

Riverpoet31 said:

So is Eric completely out of the loop now?

Would be a shame, helluva player.

Prince asked him back before, he knows Eric's worth himself.

Might be a typical pay issue though, more than one ex band member has voiced Prince don't pay like he should, compared to other acts. Wouldn't surprise me.

Why did John Blackwell and Mike Phillips end up with Timberlake exactly?

They Originally fought over money owed 2 him from the "Emancipation" sessions. They patched things up in 2002 and then im pretty sure Prince did the same thing 2 him with the One Nite Alone gigs.....

LOVE Eric leeds. Some of the best music came from their time together. His Sax solo on the end of the 2nd version of Crucial makes it one of my Fav prince tracks.

eric leeds is great!

From what I've heard, Eric's output is best when he's in Prince's fold. At the same time, I'd say he's probably been Prince's best sax player (though I think Maceo is just a touch funkier).

Eric's the BEST, I hope they get back together someday.

ThreadBare said:

Even though Eric had previous ties with James Brown(?)
He sound became signature with Prince
Eric along with Eddie M had a very unique sound that sounded like it was made for Prince's music

Maceo could be funkier but that doesn't make the music, I think Maceo has an established background and sound that really isn't Purple Music

I love Erics sax playing with Prince

He is currently working with the Family 2.0 and on their myspace page AlltheWayVogue, there is a clip with him recording his sax to a song, and it is Paisley heaven

Really love Eric's work-really sad that it is a question of money.

OldFriends4Sale said:

You might be thinking of Alan Leeds. Eric's brother, who was JB's tour manager fir a time.

Eric is like Shelia...there's a lot of history and he'll be back...and then move on again. He the go to man for sax...period.

pald1 said:

Exactly. I get the impression Eric is one of the few males Prince allowed to get close to him on a level of Wendy, Lisa and Sheila. He was intregal in introducing P to jazz and other forms of music, as were the others.