The whole Dez Dickerson story is about not getting the props he deserved. He couldn't get a contract back after leaving the Revolution - and he certainly deserved one when you consider some of the acts that got one in the early 80s. Then again he was a black rock artist at the time - there was pretty much only Prince back then. Fishbone was almost completely underground. Living Colour and Lenny Kravitz had not even hit yet.

Dez has never gotten the right amount of credit and respect because he was denied solid solo career after Prince. He was only the second band member to strike out on his own (after Cymone). Andre was clever and didn't stray far from what Prince was doing so, like every Prince spin off, he was able to capitalize on the Mpls sound. Aside from Modernaire - which he did with Prince - Dez struck out into uncharted waters: playing hard rock and being black. It took some courage and originality. He could have stayed with the funk that the record industry wanted black artists to play - like fellow black guitar ace Jesse Johnson did when he left the comfort of Paisley Park. That would have been safer and easier. But I admire the fact that he insisted on rock. He went on to open for Billy Idol instead. Back in those days, facing a white rock audience was not for the faint of heart if you had black skin - we all know what happened to Prince when he opened for the Stones in the early 80s.

Seek out OneMan, Dez's first solo album. It's some good rock and you can hear again why he is the best guitarist Prince ever had and probably the most pivotal collaborator and band member.

Dez was a decent guitarist, I'll give him that.
But hot?

Acrylic said:

visually I see what you see; I always thought he was skanky looking in a David Lee Roth sort of way. Since everyone seems to agree that he is a nice guy, I am glad that he has plenty of attention from the ladies who see things I can not.

Acrylic said:

visually I see what you see; I always thought he was skanky looking in a David Lee Roth sort of way. Since everyone seems to agree that he is a nice guy, I am glad that he has plenty of attention from the ladies who see things I can not.


Has anybody read his book? Is it worth getting? I think, since he knew Prince when Prince was getting hotter and hotter by the minute, it might be quite interesting.

What do you all think are the songs that Dez played on that really showed off his style and talent?
If I were to buy one of his solo acts what one would it be?

Dez was the man!! I wish he still played with Prince

Dez was the man!! I wish he still played with Prince

Deadflow3r said:

Get OneMan - his first and only real solo album. He shows plenty of chops on that record. There is a compilation of religious rock called Best of Christian #1 Radio Hits, Vol. 1 with some solid tracks by Dez.

dandeeland said:

that would be so awesome to see those two on stage again epic!

Was Modernaire released as a single? If it wasn't it shoulda been. I liked it when I heard it in Purple Rain.

I'm still waiting for it to arrive. The projected delivery date is March 3, 2034.

His first book is the definite Prince book - the only one written by someone who was there and had a first hand perspective from the start.

Brofie said:

How is it that Dez gets respect as "there first hand" when everyone like to throw rocks at anything Wendy and Lisa have to say about their experience with Prince? Lisa was there even longer than Dez, but somehow manage to diss their experience. Just sayin'.

PS- I'm not saying Dez SHOULDN'T get that respect, I think it just needs to be equal among all people who worked with Prince, especially early on. And this is not an invitation to a discussion who was more "relevant" in the band. I'm just curious what the difference is.

Zannaloaf said:

Lisa didn't join the band until 1980. Dez was there longer. You must be thinking of Prince's first female keyboard player Gayle Chapman.