Ok so most of us know who Tony Lemans was.Unfortunately he passed away before his album was released.But the burning question is...was this guy really going to be a viable artist that Prince could have banked on.Or just another protege ala everybody else.The album was very uneven, but not that bad.Is there even a decent picture of the guy that exists? The album cover and photos were kinda deceptive in the sense that you never got a good look at him.


Also I've heard conflicting stories as to how Prince came about the guy. I've heard everything from he was a buddy of Lenny Kravitz and thats how Prince and lenny's thing started, to perhaps Lemans was more than just a musical aquaintance to Prince.Either way, anybody with an opinion on in-site feel free to share.

ok...now i'm interested?

who was he and any pix?

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RupacShakur said:

Tony was an innovator, visionary and great influencial musical friend of mine who I had the pleasure of working with on an project in Minneapolis in 89/90. Some of the best stuff that I heard was Tony's demo with and without Prince. It's sad that the world won't get to see and hear the talent that Tony had but believe me, his influences are far reaching. I talked to Lenny Kravitz once about Tony and he said that they weren't as close as some make it out to be. I'm not sure but I've heard other storie involving Lisa Bonnet but I won't spread stories that I don't know are true. Anyway, Tony was a great talent and is no doubt missed. I do have pix of when we were in the studio in Salsulito but I don't think it's right at this time to share. Another artist that reminds me of Tony is Bronx Style Bob. Another amazing talent and true poet.

So how did Prince stumble upon him? If you remember back in late '87, Billboard ran a front cover of Prince and all the Paisley Park Acts, including Dale Bozzio and Tony Lemans.In that particular picture I initialy thought Tony Lemans was a women.He's got the huge curly hair the signature Purple Rain circle sunglasses and elbow legnth fringe golves.Actually a cool picture.But his album doesn't drop till years later, and Prince never mentions the guy.Did he ever perform anywhere live with Prince? The most intriguing part to the story is that I was told Lemans was going to be the "supposed" alter-ego artist to Prince. In other words his developement on and off stage was to be exactly as Prince (band leader,his band was to mirror Prince's band) yet the music and style was to be harder with more of a harder rock influence, I guess the "new Morris Day". How much of that is true?