KeithyT said:

I think Prince is probably more than happy with the renewed star status he has enjoyed since 2004. That really was the year of his second coming. OK it might have been US centric, but the Musicology album and tour and the RnR HOF and the Grammy appearance etc helped him attain that music legend status.

He cemented this with the Superbowl performance in 2007 (in the UK and Europe i think 2007 was the equivalent year to 2004) and then with the O2 residency. The 21 Nights gigs were similar concept to the Musicology tour, greatest hits, superb shows that were all about Prince as solo act.

I'm not sure that a Revolution reunion would make him any more a "star". In any case he would have to be fully on board in terms of hype and marketing to make it even register with the casual music fan. When Wendy and Lisa appeared at the Brits with him in 2006, it wasn't even announced. They were just there and most people probably just thought Prince had an (almost) all female band. Of course we were all stoked and moved but it was irrelevant to most. It's all about Prince, you either like him or you don't I reckon.

[Edited 6/4/10 3:26am]

Not completely true, Wendy Lisa & Sheila were singled out for photoshoots and a sit down interview of them working with Prince coming 2gether etc etc. Sheila spoke the most but they all had the same sentiments.

The whole performance arrangements were put 2gether by Prince Sheila Wendy & Lisa,

Prince made sure Wendy was out front with spotlight on her 2 bring in Purple Rain, and made sure Sheila E. replaced Corra on the drum for that song.

I have the performance too and there was a certain audience acknowledgement when Wendy struck those cords, that people were excited and knew who she was. But as a whole, with the backdrop and the singers etc etc with no true promo all people probably didn't know.

You reunited with Prince in 2006 at the Brit Awards. Tell us a little bit about what led to that reunion and what it was like to rehearsing for the show. Also, the version of "Te Amo Corzon" played that night was very different, did you all work out that arrangement together?

Lisa:

Prince had been in touch with Wendy a little during that time and he asked us both if we would come play at the Brits with him. We hung out a couple of times and had dinner. We jammed... just the three of us. It was a BLAST! Then Sheila came and a few of us played around with Te Amo... we were just in his living room with a guitar and piano... congas? And it was really nice. So, yes, we worked out a little arrangement together.

Wendy:

We thought that the Brits would be a great time for me and Lisa and Prince to show the world that we are stronger, bigger, better and truer than ever. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. There was no press and no direction from Prince to let the people know that was happening. So the result was no one knew that me and Lisa were even in that band! The last song of the night was "Let's Go Crazy" and the cameras were on the twins. It was a real bummer. But it is what it is. We hoped it would be different.

[Edited 6/4/10 8:17am]

He needs Tony M. to recapture that elusive star status!

dreamshaman32 said:

g3121 said:

I'm 22, i've been a fan since primary school. my answer to your question is that at secondary school most kids had no idea who he was and now, they do. i'm at university and so i mix with many many different people of my age every day. most people i meet (18-25) know Prince, well, generally they know 'kiss' 'thmgitw' 'guitar' and 'musicology'.. sometimes 'Black Sweat'. Most don't know 'purple rain' although a few associate the phrase with Prince. The work that most seem to know is post-revolution Prince.. and even if they knew songs by Prince and the revolution they most certainly couldn't pick the revolution out of a line up visually or musically. Most didn't even know Prince has a backing band, be it the rev or the npg. So if he was looking to boost sales in my age group (teens/twenties) whether or not he was to get back with the band would make no difference. Also, to the people I know, prince is a big star, they all ask me when they see his symbol round my neck 1. why he did it 2. is he gay 3. did he remove any ribs and 4. what other songs has he made besides the above 4 or 5.. when you begin to drop names at least half of them go 'he did that?' i mean he is seen as a bit odd but is respected among my age group and is respected as a star, in fact, most hadn't heard of him until his resurge in popular culture with musicology and then his planet earth tour/giveaway. so to most people i know, prince is a bigger star in the last few years than he was back in the mid-80s. and i really wouldn't say prince ever stopped being a star, but he became recognised as hip again, and picked upon by people not exposed to him before between 2004-2007.. so no, prince doesn't NEED the revolution. if he WANTS them, then that's different. Perhaps for the over 40s then the rev would make more of a difference as that's who prince was when they first got into him, but for the people i know, of my age group, prince's star was actually at it's highest in the last 5 years of this decade, not 25 years ago like so many people round here seem to think.. either way i don't believe prince needs anyone musically.

Wow! You sound like my daughter lol, She's the same age as you but i raised her on all of the greats no matter the era with prince being the focus. All i can say is great insight, the truth is the children move the needle, they recognize his greatness but they have their own stars. The reunion would be big with us because most of us were in our formative years when the revolution became his signiture vehicle. The Revolution reunion if done correctly and in conjunction with remasters, docu's, and Tv specials would do big business. Thats the one tour he could charge us an arm and a leg for and get it, with the original Time opening i'd pay 200 for nosebleeds lol. Look at the stones, they've been gauging baby boomers for years! lol. Once again young lady thanks for the insight, but all i can say about his peak is you had to be there.

you're more than welcome, i'm so glad you see where i'm coming from!

'

JoeTyler said:

StonedImmaculate said:

Personally I would give my left nut for a Revolution reunion but unfortunately I dont think the masses would get too hyped up. Like many have said, few youngsters have any clue who the Revolution members are.

Why so MANY people here worry about the friggin' youngsters is beyond me. FUCK'EM! WE DON'T NEED 'EM, AND CLASSIC ARTISTS DON'T NEED THEM EITHER. Brainless american youngsters stick with Nickelback and Katie Perry and they usually don't buy records, they just buy some songs from iTunes or whatever.

A comeback of the Revolution has chances of huge success thanks to

a) the european young audience (16-30 years old) which is, let's face it, MUCH MORE cultivated than the american youngsters/teenagers,

b) those american old-school enthusiasts that basically give it up after Come/Gold/Emancipation...and who partially rediscovered Prince with 3121/Superbowl Show...

c) those 30-45 years old mainstream pop lovers who would surely jump on the whole "Revolution comeback" bandwagon, just to be a part of it...The same people that help Prince to sellout arenas these days...

d) and of course, hardcore fans that stick with the man no matter what

[Edited 6/4/10 1:45am]

Stop it! Y'all are starting to get me excited!

Wendy:

We thought that the Brits would be a great time for me and Lisa and Prince to show the world that we are stronger, bigger, better and truer than ever. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. There was no press and no direction from Prince to let the people know that was happening. So the result was no one knew that me and Lisa were even in that band! The last song of the night was "Let's Go Crazy" and the cameras were on the twins. It was a real bummer. But it is what it is. We hoped it would be different.

[Edited 6/4/10 8:17am]

Can someone slap Prince, please?

That might have some interest to us here who have followed his career, but outside of us and some old musio's or rock journo's, who else is going to care?

And before anyone says it, all those retro kids in legwarmers and reeboks are probably only going to want to hear the Purple Rain soundtrack, not Welcome to the Ratrace...

As much as we might like it to be as it was, things change, people change and maybe (probably) it won't be how we want it to be....

JoeTyler said:

Let's face it; Prince's first album after the farewell of The Revolution, SOTT, was not a big hit; Lovesexy was a failure; Batman was a huge hit because of the movie (like it or not), GB was , if I'm not mistaken, not very successful and D&P was a hit because of the singles (nobody truly cared about the NPG anyway). Love Symbol's sales were a "disappointment", and ughh, everything after that sucked in terms of sales (Emancipation being the exception, mainly because of the "false" platinum disc affair)

Musicology and 3121 were successful, but could have been bigger (despite 3121 being a Nº1 album) and PE and LF/MPLS have both flopped.

So, let's face it folks: Prince needs the Revolution if he wants to be as successful as he was during the mid-80s.

It seems that Prince, like some other solo artists that started or achieved fame with a band (Sting, Springsteen, etc.) is still remembered, by the mainstream masses, as that guy of the Purple Rain movie who had that cool band called The Revolution.

In my case, I don't give a damn if Prince resurrects the Revolution (it won't happen, anyway), but I'm sure that the comeback would be HUGE.

Thoughts?

The Prince & The Revolution reunion will NEVER happen in our lifetime. No matter how much we (in general) bitch about it, Prince is NOT interested. Even I've gave up on that dream since 2008.

Now, do I think the reunion has the potential of being successful? Oh hell yeah! In a post-Michael Jackson & post-Rick James world, a Prince & The Revolution reunion tour AND album can make Prince a bigger pop/rock figure than Madonna once more if and only if Prince wants to be.

vainandy said:

Prince, with or without The Revolution, will never be as big a star as he was in the 1980s because the 1990s and 2000s were, and still are, the shit hop era. Even if he sells out to it, this is the most homophobic era of music and the little assholes see Prince as "the fag" so he'll never be successful in an era where thug and criminal images rule and "fag" images are hated unless they are used in degrading ways.

1. You're right.

However....

2. Despite the circumstances, the gayness/metro-ness/campiness/bisexualness of Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, and Janet Jackson can still sell if OR when the music is danceable. So what if a few hetrosexuals don't understand Prince & The Revolution, the main thing is that there are hetrosexual fans (myself included) that do understand them and will pay good money if the gig is good.

unkleg said:

That might have some interest to us here who have followed his career, but outside of us and some old musio's or rock journo's, who else is going to care?

And before anyone says it, all those retro kids in legwarmers and reeboks are probably only going to want to hear the Purple Rain soundtrack, not Welcome to the Ratrace...

As much as we might like it to be as it was, things change, people change and maybe (probably) it won't be how we want it to be....

If that was true, artists and bands like the late Johnny Cash, The Police, Springsteen & The E Street, Genesis, Judas Priest, Roxy Music or even AC/DC (after 7 years in the shadows) would have never returned. But we all know the results: hit comeback tours, remastered albums and huge demand for new studio albums...

stars shine brighter outside the media matrix. there is life beyond the commercial haze. some say its way better.

JoeTyler said:

unkleg said:

That might have some interest to us here who have followed his career, but outside of us and some old musio's or rock journo's, who else is going to care?

And before anyone says it, all those retro kids in legwarmers and reeboks are probably only going to want to hear the Purple Rain soundtrack, not Welcome to the Ratrace...

As much as we might like it to be as it was, things change, people change and maybe (probably) it won't be how we want it to be....

If that was true, artists and bands like the late Johnny Cash, The Police, Springsteen & The E Street, Genesis, Judas Priest, Roxy Music or even AC/DC (after 7 years in the shadows) would have never returned. But we all know the results: hit comeback tours, remastered albums and huge demand for new studio albums...

THANK U!!!

I don't know why people know they see this happening all the time, yet for Prince 'o he doesn't need that' Like hell he doesn't

I strongly believe that the reason we hardly saw a guitarist next 2 Prince on stage after 2007 was because Prince wants Wendy there.

[Edited 6/5/10 6:24am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

Personally speaking, "THIS" is the band I would prefer to see play with Prince ... All girl band ...

JoeTyler said:

Let's face it; Prince's first album after the farewell of The Revolution, SOTT, was not a big hit; Lovesexy was a failure; Batman was a huge hit because of the movie (like it or not), GB was , if I'm not mistaken, not very successful and D&P was a hit because of the singles (nobody truly cared about the NPG anyway). Love Symbol's sales were a "disappointment", and ughh, everything after that sucked in terms of sales (Emancipation being the exception, mainly because of the "false" platinum disc affair)

Musicology and 3121 were successful, but could have been bigger (despite 3121 being a Nº1 album) and PE and LF/MPLS have both flopped.

So, let's face it folks: Prince needs the Revolution if he wants to be as successful as he was during the mid-80s.

It seems that Prince, like some other solo artists that started or achieved fame with a band (Sting, Springsteen, etc.) is still remembered, by the mainstream masses, as that guy of the Purple Rain movie who had that cool band called The Revolution.

In my case, I don't give a damn if Prince resurrects the Revolution (it won't happen, anyway), but I'm sure that the comeback would be HUGE.

Thoughts?

Did you really say D&P was a hit only because of the singles?? Cream, Gett Off, Diamonds and Pearls, Money Dont Matter.... I understand what youre trying to say but What album do you think they came of of? So in essence...Diamonds and Pearls was a success because it was Prince back at his game. True, an album needs good singles to help it get sales, but if the album sucks, the sales will slow down regardless of what single you released. Now on the flip side, if you release the wrong singles you can kill an album's sells because that sets the tone for what your album has to offer. was a prime example of that. Good album...poor choice of singles (except for 7).

But getting to your original purpose of the topic... Its hard to say. I believe Prince could benefit from the revolution.. But it would be as it is now. Meaning, Only WE would notice the benefit. His faithful fans, his old school fans, his die hard fans. Noone else would notice. So it wouldnt really help his sells. Only his sound. Its been said before, the only thing that will help his sells is a major record deal.

OldFriends4Sale said:

JoeTyler said:

If that was true, artists and bands like the late Johnny Cash, The Police, Springsteen & The E Street, Genesis, Judas Priest, Roxy Music or even AC/DC (after 7 years in the shadows) would have never returned. But we all know the results: hit comeback tours, remastered albums and huge demand for new studio albums...

THANK U!!!

I don't know why people know they see this happening all the time, yet for Prince 'o he doesn't need that' Like hell he doesn't

I strongly believe that the reason we hardly saw a guitarist next 2 Prince on stage after 2007 was because Prince wants Wendy there.

[Edited 6/5/10 6:24am]

Prince doesn't have a problem selling out tours, and never really 'comeback'. The real reason for his lack of 'success' is his distance from the music biz. Look how much hype surrounded Musicology (Sony) - that wasn't exactly his best album, despite all the airplay.

Prince fans are more pre-occupied with his past than he is. The reason he ain't doing that music no more or writing with W&L et al, is because he doesn't want to. I don't have a tunnel into his mind, I just say what I have seen and heard.

His Revolution work is stellar, released and otherwise, I can see why people want to see this revisited. I'm just saying that even if it were to happen, it probably isn't going to be like it was.

Other bands that made comebacks never excluded themselves from record companies, distribution or their marketing budgets. Prince has. He still manages to make money, tour and record. Bringing the Revolution back isn't going to suddenly see him any more popular than he currently is, simply because he is outside the industry.

Your measure of success (album sales, etc) is quite obviously not the same as Prince's, or at the very least it's not one he's openly wishing to attain.

HonestMan13 said:

He needs Tony M. to recapture that elusive star status!

unkleg said:

That might have some interest to us here who have followed his career, but outside of us and some old musio's or rock journo's, who else is going to care?

And before anyone says it, all those retro kids in legwarmers and reeboks are probably only going to want to hear the Purple Rain soundtrack, not Welcome to the Ratrace...

As much as we might like it to be as it was, things change, people change and maybe (probably) it won't be how we want it to be....

That's true.

PurpleLove7 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Personally speaking, "THIS" is the band I would prefer to see play with Prince ... All girl band ...

lol that would be visually exciting 2 see, ^^ but there is that 1 guy on bass up there. Please don't tell me that's a woman...

unkleg said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

THANK U!!!

I don't know why people know they see this happening all the time, yet for Prince 'o he doesn't need that' Like hell he doesn't

I strongly believe that the reason we hardly saw a guitarist next 2 Prince on stage after 2007 was because Prince wants Wendy there.

[Edited 6/5/10 6:24am]

Prince doesn't have a problem selling out tours, and never really 'comeback'. The real reason for his lack of 'success' is his distance from the music biz. Look how much hype surrounded Musicology (Sony) - that wasn't exactly his best album, despite all the airplay.

Prince fans are more pre-occupied with his past than he is. The reason he ain't doing that music no more or writing with W&L et al, is because he doesn't want to. I don't have a tunnel into his mind, I just say what I have seen and heard.

His Revolution work is stellar, released and otherwise, I can see why people want to see this revisited. I'm just saying that even if it were to happen, it probably isn't going to be like it was.

Other bands that made comebacks never excluded themselves from record companies, distribution or their marketing budgets. Prince has. He still manages to make money, tour and record. Bringing the Revolution back isn't going to suddenly see him any more popular than he currently is, simply because he is outside the industry.

Your measure of success (album sales, etc) is quite obviously not the same as Prince's, or at the very least it's not one he's openly wishing to attain.

I doubt that,it's most likely certain pressures from his JW connection. If he didn't want 'do that music' anymore U wouldn't have Minneapolis Sound(2009) If he didn't want to do that music anymore he wouldn't have pulled up 'In A Large Room With No Light', if he didn't want to do that music anymore, he wouldn't have played instrumental versions of Erotic City at the new Website viewing partry, If he didn't he wouldn't still be playing Purple Rain Let's Go Crazy Take Me With U, Raspberry Beret, Pop Life, he wouldn't have pulled out 1999 at Coachella, and on and on and on

I do agree that how he delivers the music will have an effect. But there are still things that would generate some serious excitement, that we have talked about here

I honestly think outside of fam, most people have no idea what the Revolution is! They probably think that "Purple Rain" and all his albums were solo albums! The Revolution was a great group, but that group only made three albums (two which are kind of misunderstood at best). It makes little sense to me that bringing them back in the fold would suddenly bring back his commerical fortunes. It might slightly help (and after hearing "Hot Summer", the man needs guidance now more than ever).

JoeTyler said:

Let's face it; Prince's first album after the farewell of The Revolution, SOTT, was not a big hit; Lovesexy was a failure; Batman was a huge hit because of the movie (like it or not), GB was , if I'm not mistaken, not very successful and D&P was a hit because of the singles (nobody truly cared about the NPG anyway). Love Symbol's sales were a "disappointment", and ughh, everything after that sucked in terms of sales (Emancipation being the exception, mainly because of the "false" platinum disc affair)

Musicology and 3121 were successful, but could have been bigger (despite 3121 being a Nº1 album) and PE and LF/MPLS have both flopped.

So, let's face it folks: Prince needs the Revolution if he wants to be as successful as he was during the mid-80s.

It seems that Prince, like some other solo artists that started or achieved fame with a band (Sting, Springsteen, etc.) is still remembered, by the mainstream masses, as that guy of the Purple Rain movie who had that cool band called The Revolution.

In my case, I don't give a damn if Prince resurrects the Revolution (it won't happen, anyway), but I'm sure that the comeback would be HUGE.

Thoughts?

NO

MikeyB71 said:

Prince is a big enough star without all that stuff going on.

Prince should stick with the younger guys and girls.

Who wants to see a buch of fat ageing Rev members trying to shake it like it's the 80's?

i think the hypothetical reunion would work, but there are better ways.

i know paul simon bounced back (commercially, artistically) in '86 w/ Graceland. No Garfunkel in sight.

Bob Dylan bounced back after in 97 w/ Time out of Mind, then followed w/ Love and Theft, Modern Times, and Together Through Life. Again, no Joan Baez, no Band.

Madonna did it w/ Ray of Light, Bonnie Raitt w/ Nick of Time, U2 w/ All that You Can't Leave Behind.

The reunion track is always a little hollow; it's more fun to just invest in a group of good songs, and produce them in an interesting way.

This is my first org post! I'm pumped to be here! Awesome!

Hell no! He just needs to create with an open mind. Get back to his soul. I thought when he 'Let it Go' it was gonna soar. Uh, the funky train doesn't stop at funky town anymore. When it does, it's contrite 2 me.

Prince is as big as star today as anyone can get. He can release "Purple & Golds" everyday for the next 20 years and that wont diminish him in any way. His body of work speaks for itself.

Would playing with the Revolution again be something interesting? Hell yes, it would add a nice little footnote in their careers, draw a lot of media attention and definitely generate a lot of revenue for them.

By now it also has to be said, that whatever impact The Revolution had on Prince's sound it was not only of major significance, but more importantly I dont think Prince would have reached today's status without them. Even the most adamant deniers who for some still unknown reason try and diminish their impact and their role in creating the pivotal music in Prince's career, the music that catapulted him to the legendary status bestowed upon him today is simply foolish.

The dramatic change in quality and lackluster music he has created on his own immediately following The Revolution's demise cannot be written off and clearly demonstrates the Revolution's critical role they played transforming Prince into the legend he is today.

When all is said and done, the music created with The Revolution will always be the centerpiece and the crown jewels of his work, nothing he has created since then even comes close....not by a long shot. This is not one person's opinion, this is the world-wide consensus.

Hopefully we will see a reunion someday, It would be a fun show. Hopefully they too will properly receive the recognition they deserve.

[Edited 6/19/10 18:24pm]

Only if they could bring the 80's with them. Artistically, it would be great for him to get together with W&L and knock out another album while they still can. Chemistry is so hard to find and it's a shame to not use it. In a perfect world he would write some songs with the girls, cut a studio album, and then take it to the stage with Sonny, Michael and Tommy (throw in Eric and Sheila to boot).

However, those ships have sailed and Larry wouldn't allow it anyway.

OldFriends4Sale said:

PurpleLove7 said:

Personally speaking, "THIS" is the band I would prefer to see play with Prince ... All girl band ...

lol that would be visually exciting 2 see, ^^ but there is that 1 guy on bass up there. Please don't tell me that's a woman...

LoL !!!

I didn't see that ... It's looks like Josh on bass (guitar) ... LoL

JoeTyler said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I am so sick of people saying The Revolution needs to be back for Prince to sell or be relevant again. Prince wrote and produced all his songs. Revolution or not. Times change. No artist sells like they use to.

Just one word: MADONNA

Madonna's albums continue to flop these days when comparing her to 20 years ago, bub.

Spinlight said:

JoeTyler said:

Just one word: MADONNA

Madonna's albums continue to flop these days when comparing her to 20 years ago, bub.

Madonna albums flopping? I don't think so

Ray of Light

Music

American Life

Confessions

Sticky n Sweet

American Life didn't do as well but all the other were huge

She's still very much relevant sought after and at the top of her game