I just noticed, that Jerome Benton was never in any of the Times promotional photographs in this time period, except for 1, where he is holding a mirror while Morris Day styles his hair.

None of the album/singles photos ...

Wasn't he still just a comic foil during those days, a schtick, rather than a more inherent part of the band like later on? 1981/1982 is early on, and I'd assume he hadn't showed his chops & proved his worth at that point, yet.

TrivialPursuit said:

Wasn't he still just a comic foil during those days, a schtick, rather than a more inherent part of the band like later on? 1981/1982 is early on, and I'd assume he hadn't showed his chops & proved his worth at that point, yet.

Right - he was the "gear carrier" for awhile before Prince added him as Morris's comic foil in the band. Seems if he hadn't pulled that mirror off the wall and run up to Morris during the band's practice (per Jesse's or Jimmy Jam's story) he may never have joined the band

TrivialPursuit said:

Wasn't he still just a comic foil during those days, a schtick, rather than a more inherent part of the band like later on? 1981/1982 is early on, and I'd assume he hadn't showed his chops & proved his worth at that point, yet.

But he was a part of the live shows, dancing singing and playing that percussion piece, I guess I have to go from using the O7 reference to the 06 now

Yeah you might be right, maybe they didn't know how it was going to work out yet

He was in the 1981 Cool video

Perhaps Jerome was in the skin and missed the shoots? Just trying to be silly.

Jerome(whom I ran into more than once over the years by divine intervention) is a cool.talented,underated charismatic man.

[Edited 3/14/19 12:02pm]

The thread isn't about that, I it about his time in the Time band 1981-1983 and photoshoots or his appearance on live shows. Not questioning his career outside of Prince.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Jerome(whom I ran into more than once by divine intervention) is a cool.talented,underated charismatic man. That should have been bigger than what he was. But how much bigger could he get co-starring in TWO movies with Prince(r.i.p.)?!

Was he with them live from day one? On the Controversy tour? Before? Princevault lists these shows as happening before the Controversy tour,

• September 1981: Royal Oak, MI, USA - Royal Oak Music Theatre
• September 1981: Royal Oak, MI, USA - Royal Oak Music Theatre
• 7 October 1981: Minneapolis, MN, USA – Sam's

jaawwnn said:

Was he with them live from day one? On the Controversy tour? Before? Princevault lists these shows as happening before the Controversy tour,

• September 1981: Royal Oak, MI, USA - Royal Oak Music Theatre
• September 1981: Royal Oak, MI, USA - Royal Oak Music Theatre
• 7 October 1981: Minneapolis, MN, USA – Sam's

No he wasn't from day one

but it was at a rehearsal, that Prince was attending, where Morris introduced the 'somebody bring me a mirror' Jerome was their 'roadie' and he brought out a mirror.

I don't know when this happened initially

He was somewhere a part of this show. Morris calls his name, but I don't know if he was IN the band?

10.7.1981 @ Sam's(First Avenue) in Minneapolis

the Time's DEBUT Concert

Although they hadn't yet really played together as a group in the studio, in August 1981 THE TIME performed their first live appearance at a showcase for a small group of executives from Warner Bros. Records at the S.I.R. Studio in Los Angeles, with Prince overseeing the proceedings by the soundboard. During rehearsals for the upcoming "Controversy"-Tour with Prince, THE TIME incorporated Jerome Benton into their acts to be Morris Day's on-stage valet. The band warmed-up in autumn 1981 by playing a small number of low-key gigs around the Minneapolis era.

THE TIME made their public live debut on 7th October 1981 at Sam's, a music club in Downtown, Minneapolis, with Prince digging the show back by the soundboard again. A few weeks later they embarked as the main supporting act on Prince's 1981/1982 "Controversy"-Tour.

1. INTRO

'church' organ playing -Morris Day talking

Ya'll have 2 excuse me

I was going to mention this earlier

But I forgot
I'm not above that

But what we are going to do right here

right now

No not yet not yet just relax, this is my show

We are going to take up a collection, ya know

like they do in church

So as U C the fellas assembling behind me

we're going 2 take advantage of your kind generous hearts

And take a collection

I'll take anything

Money

Phone Numbers

Credit Cards

Your Momma

U don't want her? But the bitch in in the hat

Fella go on out there and take advantage of these kind hearts

That's right bring the house lights up, I like it like that

that way I can see who is giving and who ain't

Now as we know

Brother Prince played here a week or 2 ago

and from what they tell me

he charged $25 a head

I don't know about U but I stayed home that night

that is just a little steap\

No serious that's steap
I got money and everything
But I'd like 2 keep it that way

I want U 2 bear 1 thing in mind

as those hat's come in front of U

And that is

GIVE

GIVE until your heart

until it hearts

Mike Jones I see U out there

I see U laughing

I want 2 C U with your hands in your pocket

What Time Is It?

It's time to put something in that hat

U know what time it is

Come on

Don't throw it at me cause I'll be out there on your ass

Don't throw the shit at me put it in the hat

Alright fellas that's quite enough
We got a show 2 do and we realize that

Thank U so much

Jerome Jerome where u at I need U Jerome

Anyone C Jerome
If they do send him back up to the stage

I know u....

Prince R U out there, did U give?

U took, Did U give?
Jerome where U at, I need U brother

Morris is waiting

I don't have all night

This is my show, this is my stage

Jerome did I get some phone numbers
tell me what I got

lol somebody stole em...

2.The Stick

3. Dance 2 the Beat

4. Oh Baby

5. Get It Up

6. Cool

OldFriends4Sale said:

Okay - just listened again to Jimmy Jam's interview with Questlove. Per his discussion, Jerome became an official member of the band during rehearsals for the first album in 1981.

*

They were rehearsing everyday at a community club/lounge called the YASSM that was owned/managed by a guy named Leonard Weaver. This is where they got kicked out for drinking from the juice machines and breaking his "titty" lamps

*

Jimmy said Jerome was a roadie sitting in the back of the truck and unloading/loading the band's gear when they first started doing gigs. Jimmy said he hated it and was trying to figure out how he could get a spot in the band.

*

During one of the rehearsals at the YASSM when Prince was there watching - the band was playing The Stick and Jerome pulled one of the full size mirrors off the wall and ran up to Morris. When Morris pulled out his comb Prince fell down laughing, and at that moment Jerome was no longer a roadie

[Edited 3/14/19 16:25pm]

violetcrush said:

Okay - just listened again to Jimmy Jam's interview with Questlove. Per his discussion, Jerome became an official member of the band during rehearsals for the first album in 1981.

*

They were rehearsing everyday at a community club/lounge called the YASSM that was owned/managed by a guy named Leonard Weaver. This is where they got kicked out for drinking from the juice machines and breaking his "titty" lamps

*

Jimmy said Jerome was a roadie sitting in the back of the truck and unloading/loading the band's gear when they first started doing gigs. Jimmy said he hated it and was trying to figure out how he could get a spot in the band.

*

During one of the rehearsals at the YASSM when Prince was there watching - the band was playing The Stick and Jerome pulled one of the full size mirrors off the wall and ran up to Morris. When Morris pulled out his comb Prince fell down laughing, and at that moment Jerome was no longer a roadie

[Edited 3/14/19 16:25pm]

Got it

Even when together in settings like this or at award shows, I have only 1 alleged picture of the Time and Jerome

I was just thinking about this.....Jerome had a pretty quick climb - going from just a "gear roadie", to a member of The Time, to a major part in PR, to a member of The Family, to a leading role in UTCM and one of Prince's closest friends/associates from 1985-1987. Pretty amazing that he moved so far "up the ranks" in just 3 years!!.

*

*

*

violetcrush said:

I was just thinking about this.....Jerome had a pretty quick climb - going from just a "gear roadie", to a member of The Time, to a major part in PR, to a member of The Family, to a leading role in UTCM and one of Prince's closest friends/associates from 1985-1987. Pretty amazing that he moved so far "up the ranks" in just 3 years!!.

*

*

*

These are not pictures from 81-83 when Jerome was with The Time in the early years.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

violetcrush said:

I was just thinking about this.....Jerome had a pretty quick climb - going from just a "gear roadie", to a member of The Time, to a major part in PR, to a member of The Family, to a leading role in UTCM and one of Prince's closest friends/associates from 1985-1987. Pretty amazing that he moved so far "up the ranks" in just 3 years!!.

*

*

*

These are not pictures from 81-83 when Jerome was with The Time in the early years.

NO KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU READ MY COMMENT ABOVE THE PICTURES YOU WILL SEE THAT I WAS REFERRING TO JEROME'S 'CLIMB' FROM BEING JUST A "GEAR ROADIE" TO HIS CO-STAR IN UTCM.

@ChocolateBox3121.....AND YOUR POST #7 HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OP'S TOPIC - JUST MORE OF YOU INSERTING YOURSELF INTO THE PERSONAL LIVES OF THESE ASSOCIATES

[Edited 3/23/19 9:48am]

violetcrush said:

@ChocolateBox3121.....AND YOUR POST #7 HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OP'S TOPIC - JUST MORE OF YOU INSERTING YOURSELF INTO THE PERSONAL LIVES OF THESE ASSOCIATES

[Edited 3/23/19 9:48am]

And my post was edited to fit the time period.

EVERYONE ALREADY knows about Jerome's quick clmb to success. U didn't give ANY new info.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

violetcrush said:

@ChocolateBox3121.....AND YOUR POST #7 HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OP'S TOPIC - JUST MORE OF YOU INSERTING YOURSELF INTO THE PERSONAL LIVES OF THESE ASSOCIATES

[Edited 3/23/19 9:48am]

And my post was edited to fit the time period.

EVERYONE ALREADY knows about Jerome's quick clmb to success. U didn't give ANY new info.

And here was OF4S's response (post #8) to your post #7:

*

"The thread isn't about that, I it about his time in the Time band 1981-1983 and photoshoots or his appearance on live shows. Not questioning his career outside of Prince."

*

Unlike YOUR post, which had to be edited, mine was reflecting on Jerome's position and association with Prince FROM 1981-1987. Your comments about his "cool and charisma" are also KNOWN BY EVERYBODY. So, give it a rest...please.

violetcrush said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

And my post was edited to fit the time period.

EVERYONE ALREADY knows about Jerome's quick clmb to success. U didn't give ANY new info.

And here was OF4S's response (post #8) to your post #7:

*

"The thread isn't about that, I it about his time in the Time band 1981-1983 and photoshoots or his appearance on live shows. Not questioning his career outside of Prince."

*

Unlike YOUR post, which had to be edited, mine was reflecting on Jerome's position and association with Prince FROM 1981-1987. Your comments about his "cool and charisma" are also KNOWN BY EVERYBODY. So, give it a rest...please.

U forgot I encountered Jerome in person most weren't that fortunate. So I know VERY MUCH about his "cool and charisma".

Your post was focused on 1986 with the pictures. This thread is about rare pictures of Jerome with The Time in THE EARLY YEARS! I was keeping U on track.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

violetcrush said:

And here was OF4S's response (post #8) to your post #7:

*

"The thread isn't about that, I it about his time in the Time band 1981-1983 and photoshoots or his appearance on live shows. Not questioning his career outside of Prince."

*

Unlike YOUR post, which had to be edited, mine was reflecting on Jerome's position and association with Prince FROM 1981-1987. Your comments about his "cool and charisma" are also KNOWN BY EVERYBODY. So, give it a rest...please.

U forgot I encountered Jerome in person most weren't that fortunate. So I know VERY MUCH about his "cool and charisma".

Your post was focused on 1986 with the pictures. This thread is about rare pictures of Jerome with The Time in THE EARLY YEARS! I was keeping U on track.

Honey, you reallly need to stay in your own lane and practice with keeping YOURSELF on track. This thread has NOTHING to do with your alleged encounters with Jerome Benton and how much you think you personally know about him.

*

MY comment WAS actually related to the early years, as it was acknowledging his fairly quick rise from obscurity to a prominent place in the Prince camp. My pictures were displaying where he was after the climb - there were already plenty posted of him in the early years, so they did not need repeating.