who has been with prince the longest ass a band member..

Maybe Mr. Hayes or Dr.Fink!

As for the women, We have to say Rhonda Smith

Well not non-stop, but Sheila E. has been around since very early on...that probably doesn't count but I think it should.

Sheila!

Answer..Prince.
what do I win?

Dr. Fink, by far, clocking in at 11 years. (1979-1990)
Mr. Hayes and Levi Seacer Jr. coming in at second with 7 years (1992-1999 and 1986-1993 respectively)

Clare Fisher

NDRU said:

There's a difference between a bandmember and a collaborator.

What about Eric Leeds? He's been around since 1984. Not always "in the band" though.

Spinlight said:

Just because they've never met?! Clare don't need you to tell him he's in the band!

But seriously I'd say Rhonda's up there. Fink. Michael B has been there from G.B. (the movie) to Rave (Baby Knows--though I think it was recorded earlier)

Aside from Comers & Goers like Eric & Sheila

NDRU said:

Rhonda is up there in cumulative years, yeah. But as far as straight runs with Prince, it has to be Fink, Seacer, and Hayes.

Cumulative years:
Rhonda Smith, 8 years.
Eric Leeds, somewhere around 12 years
Sheila E's been credited on albums for upwards of 22 years now

Oh and btw, Michael B's been around since mid 1989, not just Graffiti Bridge. And his drum track on Rave doesn't count!

Actually Mr Hayes was with him til 2001, he continued 2 tour with him thru the Hit n' Run Tour, and he may surpass Dr. Fink since he's been back again recently.

Spinlight said:

the longest Prince band member??

Snap said:

I'm guessing that squirting guitar he uses at the end of the P.R. movie, maybe....?

Spinlight said:

Apart from the 9 years Bobby Z put in!

hmmm. I don't know.

I will ask Prince when I see him tonight...my husband and I are double dating with him and Mani this evening. We were gonna go see DaVinci Code and rip it to shreads afterward...but we might just go eat instead..it's up to P, he always gets to choose what we do. Personally I'm sick of that! but whatcha gone do?!

Hmmm...Maybe Prince??

On most of his albums it states "Produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince" *(except where indicated)

On a serious note...I think Dr. Fink. He has been on the majority of his albums.

Brown Mark O+>

Andre Cymone, He and Prince picked up their guitars in 1970 or 71 and Andre only quit after the Dirty Mind Tour and putting guitar on the Time album in mid 81. Also Matt Fink 78 thru to 90 wow!! But Prince and Andre jammed together in 1986 on tour with Andres hit the Dance electric, so thats 15 years wow.

Ladies continuous Rhonda has been there since late 96 or early 97.
On off Collaborators Sheila E 1983 now and Candy Dulfer, joined him onstage at the Lovesexy Tour and put down sax on Musicology tracks.
Michael Bland, Dez, Sonny T, Jerome Benton, Tony M and WendynLisa, Bobby Z Brown Mark all spent a lot of time with him. Most overrrated who lasted the shortest was Tommy Barbarella what happened to him.

tane1976 said:

Kat Dyson didn't last long, neither did RAD.

NDRU said:

Mr Hayes, The Game Boyz, Robin Power, Greg Brooks, Wally Safford also arent known for longevity, another unjustifiably short stay was Rosie Gaines, wow what a set of Pipes, and Cat why did he drop her, she was great!!!

Dr. Fink .