"What difference does it make man? We're still a band...right?"

Posted via The Revolution's official FB page just now:

http://www.facebook.com/C...volution14

I was wondering what that was...

this is the Revolution members,right? Wendy,Lisa,Bobby,Fink,Mark??

Funny,just the other day I was thinking....Prince doesn't want to celebrate/reflect on the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain,but what's stopping the Revolution from doing so? They could get back together and do a reunion tour of their own,couldn't they? Or could he block it from happening?

I believe somehow, Cat & Jill Jones will be involved too

It's HI time they get active

patiently waiting.

Very interesting! I hope they'll record new tracks like fDeluxe, not just play the old classics on stage.

Prince must be MAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!

SoulAlive said:

A reunited Apollonia 6 could be the opening act!

have Jill JOnes lead some songs

The only thing I've heard about the 30th anniversary is June 28th at First Avenue from Bobby Z.

its been almost a 100 years sinc purple rain and now less than a year after the release of purple rain princ emoved on and did around the world in a day now what makes u think if he moved on that soon that 100 years later he gonna go back 2 that era? prince had a phobea of being old he stuck on 3rd eye gal cuz they give life now

I think a worldwide Revolution club-sized tour could be quite profitable. Would love it to be the expanded Revolution line-up with Eric, JJ, Susannah and Sheila. Hopefully this pans out.

derF said:

I think a worldwide Revolution club-sized tour could be quite profitable. Would love it to be the expanded Revolution line-up with Eric, JJ, Susannah and Sheila. Hopefully this pans out.

I would be definately hot, for them to do like a 'Family Jamm' on the road. Have the Time or a member her or there:Jesse or Morris on lead, Sheila E (1986 band members) the Family/FDeluxe, Gayle Chapman, Jill Jones, Cat, etc and do some shows and start creating music

derF said:

I think a worldwide Revolution club-sized tour could be quite profitable. Would love it to be the expanded Revolution line-up with Eric, JJ, Susannah and Sheila. Hopefully this pans out.

Wendy at least (and I think Lisa too) was much opposed to the expanded Revolution in 86, claiming they were becoming just another R&B act instead of the (at the time) hip and visionnary new wave act they were, so of course now times have changed and stuff but I think somehow the 5 members of the Purple Rain Revolution see themselves as the one tru and definitive Revolution. I may be wrong, though, and I'm sure they'll gladly welcome anyone from Dez and André to Eric and Sheila to Paul and Susannah as guests, but I suspect the core band will be the 1984 quintet.

motherfunka said:

The only thing I've heard about the 30th anniversary is June 28th at First Avenue from Bobby Z.

Tell us more!

JudasLChrist said:

motherfunka said:

The only thing I've heard about the 30th anniversary is June 28th at First Avenue from Bobby Z.

Tell us more!

Cat said she was invited by Dr. Fink, other than that I haven't heard anything else about it. Looking forward to it though. Really hoping for Jill Jones to be there!

databank said:

derF said:

I think a worldwide Revolution club-sized tour could be quite profitable. Would love it to be the expanded Revolution line-up with Eric, JJ, Susannah and Sheila. Hopefully this pans out.

Wendy at least (and I think Lisa too) was much opposed to the expanded Revolution in 86, claiming they were becoming just another R&B act instead of the (at the time) hip and visionnary new wave act they were, so of course now times have changed and stuff but I think somehow the 5 members of the Purple Rain Revolution see themselves as the one tru and definitive Revolution. I may be wrong, though, and I'm sure they'll gladly welcome anyone from Dez and André to Eric and Sheila to Paul and Susannah as guests, but I suspect the core band will be the 1984 quintet.

Yeah, I don't think they had issues with the other musicians overall, but I can see how the 'last minute' add of the Family members could be disorienting to the live show

OldFriends4Sale said:

databank said:

Wendy at least (and I think Lisa too) was much opposed to the expanded Revolution in 86, claiming they were becoming just another R&B act instead of the (at the time) hip and visionnary new wave act they were, so of course now times have changed and stuff but I think somehow the 5 members of the Purple Rain Revolution see themselves as the one tru and definitive Revolution. I may be wrong, though, and I'm sure they'll gladly welcome anyone from Dez and André to Eric and Sheila to Paul and Susannah as guests, but I suspect the core band will be the 1984 quintet.

Yeah, I don't think they had issues with the other musicians overall, but I can see how the 'last minute' add of the Family members could be disorienting to the live show

ID think it was anything personnal, more the wish to keep a rock/new wave sound over a R&B sound and maybe also a territory thing. They'd been thru the PR hysteria together, the 5 of 'em. For Prince they were just a backing band and at least Fink and Bobby understood this clearly, but W&L may have been lured into believing that they were more than that and that there was something special about P&TR as a sextet.

databank said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah, I don't think they had issues with the other musicians overall, but I can see how the 'last minute' add of the Family members could be disorienting to the live show

ID think it was anything personnal, more the wish to keep a rock/new wave sound over a R&B sound and maybe also a territory thing. They'd been thru the PR hysteria together, the 5 of 'em. For Prince they were just a backing band and at least Fink and Bobby understood this clearly, but W&L may have been lured into believing that they were more than that and that there was something special about P&TR as a sextet.

I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound. I don't think Prince was doing R&B sound in 1986/87. I think the addage of Gregory & Wally mostly was a nuicance. I've heard a few too many boots/rehearsals with Greg or Wally yelling while they are rehearsing, and goofing off, while the band is working at the music. I only really thought they were cool to have on certain songs/even on the SOTT shows

.

I just read an interview from 1999 where Prince said they were more than a backing band, but a community. He said it was something he needed during that time, so the Revolution (concept) bandmember I don't think can be that easily seen as 'just a backing band'.

.

One difference about the band(s) from 1978-1988 is that anyone who left, left because of their own change. Prince never fired or 'changed' the members until 1986. We really didn't see any 'just a backing band' until after the Lovesexy band. I don't think it was that black n white for anyone in that time period. I mean Bobby Z was with Prince since 94East, Lisa Coleman lived with Prince and did laundry and made him sandwiches. Even Prince said she was like a sister. He was dating Wendy's sister/lived together. He was friends with their brothers (David Coleman & Jonathon Melvoin) knowing Bobby Zs wife and David Z his brother working on his music from the beginning. I'm just saying in that time period it was so black n white for any of them.

Posted on Facebook on April 1st.

April Fools Day.

Prank or poor timing?

thedoorkeeper said:

Posted on Facebook on April 1st.

April Fools Day.

Prank or poor timing?

the news of the June gathering was way before April 1st though

OldFriends4Sale said:

thedoorkeeper said:

Posted on Facebook on April 1st.

April Fools Day.

Prank or poor timing?

the news of the June gathering was way before April 1st though

And the news of the June gathering isn't mentioned

anywhere on the Facebook page.

thedoorkeeper said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

the news of the June gathering was way before April 1st though

And the news of the June gathering isn't mentioned

anywhere on the Facebook page.

no, it's on the FB Revolution page

OldFriends4Sale said:

thedoorkeeper said:

And the news of the June gathering isn't mentioned

anywhere on the Facebook page.

no, it's on the FB Revolution page

Thats where I have a hole in the info

because I can't find the revolution page

on facebook.

OldFriends4Sale said:

databank said:

ID think it was anything personnal, more the wish to keep a rock/new wave sound over a R&B sound and maybe also a territory thing. They'd been thru the PR hysteria together, the 5 of 'em. For Prince they were just a backing band and at least Fink and Bobby understood this clearly, but W&L may have been lured into believing that they were more than that and that there was something special about P&TR as a sextet.

I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound. I don't think Prince was doing R&B sound in 1986/87. I think the addage of Gregory & Wally mostly was a nuicance. I've heard a few too many boots/rehearsals with Greg or Wally yelling while they are rehearsing, and goofing off, while the band is working at the music. I only really thought they were cool to have on certain songs/even on the SOTT shows

.

I just read an interview from 1999 where Prince said they were more than a backing band, but a community. He said it was something he needed during that time, so the Revolution (concept) bandmember I don't think can be that easily seen as 'just a backing band'.

.

One difference about the band(s) from 1978-1988 is that anyone who left, left because of their own change. Prince never fired or 'changed' the members until 1986. We really didn't see any 'just a backing band' until after the Lovesexy band. I don't think it was that black n white for anyone in that time period. I mean Bobby Z was with Prince since 94East, Lisa Coleman lived with Prince and did laundry and made him sandwiches. Even Prince said she was like a sister. He was dating Wendy's sister/lived together. He was friends with their brothers (David Coleman & Jonathon Melvoin) knowing Bobby Zs wife and David Z his brother working on his music from the beginning. I'm just saying in that time period it was so black n white for any of them.

Prince sayz a lot of things: in 94 he said that the whole team of people working for him at Paisley was like a family and that he had responsibilities to them and the next thing he did was to fire the whole staff overnight...

As for the R&B sound I'm only repeating what I've read in some books about P, so IDK but it's what's been reported.

U r probably right in the fact that it was not so black & white but I think at least for Prince it was CRYSTAL CLEAR that they were just a backing band. And Bobby's reaction (or more likely absence of reaction) when P told him Sheila was replacing him shows that for him at least it was clear. Fink also said in interviews that the band never had any authority at all when it came to career or musical choices and that the movie (PR) gave that impression to people but that it was a complete myth: P was making all the decisions.

Now I wasn't there so that's just my interpretation of different things I've read ^^

databank said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound. I don't think Prince was doing R&B sound in 1986/87. I think the addage of Gregory & Wally mostly was a nuicance. I've heard a few too many boots/rehearsals with Greg or Wally yelling while they are rehearsing, and goofing off, while the band is working at the music. I only really thought they were cool to have on certain songs/even on the SOTT shows

.

I just read an interview from 1999 where Prince said they were more than a backing band, but a community. He said it was something he needed during that time, so the Revolution (concept) bandmember I don't think can be that easily seen as 'just a backing band'.

.

One difference about the band(s) from 1978-1988 is that anyone who left, left because of their own change. Prince never fired or 'changed' the members until 1986. We really didn't see any 'just a backing band' until after the Lovesexy band. I don't think it was that black n white for anyone in that time period. I mean Bobby Z was with Prince since 94East, Lisa Coleman lived with Prince and did laundry and made him sandwiches. Even Prince said she was like a sister. He was dating Wendy's sister/lived together. He was friends with their brothers (David Coleman & Jonathon Melvoin) knowing Bobby Zs wife and David Z his brother working on his music from the beginning. I'm just saying in that time period it was so black n white for any of them.

Prince sayz a lot of things: in 94 he said that the whole team of people working for him at Paisley was like a family and that he had responsibilities to them and the next thing he did was to fire the whole staff overnight...

As for the R&B sound I'm only repeating what I've read in some books about P, so IDK but it's what's been reported.

U r probably right in the fact that it was not so black & white but I think at least for Prince it was CRYSTAL CLEAR that they were just a backing band. And Bobby's reaction (or more likely absence of reaction) when P told him Sheila was replacing him shows that for him at least it was clear. Fink also said in interviews that the band never had any authority at all when it came to career or musical choices and that the movie (PR) gave that impression to people but that it was a complete myth: P was making all the decisions.

Now I wasn't there so that's just my interpretation of different things I've read ^^

I know he says a lot of things. I do think that over 10 yrs later to say certain things about Lisa Colemans playing and BrownMarks playing and the Revolution as him needing community I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he meant it.

.

Starting with 1982’s 1999, Prince began crediting a band, the Revolution, on his recordings. Though he still played many of the parts, over the next few albums the Revolution played an increasingly important role. "I wanted community more than anything else. These days if I have Rhonda [S., formerly The Artist’s primary live bassist] play on something, she’ll bring in her Jaco influence, which is something I wouldn’t add if I played it myself. I did listen to Jaco -- I love his Joni Mitchell stuff -- but I never wanted to play like him." The Artist still raves about the original Revolution bassist, Brown Mark (who took over for Andre Simone), calling him the tightest bass player next to Graham himself.

.

Yeah again, as we know 1985-1987 was nothing like 'RnB' Wendy became a fan when she was at a club dancing to Soft n Wet. I never heard anything about them having issues with that. The only thing I've read was the imitation of an old Soul Revue band. And that was more in connection with the dancers. Not the musicians. I mean these are people who performed Irresistable Bitch, A Love Bizarre, 17 Days, Erotic City, DMSR, Let's Work, Lady Cab Driver, Head, Uptown, Love or Money, etc I've read it in books too, most likely to drum up drama.

.

Think about it, name the 'RnB' that they played/didn't want?? Christopher Tracey's Parade? ATWIAD? Pop Life? Tempation? Kiss? Mountains? Strange Relationships? Go? Movie Star?

.

Again, I don't think it was crystal clear that it as 'just a backing band'. Bobby's reaction was the choice in using Sheila E as drummer[while having dinner with Wendy & Lisa at his house he calls Bobby Z: "You're the man and you've done a great job, We're gonna be friends forever. I'm gonna honor your contract.", Bobby Z, Matt Fink, Alan Leeds also said they didn't understand the change with Lisa & Wendy because everyone knew there was more than just a 'backing band' connection with them.

.

Although Rivkin appreciated the rationale behind his own dismissal, the ousting of Wendy & Lisa seemed less explicable, given their central importance in Prince's personal and professional lives(which have never truly been seperate). "I really don't understand to this day, what happened when he let Wendy and Lisa go," Rivkin said. "It's the old expression of getting too close, I think. I always knew how to maintain a distance, to keep a job and keep Prince happy. But they got really close, and probably made music too much together or something..." Matt Fink, whom Prince invited to remain(including BrownMark) in the band, considered the decision to dismiss Wendy and Lisa a mistake,... Possessed the Rise & Fall pg 107-108

.

Even Sheila E found out soon enough that that intimate work/friend relationship would turn against her. I believe if she remained protege Sheila E. we would have had a few more albums from her.

.

The only thing I've ever read of Fink is that Prince was the main 'lyric' writter. Prince definately was the decision maker and master mind. the band definately knew they worked for Prince, but the people of that time period including proteges, that period was not black n white as far as bands are concerned. Like the NPG, by that time it was clear. There was a reason he wrote and dedicated In This Bed I Scream to Lisa Wendy & Susannah. I doubt he ever wrote an 'apology' song like that to any other musicians.

.

.

Prince's issue largely was an emotional issue/struggle when he disbanded the Revolution. He talked about that in a 1990 interview, when it came to those in that time period. And that included Sheila E, Morris Day, Andre Cymone, Jill Jones too. Even when it came to the close of his 'work' relationship with Susan Rogers and she decided to leave. And yes I definately know by these times Prince's world/life was the studio/the stage/the video/the music. So there is no way that the people in his band(s) were not more integral to his life. (the only real person we see the blurring of the lines after 1990 was Mayte) Prince back then in the 1980s was not so pro-Business man (still isn't) so how he managed things and interacted with people was probably not very black n white(many with whom he grew up with, was having sex with, engaged to, lived with, worked out with, knew intimately their whole families, and most who knew him before the superstardom)

.

(1985)PRINCE: You think you hit on something, right! You try to do it again...ya know? (both laugh) I try not to do that too much. If I do, then it's usually someone around, Wendy or Lisa, who says, "Hey, man, I've heard that. Put it away." And it goes away. And we don't hear from that song for a while. Mojo, guess what? We're all going to see Purple Rain tonight.

[Edited 4/8/14 10:52am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

databank said:

ID think it was anything personnal, more the wish to keep a rock/new wave sound over a R&B sound and maybe also a territory thing. They'd been thru the PR hysteria together, the 5 of 'em. For Prince they were just a backing band and at least Fink and Bobby understood this clearly, but W&L may have been lured into believing that they were more than that and that there was something special about P&TR as a sextet.

I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound. I don't think Prince was doing R&B sound in 1986/87. I think the addage of Gregory & Wally mostly was a nuicance. I've heard a few too many boots/rehearsals with Greg or Wally yelling while they are rehearsing, and goofing off, while the band is working at the music. I only really thought they were cool to have on certain songs/even on the SOTT shows

.

I just read an interview from 1999 where Prince said they were more than a backing band, but a community. He said it was something he needed during that time, so the Revolution (concept) bandmember I don't think can be that easily seen as 'just a backing band'.

.

One difference about the band(s) from 1978-1988 is that anyone who left, left because of their own change. Prince never fired or 'changed' the members until 1986. We really didn't see any 'just a backing band' until after the Lovesexy band. I don't think it was that black n white for anyone in that time period. I mean Bobby Z was with Prince since 94East, Lisa Coleman lived with Prince and did laundry and made him sandwiches. Even Prince said she was like a sister. He was dating Wendy's sister/lived together. He was friends with their brothers (David Coleman & Jonathon Melvoin) knowing Bobby Zs wife and David Z his brother working on his music from the beginning. I'm just saying in that time period it was so black n white for any of them.

" I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound " Yes, that was what Wendy said. Just imagine joining a band with a leader that had been writing and performing RnB music all along but all of sudden she realized they were an RnB band!!!! The whole idea was to merge RnB with Rock and New Wave how could this chick be in the band and not be aware of this is beyond my understanding.

laurarichardson said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound. I don't think Prince was doing R&B sound in 1986/87. I think the addage of Gregory & Wally mostly was a nuicance. I've heard a few too many boots/rehearsals with Greg or Wally yelling while they are rehearsing, and goofing off, while the band is working at the music. I only really thought they were cool to have on certain songs/even on the SOTT shows

.

I just read an interview from 1999 where Prince said they were more than a backing band, but a community. He said it was something he needed during that time, so the Revolution (concept) bandmember I don't think can be that easily seen as 'just a backing band'.

.

One difference about the band(s) from 1978-1988 is that anyone who left, left because of their own change. Prince never fired or 'changed' the members until 1986. We really didn't see any 'just a backing band' until after the Lovesexy band. I don't think it was that black n white for anyone in that time period. I mean Bobby Z was with Prince since 94East, Lisa Coleman lived with Prince and did laundry and made him sandwiches. Even Prince said she was like a sister. He was dating Wendy's sister/lived together. He was friends with their brothers (David Coleman & Jonathon Melvoin) knowing Bobby Zs wife and David Z his brother working on his music from the beginning. I'm just saying in that time period it was so black n white for any of them.

" I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound " Yes, that was what Wendy said. Just imagine joining a band with a leader that had been writing and performing RnB music all along but all of sudden she realized they were an RnB band!!!! The whole idea was to merge RnB with Rock and New Wave how could this chick be in the band and not be aware of this is beyond my understanding.

Not

More than W and Lisa had issues, and mostly likely Wendy's issue was in defense of BrownMark too

BrownMark(bassist) get's put behind the 3 dancers on stage

Finally, the setup for the Parade show confined him to the very back of the stage, hidden by the rest of the group and the dancers. "I was behind the piano, next to Bobby Z, and behind the three guys that used to be the bodyguards," Brown noted. "I started feeling a little unappreciated."

.

During a break in choreography rehearsals for the video, Wendy's emotions bubbled forth in a tirade in the commissary. "Prince is out of his mind, he's ruined everything. At least you guys are musicians, but now we're just an everyday funk band. We look like a circus."

.

She never said anything about not liking RnB, which Prince never did straight out RnB (in the 1980s) she never had a problem with the music.

.

What we saw on the stage was a last minute pull by Prince to not loose (control)loss more protege members @ the loss of the Family, so he held onto Susannah, Eric Leeds, Miko, Jerome, Gregory, Wally. Jellybean left to go with Jimmy & Terry, and the bass player (was just gone)

.

So I believe it was a last minute decision and the stage band swelled quickly.

OldFriends4Sale said:

laurarichardson said:

" I don't think they had a problem with R&B sound " Yes, that was what Wendy said. Just imagine joining a band with a leader that had been writing and performing RnB music all along but all of sudden she realized they were an RnB band!!!! The whole idea was to merge RnB with Rock and New Wave how could this chick be in the band and not be aware of this is beyond my understanding.

Not

More than W and Lisa had issues, and mostly likely Wendy's issue was in defense of BrownMark too

BrownMark(bassist) get's put behind the 3 dancers on stage

Finally, the setup for the Parade show confined him to the very back of the stage, hidden by the rest of the group and the dancers. "I was behind the piano, next to Bobby Z, and behind the three guys that used to be the bodyguards," Brown noted. "I started feeling a little unappreciated."

.

During a break in choreography rehearsals for the video, Wendy's emotions bubbled forth in a tirade in the commissary. "Prince is out of his mind, he's ruined everything. At least you guys are musicians, but now we're just an everyday funk band. We look like a circus."

.

She never said anything about not liking RnB, which Prince never did straight out RnB (in the 1980s) she never had a problem with the music.

.

What we saw on the stage was a last minute pull by Prince to not loose (control)loss more protege members @ the loss of the Family, so he held onto Susannah, Eric Leeds, Miko, Jerome, Gregory, Wally. Jellybean left to go with Jimmy & Terry, and the bass player (was just gone)

.

So I believe it was a last minute decision and the stage band swelled quickly.

Where is that article that quotes? I'd love to read it and must have missed it. Thanx.