Vanity 6

Prince presented his high school girlfriend, Susan Moonsie, his wardrobe mistress, Brenda Bennett and personal assistant, Jamie Shoop with an idea for a girl group that he wanted to originally call "The Hookers." He had a vision of 3 sexy women in lingerie singing about sex and fantasy. The trio recorded a few demos before Prince met Denise Matthews (a nude model and canadian B-movie actress)in January 1982. Denise was so charismatic that Prince decided that she would be the perfect front-woman for his project. Prince and Denise began a whirlwind romance. With Denise's arrival, Jamie Shoop bowed out of the group. Prince attempted to re-name Denise, Vagina. She refused and he came back with Vanity (his reason being that he felt that Denise was his female image.) He re-named the group Vanity 6 (the 6 representing the groups breast count.)He kept the hooker concept with the lingerie, high heels and provocative songs. The first single "He's So Dull" did not do much on the charts, but did appear in the film, "National Lampoons' Vacation." The second single "Nasty Girl" was a smash hit single. The thrid single "Drive Me Wild" was a minor hit. Videos were shot for all 3 singles. The one and only vanity 6 album was certified gold. The group opened up the triple threat tour in 1982-1983 with the Time and Prince. Vanity and Prince posed for Richard Avedon for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. the issus also had a 2 page Avedon photo of Vanity 6. In 1983, Vanity recorded the demo for "Sex Shooter" and starting her acting training for her leading role in "Purple Rain" opposite Prince. Vanity decided to flee the Prince camp and Vanity 6 in 1983. Many reasons were given, Money and her break-up with Prince being at the top of the list. Vanity was replaced in the film by Patty Kotero, later renamed Apollonia. She also inherited Brenda & Susan and the group was renamed Apollonia 6.