The Revolution (band)
The Revolution | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | Prince and the Revolution |
Origin | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Backing band |
Years active | 1979–1986, 2012, 2016–present |
Labels | Warner Bros., Paisley Park |
Members | Matt Fink Bobby Z. Lisa Coleman Mark Brown Wendy Melvoin |
Past members | Prince Dez Dickerson André Cymone Gayle Chapman Miko Weaver Eric Leeds Atlanta Bliss Susannah Melvoin Jerome Benton Wally Safford Greg Brooks |
Website | www.therevolutionofficial.com[dead link] |
The Revolution is an American band formed in
After making its studio album debut on 1999 (1982), the Revolution rose to international fame with Purple Rain (1984), which reached number one on the Billboard 200 and became certified 13× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[1] The band achieved its second number-one Billboard 200 album with Around the World in a Day in 1985. They charted six top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including three number-ones: "Let's Go Crazy", "When Doves Cry" and "Kiss".
The Revolution officially disbanded in 1986 after the
The pre-Revolution
When Prince formed his backing band after the release of his first album, influenced by Sly Stone, he created a multi-racial musical ensemble with both male and female performers.[3] The band initially consisted of:
- Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano
- vocals, and background vocals
- Andre Cymone on bass guitar
- Bobby Z. on drums and percussion
- Gayle Chapman on keyboards
- Matt Finkon keyboards
Though officially unnamed, Prince experimented with the band acting as a side project known as The Rebels, recording material in 1979 in Colorado to get more music out. The recordings were a group effort with lead vocals by Cymone, Dickerson or Chapman. The project was shelved for unknown reasons, but two of the tracks were later re-recorded and given away by Prince: "You", became "U", and was released on Paula Abdul's 1991 Spellbound album; while "If I Love U 2 Nite" was released by both Mica Paris and Prince's later wife, Mayte Garcia. Paris rerecorded the song from scratch, which was released in 1991. Garcia's version, released in 1995, was rerecorded by Prince.
On the next two tours following the
The following year, after the
From 1982 to 1983, when the band was almost identified as the Revolution, it consisted of:
- Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano
- Dez Dickerson on guitar
- Brown Mark on bass
- Bobby Z. on drums and percussion
- Lisa Coleman on keyboards and piano
- Matt Fink on keyboards
- JJ on vocals
The words "and the Revolution" can be seen printed backwards on the cover of his fifth album
Prince and The Revolution
Purple Rain (1984–1985)
Prince and The Revolution's best-selling album, Purple Rain, produced by Prince and The Revolution themselves, peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 knocking Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. from the number one spot.[7] Released at the end of June 1984, the album featured the singles "When Doves Cry", "Let's Go Crazy", "Purple Rain", "I Would Die 4 U", and "Take Me with U".[7] All the singles had accompanying music videos (all of which included clips from their relative scenes in the movie) and all charted on the Billboard Hot 100, but the first four peaked within the top 10 while "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" topped the chart.[7] "When Doves Cry" would become the most successful single from Purple Rain at the time of its release on the pop charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the Dance and R&B chart.[7]
The song "Purple Rain" won two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Instrumental Composition Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television.[7] The album spent 24 weeks at number one and would eventually be certified thirteen times platinum in the United States, six times platinum in Canada and two times platinum in the United Kingdom.[1][8][9] Purple Rain would become the first official appearance of The Revolution.[10] At the time of the release the band contained:
- Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano
- Wendy Melvoin on guitar and vocals
- Brown Mark on bass guitar and vocals
- Lisa Coleman on keyboards, piano, and vocals
- Matt "Doctor" Fink on keyboards and vocals
- Bobby Z. on drums
Expansion (1985–1986)
They lasted as such through 1986's
- Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano
- Wendy Melvoin on guitar and vocals
- Brown Mark on bass guitar and vocals
- Bobby Z. on drums
- Lisa Coleman on keyboards, piano, and vocals
- Matt Fink on keyboards and vocals
- Miko Weaver on guitar[a]
- Susannah Melvoin on backing vocals[b]
- Eric Leeds on saxophone[c]
- Matt "Atlanta Bliss" Blistan on trumpet[d]
- Jerome Benton, Wally Safford and Greg Brooks as dancers/vocalists/comic foils (known as The Bodyguards)[e]
For the
Unreleased Revolution album
Dissolution
Prince did not want to see his band anymore and The Revolution were not happy with Prince's decision to include new band members. In a 2017 direct-to-
Shortly after the Parade Tour in October 1986, after all the tension between Prince, Wendy Melvoin, and Coleman due to his relationship with
He then called Bobby Z. to tell him that he was being replaced by Sheila E, although he was kept on payroll for quite a few years after the fact, honoring Z's contract. Bobby Z released a solo album in 1989.[citation needed]
Brownmark was asked to stay but quit. Although he said it was "partly out of loyalty to the others" and also because he was "unhappy with the direction of Prince's music at the time".[5]
Matt Fink remained with Prince until 1991, when similar to the exit of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from The Time, Matt Fink told Prince he was not available for two dates at the Rock in Rio festival, as he was busy producing for another band at the time, and found himself replaced by Tommy Barbarella.[5] Fink also stated in a 2001 interview that he was tired of being in the band. When Prince filmed Graffiti Bridge, Prince wanted Fink to "rehearse the band" and was told that "there wasn't really anywhere in the movie for him". After the ensuing Nude Tour, essentially a greatest hits-type tour, Fink left for a career writing music for video games, and working at K-Tel Records, based out of Minneapolis. Unlike his bandmates Fink did not immediately release any solo material, an album not being released until 2001.[citation needed]
Reunions
In 2000, Prince had a celebration concert in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and asked if any former bandmates wished to perform. Dr. Fink, Bobby Z. and Brown Mark appeared and joined Prince on stage to perform the song "America".[citation needed]
On December 13, 2003, Sheila E. organized a concert for the charity 1st Annual Family Jamm, which featured several of Prince's protégés, including the entire Revolution, without Prince. They played six songs including "
At the
On February 19, 2012, The Revolution (without Prince) performed a reunion/benefit concert in Minneapolis at First Avenue, where the Purple Rain movie was filmed.[citation needed]
Following the death of Prince on April 21, 2016, The Revolution announced that they were getting back together as a band. As of 2018[update], they continue to perform Prince's songs live.[citation needed]
Personnel
- Current members
- Wendy Melvoin – guitar, vocals (1983–1986, 2012, 2016–present)
- Lisa Coleman – keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (1980–1986, 2012, 2016–present)
- Matt Fink – keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (1979–1986, 2012, 2016–present) (continued to work with Prince until Nude Tour)
- Brown Mark – bass guitar, vocals (1981–1986, 2012, 2016–present)
- percussion(1979–1986, 2012, 2016–present)
- Former members
- Prince – lead vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano (1979–1986; died in 2016)
- Dez Dickerson – lead guitar, backing vocals (1979–1983)
- André Cymone – bass guitar, backing vocals (1979–1981)
- Gayle Chapman – keyboards, vocals (1979–1980)
- Miko Weaver – rhythm guitar (1985–1986) (continued to work with Prince until Nude Tour)
- Eric Leeds – saxophone (1985–1986) (continued to work with Prince until Graffiti Bridge album and made a guest appearance on "Gett Off")
- Matt "Atlanta Bliss" Blistan – trumpet (1985–1986) (continued to work with Prince until Graffiti Bridge album)
- Susannah Melvoin – backing vocals (1985–1986)
- dancer, vocals (1985–1986)
- Wally Safford – dancer, vocals (1985–1986) (continued to work with Prince during Sign o' the Times era)
- Greg Brooks – dancer, vocals (1985–1986) (continued to work with Prince during Sign o' the Times era)
Honors and awards
The Revolution has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[14] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.[15] Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.[16] The band's star is located to the immediate right of Prince's own star on the mural.
Discography
The Revolution discography | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 2 |
Video albums | 2 |
Music videos | 16 |
Singles | 18 |
Soundtrack albums | 2 |
Studio albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications
| |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [7] |
AUS [17] |
AUT [18] |
CAN [19] |
GER [20] |
NLD [21] |
NOR [22] |
SWE [23] |
SWI
[24] |
UK [25] |
CAN [8] |
UK [9] |
US [1] | ||
1982 | 1999 (not credited)
|
7 | 35 | — | 23 | — | 45 | — | — | 51 | 28 | Platinum | Platinum | 4× Platinum; WW: 6.5 million |
1985 | Around the World in a Day
|
1 | 12 | 7 | 16 [26] |
10 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 5 | Gold | 2× Platinum; WW: 7.0 million |
Soundtrack albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications
| |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [7] |
AUS [17] |
AUT [18] |
CAN [19] |
GER [20] |
NLD [21] |
NOR [22] |
SWE [23] |
SWI
[24] |
UK [27] |
CAN
[8] |
UK [9] |
US [1] | ||
1984 | Purple Rain
|
1 | 1 | 8 | 1 [28] |
5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 6× Platinum | 2× Platinum | 13× Platinum; WW: 22.0 – 25.0 million |
1986 | Parade
|
3 | 8 | 7 | 11 [29] |
6 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 4 | Platinum | Platinum; WW: 4.0 million |
Singles
Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [7] |
US R&B [7] |
AUS [17] |
AUT [18] |
GER [20] |
NLD [21] |
NOR [22] |
SWE [23] |
SWI
[24] |
UK
[25] | ||||
1982 | "1999" | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | 2 | 1999 |
1983 | "Little Red Corvette" | 6 | 15 | 61 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
"Delirious" | 8 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Let's Pretend We're Married" (US-only) / | 52 | 55 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
" Irresistible Bitch "
|
— | — | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
" Automatic " (Australia-only)
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1999 | |
1984 | "When Doves Cry" / | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 4 | Purple Rain |
"17 Days" | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Let's Go Crazy" / | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | 7 | Purple Rain | |
"Erotic City" | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Purple Rain" | 2 | 4 | — | 41 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | Purple Rain | |
"I Would Die 4 U" / | 8 | 11 | 50 | 96 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | |||
"Another Lonely Christmas" | —[f] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Take Me with U" (with Apollonia Kotero) | 25 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | Purple Rain | |
1985 | "Paisley Park" | — | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | Around the World in a Day |
"Raspberry Beret" | 2 | 3 | 4 | 13 | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | 25 | ||
"Pop Life" / | 7 | 8 | 5 | 67 | — | 65 | — | — | — | — | 60 | ||
" Hello "
|
— | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"America" / | 46 | 35 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Around the World in a Day | |
" Girl "
|
— | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
1986 | "Kiss" / | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | — | 10 | 16 | 3 | 6 | Parade |
" ♥ or $ "
|
— | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Mountains" | 23 | 15 | 11 | 45 | — | 32 | — | — | — | — | 45 | Parade | |
"Anotherloverholenyohead" / | 63 | 18 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | ||
"Girls & Boys" | — | — | 21 | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | 11 |
Video albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications
| |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [7] |
AUS [17] |
AUT [18] |
CAN [19] |
GER [20] |
NLD [21] |
NOR [22] |
SWE [23] |
SWI
[24] |
UK [25] |
CAN
[8] |
UK [9] |
US [1] | ||
1984 | Purple Rain
|
1 [32] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1985 | Prince and the Revolution: Live
|
1 [33] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× Platinum |
Tours
- Purple Rain Tour (1984–85)
- Hit n Run – Parade Tour(1986)
Timeline
See also
- List of The Revolution band members
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
Notes
- ^ Miko Weaver joined via association with Sheila E. and as session guitarist for The Family
- ^ Susannah Melvoin is a former member of The Family; she was Prince's then-lover and is the twin sister of Wendy Melvoin.
- ^ Eric Leeds is a former member of The Family; brother Alan served as Prince's then-tour manager.
- ^ Atlanta Bliss joined via association with friend and former bandmate Leeds. He was never a member of the Family.
- ^ Jerome Benton is the sole member of The Time to join The Revolution through The Family due to the departures of St. Paul and Jellybean Johnson.
- ^ "Another Lonely Christmas" charted for 1 week at #5 on Billboard's Christmas Singles chart.[31]
References
- ^ a b c d e RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for albums by Prince Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on December 15, 2008.
- ^ Stutz, Colin (April 26, 2016). "Prince's Band The Revolution Announces Reunion Shows". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ^ "Prince: A musical family tree". Cnn.com. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Dyes, K. Nicola (August 5, 2013). "Dyes Got the Answers 2 Ur ?s: The Rest of My Life: Gayle Chapman Talks About Events After Prince". Dyes Got the Answers 2 Ur ?s. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Jason Draper (2008). "Prince: Life & Times". Jawbone Press.
- ^ "I E-mailed Gayle Chapman about leaving Prince's band. Got answer!". new.prince.org. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Allmusic. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "CRIA Certifications". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Prince biography". Rolling Stone Magazine. Archived from the original on April 18, 2006. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ https://princevault.com/index.php?title=It%E2%80%99s_Gonna_Be_A_Beautiful_Night
- ^ "Backspin: The Revolution talk Prince's 'Parade,' 'Sign O' the Times,' and the band's breakup". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Nelson, Prince (February 19, 2004). "Prince Interview". The Tavis Smiley Show (Interview: Transcript). Los Angeles: KCET. Retrieved January 12, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- ^ Bream, Jon (May 3, 2019). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- ^ Marsh, Steve (May 13, 2019). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". Australian Album charts. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". Austrian charts (in German). Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Rush discography". Canadian album charts. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". German charts (in German). Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". Austrian charts (in German). Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". Norwegian charts. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". Swedish charts. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Prince discography". swisscharts.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Official Charts Company". Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Around the World in a Day – Canadian Album Chart". RPM. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Purple Rain – Canadian Album Chart". RPM. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Parade – Canadian Album Chart". RPM. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Prince | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
- ^ "1984 Christmas Hits." Billboard, vol. 96, no. 51, December 22, 1984, p. 8.
- ^ "Purple Rain – Top VHS Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ "Prince & The Revolution: Live – Top Music Videos". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
External links
- The Revolution discography at Discogs
- Prince and the Revolution discography at Discogs