Do you guys remember Sue Ann Carwell? She's one of the early Prince proteges that nobody ever mentions.I think he was planning to produce an album for her in 1979,but it never materialized.The song "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me" was supposed to be on it.She eventually recorded a few albums without Prince's involvement.I remember in the summer of 1981,she had a minor hit with the single "Let Me Let You Rock Me".Then in 1988,she released an album that was produced by Jesse Johnson,it included a remake of the Aretha Frankin classic "Rock Steady".Her brother is rapper TC Ellis,who recorded for Paisley Park Records in the early 90s.


I don't know what happened between her and Prince,but I recall a late-80s interview where she sounded kinda bitter.She claimed that the whole Vanity 6 concept (female singers wearing lingerie and lace onstage) was her idea.She also said that many of the songs that Prince gave away to his other female proteges were originally intended for her.


Does anyone have any info about the planned album that Prince was producing for her? Any other details about her? I heard that she is now married to one of the guys in Cameo.
[Edited 7/13/05 5:01am]

[hey, all - anx here...i don't know why this thread locked itself up, but i got this info from a user named sbrown:

“SueAnn is still busy working in the music industry, singing, writing, demos, backgrounds, vocal arranging....the list goes on. She also co wrote and sang the song, "Plan on Forever," one of the songs for the movie, THE WEDDING PLANNER. If anyone wants to check out info on Carl or Sue Ann Carwell, they can go to

www.peacecity1.com/carlcarwell/

www.peacecity1.com/sueanncarwell/".”

Go to the Robin Power thread and ask Bassdame about her.

Can she be called a Prince babe if he never produded anything with her?

I have Sue Ann's 1988 'Blue Velvet' album. I believe five tracks were produced by Jesse including the "Rock Steady" cover. They were pretty good.

sextonseven said:

Yep, I have that as well.

blackguitaristz said:

Did Jesse play a lot of guitar on it?

blade said:

Good point.

JesseDezz said:

The tracks were very funky. Like Ta Mara and The Seen.

DavidEye said:

I have the single (7” USA WBS 49750 Let me let You Rock Me (3:37) / Make It Through The Storm (3:11) – credited to Chris Moon –) as well
Make It Through The Storm 8is ofcourse a Prince penned tune

xenophobia2002 said:

Nice find! I used to have that too. Beautiful song, isn't it? Should've been the A-side.

xenophobia2002 said:

So she did release a song from her sessions with Prince? I have an early demo of that song,it's from 1976 and it features Prince on vocals.I'd love to know more info about the Sue Ann Carwell album sessions.I know there is a version of "Wouldn't You Love To Me" with her vocals on it.