Is it me, or does it seems that Prince is the only artist that creates this interest and curiosity around who his band members are? I mean, who cares who is on bass for MJ, etc? We've all talked about our favorite drummers, etc. I don't know but it seems like they end up with a mystique all their own because of their association with him.

(btw, Bobby Z would have totally "fit" into the drummer list in Ol Skool Company, his name RHYMES with the way P. spits out the list; anyway, i digress)

datdude said:

He makes stars out of them. He points them out, calls them by name. MJ just has a touring band. He's not IN a band, or works with his artist as a band. It's all about him on stage. Prince turns over times to Sheila E for a drum solo, etc.

However, I do know a lot of Janet's past band members, especially David Barry on guitar. Tina tours with mostly the same musicians and singers too, and I pay attention to them.

I agree.

paul mccartney has had the same members for 7 years, he has an amazing band

Yeah, friends of mine who have listened to the Indigo Nights CD have commented on his style of putting the band in the spotlight with him.

I have never ever paid attention to anybody playin behind the lead person til I saw Prince live with his band(s).
Seems like he loves to show off his band members' talents even more than they do
He comes off as the type that likes to help ppl with their artistic side (music-wise) like Wendy said in the interview

Hey...a band is a band, and all of the instruments bring something to each song. Prince is of course a beautiful visual distraction, although U can't help to audibly notice music as a whole.

ernestsewell said:

I remember Chuckii Booker in Janet's band on her first tour he had a semi-hit though. "Turned Away" that was my jam

i'm not surprised to hear that other artists (like Tina and Paul Mc who were mentioned) have found a great band that they like and stick to. But for some reason its something about how selective, reclusive P is that makes it seem as if you'd BETTER pay attention to these cats if they're playing with ME. i guess Sade comes to mind but only for Stuart Matthewman. the "star making" aspect too that Wendy mentioned is interesting

Dolphinking23 said:

I remember him too. He was the Band Leader if I a not mistaken. He was fresh and new on the scene, and by the time RN1814 tour happened, he was in the right place at the right time. I don't remember any of his songs, although I do remember him being on the radio a lot.

The other 3 people I can think of right off that were made more well known by being in a band were Donna McElroy and Niki Haris as Madonna's backup singers since 1987's Who's That Girl tour. Then I think of Stacey Campbell who has sang backup for Janet, Tina, and a plethora of others. She even took the lead for singing "Baby I'm A Star" (which Tina recorded on the All That Glitters Target only CD) on the One Last Time tour. Tina never sang it live. It was used as a segue song, and Stacey was definitely the lead of the backup singers for that section of the show.

One of the baddest "bands" ever:



The JB's. (James Brown's band)

It don't get no funkier than that, folks.

PvMarchingStorm05 said:

Yeah, but who knows who any of those people are by name except Maceo? And that even came moreso with Prince chanting "Maceo" over and over for years.

ernestsewell said:

Main ingredients: Bootsy, Jabo, Catfish, Clyde, Fred, Maceo, and Pee Wee. And James Brown was shouting out stuff like "Maceo" and "Maceo blow your horn" lonnnggg before Prince started doing it...hell that's where Prince got it from. I don't recall George Clinton shouting out Maceo's name that much after Mace left the JB's though.
[Edited 4/19/09 17:22pm]

ernestsewell said:

Is Maceo even in this pic? If so, which one is he? The sax player holding the flute looks like the black guy from Dark Knight.

berniejobs said:

This picture was originally in black and white. (it's old as hell...you can tell by looking at Maceo being slim and James Brown lookin young and fresh)

That's what sets him apart from other musicians. Alot has been made of Prince being selfish and self-centered. If it wasn't for the fact that Prince helped to make them known to his audience; I (IMHO) believe he helped fully launch their fan base by letting them have a private part in the concerts prior to the band members putting out their own music.