Prince: Music Is History
The history of music is far and wide. You can go back in time to the great composers of Beethoven or Mozart. You can go back to the early 20th century to the pioneers of jazz and soul. You could take a jump forward to the British invasion of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and move your way into the evolution of rhythm and blues and funk.
When you compile the complete history of music together it leads to the creation of an 80s funk sound which was pioneered by Prince.
When Prince burst onto the scene in the late 70s, no one really knew what his impact on music would be. He would assemble around him a crew of impactful musicians, songwriters, singers, and dancers that would completely change the sound of 80s funk. This is a playlist of that sound.
In reality, music totally changed after his 1984 album “Purple Rain.” The film “Purple Rain” also included members of his crew that went onto have their own series of hits. Let's Go Crazy from the “Purple Rain” album is a beautiful introduction into this world.
In the early 80s Prince formed his own band called, The Time was intended to be his opening act at all his concerts. The Time’s lead singer, Morris Day would go onto having his own incredible music career. 777-9311 was one of the first hits of The Time.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were original members of the band, but sadly their tenure in the band was cut short. Prince had a very strict rule that he did not want any of his protégés working on outside projects . Jimmy jam and Terry Lewis were fired once Prince knew they were producing the S.O.S Band’s new album.
This decision to fire, Jimmy jam, and Terry Lewis let them to produce Janet Jackson (The Pleasure Principle) and propelled her into stardom.
Another one of Prince’s, early protégés was Alexander O’Neal. Alexander O'Neal was the original singer of The Time before Morris Day. There are a few rumors circling around out there as to why he was fired by Prince.
Some say it was because Alexander O'Neal (Criticize) was too black while others say Alexander O’Neal asked too many questions. My favorite rumor is Prince didn't care for Alexander O'Neill because he sweat too much while performing.
Either way Alexander O'Neal went on to have his own brilliant career and I believe his career has a solo artist outmatched Morris Day and The Time.
Larry Blackmon was the lead singer for the band, Cameo (Word Up). According to Larry Blackman on Questlove Supreme’s podcast the band Cameo was like the minor leagues for Prince.
When Prince needed a musician he poached different musicians from Cameo. Though Larry Blackman himself and Prince never worked together they were still a part of the same 80s funk sound.
Jody Watley (Looking For A New Love) was married to André Cymone who was also her producer and Prince’s bassist, pre-Revolution. Pebbles (Girlfriend), was related to Cherrelle, who was also produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. I think a lot of music fans will be surpassed to know that Prince wrote, I Feel For You for Chaka Khan.
After Prince’s protégé and drummer, Sheila E. recorded her breakout album, “The Glamorous Life” she went on to record A Love Bizarre. This epic hit showcases her ability as a drummer and Prince is clearly heard on the backing tracks.
Wendy and Lisa (Waterfall) were back up singers in Prince’s band, The Revolution during the mid to late 80s. In the late 80s Prince was going for a new sound and promptly fired Wendy and Lisa and they formed their own band and created their own string of hits.
As the music moves through the 80s into the 90s the sound of MC Hammer (Pray) changed the way sampling works. The idea of sampling is taking an old, original song and updating it for a newer generation. MC Hammer sampled, “When Doves Cry” for this song.
This is a playlist of “Music Is History.”
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