I've always been wondering about that. Ok, Ingrid Chavez married and divorced David Sylvian and never had to care about money anymore, but what abnout the others? Sure, some like St. Paul or Michael B & Sonny T are sometimes hired by other bands here and there. Others like Wendy & Lisa have been able to find work for hire sometimes for TV scores or things like that. Mayte does TV. Most of The Time still tours as The Time. It seems that Dez is making some money with his small label. Vanity is now a professional evangelist. But globally, how do these people survive between two projects? I mean for example there was a 13 years gap between Eroica and the soundtrack for Heroes (and W&L certainly didn't make that much money with their song for Toys or with Girl Bros.)! How could Jesse Johnson possibly survive between Pandemonium and his recent come-back?

And what about those who just don't release records anymore and don't seem to tour too much either? Jill Jones, Dr. Fink, Bobby Z, Taja Sevelle, Gayle Chapman, Rosie Gaines, André Cymone, Appolonia, BrownMark, Miko Weaver, Tommy Barbarella, Cat, Kat Dyson, Levi Seacer Jr., Martika, Eric Leeds, TC Ellis, Sheila E., Elisa Fiorillo (before 2010), Robin Power and so on...?

HOW DO THESE PEOPLE PAY THE RENT? Because u still see them appear on stage or on TV or being interviewed once in a while and they're behaving like "yeah sure i'm still trying to do some music" but fact is that unless they got a secret other job they don't want to talk about, u can hardly understand how they could possibly make a living out of their musical career.

I'm not trying to disrespect anyone with this thread. I'm just really wondering

[Edited 5/10/11 20:26pm]

sovembol said:

Can't wait to see the responses. Lol

databank said:

And what about those who just don't release records anymore and don't seem to tour too much either? Jill Jones, Dr. Fink, Bobby Z, Taja Sevelle, Gayle Chapman, Rosie Gaines, André Cymone, Appolonia, BrownMark, Miko Weaver, Tommy Barbarella, Cat, Kat Dyson, Levi Seacer Jr., Martika, Eric Leeds, TC Ellis, Sheila E., Elisa Fiorillo (before 2010), Robin Power and so on...?

Sheila E. tours like crazy and just released an album with her family members. http://www.the-e-family.com/

Gayle Chapman still performs and lives in Idaho.

In between albums, Wendy & Lisa scored movies, produced, did session work, and/or co-wrote for other artists behind the scenes. http://www.facebook.com/wendyandlisa

Dr. Fink owns a recording studio http://www.facebook.com/p...1131356275

Bobby Z. is recuperating from a heart attack. Helps run a small record label. http://www.facebook.com/p.../726414535

KemiVA said:

databank said:

And what about those who just don't release records anymore and don't seem to tour too much either? Jill Jones, Dr. Fink, Bobby Z, Taja Sevelle, Gayle Chapman, Rosie Gaines, André Cymone, Appolonia, BrownMark, Miko Weaver, Tommy Barbarella, Cat, Kat Dyson, Levi Seacer Jr., Martika, Eric Leeds, TC Ellis, Sheila E., Elisa Fiorillo (before 2010), Robin Power and so on...?

Sheila E. tours like crazy and just released an album with her family members. http://www.the-e-family.com/

Gayle Chapman still performs and lives in Idaho.

In between albums, Wendy & Lisa scored movies, produced, did session work, and/or co-wrote for other artists behind the scenes. http://www.facebook.com/wendyandlisa

Dr. Fink owns a recording studio http://www.facebook.com/p...1131356275

Bobby Z. is recuperating from a heart attack. Helps run a small record label. http://www.facebook.com/p.../726414535

Elisa Fiorillo was working on her own music and having a family up until she hooked up with Prince again. She put out a Jazz album called Labor Of Love on her website/I Tunes/Cd Baby. Don't know her financial situation but she somehow survived and now that she's working with him again-I believe she is probably doing very well financially! Sheila E has also had a great career on her own. Musicians all seem to get by and may not be the richest folks in the world..but they all manage to find work and gigs to get by and at least they are doing what they love to do. Music sustains them even when they may be down and out financially.

Wendy shared that it was Sheila E who suggested to Wendy & Lisa that they look into session work for film/tv scoring because Sheila was making far more money doing that then she ever did while working for Prince. Since W&L are actually creating the music (Crossing Jordan was sold into syndication and ran for years, Heroes being the big hit it was for a flash of a second and Nurse Jackie currently a big hit), they have got to be a lot more comfortable these days.

Cat has done some modeling in recent years.Jill Jones released a dance single not so long ago (and possibly an album?) and Robin Power seems to get by...lol...she recently posted in this forum about her new "projects"

some Mazarati's , active in music

Tony Christian (guitar)

http://www.myspace.com/to...tianonline

Jerome "Romeo" Cox (bass)

http://www.myspace.com/jeromecox

Marvin "Marr Starr" Gunn (keyboards)

http://www.myspace.com/onegunn

Robin Power doesn't pay the rent. That's why she's been on here more than once telling us she's near eviction, and most recently, asking for money to be sent directly to her personal checking account.

St. Paul has been playing professionally with many different people throughout the years. If you look up Wendy's and Lisa's info at the ASCAP website, you will see they have done a ton of writing. I think Lisa had almost as many songs listed as Prince!

It's very likely that some of these people found "regular" jobs that have nothing to do with their musical careers.The music business is a tough business to be in,especially right now when even established artists have a hard time selling CDs and making lots of money.

SoulAlive said:

Cat has done some modeling in recent years.Jill Jones released a dance single not so long ago (and possibly an album?) and Robin Power seems to get by...lol...she recently posted in this forum about her new "projects"

No offense to Cat but I hardly think she is "modeling" , she's way past her modeling days. More like she paid a photographer to photograph her hoping to garnish some business.

databank said:

I've always been wondering about that. Ok, Ingrid Chavez married and divorced David Sylvian and never had to care about money anymore, but what abnout the others? Sure, some like St. Paul or Michael B & Sonny T are sometimes hired by other bands here and there. Others like Wendy & Lisa have been able to find work for hire sometimes for TV scores or things like that. Mayte does TV. Most of The Time still tours as The Time. It seems that Dez is making some money with his small label. Vanity is now a professional evangelist. But globally, how do these people survive between two projects? I mean for example there was a 13 years gap between Eroica and the soundtrack for Heroes (and W&L certainly didn't make that much money with their song for Toys or with Girl Bros.)! How could Jesse Johnson possibly survive between Pandemonium and his recent come-back?

And what about those who just don't release records anymore and don't seem to tour too much either? Jill Jones, Dr. Fink, Bobby Z, Taja Sevelle, Gayle Chapman, Rosie Gaines, André Cymone, Appolonia, BrownMark, Miko Weaver, Tommy Barbarella, Cat, Kat Dyson, Levi Seacer Jr., Martika, Eric Leeds, TC Ellis, Sheila E., Elisa Fiorillo (before 2010), Robin Power and so on...?

HOW DO THESE PEOPLE PAY THE RENT? Because u still see them appear on stage or on TV or being interviewed once in a while and they're behaving like "yeah sure i'm still trying to do some music" but fact is that unless they got a secret other job they don't want to talk about, u can hardly understand how they could possibly make a living out of their musical career.

I'm not trying to disrespect anyone with this thread. I'm just really wondering

[Edited 5/10/11 20:26pm]

You don't have to play or record solo material to work and be successful in the music industry. Many of these musicians are living thier lives as, well musicians, doing what the rest of their peers do who don't have Prince stints on their resumes. That would include (but not be limited to)

*local gigs playing in clubs, music festivals, events

*session work as musicians on other artists' cds

*touring with artists other than Prince

*songwriting for other artists

*producing tracks for other artists

*film scoring

*scoring music for commercial advertising (e.g. next time you hear a commercial for a car, a bank, or a new prescription drug on the market, know that someone was paid to compose the music for it unless the ad agency lifted a song from a previously released cd...) this is is lucrative.

This is generally the life of a professional working musician. I rarely have encountered one that has trouble paying their bills. It's all a matter of diversifying their talent to fit into a combo of the things I listed above, and they generally live quite well.

Ottensen said:

databank said:

I've always been wondering about that. Ok, Ingrid Chavez married and divorced David Sylvian and never had to care about money anymore, but what abnout the others? Sure, some like St. Paul or Michael B & Sonny T are sometimes hired by other bands here and there. Others like Wendy & Lisa have been able to find work for hire sometimes for TV scores or things like that. Mayte does TV. Most of The Time still tours as The Time. It seems that Dez is making some money with his small label. Vanity is now a professional evangelist. But globally, how do these people survive between two projects? I mean for example there was a 13 years gap between Eroica and the soundtrack for Heroes (and W&L certainly didn't make that much money with their song for Toys or with Girl Bros.)! How could Jesse Johnson possibly survive between Pandemonium and his recent come-back?

And what about those who just don't release records anymore and don't seem to tour too much either? Jill Jones, Dr. Fink, Bobby Z, Taja Sevelle, Gayle Chapman, Rosie Gaines, André Cymone, Appolonia, BrownMark, Miko Weaver, Tommy Barbarella, Cat, Kat Dyson, Levi Seacer Jr., Martika, Eric Leeds, TC Ellis, Sheila E., Elisa Fiorillo (before 2010), Robin Power and so on...?

HOW DO THESE PEOPLE PAY THE RENT? Because u still see them appear on stage or on TV or being interviewed once in a while and they're behaving like "yeah sure i'm still trying to do some music" but fact is that unless they got a secret other job they don't want to talk about, u can hardly understand how they could possibly make a living out of their musical career.

I'm not trying to disrespect anyone with this thread. I'm just really wondering

[Edited 5/10/11 20:26pm]

You don't have to play or record solo material to work and be successful in the music industry. Many of these musicians are living thier lives as, well musicians, doing what the rest of their peers do who don't have Prince stints on their resumes. That would include (but not be limited to)

*local gigs playing in clubs, music festivals, events

*session work as musicians on other artists' cds

*touring with artists other than Prince

*songwriting for other artists

*producing tracks for other artists

*film scoring

*scoring music for commercial advertising (e.g. next time you hear a commercial for a car, a bank, or a new prescription drug on the market, know that someone was paid to compose the music for it unless the ad agency lifted a song from a previously released cd...) this is is lucrative.

This is generally the life of a professional working musician. I rarely have encountered one that has trouble paying their bills. It's all a matter of diversifying their talent to fit into a combo of the things I listed above, and they generally live quite well.

There are also some musicians who transition into A&R talent scouting, work as record company execs, or even make music instruction DVDs.

[Edited 5/11/11 8:40am]

Are you people asking out of concern or are you just nosey and trying to get in their business knowing that the quickest way into someone's business is through their finances?

I'd be incredibly surprised if Sheila weren't a millionaire many times over. Unless she was incredibly frivolous with her money, she should be a very wealthy woman.

St. Paul and Susannah both went on to write songs for other artists (this is in addition to whatever else they may have been doing). That might have been lucrative for them.

I've always been curious if being in the Prince camp in the '80s meant you were on retainer or something, and you got paid for that. I have no idea what, for example, Jill Jones has done for money after Prince. But for the years she was with him, she showed up in a lot of places (various Prince albums, Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge movies, salvaging Sheila's vocals on The Glamorous Life, her own solo album, and on and on). The nosey part of me was always curious if she just got a flat monthly/yearly salary or if she was paid per project or what.

[Edited 5/11/11 14:07pm]

BlaqueKnight said:

Are you people asking out of concern or are you just nosey and trying to get in their business knowing that the quickest way into someone's business is through their finances?

Or to just start a thread.

It is SOOOooooo easy to google most of these artists. If you find them you will see that many are working musicians with long track records who work constantly. Then there are the ones that are hard to find. Which probably tells you they are out of the public eye- and probably not in music anymore.

Databank said no disrespect, but I find that ingenuous given that they said "u can hardly understand how they could possibly make a living out of their musical career." implying they are not good enough to do so without you know who. Take a search engine trek and find out how wrong you are.

BlaqueKnight said:

Are you people asking out of concern or are you just nosey and trying to get in their business knowing that the quickest way into someone's business is through their finances?

What on EARTH r u talking about?

SoulAlive said:

Cat has done some modeling in recent years.Jill Jones released a dance single not so long ago (and possibly an album?) and Robin Power seems to get by...lol...she recently posted in this forum about her new "projects"

But you and I both know those don't sell very well so the question still is "How are they paying the rent". I'm thinking they may be working some type of job that isn't music related at all.

SoulAlive said:

It's very likely that some of these people found "regular" jobs that have nothing to do with their musical careers.The music business is a tough business to be in,especially right now when even established artists have a hard time selling CDs and making lots of money.

Ooops, I see you beat me to it.

Anyway, I know a lot of older R&B singers do the touring gospel stage play thing now to make a living. Folks like Angela Bofill, Shirley Murdock, Howard Hewitt, and countless others have gone that route as well as touring and performing their own older hits at small venues like casinos and music festivals and things like that. But a lot of ex-Prince protegees were not well known enough other than to hardcore Prince fans to draw a crowd and sell tickets to their own shows or to headline in a stage play. They remind of of these exotic animals that people once had as a pet but then once the owner has set them free, they can't survive back out in the wild.

databank said:

BlaqueKnight said:

Are you people asking out of concern or are you just nosey and trying to get in their business knowing that the quickest way into someone's business is through their finances?

What on EARTH r u talking about?

[img:$uid]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/Keeva1983/120px-ENGLISH_MOTHER_FUCKER.gif[/img:$uid]

vainandy said:

SoulAlive said:

Cat has done some modeling in recent years.Jill Jones released a dance single not so long ago (and possibly an album?) and Robin Power seems to get by...lol...she recently posted in this forum about her new "projects"

But you and I both know those don't sell very well so the question still is "How are they paying the rent". I'm thinking they may be working some type of job that isn't music related at all.

Back in the 90s,Jill was touring as a background vocalist for Chic.Many times,artists find gigs like this.I'm thinking that Jill could easily find another gig like this.

These people exist outside of Prince's orbit. Do you really think Elisa Fiorillo was sat at home twiddling her thumbs since 1990, waiting for Prince's call?

Most of these people have their own websites/social networking pages/entries on websites like discogs.com so you can see what they are up to when not being showered by the burning rays of Mr. Nelson.

Jill made two albums, two dance singles, toured with Chic and guested on a Giorgio Moroder tribute album (track Call me).

Blaqueknight you don't have to be rude and I asked what u're talking about cuz u sound like a conspirationist: " trying to get in their business knowing that the quickest way into someone's business is through their finances" ??? Who do u think we are? CIA? Gimme a break!

Some others who say I'm being disrespectful or that these people don't need Prince, u r totally mistaken: I don't c what it has to do with Prince being around or not, it's about people who kinda disappear from the public eye. And since when does talent has anything to do with success (and success with talents?).

I've been in the music business for quite a number of years in France and i've known a whole lot of pros and I can tell u that without social government help most of them couldn't do what they do, and even with that some have to have some "regular" job from time to time to earn what they need. Knowing that the USA doesn't have the social income help we have here, it's quite reasonable I think to wonder how these people manage to survive when they're out of the public eye.

Thanks for those who gave answers, and please keep sharing what u know

jeez- this is what I mean by google...:

Paul Peterson Biography (NOV 2010)
.............
As evidenced, Paul is indeed a celebrated recording artist, but he is also renowned as a thrilling live performer - complementing an impressive and ever-growing list of artists which includes names such as Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Boz Scaggs, Lionel Richie, Reba McIntire, Kenny Loggins, The Beach Boys, Little Richard, Boy George, Robert Palmer, Dolly Parton and Oleta Adams to name but a few. )

With his musical skills and contributions firmly established, Paul has been and continues to be in high demand as a studio musician lending his musical chops to yet another impressive list of artists and their varied recording projects. A partial list includes Gavin DeGraw, Jonny Lang, The Corrs, The Spice Girls, Neneh Cherry, Mavis Staples, Rosie Gaines, Shannon Curfmann, Tuck & Patti, Anita Baker, Paula Abdul, Joe Sample, Tevin Campbell, Sergio Mendes, David Sanborn, George Benson and Academy Award™ Winner Leo Sidran. )

As a songwriter Paul has achieved considerable success, most notably as co-writer on The Corrs worldwide smash Only When I Sleep while his track Song For My Brother garnered a Grammy Award™ nomination for the legendary George Benson. Continuing to make his mark as an internationally renowned songwriter, Paul has recently penned material for recording artists BB Mak (Unpredictable, Next Time - platinum), Al Jarreau (Oasis), Youngstown (Sugar - first single) and Aussie Youth (Stay A While - first single). He has also contributed a song to Donny Osmond’s newest record called In It For Love that was written with his brother Ricky Peterson, nephew Jason Peterson Delaire, Donny Osmond and respected producers Gary Barlow (Take That) and Eliot Kennedy. Other artists to have covered Paul’s material include The Veronicas, Eternal, Paula Abdul, Jasmine Guy, Stacey Earle and Sheena Easton along with jazz greats David Sanborn, Ben Sidran and Jeff Lorber. He continues to write material with a host of accomplished songwriters including Oliver Leiber (Opposites Attract, Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul), Susannah Melvoin (The Family, Madonna, Prince, Eric Clapton) Bunny Hull (New Attitude - Patti Labelle, Breakdance - Irene Cara), Richard Page (Broken Wings- Mr. Mister, I'll Remember - Madonna) Steve Perry (Journey) and country music star Bryan White (Leann Rimes, Sawyer Brown). )

Firmly proving himself behind the scenes as a consummate professional, Paul’s production and performing talents continue to impress throughout films, television and CD-ROM media. His most notable credits include The Young and The Restless, A Goofy Movie, Girl 6, ESPN Boxing, Melrose Place, VH-1, NBC, HBO, The Mayo Clinic Medical Guide (CD-ROM), and the award winning documentaries Vietnam - Long Time Coming and Hoop Dreams. Paul also played a pivotal role, playing on and producing tracks for Oleta Adam's new CD entitled Let’s Stay Here. Most notably, Paul was honored with a remarkable opportunity of Olympic proportions. He produced the debut of the exhilarating song Inspire the Spirit, for the opening ceremonies for the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games and additionally produced a rousing re-working of the hit We Are Family for the closing ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics - both of which were broadcast around the world. He also produced and arranged the music for 'Royale Variety 2003', a benefit concert in Scotland honoring the Queen of England. )

Always desiring to stretch himself artistically, Paul signed on, after a personal request by Donny Osmond, to serve as the musical director for the singer's first solo tour in eleven years, while working under the tutelage of music impresario, producer and legend Phil Ramone (Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel). He toured with Donny from 2000-2007. Now Paul finds himself touring with Grammy™ winner Kenny Loggins. In 2008, Paul co-produced a remake with Kenny of his Grammy Award winning song “This Is It.” )

In September 2005, Paul released his much-anticipated DVD St Paul Live at Bunkers. Shot at Minneapolis’ favorite music venue, this DVD is packed with songs that span Paul’s career. World-renowned percussionist Sheila E calls it “amazing” while fellow bass player Victor Wooten calls Paul “one of my favorite artists and bass players. It’s wonderful to finally see him on DVD. It shows how talented and funky he really is.” )

2010 has been a busy year for Paul. He has reunited with the band The Family (now called Fdeluxe) and is writing and producing a record for them with his co-lead singer Susannah Melvoin. During his time at home, Paul manages to teach classes at Minneapolis Media Institute in Edina, MN.)

Obviously a man on a mission, Peterson continues to embrace new musical challenges and is always searching for new ways to express his explosive creativity. He has in fact, throughout his acclaimed career, expertly demonstrated himself to be a consummate artist, studio musician, live performer, multi-instrumentalist (bass, keyboards, drums, guitar and vocals), songwriter, arranger, producer and musical director, with many more musical horizons ahead of him to explore. For more information on Paul’s productions, go to http://www.PaulPeterson.com. )

Wendy and Lisa-

They have Written and Produced for artists such as SEAL and Neil Finn and
meshell n'degeocello. They have appeared as Musicians on records with artists like kd lang, Sheryl Crow, and Tricky.

Currently Wendy and Lisa score the NBC hit series CROSSING JORDAN, and are busy in developement of HBO's ambitious newseries CARNIVALE.

Wendy and Lisa have scored such films as DANGEROUS MINDS, SOUL FOOD and The THIRD WHEEL. Their mix of POP and ORCHESTRAL abilities make them a strong choice for modern films. The fact that they have worked with such a wide varietyof culturally diverse artists, is a testament tothe extent of theirmusical language.

Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman composed music for the first season of TV series Heroes. In September 2008, they announced that they would be releasing an album consisting entirely of the score from Heroes, entitled Heroes: Original Score.

Melvoin also contributed guitars to Madonna's 2008 album Hard Candy on the song "She's Not Me" and is mentioned by name during the song. She contributed heavily to Neil Finn's second solo album One Nil, co-writing many tracks and playing drums and bass on several. She is credited for guitar work on most of the tracks on Rob Thomas' first solo album, ...Something to Be.

Coleman and Melvoin have also collaborated in providing music for television shows including Crossing Jordan and Heroes, both created and produced by Tim Kringunder his Tailwind Productions banner, and Nurse Jackie, starring Edie Falco.

Coleman and Melvoin were awarded with an Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title in 2010 for their theme to Nurse Jackie.^[

That looks like enough work to keep the money coming. Of course I figured if they all invested their cuts from Purple Rain they wouldn't HAVE to work. But then again, I'll never see that kind of money...lol.

Zannaloaf said:

That looks like enough work to keep the money coming. Of course I figured if they all invested their cuts from Purple Rain they wouldn't HAVE to work. But then again, I'll never see that kind of money...lol.

I recall Wendy sharing that Prince still owes them money from their time with him. Talk about an ass.

sosgemini said:

Zannaloaf said:

That looks like enough work to keep the money coming. Of course I figured if they all invested their cuts from Purple Rain they wouldn't HAVE to work. But then again, I'll never see that kind of money...lol.

I recall Wendy sharing that Prince still owes them money from their time with him. Talk about an ass.

well if wendy feels prince owes them money why did they appear on planet earth cd and did the world music awards with him. seems as if they jump at any chance 2 reconnect with prince yet these horror stories keep coming up of how he didnt pay or how he treated them. if he was so bad y they keep coming back??

cbarnes3121 said:

sosgemini said:

I recall Wendy sharing that Prince still owes them money from their time with him. Talk about an ass.

well if wendy feels prince owes them money why did they appear on planet earth cd and did the world music awards with him. seems as if they jump at any chance 2 reconnect with prince yet these horror stories keep coming up of how he didnt pay or how he treated them. if he was so bad y they keep coming back??

Cause they are like family? I don't know. But you are right, why do they go back? Better question: Why does Sheile E. put up with his crap? Reading her recent interview offended me. The fact that she puts her entire schedule aside for the "possibility" to play with him is sad IMHO.

sosgemini said:

cbarnes3121 said:

well if wendy feels prince owes them money why did they appear on planet earth cd and did the world music awards with him. seems as if they jump at any chance 2 reconnect with prince yet these horror stories keep coming up of how he didnt pay or how he treated them. if he was so bad y they keep coming back??

Cause they are like family? I don't know. But you are right, why do they go back? Better question: Why does Sheile E. put up with his crap? Reading her recent interview offended me. The fact that she puts her entire schedule aside for the "possibility" to play with him is sad IMHO.

There seems to be some dysfunction on both sides of the Prince/W&L relationship. You can ask why they go back, but you could also ask why he keeps calling them to do things when he also keeps threatening them with legal action.

As for Sheila, I wonder if she gets paid for her W2A appearances. Considering she's just "on call," it's not like she'd be on the regular payroll.

databank said:

Blaqueknight you don't have to be rude and I asked what u're talking about cuz u sound like a conspirationist: " trying to get in their business knowing that the quickest way into someone's business is through their finances" ??? Who do u think we are? CIA? Gimme a break!

I iz sowry. I'll b gud.