Cary's Rock Hall Benefit Concert to Host 94 East with Members of Prince's Famed Bands
07-10-2009

RALEIGH, N.C. – Organizers of the 2nd Annual Benefit Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum scheduled for September 6, 2009 at the Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C. today announced that 94 East, the band often credited with evolving the Minneapolis Sound, will perform its set with former members of Prince’s famed bands The Revolution and Grand Central in a musical tribute to the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee.

Joining 94 East founder Pepé Willie and long-time members Marcy Ingvoldstad and Kristie Lazenberry on stage will be longtime The Revolution keyboardist Matt (“Doctor”) Fink, who in 1985 won a Grammy for his work on the seminal Prince album “Purple Rain” as well as Prince’s cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith, drummer and founder of his original band, Grand Central. While full set lists won’t be divulged publicly in advance of the concert, the group has confirmed that Prince classics “Purple Rain” and “Wanna Be Your Lover” will be performed along with recently remixed tracks “10:15” and “Fortune Teller” from the band’s latest release featuring Prince on guitar.

Pepé Willie’s rise to prominence in the Minneapolis music scene came by way of Brooklyn, New York, where as a teenager he worked as a valet for 2009 Rock Hall Inductees Little Anthony and the Imperials, of whom his uncle Clarence Collins is a founding member. Pepé Willie ultimately found his way to Minneapolis by way of his engagement to Prince’s cousin Shauntel Manderville, and Pepé Willie took a young Prince Rogers Nelson under his musical tutelage, serving as his mentor and interim manager, and later helping him land his first recording contract. Today Pepé Willie is president of REO DEO Records in addition to his work as a musician, songwriter and producer who has occupied a front row seat to the history of rock and roll.