OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

The original plan was for Jill to open for Prince on his U.S. SOTT tour,which would have given Jill and her album alot of exposure.Unfortunatley,he never brought the tour to America and those plans were cancelled.

Oh ok I didn't know that.

Yes, she should have been in Europe starting off.

But from what I remember reading, after a Jody Watley show, she told Prince she was done.
I think she had a problem with the image that she didn't want to be 'another Prince girl' and perform in a way she wasn't good at.

I opened for Jody Watley in LA and, seriously, the crowd just stood there whole time with their arms crossed. I was angry dancing. I was singing “G-Spot” and I was like “I'm not going to shake my ass.” I know (on past tours) I would go out in my bra and panties, but, then I put on my trench coat and I'd leave. I just threw the mike down and walked off the stage. Prince came to me and said “is that it, are you done?

yes,I recall that interview

OldFriends4Sale said:

Sheila's 3rd album had the potential for proper promotion. I believe it would have had the momentum of her previous albums. But before it really got going Prince pulled her to be his drummer in 87. Koo Koo the video was nice but the album was done by then.

Yes,and this made me very angry.It was her strongest,most consistent album.There were at least four potential hit singles on this album.A song like "Faded Photographs" should have been all over MTV and pop radio.What a missed opportunity

OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

It actually seems that,in 1987,Taja Sevelle received more promotion than Jill Jones Taja's album had three singles,with a video for each one: "Love Is Contagious","Wouldn't U Love 2 Love Me" and "Popular".She even appeared for a sit-down interview on Video Soul with Donnie Simpson.

Yes I agree, Taja had a bit more success that Jill.

Interesting is that Taja's album only had 2 Prince cuts on them.

It just shows you how chaotic things were at Paisley Park Records,at that point.There was no direction,no focus.Albums would be released,there would be one single,maybe a video to go with it,and then nothing else.Jill actually has talent and yet she suffered the same fate as the others.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yep, people didn't realize the 'Revolution' not just the band but that scene, which consisted of Sheila E the Family Jill Jones, Mazarati etc once that band was disbanded, it caused a splinter and chain effect. Much like Prince firing Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

yeah,I've always said that firing Jam and Lewis was Prince's first major mistake.He could have utilized their talent at Paisley Park Records and it could have been the Motown of the 80s.But that's another thread

OldFriends4Sale said:

I think JJ needed a different kind of 'band configuration'. Everyone doesn't do the frontman thing good. Jill is not a dancer at all, and that is going to affect her performances.

perhaps Prince could have built a group around her....maybe another girl group?

SoulAlive said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I think JJ needed a different kind of 'band configuration'. Everyone doesn't do the frontman thing good. Jill is not a dancer at all, and that is going to affect her performances.

perhaps Prince could have built a group around her....maybe another girl group?

Pandora 6

can you image(if Susannah stayed) Susannah Melvoin Jill Jones and Cat =Pandora 6 lol

Mikado said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yep, people didn't realize the 'Revolution' not just the band but that scene, which consisted of Sheila E the Family Jill Jones, Mazarati etc once that band was disbanded, it caused a splinter and chain effect. Much like Prince firing Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

That 1983-1986 group was so interconnected with family and friends that, his kingdom really did shrink considerably.

I enjoyed Sheila E in his band too, but I would have prefered her as a protege. (other topic, my Dream Factory/Camille fantasy band would consist of Bobby Z SHeila E and Juan Escovedo -percussions) Prince didn't pull in any musicians from the leftover camp for Jills band, and did not do the same with Madhouse outside of Dale Alexander.

Her 3rd album had the potential for proper promotion. I believe it would have had the momentum of her previous albums. But before it really got going Prince pulled her to be his drummer in 87. Koo Koo the video was nice but the album was done by then.

And it is said that Prince wanted her to do songs from her album on the tour, but she wouldn't. She wanted to be seen as a drummer. Which in part (she wasn't seen so much anymore) especially on the Lovesexy tour stage set up. She was jealous o Cat's stage interaction with Prince, which she had more often previously.

Did Sheila ever have much actual desire to be a singer? It always seemed to me like she wanted to focus on her real gift, which was being on drums.

I don't think if Prince pulled her that way she would have gone. She might have prefered to be a musician in one of his protege groups. I could see her as being a part of the Family.

But she definitely continued to be a frontman

SoulAlive said:

Furthermore,her album wasn't really promoted at all.

.

She performed on plenty of European TV shows.

OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

perhaps Prince could have built a group around her....maybe another girl group?

Pandora 6

can you image(if Susannah stayed) Susannah Melvoin Jill Jones and Cat =Pandora 6 lol

SoulAlive said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I believe WB did back her just as strong with the 3rd album under Prince

Imo,Sheila's third album is her best work.I was so angry that it didn't get the proper promotion that it deserved.It was a strange time.On the one hand,I was happy that Sheila was now playing drums for Prince.But,it set her own solo career back a little.She had just released her best album but wasn't able to go out there and fully promote it.

Man, I ask myself from time to time how somehting THIS funky could die on the vine:

BartVanHemelen said:

hardwork said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

It actually seems that,in 1987,Taja Sevelle received more promotion than Jill Jones Taja's album had three singles,with a video for each one: "Love Is Contagious","Wouldn't U Love 2 Love Me" and "Popular".She even appeared for a sit-down interview on Video Soul with Donnie Simpson.

Yes I agree, Taja had a bit more success that Jill.

Interesting is that Taja's album only had 2 Prince cuts on them.

I believe Mo' Ostin took an interest in her and she was put on Reprise in the context of an effort to relaunch the label, for which WB had big plans apparently.

Taja had great potential as a songwriter and a vocalist and that first album was produced by Chico Bennett to sound like a True Blue clone, not so much like a Prince-produced record, and I think that was more likely to result in commercial success that Prince's more bizarre production values, so the fact that Prince wasn't too involved was more an asset than a handicap at that stage.

It could have worked, I'm not sure why audiences didn't embrace her. Her subsequent records were impressive efforts, too: it's a real pity she wasn't able to pursue her music career after the Good Times EP.

She started 'promotion' for the 3rd album in Sept opening for the Parade tour

Hold Me was already a hit single

She did a lot of Japanese promotions, actually before Romance 1600 band disbanded she was in form for the Sheila E albu. Doing promotions for electronics.

1.Love On A Blue Train
2.Erotic City
3.Soul Salsa/Sister Fate
4.Bedtime Story
5.Toy Box
6.Purcussion Solo
7.Holly Rock
8.The Glamorous Life

then from Sept - December/January opening for Lionel Ritchie Outrageous tour

unless the Outrageous tour in this time was in Europe I don't think she did promotion in Europe for the 3rd album. She definately did for Glamorous Life and Romance 1600. As Prince had Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 in Europe for early promo too.

Her SHEILA E album dropped mid February 1987 the day after SOTT the single was released

This all brings up questions, of was Prince really committed to the releasing of the Revolution as a band. Having still performed with Wendy in SOTT era outfits with the Bangles in late October.

So who did he have lined up for Drummer...

http://people.com/archive...l-28-no-1/

Picks and Pans Review: Jill Jones

People StaffJuly 06, 1987 12:00 PM

Jill Jones

Maybe Prince keeps finding new female protégées such as Vanity, Apollonia, Sheila E. and now Jones just to make sure there's always someone to sing dirty to him. On All Day, All Night, Jones sings, "I watch as you make love to others/ Disgusting as it seems, it intoxicates me.../ My heartbeat accelerates and my mouth waters uncontrollably." That lewd song is the weakest of three that Prince co-wrote and co-produced on Jones's debut album. The others, Mia Bocca and For Love, have Prince's banty rooster, rhythmic impetus. The man should bottle his remarkable ability to make all the instruments on a track sound percussive. David Z., who produced the rest of the album with Jones, gets a good horn sound but tends to overdo the strings. In a way Jones makes the same mistake with her voice, overindulging in pyrotechnics and histrionics. In a misguided effort to prove her versatility, she sings each song in a different character. There's the herky-jerky Lydia Lunch delivery on Mia Bocca, the breathy Sheila E. soprano of G-Spot and the topper, a chiding Carmen Miranda-as-battle-ax tone for My Man. Jones may have talent, but it's hard to find under her frantic ambition. (Paisley Park)

OldFriends4Sale said:

BartVanHemelen said:

.

She performed on plenty of European TV shows.

She started 'promotion' for the 3rd album in Sept opening for the Parade tour

Hold Me was already a hit single

She did a lot of Japanese promotions, actually before Romance 1600 band disbanded she was in form for the Sheila E albu. Doing promotions for electronics.

1.Love On A Blue Train
2.Erotic City
3.Soul Salsa/Sister Fate
4.Bedtime Story
5.Toy Box
6.Purcussion Solo
7.Holly Rock
8.The Glamorous Life

then from Sept - December/January opening for Lionel Ritchie Outrageous tour

unless the Outrageous tour in this time was in Europe I don't think she did promotion in Europe for the 3rd album. She definately did for Glamorous Life and Romance 1600. As Prince had Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 in Europe for early promo too.

Her SHEILA E album dropped mid February 1987 the day after SOTT the single was released

This all brings up questions, of was Prince really committed to the releasing of the Revolution as a band. Having still performed with Wendy in SOTT era outfits with the Bangles in late October.

So who did he have lined up for Drummer...

This comment was about Jill not Sheila.

I didn't know about the Bangles appearance. You say Wendy was wearing a SOTT outfit?

OldFriends4Sale said:

http://people.com/archive...l-28-no-1/

Picks and Pans Review: Jill Jones

People StaffJuly 06, 1987 12:00 PM

Jill Jones

Maybe Prince keeps finding new female protégées such as Vanity, Apollonia, Sheila E. and now Jones just to make sure there's always someone to sing dirty to him. On All Day, All Night, Jones sings, "I watch as you make love to others/ Disgusting as it seems, it intoxicates me.../ My heartbeat accelerates and my mouth waters uncontrollably." That lewd song is the weakest of three that Prince co-wrote and co-produced on Jones's debut album. The others, Mia Bocca and For Love, have Prince's banty rooster, rhythmic impetus. The man should bottle his remarkable ability to make all the instruments on a track sound percussive. David Z., who produced the rest of the album with Jones, gets a good horn sound but tends to overdo the strings. In a way Jones makes the same mistake with her voice, overindulging in pyrotechnics and histrionics. In a misguided effort to prove her versatility, she sings each song in a different character. There's the herky-jerky Lydia Lunch delivery on Mia Bocca, the breathy Sheila E. soprano of G-Spot and the topper, a chiding Carmen Miranda-as-battle-ax tone for My Man. Jones may have talent, but it's hard to find under her frantic ambition. (Paisley Park)

I'd read this article before, maybe you'd posted it. The reviewer sounds really dumb now, if only for being wrong about the credits (but OK, at the time it was hard to know what Prince really did on those albums or didn't) and even more for trashing a record that's become a revered cult classic. Whoever wrote that should probably hide under a rock

databank said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

She started 'promotion' for the 3rd album in Sept opening for the Parade tour

Hold Me was already a hit single

She did a lot of Japanese promotions, actually before Romance 1600 band disbanded she was in form for the Sheila E albu. Doing promotions for electronics.

1.Love On A Blue Train
2.Erotic City
3.Soul Salsa/Sister Fate
4.Bedtime Story
5.Toy Box
6.Purcussion Solo
7.Holly Rock
8.The Glamorous Life

then from Sept - December/January opening for Lionel Ritchie Outrageous tour

unless the Outrageous tour in this time was in Europe I don't think she did promotion in Europe for the 3rd album. She definately did for Glamorous Life and Romance 1600. As Prince had Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 in Europe for early promo too.

Her SHEILA E album dropped mid February 1987 the day after SOTT the single was released

This all brings up questions, of was Prince really committed to the releasing of the Revolution as a band. Having still performed with Wendy in SOTT era outfits with the Bangles in late October.

So who did he have lined up for Drummer...

This comment was about Jill not Sheila.

I didn't know about the Bangles appearance. You say Wendy was wearing a SOTT outfit?

Oh my mistake

Yes, similar to the one Prince had on at the First Ave open rehearsal in 87

OldFriends4Sale said:

databank said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Oh my mistake

Yes, similar to the one Prince had on at the First Ave open rehearsal in 87

Ah OK him but not her?

No Prince had on a lavender suite

Wendy had on the outfit like the images I posted

It shoulda been released on the heels of Purple Rain, late 84 or early 85 at the lateset, But instead....87! timing is EVERYTHING!!!

Mikado said:

Never could understand why her 1987 album didn't move many copies, and the singles all bomed as well. Why? Did Prince and Paisley Park not promote it well enough?

woogiebear said:

It shoulda been released on the heels of Purple Rain, late 84 or early 85 at the lateset, But instead....87! timing is EVERYTHING!!!

OldFriends4Sale said:

1. she was not visually connected to Prince in 1987. I think she wanted to stand alone(not be another 'Prince girl')

a. Prince even wanted her to wear a silver heart on her wrist like those in his band, and she did not want to.

2. a lot of the album was released out of the energy of time time they were 'birthed'. G-Spot needed to be released no later than early 85. It was totally Purple Rain energy. If it was released in 1984-85 it would still have the timeless punch if relistening in 1987. Same with Mia Bocca, it was too Parade era. Should have been more of a Prince/Jill duet, But still released in 1986 even on Parade or as a B-side with video.

a. maybe songs like Violet Blue should have been lead singles.

3. She also did not have a solid solo stage charisma strong enough to go it alone. Sometimes opening for Pince(SOTT) and/or a Pink Fox/Madhouse show. Basically not being under the direct Prince umbrella in my opinion.

I think you are right. While Prince was alive I was one of Jill's many facebook friends. Back around the time of the release of 20ten she made a comment that I wish I remember exactly. It was a comment about Prince's music still taking up so much of his time and his life, the performing part. Jill had tons of talent in my book but she didn't live for music. She wasn't always trying to improve her stage performance and make it exciting each and every time. That really is what it takes to be on that top tier that gets their songs played over and over again.

Deadflow3r said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

1. she was not visually connected to Prince in 1987. I think she wanted to stand alone(not be another 'Prince girl')

a. Prince even wanted her to wear a silver heart on her wrist like those in his band, and she did not want to.

2. a lot of the album was released out of the energy of time time they were 'birthed'. G-Spot needed to be released no later than early 85. It was totally Purple Rain energy. If it was released in 1984-85 it would still have the timeless punch if relistening in 1987. Same with Mia Bocca, it was too Parade era. Should have been more of a Prince/Jill duet, But still released in 1986 even on Parade or as a B-side with video.

a. maybe songs like Violet Blue should have been lead singles.

3. She also did not have a solid solo stage charisma strong enough to go it alone. Sometimes opening for Pince(SOTT) and/or a Pink Fox/Madhouse show. Basically not being under the direct Prince umbrella in my opinion.

I think you are right. While Prince was alive I was one of Jill's many facebook friends. Back around the time of the release of 20ten she made a comment that I wish I remember exactly. It was a comment about Prince's music still taking up so much of his time and his life, the performing part. Jill had tons of talent in my book but she didn't live for music. She wasn't always trying to improve her stage performance and make it exciting each and every time. That really is what it takes to be on that top tier that gets their songs played over and over again.

I agree, some people are extremely gifted back up singers and their presence shines then. Like during 1999.

Prince should have added her to the band with Cat and Wally, I didn't need Greg. Jill Wally Cat

and then maybe she could have done some lead songs from her able to start out

OldFriends4Sale said:

Deadflow3r said:

I think you are right. While Prince was alive I was one of Jill's many facebook friends. Back around the time of the release of 20ten she made a comment that I wish I remember exactly. It was a comment about Prince's music still taking up so much of his time and his life, the performing part. Jill had tons of talent in my book but she didn't live for music. She wasn't always trying to improve her stage performance and make it exciting each and every time. That really is what it takes to be on that top tier that gets their songs played over and over again.

I agree, some people are extremely gifted back up singers and their presence shines then. Like during 1999.

Prince should have added her to the band with Cat and Wally, I didn't need Greg. Jill Wally Cat

and then maybe she could have done some lead songs from her able to start out

I was the official Bria hater of the org when Lotusflow3r came out. My point was that if he was going to highlight someone why not Marva or Shelby? He picked the person with the least stage presence. My feeling is, and I can not prove this, if Prince thought you were sexy he made you feel that you were a superstar, amazing, the next big thing. Truly Tamar, Jill and others had some talent and ability to handle the microphone but the grit and determination outplays sex appeal. If you are the lead then you are the Boss of your show and all the final responsibility lies on your shoulders. Like any other job. If you want to not be in a line-up or be a back-up singer do you want to put in all the time and effort that it takes to be successful. It is like a cook that wants to open their own restaurant. Yeah, you will be able to cook what you want but you will be there ALL of the time if you are a new owner just trying to get your restaurant up and going. The fact that you were a top chef at a very successful restaurant is only going to take your restaurant so far.

yeah,the truth is,not everybody can be the 'front person'.You can have a great voice,but do you have a strong stage presence? Prince had his doubts about Jill.He later told her that she should dye her hair black and get a boob job

SoulAlive said:

yeah,the truth is,not everybody can be the 'front person'.You can have a great voice,but do you have a strong stage presence? Prince had his doubts about Jill.He later told her that she should dye her hair black and get a boob job

I thought Jill was adorable. If Cindy Lauper could get her name out there then looks can't be everything.