violetcrush said:

PeteSilas said:

ya, i just mentioned that Prince was supercompetitive, that mayte had to let him win in pool. I could see it. Also, Micki Free said that he was going to get a deal at Paisley until a bunch of girls started going gaga over him at a party and Chick or some bodyguard booted him out, no doubt on orders from the Little Guy.

Also, kinda wierd how the guy said he and Prince almost came to a face to face meeting in a hallway, the guy was told never to talk to him and the guy said he was just about to and Prince sensed it and ran. wierd as fuck but that's P.

[Edited 5/27/18 10:31am]

Yes, Susannah stated he always tried to keep her hidden, did not want to share her with anyone - even Wendy her twin. His story of "almost meeting him on the stairs" is hilarious. Prince was just very uncomfortable with other men, especially guys that he didn't know.

ya, that kind of dynamic makes me laugh at the gay rumors, gay men don't tend to hang around women all the damned time and ostracize men, that's a pure testosteronish trait. I'm not saying he may not have experimented but as far as him being a flaming Homosexual? he did a good job of even making people think that was a possibility.

PeteSilas said:

violetcrush said:

Yes, Susannah stated he always tried to keep her hidden, did not want to share her with anyone - even Wendy her twin. His story of "almost meeting him on the stairs" is hilarious. Prince was just very uncomfortable with other men, especially guys that he didn't know.

ya, that kind of dynamic makes me laugh at the gay rumors, gay men don't tend to hang around women all the damned time and ostracize men, that's a pure testosteronish trait. I'm not saying he may not have experimented but as far as him being a flaming Homosexual? he did a good job of even making people think that was a possibility.

Nah, the androgyny was all for the stage and for show. Don't think he even experimented with men. He was all about the women. The guy that did the video about working at PP also told the story of Prince showing off his "stuff" while performing when he was in the front row. No doubt that was after he was told to stay away from the girls. Clearly, Prince had size where it matters

also, i did read that PP had one male, tony lemans, he was the only male that I was aware of outside of George Clinton on PP. Lemans had a fling with ingrid chavez I guess and then died in a car wreck, I'd never heard of him until a couple weeks ago here. Anyway, Leman's manager has a blog where he said he lost everything investing in lemans and that Prince never even sent condolences or anything post death, i could see it, he probably heard about Chavez and he. Rumors were that tony m and carmen elektra had a fling too, in that business, i don't get why he was expecting faithful women. Hate to say it in the age of cosby/wienstien but there have always been plenty of women willing to fuck anyone who can make their lives better.

Is it possible P wasn't paying attention to what a former male protege who slept with Ingrid was up to??

PeteSilas said:

also, i did read that PP had one male, tony lemans, he was the only male that I was aware of outside of George Clinton on PP. Lemans had a fling with ingrid chavez I guess and then died in a car wreck, I'd never heard of him until a couple weeks ago here. Anyway, Leman's manager has a blog where he said he lost everything investing in lemans and that Prince never even sent condolences or anything post death, i could see it, he probably heard about Chavez and he. Rumors were that tony m and carmen elektra had a fling too, in that business, i don't get why he was expecting faithful women. Hate to say it in the age of cosby/wienstien but there have always been plenty of women willing to fuck anyone who can make their lives better.

purplerabbithole said:

Is it possible P wasn't paying attention to what a former male protege who slept with Ingrid was up to??

PeteSilas said:

also, i did read that PP had one male, tony lemans, he was the only male that I was aware of outside of George Clinton on PP. Lemans had a fling with ingrid chavez I guess and then died in a car wreck, I'd never heard of him until a couple weeks ago here. Anyway, Leman's manager has a blog where he said he lost everything investing in lemans and that Prince never even sent condolences or anything post death, i could see it, he probably heard about Chavez and he. Rumors were that tony m and carmen elektra had a fling too, in that business, i don't get why he was expecting faithful women. Hate to say it in the age of cosby/wienstien but there have always been plenty of women willing to fuck anyone who can make their lives better.

he wasn't former, he was slated to release his new album, check it out. Prince must have known, for all his faults it isn't like him not to help out with people's misfortunes. He paid for Boni Boyer's funeral even though they didn't get along. He was a good man rabbit, not perfect but good, probably better than most of us.

PeteSilas said:

purplerabbithole said:

Is it possible P wasn't paying attention to what a former male protege who slept with Ingrid was up to??

he wasn't former, he was slated to release his new album, check it out. Prince must have known, for all his faults it isn't like him not to help out with people's misfortunes. He paid for Boni Boyer's funeral even though they didn't get along. He was a good man rabbit, not perfect but good, probably better than most of us.

Seems he was definitely competitive and jealous when it came to women he was with and other men. No doubt there was animosity toward men he thought were moving in on a woman he was with, or even after his relationship with the woman was over.

violetcrush said:

PeteSilas said:

he wasn't former, he was slated to release his new album, check it out. Prince must have known, for all his faults it isn't like him not to help out with people's misfortunes. He paid for Boni Boyer's funeral even though they didn't get along. He was a good man rabbit, not perfect but good, probably better than most of us.

Seems he was definitely competitive and jealous when it came to women he was with and other men. No doubt there was animosity toward men he thought were moving in on a woman he was with, or even after his relationship with the woman was over.

don't know why anyone would expect p to be less petty than anyone else, most men are pretty competitive anyway. One reason a lot of women get hired for certain positions is nothing more than men wanting to be served by women, they don't go hiring men as secretaries or receptionists, men, especially older men like to be around women, the younger the better which is why this me too bullshit is going to go on for a long time and maybe eventually men'll realize it's not worth the hassle and stop hiring based on looks alone.

PeteSilas said:

violetcrush said:

Seems he was definitely competitive and jealous when it came to women he was with and other men. No doubt there was animosity toward men he thought were moving in on a woman he was with, or even after his relationship with the woman was over.

don't know why anyone would expect p to be less petty than anyone else, most men are pretty competitive anyway. One reason a lot of women get hired for certain positions is nothing more than men wanting to be served by women, they don't go hiring men as secretaries or receptionists, men, especially older men like to be around women, the younger the better which is why this me too bullshit is going to go on for a long time and maybe eventually men'll realize it's not worth the hassle and stop hiring based on looks alone.

Pete - the Me Too movement is way beyond men just hiring women for "their looks". It is a movement by women, and for women, which is long overdue, to finally bring to justice PIGS like Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby - to name just two out of many - who have used their money and power to verbally and physically attack women, both young and old. The reason you don't see men as secretarys or receptionists is because of the simple fact that men never had to assume those roles in business - ever. There was a time, not very long ago, when women had only a handful of options in the workplace - Secretary, Teacher, or Nurse. That was about it.

*

Wrong place to get into the trials and tribulations of women being mistreated by men though....

violetcrush said:

PeteSilas said:

don't know why anyone would expect p to be less petty than anyone else, most men are pretty competitive anyway. One reason a lot of women get hired for certain positions is nothing more than men wanting to be served by women, they don't go hiring men as secretaries or receptionists, men, especially older men like to be around women, the younger the better which is why this me too bullshit is going to go on for a long time and maybe eventually men'll realize it's not worth the hassle and stop hiring based on looks alone.

Pete - the Me Too movement is way beyond men just hiring women for "their looks". It is a movement by women, and for women, which is long overdue, to finally bring to justice PIGS like Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby - to name just two out of many - who have used their money and power to verbally and physically attack women, both young and old. The reason you don't see men as secretarys or receptionists is because of the simple fact that men never had to assume those roles in business - ever. There was a time, not very long ago, when women had only a handful of options in the workplace - Secretary, Teacher, or Nurse. That was about it.

*

Wrong place to get into the trials and tribulations of women being mistreated by men though....

no doubt there are pigs but some women are oblivious to advantages they get just because they are women. I've seen it with my indian people, the women are sought after if they are pretty, get jobs easier, don't have to try as hard in general in life and they shit on the indian men who are already shat on by the society and the women have no clue of how difficult those men have it, no clue whatsoever. that's an exaggerated look at a very real dynamic. doesn't matter to me anymore, i don't look for jobs or bosses so it's not something I worry about. I create my own work so i don't have to play all those games, and yes, i've seen the men who will ace you out while they keep women around. I've seen it all though, i've also seen the men who want to keep me around while their wives want to get rid of me, the woman doesn't have to do the hard work in a company, a man does. I'm talking building, moving heavy objects. just the way things are.

violetcrush said:

PeteSilas said:

ya, that kind of dynamic makes me laugh at the gay rumors, gay men don't tend to hang around women all the damned time and ostracize men, that's a pure testosteronish trait. I'm not saying he may not have experimented but as far as him being a flaming Homosexual? he did a good job of even making people think that was a possibility.

Nah, the androgyny was all for the stage and for show. Don't think he even experimented with men. He was all about the women. The guy that did the video about working at PP also told the story of Prince showing off his "stuff" while performing when he was in the front row. No doubt that was after he was told to stay away from the girls. Clearly, Prince had size where it matters

i tend to think it was for show but as with anything else in a celebs life, there are always stories and rumors by people who claimed to be there.

violetcrush said:

kewlschool said:

I'm not defending Prince, but Jill Jones seems to be difficult to deal with.

I believe Jill had left his camp by 1990 - right after finishing the GB movie. She stated she just let her contract with him expire. She said she tried to get another record out with another producer, but Prince refused to let her use the songs. I think she was just opinionated and head strong, which by all accounts, did not work with Prince. She said he told her that she had no charisma and she should get a "boob job". Ouch! He could be mean.

[Edited 5/26/18 8:36am]

I'm basing my opinions of Jill based on her behavior and words on facebook 2017 and 2018. Not heresay or half truths.

kewlschool said:

violetcrush said:

I believe Jill had left his camp by 1990 - right after finishing the GB movie. She stated she just let her contract with him expire. She said she tried to get another record out with another producer, but Prince refused to let her use the songs. I think she was just opinionated and head strong, which by all accounts, did not work with Prince. She said he told her that she had no charisma and she should get a "boob job". Ouch! He could be mean.

[Edited 5/26/18 8:36am]

I'm basing my opinions of Jill based on her behavior and words on facebook 2017 and 2018. Not heresay or half truths.

that might not be the best thing to base your opinion on, i'm sure i come across as difficult and angry online, anyone who knows me would disagree.

I came across a very interesting article about power.
If no one is there to serve as a "back-to-reality" trigger,
it seems inevitable to lose touch with empathy :

https://www.theatlantic.c...ge/528711/

PeteSilas said:

rdhull said:

PeteSilas said:

that might not be the best thing to base your opinion on, i'm sure i come across as difficult and angry online, anyone who knows me would disagree.

I’ve met Jill and she has never been anything but pleasant.

Read Jill's 2013 interview she did for the "Beautiful Nights" online blog. She had a lot to say about her time with Prince, especially toward the end, and it wasn't great. She said she wasted 10 years, but at least she got one good song out of it. That is where I found the information regarding when and why she left in 1990 - it was not via hearsay and/or rumor. I would hope that Jill would have been pleasant to you, as you are a fan and/or stranger, so she should not have any reason to be otherwise. There was an online response to her interview by a user named "Fire & Ice" which sounded much like a response from Prince -so did the profile information of that user. It's had over 300 views. Check it out..

*

http://beautifulnightschitown.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-question-of-u-jill-jones-talks-2.html

[Edited 5/28/18 8:01am]

[Edited 5/28/18 8:30am]

kewlschool said:

violetcrush said:

I believe Jill had left his camp by 1990 - right after finishing the GB movie. She stated she just let her contract with him expire. She said she tried to get another record out with another producer, but Prince refused to let her use the songs. I think she was just opinionated and head strong, which by all accounts, did not work with Prince. She said he told her that she had no charisma and she should get a "boob job". Ouch! He could be mean.

[Edited 5/26/18 8:36am]

I'm basing my opinions of Jill based on her behavior and words on facebook 2017 and 2018. Not heresay or half truths.

Jill is a sweatheart, VERY down to earth, honest and was a pleasure to party with.

Plus she let Vivica Fox stay in her penthouse suite when she was an unknown struggling actress.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

kewlschool said:

I'm basing my opinions of Jill based on her behavior and words on facebook 2017 and 2018. Not heresay or half truths.

Jill is a sweatheart, VERY down to earth, honest and was a pleasure to party with.

Plus she let Vivica Fox stay in her penthouse suite when she was an unknown struggling actress.

I'm sure she is - I competely understand any conflict or frustration she had with Prince back in the day. She was one of many who went through trials and tribulations with him. Regarding her recent comments/interviews, the only thing I was unhappy with was her statement that The Revolution were nothing more than a "Milli Vanilli" band - which I believe she said during the Prince Podcast interview. I disagree wholeheartedly with that opinion.

violetcrush said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Jill is a sweatheart, VERY down to earth, honest and was a pleasure to party with.

Plus she let Vivica Fox stay in her penthouse suite when she was an unknown struggling actress.

I'm sure she is - I competely understand any conflict or frustration she had with Prince back in the day. She was one of many who went through trials and tribulations with him. Regarding her recent comments/interviews, the only thing I was unhappy with was her statement that The Revolution were nothing more than a "Milli Vanilli" band - which I believe she said during the Prince Podcast interview. I disagree wholeheartedly with that opinion.

Well, I saw The Revolution perform a few times without Prince and although they're a good band. Without Prince directing and guiding them, I wasn't really impressed. I know it''s fans(like U) obsessed with them. But this is my personal opinion. It was good seeing them for nostalgia reasons and I'm sure it satisfies their needing & longing to reunite to grieve and satisfy fans obsessed with them.. But the lack of Prince switching gears while leading them into unknown,unexpected groove changes was sadly missing. It left a void unsatified for me. So sorry Jill is not far from my opinion about them.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

violetcrush said:

I'm sure she is - I competely understand any conflict or frustration she had with Prince back in the day. She was one of many who went through trials and tribulations with him. Regarding her recent comments/interviews, the only thing I was unhappy with was her statement that The Revolution were nothing more than a "Milli Vanilli" band - which I believe she said during the Prince Podcast interview. I disagree wholeheartedly with that opinion.

Well, I saw The Revolution perform a few times without Prince and although they're a good band. Without Prince directing and guiding them, I wasn't really impressed. I know it''s fans(like U) obsessed with them. But this is my personal opinion. It was good seeing them for nostalgia reasons and I'm sure it satisfies their needing & longing to reunite to grieve and satisfy fans obsessed with them.. But the lack of Prince switching gears while leading them into unknown,unexpected groove changes was sadly missing. It left a void unsatified for me. So sorry Jill is not far from my opinion about them.

No, not obsessed with The Revloution....and, of course they won't sound or be the same without Prince with them - they have attested to that fact as well. No doubt there is a void there, as the band was Prince's creation. However, they are all excellent musicians in their own right, especially Wendy and Lisa. Prince wouldn't have chosen them if they weren't. For Jill to make a comment like that, especially given that SHE, as far as I know, plays not one instrument....well, not okay.

violetcrush said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Well, I saw The Revolution perform a few times without Prince and although they're a good band. Without Prince directing and guiding them, I wasn't really impressed. I know it''s fans(like U) obsessed with them. But this is my personal opinion. It was good seeing them for nostalgia reasons and I'm sure it satisfies their needing & longing to reunite to grieve and satisfy fans obsessed with them.. But the lack of Prince switching gears while leading them into unknown,unexpected groove changes was sadly missing. It left a void unsatified for me. So sorry Jill is not far from my opinion about them.

No, not obsessed with The Revloution....and, of course they won't sound or be the same without Prince with them - they have attested to that fact as well. No doubt there is a void there, as the band was Prince's creation. However, they are all excellent musicians in their own right, especially Wendy and Lisa. Prince wouldn't have chosen them if they weren't. For Jill to make a comment like that, especially given that SHE, as far as I know, plays not one instrument....well, not okay.

i've said it recently, that I did buy into the "not that great a band" talk that had been in critics mouths during the 80's, I had to revise that opinion when I listen to the live dvd, they were damned good and had the right chemistry, Prince would never regain that kind of chemistry with any of the "better" musicians he was with. That goes for the Pre-rev people too, dez and andre, there is a difference between hungry, starving, young desperate musicians and paid for hire people, a big difference. It comes across in the sound, it's the reason why Springsteen couldn't just ditch the folks that got him where he was and have similar results. Elvis never did either, you can't replace that kind of magic by throwing money around.

interesting, that might have been him huh?

violetcrush said:

rdhull said:

PeteSilas said: I’ve met Jill and she has never been anything but pleasant.

Read Jill's 2013 interview she did for the "Beautiful Nights" online blog. She had a lot to say about her time with Prince, especially toward the end, and it wasn't great. She said she wasted 10 years, but at least she got one good song out of it. That is where I found the information regarding when and why she left in 1990 - it was not via hearsay and/or rumor. I would hope that Jill would have been pleasant to you, as you are a fan and/or stranger, so she should not have any reason to be otherwise. There was an online response to her interview by a user named "Fire & Ice" which sounded much like a response from Prince -so did the profile information of that user. It's had over 300 views. Check it out..

*

http://beautifulnightschitown.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-question-of-u-jill-jones-talks-2.html

[Edited 5/28/18 8:01am]

[Edited 5/28/18 8:30am]

PeteSilas said:

violetcrush said:

No, not obsessed with The Revloution....and, of course they won't sound or be the same without Prince with them - they have attested to that fact as well. No doubt there is a void there, as the band was Prince's creation. However, they are all excellent musicians in their own right, especially Wendy and Lisa. Prince wouldn't have chosen them if they weren't. For Jill to make a comment like that, especially given that SHE, as far as I know, plays not one instrument....well, not okay.

i've said it recently, that I did buy into the "not that great a band" talk that had been in critics mouths during the 80's, I had to revise that opinion when I listen to the live dvd, they were damned good and had the right chemistry, Prince would never regain that kind of chemistry with any of the "better" musicians he was with. That goes for the Pre-rev people too, dez and andre, there is a difference between hungry, starving, young desperate musicians and paid for hire people, a big difference. It comes across in the sound, it's the reason why Springsteen couldn't just ditch the folks that got him where he was and have similar results. Elvis never did either, you can't replace that kind of magic by throwing money around.

I agree Pete. The live shows back then prove the point. The '84 Birthday show, PR shows, Parade shows....so so good. They had a chemistry together too - can't re-create that situation. It is well documented that it was much more of a collaborative effort during that time.

PeteSilas said:

interesting, that might have been him huh?

violetcrush said:

Read Jill's 2013 interview she did for the "Beautiful Nights" online blog. She had a lot to say about her time with Prince, especially toward the end, and it wasn't great. She said she wasted 10 years, but at least she got one good song out of it. That is where I found the information regarding when and why she left in 1990 - it was not via hearsay and/or rumor. I would hope that Jill would have been pleasant to you, as you are a fan and/or stranger, so she should not have any reason to be otherwise. There was an online response to her interview by a user named "Fire & Ice" which sounded much like a response from Prince -so did the profile information of that user. It's had over 300 views. Check it out..

*

http://beautifulnightschitown.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-question-of-u-jill-jones-talks-2.html

[Edited 5/28/18 8:01am]

[Edited 5/28/18 8:30am]

I guess know one will know for sure, but it does sound like him - or someone suffering from delusions of being him

*

The girl who did the interviews and blog stated on one of her posts that she was told by someone in hs camp that he had read one of the interviews. I'm sure he read all of them actually. He was always online looking for things - or people in his camp were.

PeteSilas said:

violetcrush said:

No, not obsessed with The Revloution....and, of course they won't sound or be the same without Prince with them - they have attested to that fact as well. No doubt there is a void there, as the band was Prince's creation. However, they are all excellent musicians in their own right, especially Wendy and Lisa. Prince wouldn't have chosen them if they weren't. For Jill to make a comment like that, especially given that SHE, as far as I know, plays not one instrument....well, not okay.

i've said it recently, that I did buy into the "not that great a band" talk that had been in critics mouths during the 80's, I had to revise that opinion when I listen to the live dvd, they were damned good and had the right chemistry, Prince would never regain that kind of chemistry with any of the "better" musicians he was with. That goes for the Pre-rev people too, dez and andre, there is a difference between hungry, starving, young desperate musicians and paid for hire people, a big difference. It comes across in the sound, it's the reason why Springsteen couldn't just ditch the folks that got him where he was and have similar results. Elvis never did either, you can't replace that kind of magic by throwing money around.

That's both of your opinions. But Prince said out of his own mouth about The Revolution that HE "was the only soloist in the band. Fink wasn’t soloing his solos were planned out. He didn’t improvise.So there was no other soloist in the band". So Eddie M., one of the horn players, and Eric was brought in. He didn't even mention Wendy & Lisa at all about their soloing.

That right there speaks VOLUMES on what he really thought about The Revolution as a band. They were great collectively as a band. But not great at soloing to him.

Prince last said about Bruce Springsteen. "He’s one of my favorite bandleaders of all time". In other words The E street band was nothing without Bruce to him.

The same goes about The Revolution without Prince.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

PeteSilas said:

i've said it recently, that I did buy into the "not that great a band" talk that had been in critics mouths during the 80's, I had to revise that opinion when I listen to the live dvd, they were damned good and had the right chemistry, Prince would never regain that kind of chemistry with any of the "better" musicians he was with. That goes for the Pre-rev people too, dez and andre, there is a difference between hungry, starving, young desperate musicians and paid for hire people, a big difference. It comes across in the sound, it's the reason why Springsteen couldn't just ditch the folks that got him where he was and have similar results. Elvis never did either, you can't replace that kind of magic by throwing money around.

That's both of your opinions. But Prince said out of his own mouth about The Revolution that HE "was the only soloist in the band. Fink wasn’t soloing his solos were planned out. He didn’t improvise.So there was no other soloist in the band". So Eddie M., one of the horn players, and Eric was brought in. He didn't even mention Wendy & Lisa at all about their soloing.

That right there speaks VOLUMES on what he really thought about The Revolution as a band. They were great collectively as a band. But not great at soloing to him.

Prince last said about Bruce Springsteen. "He’s one of my favorite bandleaders of all time". In other words The E street band was nothing without Bruce to him.

The same goes about The Revolution without Prince.

Prince said that but he said it in a later stage, some have questioned his mental lucidity, even brown mark was asked "where is your guitar" and had to tell Prince he played bass the last time he saw him, so I don't really know how true the improv lacking in the revolution was, maybe it was true, maybe not. Springsteen's band was and is mighty, Bruce never could sell, even as well as Prince did, without the E Street Band, his ego led him to try it several times and he's trying it now but I think history speaks for itself, the sweat, the grit n' heart of those e streeters trumps the studio musicians any day and they could outplay a lot of them too.

PeteSilas said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

That's both of your opinions. But Prince said out of his own mouth about The Revolution that HE "was the only soloist in the band. Fink wasn’t soloing his solos were planned out. He didn’t improvise.So there was no other soloist in the band". So Eddie M., one of the horn players, and Eric was brought in. He didn't even mention Wendy & Lisa at all about their soloing.

That right there speaks VOLUMES on what he really thought about The Revolution as a band. They were great collectively as a band. But not great at soloing to him.

Prince last said about Bruce Springsteen. "He’s one of my favorite bandleaders of all time". In other words The E street band was nothing without Bruce to him.

The same goes about The Revolution without Prince.

Prince said that but he said it in a later stage, some have questioned his mental lucidity, even brown mark was asked "where is your guitar" and had to tell Prince he played bass the last time he saw him, so I don't really know how true the improv lacking in the revolution was, maybe it was true, maybe not. Springsteen's band was and is mighty, Bruce never could sell, even as well as Prince did, without the E Street Band, his ego led him to try it several times and he's trying it now but I think history speaks for itself, the sweat, the grit n' heart of those e streeters trumps the studio musicians any day and they could outplay a lot of them too.

ChocolateBox - Nobody's questioning whether Prince was the "band leader" or not - of course he was, and the rest of the group have stated that. What we're saying is that each player brought something to the table for him during that time - Matt, Mark, Wendy and Lisa all had their contributions, and their synchronicity and chemistry made it the best. Also, with regard to musical contributions, it is very well known that ATWIAD was primarily Prince, Wendy and Lisa and their Brothers collaborating in the studio on those songs. And for Parade, "Sometimes It Snows In April" was recorded live in the studio by the three of them. The extended version of Mountains is also Wendy and Lisa's contribution.

*

From the 1985 RS Interview:

What sound do you get from different members of the Revolution?

Bobby Z was the first one to join. He’s my best friend. Though he’s not such a spectacular drummer, he watches me like no other drummer would. Sometimes, a real great drummer, like Morris, will be more concerned with the lick he is doing as opposed to how I am going to break it down."

Mark Brown’s just the best bass player I know, period. I wouldn’t have anybody else. If he didn’t play with me, I'd eliminate bass from my music. Same goes for Matt [Fink, the keyboard player]. He’s more or less a technician. He can read and write like a whiz, and is one of the fastest in the world. And Wendy makes me seem all right in the eyes of people Watching.

*

How so?

"She keeps a smile on her face. When I sneer, she smiles. It’s not premeditated, she just does it. It’s a good contrast. Lisa is like my sister. She’ll play what the average person won’t. She’ll press two notes with one finger so the chord is a lot larger, things like that. She’s more abstract. She’s into Joni Mitchell, too."

*

An ignition turns. “Wait,” calls Prince, remembering something. He grabs a tape off the T-Bird seat and yells to his father, “I got something for you to listen to. Lisa [Coleman] and Wendy [Melvoin] have been working on these in L.A.” Prince throws the tape, which the two female members of his band have mixed, and his father catches it with one hand. Nelson nods okay and pulls his car behind his son’s in the alley. Closely tailing Prince through North Minneapolis, he waves and smiles whenever we look back. It’s impossible to believe that the gun-toting geezer in Purple Rain was modeled after John Nelson.

*

I believe during the 1996 interview with Chris Rock when Prince was asked if he could assemble a "supergroup" of his contemporaries who have not been in his bands, who would he pick? Prince stated "not to sound arrogant, but I've actually had some of the greatest musicians in my bands. I'd have Wendy and Lisa back, Sheila E on Percussion and Michael Bland on drums, Bass...oh I don't know, that's really hard..." He did state Rhonda Smith, and then said, "I'd have the band I have now"....which of course he is going to say to support his current players. Mark stated in an interview that not long after he left the band Prince asked him to come back and play for NPG.

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There was another interview in which he stated "I've got the baddest band in the universe". And when discussing song writing and recording new songs in an interview he stated, "it goes a lot faster now that I have the girls helping me". Point is, Prince himself acknowledged the talent of this group on many occasions.

Those statements Prince made was off the record.. He was more honest in those statements in that whole off the record conversation then he had EVER been. It had nothing to do with his mental lucidity being off and never known him to be nothing short of articulate in all his discussions.

What's wrong with asking, where is your guitar? A bass is a guitar. Even if he did forget .Prince changed band members quicker than he did his underware. So it's really not that unusual or strange to slightly forget for a second.

If U are a musician and have watched The Revolution perform they rarely improvised. Everything they did was rehearsed to perfection.

PeteSilas said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

That's both of your opinions. But Prince said out of his own mouth about The Revolution that HE "was the only soloist in the band. Fink wasn’t soloing his solos were planned out. He didn’t improvise.So there was no other soloist in the band". So Eddie M., one of the horn players, and Eric was brought in. He didn't even mention Wendy & Lisa at all about their soloing.

That right there speaks VOLUMES on what he really thought about The Revolution as a band. They were great collectively as a band. But not great at soloing to him.

Prince last said about Bruce Springsteen. "He’s one of my favorite bandleaders of all time". In other words The E street band was nothing without Bruce to him.

The same goes about The Revolution without Prince.

Prince said that but he said it in a later stage, some have questioned his mental lucidity, even brown mark was asked "where is your guitar" and had to tell Prince he played bass the last time he saw him, so I don't really know how true the improv lacking in the revolution was, maybe it was true, maybe not. Springsteen's band was and is mighty, Bruce never could sell, even as well as Prince did, without the E Street Band, his ego led him to try it several times and he's trying it now but I think history speaks for itself, the sweat, the grit n' heart of those e streeters trumps the studio musicians any day and they could outplay a lot of them too.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Those statements Prince made was off the record.. He was more honest in those statements in that whole off the record conversation then he had EVER been. It had nothing to do with his mental lucidity being off and never known him to be nothing short of articulate in all his discussions.

What's wrong with asking, where is your guitar? A bass is a guitar. Even if he did forget .Prince changed band members quicker than he did his underware. So it's really not that unusual or strange to slightly forget for a second.

If U are a musician and have watched The Revolution perform they rarely improvised. Everything they did was rehearsed to perfection.

PeteSilas said:

Prince said that but he said it in a later stage, some have questioned his mental lucidity, even brown mark was asked "where is your guitar" and had to tell Prince he played bass the last time he saw him, so I don't really know how true the improv lacking in the revolution was, maybe it was true, maybe not. Springsteen's band was and is mighty, Bruce never could sell, even as well as Prince did, without the E Street Band, his ego led him to try it several times and he's trying it now but I think history speaks for itself, the sweat, the grit n' heart of those e streeters trumps the studio musicians any day and they could outplay a lot of them too.

Actually, Matt Fink was in his band from 1979-1990. Mark was in his band from 1980-1986. He quit, but was asked to join NPG when it was formed. Bobby was in his band from 1979-1986. Lisa was in his band from 1980-1986. It was during the 90's and beyond when the band turnover became more frequent.

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Regarding the band being "rehearsed" - Prince worked ALL of this bands this way. The hours and hours of rehearsals have been confirmed by members of all of his bands. He was a perfectionist, and that is just how he operated - especially during his climb to superstardom. He wanted a flawless performance. As Wendy has stated, they were often the "loop" for hours so he could practice his dance moves. In more recent years he was more relaxed, because he wasn't competing anymore.

[Edited 5/29/18 7:56am]

PeteSilas said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

That's both of your opinions. But Prince said out of his own mouth about The Revolution that HE "was the only soloist in the band. Fink wasn’t soloing his solos were planned out. He didn’t improvise.So there was no other soloist in the band". So Eddie M., one of the horn players, and Eric was brought in. He didn't even mention Wendy & Lisa at all about their soloing.

That right there speaks VOLUMES on what he really thought about The Revolution as a band. They were great collectively as a band. But not great at soloing to him.

Prince last said about Bruce Springsteen. "He’s one of my favorite bandleaders of all time". In other words The E street band was nothing without Bruce to him.

The same goes about The Revolution without Prince.

Prince said that but he said it in a later stage, some have questioned his mental lucidity, even brown mark was asked "where is your guitar" and had to tell Prince he played bass the last time he saw him, so I don't really know how true the improv lacking in the revolution was, maybe it was true, maybe not. Springsteen's band was and is mighty, Bruce never could sell, even as well as Prince did, without the E Street Band, his ego led him to try it several times and he's trying it now but I think history speaks for itself, the sweat, the grit n' heart of those e streeters trumps the studio musicians any day and they could outplay a lot of them too.

Pete - right. It was documented in the investigation report that his erratic behavior began around 2011, which would have been about a year after he had hip surgery. In the 2015 Ebony article, which he had retracted right after it was published, he was all over the place with his comments. Also, in the few years prior to that the members of The Revolution, and also Susannah, had been contributing to Biographies (Alan Light's and Matt Thorne's books) and interviews- talking about their time with him, and also their personal relationships with him. No doubt he was less than pleased about that. He was known for retaliation - in interviews and/or his music.