The Revolution Reunion at First Avenue, 2/19/12

Photo by Steve Cohen

​Prince and The Revolution
First Avenue, Minneapolis
Sunday, February 19, 2012

View a slideshow from the concert here.

Sure, it wasn't advertised as a Prince show. For many, the Revolution's First Avenue reunion was mainly about the nostalgia. It was great to see Bobby Z playing the drums again after a heart attack nearly killed him a year ago, and good vibes permeated Minneapolis' most iconic venue throughout last night's celebration of life. But Prince's songs just aren't anywhere near as good without The Purple One onstage singing them.


Wendy Melovin did an all right job playing guitar and singing lead, but nobody onstage last night can come close to approximating Prince's charisma and showmanship. And the rest of the band sounded as sloppy as you'd expect considering they haven't played together in a decade and only spent a day and some change rehearsing for last night's show.

Photo by Steve Cohen

​
It was similar to watching the Blood on the Tracks Band play their annual gig in Dylan's hometown of Hibbing -- they're great tunes being played in a meaningful place by musicians who are intimately connected with them, but ultimately the show is missing its most integral component. You can't really do Dylan without Dylan, and you can't really do Prince without Prince.

Were heads nodding and feet moving? Yes. Was it great to hear "Purple Rain" and "1999" in that most appropriate of venues? Of course. Was it a fun nostalgic trip? No doubt. But was it a great show on its merits? Unfortunately, no.

Personal Bias: I absolutely love Prince. Watching him live is like watching a more eccentric, eclectic, modern-day James Brown. I also think a the Revolution is probably the best backing band Prince ever had. The energy in First Avenue during some of the '80s YouTube clips I've seen of Prince and the Revolution is absolutely off the charts. And thanks to an old neighbor named Tim who grew up and went to school with Prince, I understand that the Revolution is probably just as responsible for a lot of Prince's '80s hits as The Purple One himself is. But that's part of the reason last night's show was so revealing. It's one thing to write great songs, another to lead great live performances of said songs.

The crowd: Predominately middle-aged, as you'd expect. Lots of dancing. Eager with anticipation that Prince might show, but partying like it's 1999 one way or the other.

Setlist:
-- Controversy
-- Do It All Night
-- Party Up
-- Let's Work
-- Pop Life
-- America
-- 1999
-- Life Can Be So Nice
-- Mountains
-- anotherloverholenyohead
-- Baby, I'm a Star
-- Let's Go Crazy
Encore
-- Purple Rain
-- Uptown (G Sharp on lead vocals)

Can you expand on what Tim said re the band being just as responsible for those hits?

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere on here, but during a break Bobby Z came on stage and the others followed and he asked each of them to do a line from Purple Rain the movie. It seemed as though they had no idea Bobby was going to ask them to do that. Lisa was called first and stood there for a minute trying to think of a line. This is how I remember it:

Lisa: "He probably dropped it under his bike and rolled over it." (a lot of emphasis on rolled)

Bobby: "We're still a group....right?"

Wendy: "Doesn't that make you feel like shit?" With thunderous applause!

Matt: He did the whole Wendy and her period remark.

Mark: Didn't do anything. I haven't watched the movie in a long time, didn't he have any lines?

Another thing I remember is Wendy talking about filming the America video in a tent in Nice, France and that they had to bring her oxygen, because she almost passed out from the heat.

motherfunka said:

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere on here, but during a break Bobby Z came on stage and the others followed and he asked each of them to do a line from Purple Rain the movie. It seemed as though they had no idea Bobby was going to ask them to do that. Lisa was called first and stood there for a minute trying to think of a line. This is how I remember it:

Lisa: "He probably dropped it under his bike and rolled over it." (a lot of emphasis on rolled)

Bobby: "We're still a group....right?"

Wendy: "Doesn't that make you feel like shit?" With thunderous applause!

Matt: He did the whole Wendy and her period remark.

Mark: Didn't do anything. I haven't watched the movie in a long time, didn't he have any lines?

Another thing I remember is Wendy talking about filming the America video in a tent in Nice, France and that they had to bring her oxygen, because she almost passed out from the heat.

I don't think Mark actually said anything in the movie...

America from the show.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCRVfNReHRk

duggalolly said:

I don't think Mark actually said anything in the movie...

Nope

motherfunka said:

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere on here, but during a break Bobby Z came on stage and the others followed and he asked each of them to do a line from Purple Rain the movie. It seemed as though they had no idea Bobby was going to ask them to do that. Lisa was called first and stood there for a minute trying to think of a line. This is how I remember it:

Lisa: "He probably dropped it under his bike and rolled over it." (a lot of emphasis on rolled)

Bobby: "We're still a group....right?"

Wendy: "Doesn't that make you feel like shit?" With thunderous applause!

Matt: He did the whole Wendy and her period remark.

Mark: Didn't do anything. I haven't watched the movie in a long time, didn't he have any lines?

Another thing I remember is Wendy talking about filming the America video in a tent in Nice, France and that they had to bring her oxygen, because she almost passed out from the heat.

Brown Mark didn't have any lines in the movie so they had him look at his watch like he did in the film when Prince showed up late for rehearsal.

They did the brothas foul! They know Mark's lines got edited out and Dez didn't have any lines.

Enjoyed the show, immensly. Really enjoyed hanging out with my purple friends and making new ones also.

HonestMan13, had a blast with you guys! Glad I got to hang with you all again!

Hopefully, we will all meet up again soon for another event!

PurpleLove7 said:

Concert Review

The Revolution Reunion at First Avenue, 2/19/12

By Aaron Rupar Mon., Feb. 20 2012 at 9:29 AM

Photo by Steve Cohen

​Prince and The Revolution
First Avenue, Minneapolis
Sunday, February 19, 2012

View a slideshow from the concert here.

Sure, it wasn't advertised as a Prince show. For many, the Revolution's First Avenue reunion was mainly about the nostalgia. It was great to see Bobby Z playing the drums again after a heart attack nearly killed him a year ago, and good vibes permeated Minneapolis' most iconic venue throughout last night's celebration of life. But Prince's songs just aren't anywhere near as good without The Purple One onstage singing them.


Wendy Melovin did an all right job playing guitar and singing lead, but nobody onstage last night can come close to approximating Prince's charisma and showmanship. And the rest of the band sounded as sloppy as you'd expect considering they haven't played together in a decade and only spent a day and some change rehearsing for last night's show.

Photo by Steve Cohen

​
It was similar to watching the Blood on the Tracks Band play their annual gig in Dylan's hometown of Hibbing -- they're great tunes being played in a meaningful place by musicians who are intimately connected with them, but ultimately the show is missing its most integral component. You can't really do Dylan without Dylan, and you can't really do Prince without Prince.

Were heads nodding and feet moving? Yes. Was it great to hear "Purple Rain" and "1999" in that most appropriate of venues? Of course. Was it a fun nostalgic trip? No doubt. But was it a great show on its merits? Unfortunately, no.

Personal Bias: I absolutely love Prince. Watching him live is like watching a more eccentric, eclectic, modern-day James Brown. I also think a the Revolution is probably the best backing band Prince ever had. The energy in First Avenue during some of the '80s YouTube clips I've seen of Prince and the Revolution is absolutely off the charts. And thanks to an old neighbor named Tim who grew up and went to school with Prince, I understand that the Revolution is probably just as responsible for a lot of Prince's '80s hits as The Purple One himself is. But that's part of the reason last night's show was so revealing. It's one thing to write great songs, another to lead great live performances of said songs.

The crowd: Predominately middle-aged, as you'd expect. Lots of dancing. Eager with anticipation that Prince might show, but partying like it's 1999 one way or the other.

Setlist:
-- Controversy
-- Do It All Night
-- Party Up
-- Let's Work
-- Pop Life
-- America
-- 1999
-- Life Can Be So Nice
-- Mountains
-- anotherloverholenyohead
-- Baby, I'm a Star
-- Let's Go Crazy
Encore
-- Purple Rain
-- Uptown (G Sharp on lead vocals)

npggirl77 said:

Enjoyed the show, immensly. Really enjoyed hanging out with my purple friends and making new ones also.

HonestMan13, had a blast with you guys! Glad I got to hang with you all again!

Hopefully, we will all meet up again soon for another event!

So you ONLY had a blast with HonetMan ? It was great seeing you again babe

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

PurpleLove7 said:

Concert Review

The Revolution Reunion at First Avenue, 2/19/12

By Aaron Rupar Mon., Feb. 20 2012 at 9:29 AM

Photo by Steve Cohen

Prince and The Revolution
First Avenue, Minneapolis
Sunday, February 19, 2012

View a slideshow from the concert here.

Sure, it wasn't advertised as a Prince show. For many, the Revolution's First Avenue reunion was mainly about the nostalgia. It was great to see Bobby Z playing the drums again after a heart attack nearly killed him a year ago, and good vibes permeated Minneapolis' most iconic venue throughout last night's celebration of life. But Prince's songs just aren't anywhere near as good without The Purple One onstage singing them.


Wendy Melovin did an all right job playing guitar and singing lead, but nobody onstage last night can come close to approximating Prince's charisma and showmanship. And the rest of the band sounded as sloppy as you'd expect considering they haven't played together in a decade and only spent a day and some change rehearsing for last night's show.

Photo by Steve Cohen

It was similar to watching the Blood on the Tracks Band play their annual gig in Dylan's hometown of Hibbing -- they're great tunes being played in a meaningful place by musicians who are intimately connected with them, but ultimately the show is missing its most integral component. You can't really do Dylan without Dylan, and you can't really do Prince without Prince.

Were heads nodding and feet moving? Yes. Was it great to hear "Purple Rain" and "1999" in that most appropriate of venues? Of course. Was it a fun nostalgic trip? No doubt. But was it a great show on its merits? Unfortunately, no.

Personal Bias: I absolutely love Prince. Watching him live is like watching a more eccentric, eclectic, modern-day James Brown. I also think a the Revolution is probably the best backing band Prince ever had. The energy in First Avenue during some of the '80s YouTube clips I've seen of Prince and the Revolution is absolutely off the charts. And thanks to an old neighbor named Tim who grew up and went to school with Prince, I understand that the Revolution is probably just as responsible for a lot of Prince's '80s hits as The Purple One himself is. But that's part of the reason last night's show was so revealing. It's one thing to write great songs, another to lead great live performances of said songs.

The crowd: Predominately middle-aged, as you'd expect. Lots of dancing. Eager with anticipation that Prince might show, but partying like it's 1999 one way or the other.

Setlist:
-- Controversy
-- Do It All Night
-- Party Up
-- Let's Work
-- Pop Life
-- America
-- 1999
-- Life Can Be So Nice
-- Mountains
-- anotherloverholenyohead
-- Baby, I'm a Star
-- Let's Go Crazy
Encore
-- Purple Rain
-- Uptown (G Sharp on lead vocals)

Why the fuck are you so worried about a show you didn't even attend? Shouldn't you be off defending the marriage of Will Smith and his beard?

banks said:

npggirl77 said:

Enjoyed the show, immensly. Really enjoyed hanging out with my purple friends and making new ones also.

HonestMan13, had a blast with you guys! Glad I got to hang with you all again!

Hopefully, we will all meet up again soon for another event!

So you ONLY had a blast with HonetMan ? It was great seeing you again babe

Yep! Only with Honestman13!!!

HonestMan13 said:

banks said:

So you ONLY had a blast with HonetMan ? It was great seeing you again babe

Yep! Only with Honestman13!!!

banks said:

HonestMan13 said:

Yep! Only with Honestman13!!!

Shut up Terrence

Efan said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Why the fuck are you so worried about a show you didn't even attend? Shouldn't you be off defending the marriage of Will Smith and his beard?

Damn Efan...

Wow, that initial reviewer was obviously one of those tone deaf muthafuckas I mentioned in my review on another thread...he seemed to be blind too because I saw a room full of people JAMMING their asses off...that crowd was hyped the entire show. Was Prince really missed...not really IMHO. Would it have been nice for him to make a quick appearance for not only a great cause but for a close friend...absolutely, but at the end of the day he didn't and that was his choice. It's okay though...his guitar was there so I took it as him being there in spirit because let's face it, that man's guitars are a part of him. It was a great show and I'm happy Bobby Z is happy and healthy again. Anyone who has the ability to tear apart a benefit concert is obviously a pompous asshole with a questionable heart. I'd like to pose this question to that person, "Could you have done it better?" Yeah, don't think so.

Efan said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Why the fuck are you so worried about a show you didn't even attend? Shouldn't you be off defending the marriage of Will Smith and his beard?

Damn Efan! Jealousy is such an ugly beast so just feel sorry for this person for missing the show like I do because he missed out on one hellava great experience. BEST.WEEKEND.EVER!

banks said:

HonestMan13 said:

Yep! Only with Honestman13!!!

Shut up Terrence

so this is what its like 2 go to a prince show and he not show up? seems like everyone had fun and im glad people supported bobby z function.im not a big fan of the revolution without prince but alwaya felt bobby was the coolest drummer he got majore swag

banks said:

Efan said:

Why the fuck are you so worried about a show you didn't even attend? Shouldn't you be off defending the marriage of Will Smith and his beard?

Damn Efan...

Didn't see that one coming

Just got this note from my friend who is an executive producer on the local Minneapolis Fox affiliate:

Maury Glover's story on behind-the-scenes at the Revoloution show, plus an update on Bobby Z's heart recovery airs tonight at about 9:10 on Fox 9. Will be on the web after that. I thought you concert-fans may like to see it or spread the word.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/

estelle81 said:

Wow, that initial reviewer was obviously one of those tone deaf muthafuckas I mentioned in my review on another thread...he seemed to be blind too because I saw a room full of people JAMMING their asses off...that crowd was hyped the entire show. Was Prince really missed...not really IMHO. Would it have been nice for him to make a quick appearance for not only a great cause but for a close friend...absolutely, but at the end of the day he didn't and that was his choice. It's okay though...his guitar was there so I took it as him being there in spirit because let's face it, that man's guitars are a part of him. It was a great show and I'm happy Bobby Z is happy and healthy again. Anyone who has the ability to tear apart a benefit concert is obviously a pompous asshole with a questionable heart. I'd like to pose this question to that person, "Could you have done it better?" Yeah, don't think so.

Say that again.

Very good interview. Never heard Brown Mark talk b4 he looks the same....

Vendetta1 said: