The Revolution (band)

The Revolution was Prince's backing band in the late 1970s through the 1986. It is unknown when the band was actually dubbed "The Revolution", but the name was indicated (in reverse lettering) on Prince's 1999 album. The band was prominantly identified and provided more input on the next 3 albums: Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day and Parade.

In 1982, the band consisted of 5 members:

• Dez Dickerson on guitar.
• Brownmark on bass.
• Bobby "Z" Rivkin on drums.
• Lisa Coleman and Doctor Fink on keyboards.

After the 1999 tour ended, Dez Dickerson left the band for religious reasons and was replaced by Lisa's childhood friend Wendy Melvoin. Wendy and Lisa shortly thereafter formed a special bond with Prince and greatly influenced his output during the rest of their tenure in the band. Prince's former mostly R&B/funk offerings would be more diversified with rock, pop and classical music elements.

In 1986 for the Parade Tour, Prince augmented The Revolution with several new members:

• Mico Weaver on guitar.
• Eric Leeds on saxophone.
• Atlanta Bliss on trumpet.
• Jerome Benton, Wally Safford and Greg Brooks as dancers/vocalists.
• Susannah Melvoin on backing vocals.

Weaver was pulled from Sheila E.'s band. Leeds, Benton and Melvoin were remenents of the disbanded The Family. Blistan was a friend and former bandmate of Eric Leeds. Brooks and Safford were former bodyguards for Prince. Susannah was Wendy's twin sister, and also love interest of Prince at the time.

Discontent in The Revolution was brewing, mainly between Wendy and Lisa with Prince and eventually they left the band in 1986 to pursue a solo career. With the nucleus of the band gone, Prince decided to do some updates of his own. Susannah left, following a hurtful breakup with Prince. Bobby Z. was replaced with the more versitle Sheila E. Brownmark was asked to stay, but decided to pursue a solo career. Dr. Fink decided to remain with Prince (until 1990). The fragmented Revolution also retained many of the newer members (Mico, Brooks, Safford, Atlanta and Eric) while Prince added Sheila E. associates Levi Seacer, Jr. on bass and Boni Boyer on keyboards. The new incarnation of the band was unnamed, though on the album Lovesexy, Prince states "Welcome to the New Power Generation".

In 2000, Prince had a Celibration concert in his hometown of Minneapolis and asked if any former bandmates wished to perform. Dr. Fink, Bobby Z. and Brownmark jammed shortly on the song "America" with Prince.

Later, in 2004, a concert for charity known as the Family Jamm included several of Prince's protégés, including the entire Revolution, unfortunately without being joined by Prince.