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Reply #30 posted 05/31/10 6:37pm

Paris9748430

OldFriends4Sale said:

Paris9748430 said:

No, he doesn't need the Revolution. Most people can't even name anyone in the band besides Lisa and Wendy, and most of those people can't even tell the difference between the two.

Prince was a multi-platinum artist before The Revolution and he's been one long after they disbanded.

well the band that became the Revolution minus Wendy was in existance since Dirty Mind 1980:Lisa BrownMark, Bobby Z & Dr Fink so...

a multi platinum artist??

1999. His 2nd album went platinum.

So yes, he was a multi-platinum artist.

JERKIN' EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!!!!!
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Reply #31 posted 05/31/10 7:09pm

ernestsewell

OldFriends4Sale said:

Paris9748430 said:

No, he doesn't need the Revolution. Most people can't even name anyone in the band besides Lisa and Wendy, and most of those people can't even tell the difference between the two.

Prince was a multi-platinum artist before The Revolution and he's been one long after they disbanded.

well the band that became the Revolution minus Wendy was in existance since Dirty Mind 1980:Lisa BrownMark, Bobby Z & Dr Fink so...

a multi platinum artist??

Four times platinum actually.

And to the person who said SOTT was a failure - it sold more than 1999 in the US, by a million at least.

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Reply #32 posted 05/31/10 7:10pm

WaterInYourBat
h

avatar

Christopher said:

WaterInYourBath said:

Christopher said:

mmm yes the revolution's is so good

[img:$uid]http://www.gifsoup.com/view/342314/reeses-o.gif[/img:$uid]

Is that the person in that gif with the large red Kool-Aid cup? I thought that was a woman! omfg

And to Joe: Nah, man. lol I honestly can't imagine how they would sound together today. It would be a bit too nostalgic. And, I think they would make him appear even older as well, which would not really appeal to the young crowds that would be needed to make him a "star again." shrug

falloff no thats him! he had the relaxer goin in that pic.

eek

Makes me think of Austin Powers:

[img:$uid]http://www.sofacinema.co.uk/guardian/images/products/screenshots/7/1587-1-large.jpg[/img:$uid]

"It's a man, baby."

Wow. That's quite shocking. lol

Sorry Joe, lol.

"You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup...Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend." - Bruce Lee
"Water can nourish me, but water can also carry me. Water has magic laws." - JCVD
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Reply #33 posted 05/31/10 9:46pm

Spinzilla

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I think an anniversary tour of Purple Rain with the Revolution would make shit loads of money. But I don't think he needs them to be star again, but it would probably help.

I still play pokemon. I play warcraft. And I'm awesome.
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Reply #34 posted 06/01/10 12:05am

cinnamongal

avatar

JoeTyler said:

Let's face it; Prince's first album after the farewell of The Revolution, SOTT, was not a big hit; Lovesexy was a failure; Batman was a huge hit because of the movie (like it or not), GB was , if I'm not mistaken, not very successful and D&P was a hit because of the singles (nobody truly cared about the NPG anyway). Love Symbol's sales were a "disappointment", and ughh, everything after that sucked in terms of sales (Emancipation being the exception, mainly because of the "false" platinum disc affair)

Musicology and 3121 were successful, but could have been bigger (despite 3121 being a Nº1 album) and PE and LF/MPLS have both flopped.

So, let's face it folks: Prince needs the Revolution if he wants to be as successful as he was during the mid-80s.

It seems that Prince, like some other solo artists that started or achieved fame with a band (Sting, Springsteen, etc.) is still remembered, by the mainstream masses, as that guy of the Purple Rain movie who had that cool band called The Revolution.

In my case, I don't give a damn if Prince resurrects the Revolution (it won't happen, anyway), but I'm sure that the comeback would be HUGE.

Thoughts?

I'm a bit 2-sided with regards to the aove. 50% of me thinks "yes he needs The Revolution", 50% of me thinks that we wouldn't have known them if it wasn't for prince. so in a way i think they all need each other... i don't know, i really don't know.

the good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge ~ Bertrand Russel
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Reply #35 posted 06/01/10 12:16am

JBK

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He just need a record deal and be back on Radio again.

You can tell about Prince's Future , but his Past is utterly unpredictable
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Reply #36 posted 06/01/10 1:55am

SoulAlive

I admit,the idea of a Revolution reunion is intriguing (for the 80s nostalgia factor) but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

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Reply #37 posted 06/01/10 3:48am

eireboy34

He needs people who are going to help him get out of his creative rut......Wendy and Lisa could do the job but so could others if only he listened.

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Reply #38 posted 06/01/10 4:36am

shayde

What evidence do you have that anyone from the '80's, let alone the Revolution, could be any help? Have you noticed there is a small shortlist of folks from the '80's that are still going strong? Som as a joke but fewer as legitimate creative and commercial draws. Prince is in the latter camp, which suggests to me that any '80's folks would need him a lot more than he'd need them.

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Reply #39 posted 06/01/10 5:48am

2elijah

OldFriends4Sale said:

2elijah said:

TheScouser said:
I don't think prince can ever reach the status he was at in the mid 80s, no matter what he does. The fact of the matter is, the younger generation dictates who is cool & who isn't... & a 51 year old simply can't be cool. He's of their parents generation & everyone knows that it's pretty uncool to like what your parents like no matter how good their taste might be! Very few people have ever maintained their peak level of popularity over the years & for most it's simply unachievable. It's a miricle 3121 was a number 1 album! People like Hendrix, John Lennon etc only remain as popular as they are because they died before their time & will always have that "what if" aspect to them that keep people interested. Then there's people like MJ who went from that cute child star who young kids could relate to & the older generations found adorable, then to the trendy edgy guy who the teenagers could relate to & then to the "king of pop, those where the days" who the older generations could relate to. Then there's madonna... god knows how she's still as popular as she is despite the fact that most people I know can't stand the woman! Besides, even though I'd love for Prince to do a new album with the revolution, I think it might have that cheesy comeback approach that would look desperate and insincere to most people & would ultimatley do more harm than good when it comes to his public image... I think Prince's recent music is great, I listen to it just as much as the old stuff, he's still selling out arenas, still getting spots on popular talk shows, still getting on the high end of the charts & selling a suprising amount of records considering he's doing everything pretty much independantley... overall I think he's doing pretty damn good, revolution or not! biggrin
I agree with the first line, in your post, but I also think some people have it all backwards; the thing is, all the Revolution members are still alive, and if they are so missed and so great as a band that used to perform with Prince, then why don't they get together under another name, without Prince, and let's see how greatly missed they really were and fantastic as a band, without Prince. There's nothing stopping them from performing together as a newly-formed group. Thing is, the Revolution will never be the same "without Prince" so really, I think some fans need to remember that Prince survived without them, and continues to be respected by many artists from his generation and the younger ones. He's already got together with Wendy and Lisa in the past. He doesn't have to make hit records anymore, he's done that already and achieved success. Now it seems he just enjoys playing and performing when he chooses, with various musicians. He has nothing to prove anymore, because he's already prove he's good at what he does. Nothing stopping the former Revolution band members from getting together and playing music they like, but they can't sit around waiting for Prince to bring back the "80s fame" they once had with him., and I doubt they're sitting around waiting for him.. Some fans just want a void filled they'll never get back. Even if he did an so-called anniversay with the former revolution band members, it will just be for the moment, and then what? Prince fans will continue begging down the road for the 80s Prince to fill a void in their lives, which they need to find a way to fill themselves. Life goes on and changes, so do artists and their music.

[Edited 5/31/10 17:25pm]

Well even various member of the Revolution said without Prince it would be/wouldn't work.

the Revolution the noituloveR and the SOTT band were the only true bands that 'reflected Prince' his vision and image and were sold out 4 Prince, the Revolution more that the SOTT band because Levi was a last min add on when BrownMark decided to leave, Boni always had intentions of doing her own thing. I believe she was signed on with Sheila 4 1 album. Mico is my boy and definately a Purple soldier since 1983 but never had the presence Wendy or Dez had much less the connection and influence.

Even if they were to do a "together one more time" performance/tour,, it is only natural that it would make money, because fans from the 80s, would come out of the woodwork to see them together one last time, to relive their memories. It still will not bring back what was. You will also get new fans who will listen to the 80s material (songs/vids), to get to know more about the Prince of the 80s, and start requesting, just like you see here on this forum from time to time from younger/new fans, wishing they could get a chance to see the Prince of the 2010, be the Prince of the 80s. Then you have fans who wishes he stops playing 80s material, and play new music, vs some older/seasoned fans requesting he perform/sing like he did in the 80s. It's a cycle that will never quit among Prince fans.

It was because of the movie "Purple Rain" that people will always associate Prince with those particular Revolution band members, and that is why they are remembered more than the other band members. Of course the band members that were in the "Sign of the Times" movie may not be remembered/associated with Prince, by younger/new fans, because SOTT was not released internationally like PR was. (Please feel free to correct me on the latter if I'm wrong)..

It was a different era then, with a different feel. Memories will always live on, but you can't keep trying to make the past come back to fill a void that can only be filled with "memories". You're not going to get Prince doing splits, and making sexual moves across the stage like he did back then. In previous performances, he always mix some songs of the 80s/90s, and he changes the way some were sung back then, but that will never be enough for Prince fans. Lets's face it, many Prince fans will always ask for more, and more will never be enough for them.

The problem is not Prince, it's many of his fans who can't seem to move on and embrace the Prince of today, while appreciating what he did during the 80s/90s were for those eras. Life changes and moves on just like music. Fans can always go back in their catalogue of music, play the songs and videos of the 80s and relive and fill that void they're so badly missing. Just my two cents.

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Reply #40 posted 06/01/10 7:25am

babynoz

2elijah said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

2elijah said:

TheScouser said:
I don't think prince can ever reach the status he was at in the mid 80s, no matter what he does. The fact of the matter is, the younger generation dictates who is cool & who isn't... & a 51 year old simply can't be cool. He's of their parents generation & everyone knows that it's pretty uncool to like what your parents like no matter how good their taste might be! Very few people have ever maintained their peak level of popularity over the years & for most it's simply unachievable. It's a miricle 3121 was a number 1 album! People like Hendrix, John Lennon etc only remain as popular as they are because they died before their time & will always have that "what if" aspect to them that keep people interested. Then there's people like MJ who went from that cute child star who young kids could relate to & the older generations found adorable, then to the trendy edgy guy who the teenagers could relate to & then to the "king of pop, those where the days" who the older generations could relate to. Then there's madonna... god knows how she's still as popular as she is despite the fact that most people I know can't stand the woman! Besides, even though I'd love for Prince to do a new album with the revolution, I think it might have that cheesy comeback approach that would look desperate and insincere to most people & would ultimatley do more harm than good when it comes to his public image... I think Prince's recent music is great, I listen to it just as much as the old stuff, he's still selling out arenas, still getting spots on popular talk shows, still getting on the high end of the charts & selling a suprising amount of records considering he's doing everything pretty much independantley... overall I think he's doing pretty damn good, revolution or not! biggrin
I agree with the first line, in your post, but I also think some people have it all backwards; the thing is, all the Revolution members are still alive, and if they are so missed and so great as a band that used to perform with Prince, then why don't they get together under another name, without Prince, and let's see how greatly missed they really were and fantastic as a band, without Prince. There's nothing stopping them from performing together as a newly-formed group. Thing is, the Revolution will never be the same "without Prince" so really, I think some fans need to remember that Prince survived without them, and continues to be respected by many artists from his generation and the younger ones. He's already got together with Wendy and Lisa in the past. He doesn't have to make hit records anymore, he's done that already and achieved success. Now it seems he just enjoys playing and performing when he chooses, with various musicians. He has nothing to prove anymore, because he's already prove he's good at what he does. Nothing stopping the former Revolution band members from getting together and playing music they like, but they can't sit around waiting for Prince to bring back the "80s fame" they once had with him., and I doubt they're sitting around waiting for him.. Some fans just want a void filled they'll never get back. Even if he did an so-called anniversay with the former revolution band members, it will just be for the moment, and then what? Prince fans will continue begging down the road for the 80s Prince to fill a void in their lives, which they need to find a way to fill themselves. Life goes on and changes, so do artists and their music.

[Edited 5/31/10 17:25pm]

Well even various member of the Revolution said without Prince it would be/wouldn't work.

the Revolution the noituloveR and the SOTT band were the only true bands that 'reflected Prince' his vision and image and were sold out 4 Prince, the Revolution more that the SOTT band because Levi was a last min add on when BrownMark decided to leave, Boni always had intentions of doing her own thing. I believe she was signed on with Sheila 4 1 album. Mico is my boy and definately a Purple soldier since 1983 but never had the presence Wendy or Dez had much less the connection and influence.

Even if they were to do a "together one more time" performance/tour,, it is only natural that it would make money, because fans from the 80s, would come out of the woodwork to see them together one last time, to relive their memories. It still will not bring back what was. You will also get new fans who will listen to the 80s material (songs/vids), to get to know more about the Prince of the 80s, and start requesting, just like you see here on this forum from time to time from younger/new fans, wishing they could get a chance to see the Prince of the 2010, be the Prince of the 80s. Then you have fans who wishes he stops playing 80s material, and play new music, vs some older/seasoned fans requesting he perform/sing like he did in the 80s. It's a cycle that will never quit among Prince fans.

It was because of the movie "Purple Rain" that people will always associate Prince with those particular Revolution band members, and that is why they are remembered more than the other band members. Of course the band members that were in the "Sign of the Times" movie may not be remembered/associated with Prince, by younger/new fans, because SOTT was not released internationally like PR was. (Please feel free to correct me on the latter if I'm wrong)..

It was a different era then, with a different feel. Memories will always live on, but you can't keep trying to make the past come back to fill a void that can only be filled with "memories". You're not going to get Prince doing splits, and making sexual moves across the stage like he did back then. In previous performances, he always mix some songs of the 80s/90s, and he changes the way some were sung back then, but that will never be enough for Prince fans. Lets's face it, many Prince fans will always ask for more, and more will never be enough for them.

The problem is not Prince, it's many of his fans who can't seem to move on and embrace the Prince of today, while appreciating what he did during the 80s/90s were for those eras. Life changes and moves on just like music. Fans can always go back in their catalogue of music, play the songs and videos of the 80s and relive and fill that void they're so badly missing. Just my two cents.

I have to agree with 2elijah's sentiments on this for the most part.

I absolutely do not believe that the Revolution/ SOTT band were the only true reflection of Prince's vision/image.

Prince always has been and always will be multi-faceted and his vision and image will evolve accordingly. The fact that an individual may identify more with one era over another is purely subjective IMO.

I've been around since '82 and while I appreciate what the Revolution brought to the table as a band and as individuals, I never became attached to any of them as personalities, so when Prince was ready to move on from that particular shade of purple, I was ready too.

Prince's versatility and his ability to change direction is one of the things I like most about him because I like variety. For me there was some material from the so- called "golden era of the 80s" that I thought was whack and by the same token there is more recent material that I love to death.

Furthermore, to address the original question, Prince being an established star transcends any of his various bands. His mainstream exposure or lack thereof has more to do with his unwillingness to play nice with the suits than the quality of his work.

A lot of people get attached to one or two eras, which is fine, but by now it should be evident that Prince's art and mode of expression is in constant flux and won't be bound by our individual tastes or expectations.

In other words, I do not miss the Revolution or any other former associates for that matter. lol

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #41 posted 06/01/10 7:58am

JoeTyler

a) I did not say that Prince needs The Revolution to arrange/produce etc. new good music; I'm talking about the popularity/sales of the whole operation...

b) I did not say that SOTT was a failure; I said it was not a big hit (successful albums of 1987? MJ's Bad , Def Leppard's Hysteria or GM's Faith, for example)

c) I still think that a Revolution comeback plus a BIG TV/Radio/Internet promotional campaign (including snippets of When Doves Cry, Kiss, Raspberry Beret, Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain and even 1999 and LRC) could make millions for Prince: first a world tour, and then a new & moderately strong studio album...

d) Obviously the younger (and brainless) generations don't know Prince, but that's not the point. The Police comeback, for example, was HUGE due to the old-school fans, plus some cultish teenagers...

I think that a Prince and The Revolution comeback would bring back those Prince "fans" that lost faith/interest in his new music after 1995 (the real cause of his drop in sales)...I mean, nowadays the man has trouble in order to sell at least 500.000 copies of his new albums, but on the other hand he's selling out arenas??? Wtf

e) This hypothetical comeback doesn't mean that Prince has to record/tour with the Revolution for the rest of his days. It could be a limited comeback or something like that, like Springsteen does with the E Street.

e) And, no matter what, a comeback of the Revolution would be nice, to say the least, and I think that ANYONE agrees with me; of course, some of you can say that "ah, fuck Wendy and Lisa, we don't need them" or "man, Bobby and Matt truly sucked" but I DON'T BELIEVE YOU, and deep in your hearts you know I'm right lol

f) Of course, it ain't gonna happen, so... PEACE:lol:

tinkerbell
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Reply #42 posted 06/01/10 9:26am

Joyinrepatitio
n

avatar

ernestsewell said:

He's shown he can make good records and draw crowds with The Revolution. The mid 90's stripped-down NPG was a fantastic muse and vehicle for him.

I do think he's foolish for not putting it all back together for the 20th or 25th anniversary of 1999 or Purple Rain. Put together Roadhouse Garden or SOMETHING, make a couple of videos, do a PPV concert, and leave it at that. Lil bit of everything that doesn't drag out a lot, but is enough to give a shot of "OMG" into his career, which he's not had in ages.

He'll probably never do it, but he should have by now. Just once, not forever, not for even a year. Just SOMETHING. The best we have is the Brit Awards, the 2000 celebration, and the Tavis "Reflection" performance.

He'll always be a star, but would it put him out there in a huge way all over again? Sure, it probably would. I would hpoe that his JW/anti-homo stance isn't what's really keeping him from doing it. It doesn't seem that likely because he's played with W&L a few times in recent years. Eh....who knows.

Well said ernest, a lil one off performance here and there, a little sentimental hankering over the past never hurt anyone, and is good for the soul!

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Reply #43 posted 06/01/10 11:05am

acjohns

NO,

Maybe he doesn't want to be a "star"again.

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Reply #44 posted 06/01/10 11:24am

ernestsewell

acjohns said:

NO,

Maybe he doesn't want to be a "star"again.

And maybe monkeys are going to fly out of my butt.

lol

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Reply #45 posted 06/01/10 11:48am

fever

When I tell people my favorite band is The Revolution I'm usually greeted with "who?". So there's that.

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Reply #46 posted 06/01/10 12:14pm

skywalker

avatar

The question being asked in this thread is based on the incorrect assumption is that Purple Rain was successful because of The Revolution.

Fact is, Purple Rain was pretty much just a Prince album and it wasn't until Around The World in a Day and Parade that The Revolution (mostly Wendy and Lisa) really added anything to the mix. Those albums saw a dip in Prince's popularity/sales when compared with Purple Rain.

The Revolution is probably Prince's most famous backing band, but they are still just that...his backing band. They were there at the absolute stratosphere of Prince's fame, but they were not the cause. It is erroneous to compare The Revolution to The Police or The E Street Band because they never were to Prince (or the general public) what The Police is to Sting or The E Street Band is to Bruce. Read the linear notes. Purple Rain is popular because of Prince. It was his moment and he shared it with his friends.

Lastly, Prince is still a superstar recognized worldwide and has been since 1984. Can you say the same of any member of The Revolution? I love me some Girl Bros, but you don't see them in the Rock N Roll hall of fame...

"New Power slide...."
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Reply #47 posted 06/01/10 12:21pm

Graycap23

skywalker said:

The question being asked in this thread is based on the incorrect assumption is that Purple Rain was successful because of The Revolution.

Fact is, Purple Rain was pretty much just a Prince album and it wasn't until Around The World in a Day and Parade that The Revolution (mostly Wendy and Lisa) really added anything to the mix. Those albums saw a dip in Prince's popularity/sales when compared with Purple Rain.

The Revolution is probably Prince's most famous backing band, but they are still just that...his backing band. They were there at the absolute stratosphere of Prince's fame, but they were not the cause. It is erroneous to compare The Revolution to The Police or The E Street Band because they never were to Prince (or the general public) what The Police is to Sting or The E Street Band is to Bruce. Read the linear notes. Purple Rain is popular because of Prince. It was his moment and he shared it with his friends.

Lastly, Prince is still a superstar recognized worldwide and has been since 1984. Can you say the same of any member of The Revolution? I love me some Girl Bros, but you don't see them in the Rock N Roll hall of fame...

Tell them AGAIN.............

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Reply #48 posted 06/01/10 1:30pm

skoolteecher

Well he hasn't stopped being a star. He's established in that regard. The Revolution won't make a bit of difference right now, and he really doesn't need them. This sounds wicky wacky, but he's got to find his authentic self, and make music from that place.
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Reply #49 posted 06/01/10 1:34pm

sugartuff

avatar

I think Prince needs Wendy (with or without Lisa).

Yeah, call me crazy but I just feel he needs to be around Wendy.

I always felt like a 'hidden' chemistry between them both?!

Yeah, for some strange reason I just feel that he needs Wendy.

I can't explain why.

Don't even know if it's an idea worth talking bout, but.. I just feel it lol

May you rest in peace, my beautiful queen, Teena Marie rose
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Reply #50 posted 06/01/10 1:34pm

Graycap23

sugartuff said:

I think Prince needs Wendy (with or without Lisa).

Yeah, call me crazy but I just feel he needs to be around Wendy.

I always felt like a 'hidden' chemistry between them both?!

Yeah, for some strange reason I just feel that he needs Wendy.

I can't explain why.

Don't even know if it's an idea worth talking bout, but.. I just feel it lol

Does Wendy need Prince?

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Reply #51 posted 06/01/10 2:00pm

sugartuff

avatar

Graycap23 said:

sugartuff said:

I think Prince needs Wendy (with or without Lisa).

Yeah, call me crazy but I just feel he needs to be around Wendy.

I always felt like a 'hidden' chemistry between them both?!

Yeah, for some strange reason I just feel that he needs Wendy.

I can't explain why.

Don't even know if it's an idea worth talking bout, but.. I just feel it lol

Does Wendy need Prince?

Dunno if she needs him, but she wants him 2 need her..

and as long as she knows that he needs her even if he ain't showing it, she's fine..

and Prince knows that she wants him 2 need her, and that kinda pisses him off..

cus he can't do anythin' bout it.. on the other hand he doesn't want 2 do anythin' bout it..

eye always felt there was a tension between them.. kinda like a hidden passion u know..

like a passion that both were feeling but were afraid to let loose cus they both didn't

know what would happen.. and yes eye know that eye am outta my mind.. lol

May you rest in peace, my beautiful queen, Teena Marie rose
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Reply #52 posted 06/01/10 2:01pm

Graycap23

sugartuff said:

Graycap23 said:

sugartuff said:

I think Prince needs Wendy (with or without Lisa).

Yeah, call me crazy but I just feel he needs to be around Wendy.

I always felt like a 'hidden' chemistry between them both?!

Yeah, for some strange reason I just feel that he needs Wendy.

I can't explain why.

Don't even know if it's an idea worth talking bout, but.. I just feel it lol

Does Wendy need Prince?

Dunno if she needs him, but she wants him 2 need her..

and as long as she knows that he needs her even if he ain't showing it, she's fine..

and Prince knows that she wants him 2 need her, and that kinda pisses him off..

cus he can't do anythin' bout it.. on the other hand he doesn't want 2 do anythin' bout it..

eye always felt there was a tension between them.. kinda like a hidden passion u know..

like a passion that both were feeling but were afraid to let loose cus they both didn't

know what would happen.. and yes eye know that eye am outta my mind.. lol

1-800-GET-A-DOCTOR.

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Reply #53 posted 06/01/10 2:02pm

vainandy

avatar

Prince, with or without The Revolution, will never be as big a star as he was in the 1980s because the 1990s and 2000s were, and still are, the shit hop era. Even if he sells out to it, this is the most homophobic era of music and the little assholes see Prince as "the fag" so he'll never be successful in an era where thug and criminal images rule and "fag" images are hated unless they are used in degrading ways.

Andy is a four letter word.
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Reply #54 posted 06/01/10 2:06pm

JoeTyler

skywalker said:

The question being asked in this thread is based on the incorrect assumption is that Purple Rain was successful because of The Revolution.

Fact is, Purple Rain was pretty much just a Prince album and it wasn't until Around The World in a Day and Parade that The Revolution (mostly Wendy and Lisa) really added anything to the mix. Those albums saw a dip in Prince's popularity/sales when compared with Purple Rain.

The Revolution is probably Prince's most famous backing band, but they are still just that...his backing band. They were there at the absolute stratosphere of Prince's fame, but they were not the cause. It is erroneous to compare The Revolution to The Police or The E Street Band because they never were to Prince (or the general public) what The Police is to Sting or The E Street Band is to Bruce. Read the linear notes. Purple Rain is popular because of Prince. It was his moment and he shared it with his friends.

Lastly, Prince is still a superstar recognized worldwide and has been since 1984. Can you say the same of any member of The Revolution? I love me some Girl Bros, but you don't see them in the Rock N Roll hall of fame...

Fair enough, but your post almost lost all its credibility with that final sentence: if we have to trust RNR Hall of Fame as a legitimate judge of what is good/popular, then music is in real trouble...

And while you're partially right (The Revolution was just a backing band) IT IS his most famous backing band of all time, even after all these years. As I said earlier, I don't care if the younger generations don't know them. Many people born between 1965 and 1975 still remember them, and any cultish teenager with a serious knowledge in pop music also know them. That's why I think a comeback would be successful.

tinkerbell
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Reply #55 posted 06/01/10 2:09pm

ernestsewell

sugartuff said:

I think Prince needs Wendy (with or without Lisa).

Yeah, call me crazy but I just feel he needs to be around Wendy.

I always felt like a 'hidden' chemistry between them both?!

Yeah, for some strange reason I just feel that he needs Wendy.

I can't explain why.

Don't even know if it's an idea worth talking bout, but.. I just feel it lol

I'm not sure he needs Wendy. However, does he make great music with Wendy and Lisa? Of course he did, and probably could again. It wasn't that W&L were some great set of phenoms that Prince happened across. It was that it just clicked. It's the same way Lennon and McCartney, two random folks, clicked when it came to writing some of the most well known songs man has ever heard. Same goes for many songwriting teams. Jam & Lewis. John & Taupin. The list goes on, and is quite varied.

It wouldn't hurt him to get W&L back up there, work on some music w/ the band, and have some kind of great, new, organic thing come of it. Even when Wendy & Lisa played guitar on "Purple Rain" at the Brit Awards, it sounded just like it did 25 years ago. I've never heard PR sound that great since the PR tour.

So there's no denying there's a magic there among the three of them, and they know it. The whole band had that. Prince also had a great chemistry with Sonny, Michael B., Tommy, and Morris Hayes. The mid 90's were just as prolific (with the plethora of released and bootlegged material) as the 80's were.

And think about this. The version of The Revolution we love was around from 1983-1986. Three short years, yet look at that impact. People STILL go back to that. It's not because of Purple Rain, it's because of the band. They just worked well together. Now fast forward to 1993-1996. (Exactly 10 years later, as it happens.) Prince has one of the best, if not the best, incarnation of New Power Generation, and they make incredible records; records that can fully and rightfully challenge music from 10 years before.

Prince has chemistry with certain groups of folks, and I've noticed it's sometimes with people he's known a long time. He knew Sonny a long time, from childhood. He knew Andre from early on, and Fink and Z were the older folks in the group and were around the longest, even beyond Lisa. The chemistry is with Wendy, and Lisa - but not just with them.

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Reply #56 posted 06/01/10 2:58pm

sugartuff

avatar

ernestsewell said:

It wouldn't hurt him to get W&L back up there, work on some music w/ the band, and have some kind of great, new, organic thing come of it. Even when Wendy & Lisa played guitar on "Purple Rain" at the Brit Awards, it sounded just like it did 25 years ago. I've never heard PR sound that great since the PR tour.

Broke my heart when he gave "the guitarsolo-kiss" to Támar or whoever that was instead of giving it to Wendy (like he did on purple rain).. mad

May you rest in peace, my beautiful queen, Teena Marie rose
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Reply #57 posted 06/01/10 4:11pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

Paris9748430 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Paris9748430 said:

No, he doesn't need the Revolution. Most people can't even name anyone in the band besides Lisa and Wendy, and most of those people can't even tell the difference between the two.

Prince was a multi-platinum artist before The Revolution and he's been one long after they disbanded.

well the band that became the Revolution minus Wendy was in existance since Dirty Mind 1980:Lisa BrownMark, Bobby Z & Dr Fink so...

a multi platinum artist??

1999. His 2nd album went platinum.

So yes, he was a multi-platinum artist.

uh like I said, 1999 = Prince & the noituloveR - Wendy Melvoin same band mostly so that 1999 platinum album is mostly the members of the Revolution. by they way Wendy was in the camp and sang back up on Free & Irresistable Bitch,

You said LONG after they disbanded and that is where my doubts lie

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Reply #58 posted 06/01/10 4:13pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

sugartuff said:

ernestsewell said:

It wouldn't hurt him to get W&L back up there, work on some music w/ the band, and have some kind of great, new, organic thing come of it. Even when Wendy & Lisa played guitar on "Purple Rain" at the Brit Awards, it sounded just like it did 25 years ago. I've never heard PR sound that great since the PR tour.

Broke my heart when he gave "the guitarsolo-kiss" to Támar or whoever that was instead of giving it to Wendy (like he did on purple rain).. mad

I agree, and Tamar and the Twinz were just in the way, they looked beautiful, but they should have been on backdrop stage sorta behind the band.

That whole arrangement was beautiful and was the result of Wendy Lisa & Sheila just dropping by Prince's place a few times and jamming on instruments lol like the good ole days

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Reply #59 posted 06/01/10 4:14pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

ernestsewell said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Paris9748430 said:

No, he doesn't need the Revolution. Most people can't even name anyone in the band besides Lisa and Wendy, and most of those people can't even tell the difference between the two.

Prince was a multi-platinum artist before The Revolution and he's been one long after they disbanded.

well the band that became the Revolution minus Wendy was in existance since Dirty Mind 1980:Lisa BrownMark, Bobby Z & Dr Fink so...

a multi platinum artist??

Four times platinum actually.

And to the person who said SOTT was a failure - it sold more than 1999 in the US, by a million at least.

which albums went platinum beyond SOTT?

Yeah there was no way SOTT was a failure, the only failure is that it could have been bigger if Prince listened 2 WB and promoted it more

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