PBS has the video of Saadiq's interview with Tavis Smiley. In the description there is a line about Saadiq playing with Prince at the age of 18. I have never heard this before. Does anyone know if this really happened? If it did, was it an audition? What is the story behind it?

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/singer-songwriter-raphael-saadiq-2/

I was just reading about this yesterday. Apparently during the parade tour thru sheila e he hooked up with Prince playing bass at a few gigs.

Here is some of the article.

His obsession and aptitude for music put him in the right place at the right time shortly after his 18th birthday in 1984. He was hanging out in an Oakland studio when a call came in announcing an audition was being held the following day in San Francisco, with places in the touring band for Prince protegee Sheila E up for grabs. While others were decked out in Prince-inspired clothes, working on their dance moves in the queue, Wiggins, in baseball cap and jeans, quietly went about his business. Unimpressed with Sheila's sister, who he felt had too much attitude, he gave a spur-of-the-moment false name; and rather than lose face when Sheila told him he'd got the job, he had to quickly learn to answer to the name Raphael.

"Next thing I was in Tokyo, in a stadium, singin' Erotic City," he marvels. "We were in huge venues with the biggest sound systems in the world; all these roadies throwin' me basses, and a bunch of models hangin' round Prince to party. For almost two years. That was my university."

With Prince's band, the Revolution, "on the outs,", the teenage newcomer often found himself playing bass with the headliner at after-gig club shows. "I think he liked my feel, otherwise he wouldn't have invited me to play," Saadiq reasons. "He introduced us to some nice girls, too. He was really cool about that: he'd always walk up to you and say, 'There enough girls here for you tonight?' Yes, sir!"

metallicjigolo said:

I was just reading about this yesterday. Apparently during the parade tour thru sheila e he hooked up with Prince playing bass at a few gigs.

Here is some of the article.

His obsession and aptitude for music put him in the right place at the right time shortly after his 18th birthday in 1984. He was hanging out in an Oakland studio when a call came in announcing an audition was being held the following day in San Francisco, with places in the touring band for Prince protegee Sheila E up for grabs. While others were decked out in Prince-inspired clothes, working on their dance moves in the queue, Wiggins, in baseball cap and jeans, quietly went about his business. Unimpressed with Sheila's sister, who he felt had too much attitude, he gave a spur-of-the-moment false name; and rather than lose face when Sheila told him he'd got the job, he had to quickly learn to answer to the name Raphael.

"Next thing I was in Tokyo, in a stadium, singin' Erotic City," he marvels. "We were in huge venues with the biggest sound systems in the world; all these roadies throwin' me basses, and a bunch of models hangin' round Prince to party. For almost two years. That was my university."

With Prince's band, the Revolution, "on the outs,", the teenage newcomer often found himself playing bass with the headliner at after-gig club shows. "I think he liked my feel, otherwise he wouldn't have invited me to play," Saadiq reasons. "He introduced us to some nice girls, too. He was really cool about that: he'd always walk up to you and say, 'There enough girls here for you tonight?' Yes, sir!"

WOW amazing! Thanks for that, it really shows you just how influential Prince and his acts were on the future of music back in the hey day of the revolution. Saadiq must have been inpressive to land such an amazing gig at 18 considering all the pro's that probably lined up to play on that tour. Kudos to him. Thanks again!

Toni, Toni,Tone are actually playing on some tracks on the "Sheila E" album. I don't ave the cd in front of me, but I remember they're on Faded Photographs. And Prince tried to sign them to Paisley Park- bu they turned down thenoffer. That was the bes move they ever made.

musicman said:

Toni, Toni,Tone are actually playing on some tracks on the "Sheila E" album. I don't ave the cd in front of me, but I remember they're on Faded Photographs. And Prince tried to sign them to Paisley Park- bu they turned down thenoffer. That was the bes move they ever made.

WHY did they turned down the offer.. any details?

metallicjigolo said:

I was just reading about this yesterday. Apparently during the parade tour thru sheila e he hooked up with Prince playing bass at a few gigs.

Here is some of the article.

With Prince's band, the Revolution, "on the outs,", the teenage newcomer often found himself playing bass with the headliner at after-gig club shows.

I think that The Revolution only played a handful of aftershow gigs (as The Revolution) and according to http://www.princevault.co...nces_(1980) and their band lineup details for one off gigs in 85, '86 and going into 1987, Saadiq played bass at none of these shows.

At a concert a few years ago when "Ray Ray" had just dropped;

Raphael told the story on stage of how he beat out over 1000 bass players

for the Shelia E./Prince gig. Alan Leeds was his road manager at the time and

he was at the show. I spoke to Alan for a while and he said "You're the only person here

who knows who I am".

djdredd said:

At a concert a few years ago when "Ray Ray" had just dropped;

Raphael told the story on stage of how he beat out over 1000 bass players

for the Shelia E./Prince gig. Alan Leeds was his road manager at the time and

he was at the show. I spoke to Alan for a while and he said "You're the only person here

who knows who I am".

Yeah, I had always heard he played with Prince at one point, but all I really kept hearing was he played now and again with Sheila. I've never seen one video or heard one bootleg with him on the bass. I'm not saying he's lying, but I just wish I could see/hear his playing in the mix. I also heard he (and the rest) were invited to play on the Lovesexy tour. Anyone ever hear that one too?

Raphael (Saadiq) Wiggins was part of the Paisley Park entourage around 86/87. He was part of Sheila's band and played on some tracks of her 3rd solo album.

myloveis4ever said:

musicman said:

Toni, Toni,Tone are actually playing on some tracks on the "Sheila E" album. I don't ave the cd in front of me, but I remember they're on Faded Photographs. And Prince tried to sign them to Paisley Park- bu they turned down thenoffer. That was the bes move they ever made.

WHY did they turned down the offer.. any details?

Didn't want to be wearing paisley

alexnvrmnd777 said:

djdredd said:

At a concert a few years ago when "Ray Ray" had just dropped;

Raphael told the story on stage of how he beat out over 1000 bass players

for the Shelia E./Prince gig. Alan Leeds was his road manager at the time and

he was at the show. I spoke to Alan for a while and he said "You're the only person here

who knows who I am".

Yeah, I had always heard he played with Prince at one point, but all I really kept hearing was he played now and again with Sheila. I've never seen one video or heard one bootleg with him on the bass. I'm not saying he's lying, but I just wish I could see/hear his playing in the mix. I also heard he (and the rest) were invited to play on the Lovesexy tour. Anyone ever hear that one too?

When Born Not To Know came out, I remember getting pissed at the "I ain't wearing paisley" line and did some research. I remember spotting Raphael in at least one of Sheila's late 80's music videos. He's credited on some liner notes from the time. I think D'Wayne is too. I'm sure they've embelished the story somewhat over the years, but he was in Sheila's band for a minute.

myloveis4ever said:

musicman said:

Toni, Toni,Tone are actually playing on some tracks on the "Sheila E" album. I don't ave the cd in front of me, but I remember they're on Faded Photographs. And Prince tried to sign them to Paisley Park- bu they turned down thenoffer. That was the bes move they ever made.

WHY did they turned down the offer.. any details?

They were young musicians and song writers. I'm sure they admired Prince, but saw how he turned every album he produced into a "Prince album". So, I assume they graciously declined the offer. And, as we see today- it was the best thing for them.

musicman said:

myloveis4ever said:

WHY did they turned down the offer.. any details?

They were young musicians and song writers. I'm sure they admired Prince, but saw how he turned every album he produced into a "Prince album". So, I assume they graciously declined the offer. And, as we see today- it was the best thing for them.

yup

[Edited 5/21/11 9:04am]

musicman said:

myloveis4ever said:

WHY did they turned down the offer.. any details?

They were young musicians and song writers. I'm sure they admired Prince, but saw how he turned every album he produced into a "Prince album". So, I assume they graciously declined the offer. And, as we see today- it was the best thing for them.

thanks guys 4 the info8-)

HuMpThAnG said:

musicman said:

They were young musicians and song writers. I'm sure they admired Prince, but saw how he turned every album he produced into a "Prince album". So, I assume they graciously declined the offer. And, as we see today- it was the best thing for them.

yup

yes, and best for us music lovers of RB music. Can you imagine if Toni ToneTony became a Prince clone band??

prodigalfan said:

HuMpThAnG said:

yup

yes, and best for us music lovers of RB music. Can you imagine if Toni ToneTony became a Prince clone band??

That would have been susch a waste of talent and classic songs we would have never heard.

Love me some Raphael, and it was a great long term decision. He recognized then what so many young artist learned the hard way. Always thought Mint Condition was T3's equal but unfortunately they grew up here where Flyte Time and PP represented the only game in town. Neither were really record companies.

myloveis4ever said:

musicman said:

Toni, Toni,Tone are actually playing on some tracks on the "Sheila E" album. I don't have the cd in front of me, but I remember they're on Faded Photographs. And Prince tried to sign them to Paisley Park- bu they turned down the offer. That was the best move they ever made.

WHY did they turned down the offer.. any details?

In a Vibe interview many years later,they said that Prince was preparing to sign them to Paisley Park Records but "he kept frontin" so they went elsewhere.Smart decision.Most of the Paisley Park acts weren't allowed to grow and develop.Many of them only released one (under-promoted) album on the label.

I heard the stories mentioned as well. I do know that it was Shelia's band that opened for P on the 86 Europe or Japan leg of the Parade tour. Any boots would have to be of Shelia's band. I'm sure he jammed w/P at after show gigs. Interesting how he stayed away from being a clone but is probably one of the few male artists P probably respects these days.

How is his new album?

ufoclub said:

How is his new album?

i like it...

Raphael Wiggins a.k.a: Raphael Saadiq was part of Sheila E's 'E Band' and also played on her self titled album, along with Carl Wheeler & Timothy Riley. They later were to form part of Tony Toni Toni in 1988