I heard that story awhile ago, I heard back when The Time was known as Flight Time, Alex was the lead singer and Morris Day was the drummer, but Prince didn't get along with Alex.....they got into it for some reason and Alex got the boot. Later Prince fired Jimmy and Terry from The Time for missing a gig. Can anyone clarify this....
[Edited 4/29/10 17:29pm]

Yep, it's true.

I've read a few interviews in which O'Neal states that he was fired for a range of reasons. One reason being (and probably the most absurd) that he was too "black" and another for not holding his tongue when challenged. Dude could sing his ass off though.

The Jimmy & Terry story is pretty common. They had begun to do production work on the side, notably with The SOS Band.

After spending the days following a New York concert recording in Atlanta with the SOS band, Jam and Lewis failed to make the next concert at the Hamisfair Arena in San Antonio on March 24th, due to snow and a canceled flight. They were fined $3000 each, which was a lot considering how little they were making at the time. Prince eventually let them go when he realized their bigger dreams lay elsewhere. Monte left shortly after, not wanting to stay in the band if Jimmy and Terry weren't there (which is why none of the 3 of them were in Purple Rain).

Alex and Prince met and it was said that within 45 minutes, everyone knew Alex wasn't going to be in The Time. Prince said, "Well I guess Morris is singing lead", and Morris didn't protest. Alex was, at that time, very demanding. He and Prince butted heads on ideas, and Prince didn't let him into the group.

blacknote said:

I dont buy the "too black" thing...maybe it had to do more with his excessive drug usage. Look up that "If You Were Here Tonight" video....dude was visibly high as a kite.

ernestsewell said:

Prince was like a little dictator back then I swear...lol

Gangstaglam said:

I think they were mostly likely gonna quit the band anyway.

Gangstaglam said:

Prince was the one who was signed. It was his way or the highway.

Gangstaglam said:

Gangstaglam said:

Alexander was fired by Prince for demanding too much money.

I think people get it wrong a bit. Alex was never really IN the band per se. Things were just being put together, and Alex never really made it anywhere in the camp beyond that awkward meeting.

ernestsewell said:

Correct. As I recall, he was in Flyte Tyme. Then that group got picked apart and Prince replaced Alex with Morris on vocals.

Word on the street back then was that O'Neal liked the nose candy a little too much.

Off topic slightly, but anyone else think The Dance Electric and Fake sound a lot alike? Great jam anyhoo.

^^^ Ummmm... Best signature ever?

squirrelgrease said:

Dude looked high as SHIT in the innocent video!!!

Look at his eyes, he's FUCKED up!!!

Paris9748430 said:

Matt Fink said Bobby Z told him that Alex (who was on Bobby's record label at the time) was still into sniffing coke. That was circa 2002.

ernestsewell said:

He looked high in the episode of Wife Swap he was in.

Paris9748430 said:

He was on Wife Swap?

squirrelgrease said:

It aired in Europe. The episode is up on youtube if you wanna see it.

Paris9748430 said:

squirrelgrease said:

co-

TonyVanDam said:

jimmy and terry were fired by morris (with a little advice from prince)

dayum, i'ma have to watch that episode when i get a chance. but Vanity AND Alex, there would've been NO winters in Minneapolis with all the snow they'da snorted up

datdude said:

He most definitely was a dope head-I mean check out those eyes

blacknote said:

And he could snort up a wedding cake if permitted.
[Edited 5/7/10 13:27pm]

piepie1976 said:

it's true, but he did have a nice voice

The video looks like Alexander has hip problems. Or gout.

nas mentioned this on a song on his hip hop is dead album...

squirrelgrease said:

Or butt-itch!

thecloud said:

That's possible too. Maybe he hides his cocaine up his ass. Without a baggie.