independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Prince & Boni Boyer(RIP) 1986-1989
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 12/05/14 12:54pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

Prince & Boni Boyer(RIP) 1986-1989

Boni Boyers time/contribution in the Prince camp 1986-1989

Boni Boyer came into the Purple camp via Sheila E.
She began tour with Sheila 4 her 3rd album Sheila E

after the Revolution was disbanded which also meant a disbanding of other bands in his camp

Prince added Boni & Levi from Sheila's band

.

Bonita Louisa "Boni" Boyer (July 28, 1958 -December 4, 1996)
(Singer and musician) Boyer contributed back-up vocals and played a wide variety of instruments for Lionel Ritchie, Tony! Toni! Tone'!, Con Funk Shun, and Digital Underground. She was perhaps best known for her work with Prince on the "Sign O' the Times," "Lovesexy," and "Graffiti Bridge" albums and related concert tours. A fellow classmate of Sheila E., Boyer was replaced in Prince's band with Rosie Gaines. Boyer passed away from a brain aneurysm.

Antonio Edge's photo.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 12/05/14 1:06pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

4. "Faded Photographs" (Sheila E., Constance Guzman, Samuel Domingo and Boni Boyer) 4:11
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 12/05/14 1:11pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 12/05/14 1:19pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

You must learn yourself

before you can teach others

-Boni

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 12/05/14 1:26pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 12/05/14 1:30pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

on the unreleased version most fans have, Boni takes the lead on this one

Can you talk 2 me with your body, baby?
Can you tell me what I wanna hear?
Can you lay on me a good enough reason 2 cross the line?
Yeah, ho! {x2}

Can you be my lover and still be my friend? (Can you be my friend?)
Can you stick with me till the bitter end? (The bitter end)
Can you lay on me a good enough reason 2 cross the line?
Yeah, ho! (Cross the line)

Chorus:
The line, line - it's a happy step 2 make
It takes time, time - all is what it takes
The line, line - and soon your life is so much better
The water's so much better on the other side (Cross the line)

Can you tolerate? Why am I not so free?
How I did the plan
Can you understand I'm a free man?
But will I stop the dam if I don't cross the line?
Yeah, ho! {x2}
Ow!

Hey
Cross the line sugar, cross the line {x2}
Cross the line

Chorus

(Cross the line)

Cross the line sugar, cross the line {x3}

I want you 2 cross the line, hey! {sample used in "Acknowledge Me"}
Talk 2 me, say the things I wanna hear, oh!
Cross the line

Cross the line

Cross the line
Baby, baby, baby, can you make me cross the line?
Cross the line, sugar, cross the line
You know you got 2 cross the line!

(New dance) {repeat in bg}
People, people, I got a brand new dance {x2}
Ain't talkin' 'bout Housequake! No!
Ain't talkin' 'bout Shake 'n' Bake! No!
Ain't talkin' 'bout Rice-O-Roni! No!
I'm talkin' 'bout Macaroni? No!
Lord have mercy

Boni? (What?)
On the 2 (Yeah!)
What we gonna do? (Kangaroo!)
Say it! (Kangaroo!)
Come on
Boni? (What?)
On the 2 (Yeah!)
What you wanna do? (Kangaroo!)
Do the do (Do the do!)

Cross the line {repeat}
Baby, baby, baby, cross the line {repeat 2 fade}

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, help me stand
I try, I have need, I am whole
Through the door, through the shore

Precious Lord, I believe in your name

The Line is an unreleased song recorded on 22 December, 1987 (six days after Dance On, during a stretch of sessions focused on the Lovesexy album). It was written in response to a poem by Ingrid Chavez which Prince had recorded with her earlier in the month, entitled Cross The Line. The Line was included on an early version of the album, compiled on 21 January, 1988, but was removed for a February configuration, replaced by I Wish U Heaven.

The song includes a chanted portion used in live shows since early 1987, "People, people. I've got a brand new dance", which mentions Housequake. The track ends with Boni Boyer singing lyrics from Take My Hand, Precious Lord. A scream by Boni Boyer from this track was later used in the opening seconds of Acknowledge Me (credited incorrectly to "Bonni Boyer"), with the liner notes stating that The Line was "2 b released at a later date". The song remains unreleased, however.

Recording Personnel

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 12/05/14 1:31pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

Cat, Miko Weaver, Boni Boyer behind

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 12/05/14 1:40pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

Boni, U lived 2 C the Dawn

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 12/05/14 1:48pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

When Prince hired Rosie Gaines he asked her a question about running off like Boni

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 12/05/14 3:05pm

iZsaZsa

avatar

rose
What?
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 12/05/14 5:13pm

SoulAlive

She was a very talented lady...she could really,truly SING! In the 90s,she could be heard singing backup vocals on Raphael Saadiq's 1994 hit "Ask Of You".
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 12/05/14 5:17pm

SoulAlive

I was heartbroken when the Lovesexy Band were dissolved in early 1989.There was so much magic and excitement with that band! a truly amazing group of musicians.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 12/05/14 9:30pm

FragileUnderto
w

avatar

I absolutely love that early version of "Cross The Line" headbang
Every time i her it i think of Boni Boyer pray rose



SoulAlive said:

In the 90s,she could be heard singing backup vocals on Raphael Saadiq's 1994 hit "Ask Of You".

as i recall.. She was also the female background vocals on Digital Underground's Kiss You back

Cant believe my purple psychedelic pimp slap pimp2

And I descend from grace, In arms of undertow
I will take my place, In the great below
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 12/06/14 11:01am

databank

avatar

I've always wondered (or knew at some point then forgot) whether she left the band (and why) or was thanked (then why). Does anyone know what happened?

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #14 posted 12/06/14 11:40am

1725topp

Boni, it's yo' house...Boni Boyer...I said Boni Boyer!!!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #15 posted 12/06/14 3:46pm

Askani

avatar

I heard a rumor a long time ago (before she died) that she was caught selling/trading bootlegs and that's why she was fired.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #16 posted 12/08/14 8:21am

OldFriends4Sal
e

Askani said:

I heard a rumor a long time ago (before she died) that she was caught selling/trading bootlegs and that's why she was fired.

Fired from Paisley Park?>

I believe Cat & Boni left on their own.

Prince made a comment/question to Rosie whether or not she was going to leave like Bonnie did

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 12/08/14 8:23am

OldFriends4Sal
e

databank said:

I've always wondered (or knew at some point then forgot) whether she left the band (and why) or was thanked (then why). Does anyone know what happened?

I also remember reading something about a sort of clashing that went on between she and Prince that would go to far, I think she left on her own

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 12/08/14 8:48am

OldFriends4Sal
e

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #19 posted 12/08/14 8:50am

OldFriends4Sal
e

1725topp said:

Boni, it's yo' house...Boni Boyer...I said Boni Boyer!!!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #20 posted 12/08/14 3:18pm

BartVanHemelen

avatar

databank said:

I've always wondered (or knew at some point then forgot) whether she left the band (and why) or was thanked (then why). Does anyone know what happened?

.

Wasn't she bullied by band members? Or was that Rosie?

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #21 posted 12/08/14 3:39pm

NinaB

avatar

BartVanHemelen said:



databank said:


I've always wondered (or knew at some point then forgot) whether she left the band (and why) or was thanked (then why). Does anyone know what happened?



.


Wasn't she bullied by band members? Or was that Rosie?


I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc.
From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.
"We just let people talk & say whatever they want 2 say. 9 times out of 10, trust me, what's out there now, I wouldn't give nary one of these folks the time of day. That's why I don't say anything back, because there's so much that's wrong" - P, Dec '15
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #22 posted 12/08/14 4:06pm

Aerogram

avatar

NinaB said:

BartVanHemelen said:

.

Wasn't she bullied by band members? Or was that Rosie?

I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc. From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.

Source?

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #23 posted 12/08/14 8:35pm

NinaB

avatar

I don't have any one source for you, been a fan almost 30 yrs, picked up a few things over the years.
Rosie herself spoke of some problems she had with the fella's.
I forget where or who but Boni was reported to have spoken up to P on more than one occasion and the general vibe was she was funny, well liked & didn't take no shit.
"We just let people talk & say whatever they want 2 say. 9 times out of 10, trust me, what's out there now, I wouldn't give nary one of these folks the time of day. That's why I don't say anything back, because there's so much that's wrong" - P, Dec '15
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #24 posted 12/09/14 3:08am

BartVanHemelen

avatar

NinaB said:

BartVanHemelen said:

.

Wasn't she bullied by band members? Or was that Rosie?

I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc. From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.

.

I'm pretty sure she complained about there being fat jokes. I recall being surprised to learn that this happened on the Lovesexy Tour.

.

[Edited 12/9/14 3:09am]

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #25 posted 12/09/14 3:33am

remko

avatar

Looking at the lovesexy live vid fro Dortmund, I always had the impression that there was some negative energy between Boni and Sheila, during Lets go crazy, where the girls do some percussion.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #26 posted 12/09/14 3:34am

NinaB

avatar

BartVanHemelen said:



NinaB said:


BartVanHemelen said:


.


Wasn't she bullied by band members? Or was that Rosie?



I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc. From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.

.


I'm pretty sure she complained about there being fat jokes. I recall being surprised to learn that this happened on the Lovesexy Tour.



Yeah that does ring a bell.
I remember Rosie saying something similar & something about it resulting with her traveling with Mavis Staple's tour bus on the Nude tour rather than with the band.

.

[Edited 12/9/14 3:09am]

"We just let people talk & say whatever they want 2 say. 9 times out of 10, trust me, what's out there now, I wouldn't give nary one of these folks the time of day. That's why I don't say anything back, because there's so much that's wrong" - P, Dec '15
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #27 posted 12/09/14 3:37am

NinaB

avatar

remko said:

Looking at the lovesexy live vid fro Dortmund, I always had the impression that there was some negative energy between Boni and Sheila, during Lets go crazy, where the girls do some percussion.


Boni was Sheila's old friend, iirc they came up together.
"We just let people talk & say whatever they want 2 say. 9 times out of 10, trust me, what's out there now, I wouldn't give nary one of these folks the time of day. That's why I don't say anything back, because there's so much that's wrong" - P, Dec '15
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #28 posted 12/09/14 5:54am

OldFriends4Sal
e

NinaB said:

BartVanHemelen said:

.

Wasn't she bullied by band members? Or was that Rosie?

I believe that was Rosie, what with being the only woman in the band etc. From what I recall Boni spoke her mind.

Yeah during the Nude tour the energy of the new band members wasn't the best.

Dr Fink talked about the attitudes of some of these guys (mostly the Game Boyz)

by the Diamonds & Pearls tour there was at least Diamonds Pearl and Mayte

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #29 posted 12/09/14 6:09am

OldFriends4Sal
e

Cat Glover:

Filming "Sign o' The Times"...The reason the movie was put on film was, because, when Prince first exposed the new band, a lot of people in Europe held up signs that said "Where are Wendy and Lisa?" and "Where is The Revolution?" They did, they really did.
It was funny, because, I was the new kid on the block. They weren't warm and welcoming to us. Prince got very upset.
We were doing our shows and something drastic happened. I can't remember what country we were in, but, there was a thunderstorm. Mind you, we were performing outside. But, the show must go on. Prince and I were on wireless microphones. There was rain, lightning and thunder. A bolt of thunder struck one of the signs over Boni Boyer's keyboard and it fell. That's when we said "That's it" and Prince decided to put "Sign o' the Times" on film.
I was in my panties. Okay? I was cold. Everyone else was in clothes. You know how my clothes were. I was cold, I was freezing, but, I was professional. When that sign fell and it took a chunk out of Boyer's keyboard, Prince said "That's it." I think God said "I'm going to save you guys."

.

Boni Boyer was my best friend on tour. We shared dressing rooms together. She was a jokester. She was so funny. During sound checks she always had everyone laughing. She was multi-talented. Boyer was from Oakland. She was from the street. She would have Prince on the floor laughing. When she would walk onstage during sound checks, we would all immediately start laughing, because, we knew she was going to say something funny.
I remember we had a sound check in Europe and Boyer was a little late. Prince had on this green two-piece outfit with the alphabet on it. She was late and Prince said "Boni, you're late" and she had on silk pajamas. He said "Don't come on my stage and sound check with those silk pajamas on." Then, Boyer looked at me and Sheila E. --or me and Levi Seacer-- and she said "Yeah, but, you're wearing green pants with the alphabet on them."
We started laughing and we laughed so hard. She made everyone laugh. She was so confident. She was a great singer and a great musician. She could carry her own; she was awesome, funny and raw. I miss her, she was my best friend.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Prince & Boni Boyer(RIP) 1986-1989