<< 1) When I look back at my memories, the Dirty Mind/Controvery/1999
albums
are some of my very favorite..they were raw, hard driving and very
creative
journeys. How does it feel to look back on that and know you were a
part of
music history?

DEZ:

It's very gratifying to know that we had a significant role. One of my
greatest thrills is hearing from people who were impacted by the music,
especially
those who were inspired to pick up a guitar because of what we did back
then.



2) I am sure the American Bandstand show was huge as far as knowing you
had
made it, but was there a moment besides that where you looked at
eachother and
knew "you had something here"

DEZ:

I share a number of them in my book, "My Time With Prince", but two
that
stand out are our concert at the Rainbow Theater in Denver, and opening
for the
Rolling Stones. The Rainbow was our first all-out fan riot, and,
standing
backstage waiting to go on at the LA Coliseum to open for the Stones
stands out as
an incredible moment.



3) I used to put a headband on, play air guitar and pretend I was Dez,
what's
the story behind the kamikazee headband?


DEZ:

Our Lighting Director, Roy Bennett, showed up at soundcheck one day
wearing
it. I had been experimenting with headbands for the past couple of
weeks, and
it was something I was considering making my 'signature'. I commented
to Roy
about how cool I thought it was, and he said he wanted me to try it on
during
sound check. After we were finished checking, he came up to me and
said,
"keep it-it's you". And the rest, as they say, is history.





4) When is the last time you saw Prince? and how was it?



DEZ:

We were able to get together when the Musicology tour came to Nashville
last
year. It was great to see him-we really hadn't talked in over 15
years. He
also met my son, Jordan, for the first time. We had a nice chat,
caught up a
little bit, and he also had a chance to see my wife for the first time
in many
years. It was really great.



5) Could you give us one story from your days with Prince that isn't in
the
book...something funny? interesting? or just something that would
suprise us..

DEZ:

I really used all the best stories in the book!


Dez-trospective.....

1) could you tell us a little about the 2 cd set. alot of people have
asked.."Is it worth the $$""?

DEZ:

Based on the feedback we're getting, folks seemed to be extremely
pleased
with the value of the set. The thing is, it's not just a CD set, but a
true
anthology, complete with a 50 page 8 and1/2 x 11 booklet packed with
never-before-published photos, and extensive liner notes about each
song. Many people are
saying that just getting the full version of Modernaire is worth it,
but we
worked hard to pack as much value into it as we could, It's a project
that has
been a long time in coming, so it was important to me that it be
special.



2) how are things going at Absolute Records? could you tell us about
the
kinds of bands you look to sign? and what will Prince fans like


DEZ:

Things are great with Absolute. We work strictly with faith-based rock
bands-not Christian rock, but people of faith who rock. Most are very
young. Our
#1 priority is a band called LENNY, which features my son Jordan on
lead
vocals, guitar, and songwriter. They've been compared to bands like
Story of the
Year. We're looking for great young bands who can make an impact.

3) a few years back you released "oneman", will fans hear the "Dez
Dickerson"
sound on it?


DEZ:

Definitely. My music has always been primarily rock influenced, and
that's
what "oneman" is about-rock with pop sensibilities.




4) are you going on the road anytime soon? or releasing another cd?

DEZ:

I plan to do another record in the next year or so, but I don't plan to
tour-I'm too busy!



5) What are your visions for the rest of your career?

DEZ:

To facilitate the careers of some special artists, and make music that
matters.



The REAL Dez...

1) what are some of your interests away from music?

DEZ:

Growing in the Truth, being the best husband and dad I know to be, and
football.

2) married? children?

DEZ:

Married for 23 years with one son, Jordan, who's 18.

3) do you still keep in touch with anyone from the "old days"?


DEZ:

I speak with Bobby Z. occasionally. I also recently spoke to Dr. Fink.




4) besides Absolute bands and yourself, who do you listen to?


DEZ:

An odd combination of rock bands (like Sevendust, Thornley, and
Chevelle),
and a variety of worship music.




5) tell us one thing about Dez Dickerson that might suprise people

DEZ:

I love dog shows!


Dez, at this point I'd like to thank you for taking the time to answer
these
questions, I encourage everyone to pickup his book. "My Life with
Prince"
everyone really seems to love it
and the dez-trospective cd set as well.. It's a great trip back in time
with
a great guy..Dez, is there anything else you'd like to say to the fans
at
Prince.org?


DEZ:

Many thanks to all of you who have bought "My Time..." and the
retrospective-I appreciate your support. Remember, "life is more than
just a party..."



FOR MORE ON "MY LIFE WITH PRINCE" AND THE "DEZ-TROSPECTIVE "

GO TO WWW.DEZDICKERSON.COM

FOR MORE ON ABSOLUTE RECORDS

GO TO WWW.ABSOLUTERECORDS.COM

Great to read that they met again.

Ok. Who has the book and is it worth it? Bear in mind, I really don't care about getting the the full version of "Modonaire".

Ifsixwuz9 said:

the book is 29.95 and comes autographed..

the

2 CD "Dez-trospective" set is 50.00 (comes autographed too)



I have not received mine yet, so. I can't tell you for sure.

but the book seems like it will be great..

Dez has a message board that people have left "alot of great feedback"

go to dezdickerson.com and clik "leave a message"

you should be able to make a good choice after reading what fans have said there...

ps. I am NOT getting a cut ...just a big Dez fan ....

Great interview. Thanks to both you, and Dez for taking the time to make it.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

i bought the book when it first came out...and yes, it is very much worth it. get yourself a copy!

It's the only book I know of that gives us some trustworthy insight into the Princely kindgom before the Purple Reign. Very telling of how Prince came to be who he was when he made it big.

I'm still waiting for the CDs -- hopefully I'll get 'em soon.

And thanks so much, MidnightFunk!!

Dez digs dogshows!

Very nice interview midnight.

muskiediver said:

thanks... it was a dream come true for me.....

DEZ said:

Shout out to Denver...

Too bad I didn't live here when that happened. I probably would've been caught up in it.

What the fuck??? Has everybody turned their souls over to Christ?


Damn.


Uhhhh... not that there's anything wrong with that!!!

Snap said:

I agree - it is the only book from someone who was there from the start. It is from a man who is concerned with the truth so it is the greatest Prince book ever as far as I am concerned. No real Prince fan should be without it.

The CD set is an amazing look back into the 80s - when they was still some good pop music. You get to see what Dez could have done if someone gave him a chance as a solo artist back then. Buy them both now!

LovesexyIsThe1 said:

DENVER!!!!!

MidnightFunk said:

Gotcha' thanks.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Ok. Dansa has spoken. I'll have to check it out. It should be quite refreshing to hear stories from the view point of someone who was in the band.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

o_O
I have the book. It is worth it. Trust.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

-----
I read it in about 3 sittings. Very good "behind the scenes" view. If you like Prince, it is a MUST read.

Made me play some old-time videos....

MidnightFunk said:

DENVER!!!! (another shout out/see my signature) Thanks midnight, nice job and now this book is next on my llist!!!

vman4639 said:

I would be interested to read if the Modernaire's toured or played a few gigs (was it video taped?

Would also like to know if there was a lot of footage that was left out of the movie Purple Rain.

Is there anything left out of the book that he did not write about because of his religion?

Does he believe that Wendy and Lisa contributed a lot to the forming of the Prince sound, or now known as the Minneapolis sound?

WHAT is his music like? I have only heard "Modernaire" on Purple Rain and that doestn give me a good outlook on his music. Is it like Jesse Johnson?

paisleypark4 said:

Dez isnt as blues and funk oriented as Jesse. I think Dez calls his approach hard rock with pop sensibilities or something like that. Some o f the earlier stuff is very pop. He rocks though - go get his album called OneMan!

muskiediver said:

I think I know his answer to the Wendy and Lisa question. He knows that he doesnt get nearly the credit that he deserves for his role in Mpls. I heard an interview where he concurs with the interviewer when she says that she didnt get the Wendy and Lisa.

I was totally salivating as I was reading the excerpt from the book on his site. Being one who was not yet in exsistence until 1982, yet a Prince fan, I want to know all I can about what it was like when it first started and I was getting my diaper changed. Gonna buy it!

muskiediver said:

The book does not address this much, except where Dez talks about his slide out. He said he stopped doing Sound Checks and Lisa had a friend who was hanging around (Wendy). Wendy would stand in for sound checks.

At some point Prince offered Dez a multi-year deal that involved the Purple Rain movie - or - Dez could go out on his own and Prince would push WB and others to help him get started. Dez took door #2 - Wendy stepped in - history.

I also heard Dez on a radio talk show - he did not want to discuss Wendy and Lisa at all. Seems like there is some bad feelings there. But he was respectful and did not say a thing.

Also, he is a born again Christian, and I sense (through some of the things he said in the interview) that he does not approve of their lifestyle.

up

Is Dez selling E-Books also?

I got my Dez 2 cd set and have been listening since saturday..

I think most of you will REALLY enjoy the set....

Modernaire was cool enough..the rest is icing....

I am about 1/2 thru the book...ALL orgers will really enjoy the stories...It's a great read.....lots of fun....