Why Did Prince & The Revolution Split? Engineer Susan Rogers Shares. Sunset Sound Roundtable

[@chippy7745]

Susan, who worked so closely with Prince for an extended period of time, seems to have a great deal of insight into the way he was thinking at the time. The one thing she said that struck me as quite sad is that Prince had a distrust of stability, trust and love. This must be why so many of his songs reflect this theme. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with Prince’s devoted purple army.

[@Will324]

Lots of us have of mistrust of stability, trust and love.

[@perprerp]

@@Will324 Not me. I have a trust in mistrust.

[@Will324]

@@perprerp you don't make scents. Or cents. Or sense.

[@tomgebarowski8156]

If this is true about Prince's fear of stability, that's sad.

[@perprerp]

@@Will324 Correct. Correct. Correct.

[@levieenrose7646]

Prince and the Revolution fit like a glove. Personally I think he did his best work with the Revolution. It was, and remains to today, fresh and highly creative.

[@RK-um9tu]

His best work ended with PURPLE RAIN. That was he stopped being BLACK and become WHITE.

[@love4ever2gether]

Abolutuly - I agree

[@streetlife20]

I love the Wendy and Lisa era ❤️

[@recipehacker9752]

This woman is brilliant. So thoughtful. Love her reflections.

[@avace917]

Having seen both bands live in the 80s, I can say that I love both equally for different reasons

[@coreyc3093]

Pretty sure the NPG didn’t debut until the 90s. But cool.

[@prvtjy]

@@coreyc3093 But this was before NPG, go back and watch videos of You got the Look, or If I was your girlfriend. 87-88. That was before NPG.

[@avace917]

@@coreyc3093 I'm referring to the band that came in after the Revolution. All the new people brought in were from Sheila E's band. They're often called the Lovesexy band because they're credited on that album. Nice try on the sarcasm, buddy.

[@avace917]

@@coreyc3093 if the Revolution broke up in 87, who would be playing his music between then and 91? He decided to call them the NPG in 91 after several band lineups.

[@Ember_Janer]

@@avace917 Well played friend

[@tonyabrahams9574]

Susan Rogers is a very heartfelt articulate and interesting woman, could listen to her all day

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Wendy said in interviews that she knew something was up when during the rehearsals for the “Parade” tour, Prince had expanded the band, to incorporate members of Protégé bands such as The Time (Jerome Benton), The family (Eric Leeds and Atlanta bliss) and Sheila E. (Miko Weaver) What Prince was doing was basically road test what became the first NPG line up. BrownMark said that Prince asked him to stay on, along with Doctor Fink. Making them the only revolutionaries to become NPG members. Mark declined the offer. And yes, I know people say that the band wasn't the NPG, but the “LoveSexy” band. But with both Doctor and Mark calling it the NPG and the LoveSexy album opening with “Welcome to the New Power generation” and the band themselves wearing outfits with “NPG” embossed on them, I tend to go with what Mark and Doctor are saying. These days, the scrubs that Doctor wears on stage are NPG-era scrubs, signalling that he was part of both bands.

[@Ember_Janer]

Thanks for taking the time to share that

[@dxwallace55]

Susan was the ultimate "fly on the wall" as pertains to telling all the great Prince stories. She has told so many little nuances, like when she first started with Prince, Jesse Johnson, was so nice and helpful to her, he showed her how Prince like his drums mixed and so forth.

[@ms.capricorn4540]

I am a fan of Sheila E's solo music/albums and her collaborative music with Prince.

[@kevinpayton2664]

I'm always a fan of Prince's music but my favorite era of his was with the Revolution, no disrespect to the New Power Generation. The NPG made great music with him too.

[@omegacyclone3841]

Loved the revolution, but I took a break once he switched to NPG.

[@keithy507]

Music changes from generation to generation. He was probably looking a new challenge. New music, new type of fashion etc.

[@silke9479]

​@@keithy507 Correct!

[@oldogsnewtricks]

@@keithy507

[@konstantinkoverchenko9587]

Prince kept evolving. Looking back at the timeline of his career, each phase was incredible.

[@giri.goyo_yt]

So thankful for Susan. What a beautiful, honest ear and voice to illustrate Prince's talent, heart and intentions.

[@johnbrowneyes7534]

I really love the Prince music from 78 thru 89. Bought all the 12” singles and collected the B sides. Batman soundtrack was cool.

[@hauntological]

Susan is an amazing woman with incredible insight. I would dearly love her to pen a biography or even an autobiography about her time spent with Prince.

[@barneymiller5488]

She's fabulous. I learn more about Prince and more about making music from her interviews than from almost anyone else.

[@proximacentaur1654]

True say. She has such a deep and nuanced understanding. I'm hoping she publishes a book. It would be great if she could work with the Prince estate and curate some of his unreleased work too.

[@ericanderson7059]

@@proximacentaur1654 Her book is called This is what it sounds like , I highly recommend .

[@dominiquejones3805]

Those long studio nights

[@wolfie316781]

She’s so intelligent on all levels you can tell by her descriptions of things

[@tomgebarowski8156]

I preferred The Revolution, but his other backup bands were good too. Wendy & Lisa should make a comeback as a duo. They were very creative & talented!

[@JC-yy8iv]

They’re still a duo, they mostly score TV and film now but they did release 5 studio albums between 89 and 2008

[@dominiquejones3805]

They never stopped

[@gumbypokey]

Wendy and Lisa HAVE had an extensive duo career....great albums....

[@OmarJano]

So hooked to these episodes. The conversations are on another level!

[@sttarch5150]

Sign is one of my fav albums. I've watched the DVD 100 times.

[@jamesdavis7017]

Susan’s insight, observations and position in Prince’s life during the seemingly most creative part of his career is absolutely astounding. She could easily write a book. I’m curious why she hasn’t yet. Not that she needs to, but it would be great to get that glimpse of Prince from her viewpoint I even more detail

[@proximacentaur1654]

Spot on. I'm really hoping a book is in the works. It would be fascinating.

[@dominiquejones3805]

Susan would really give a deep insight on Prince. Way better than most that have already came out with books

[@21CCommunIT]

That's probably why. A soulful person, she seems, who clearly cared about Prince and create about people... perhaps it's just not in her nature to write that story of "I was there: here's the behind the scenes smackdown" kinda thing...

[@ms.capricorn4540]

I have been a fan of Prince And The Revolution since the late 1980s, I was in grade school back then. And I saw the Purple Rain Movie on vhs. The cast of the Purple Rain Movie were excellent actors. And everyone knows the the movie's sound track is also excellent!

[@barryallenflash1]

I didn't know much about Prince until "Purple Rain" came out, which to be fair, a LOT of people didn't know much about him. Growing up in IN. we had a local mall that played the movie and was raking in the dough! My friends and I saw it....too many times to count. We had a air band competition at our high school and we were gonna do Prince and the Revolution, so we watched the movie to get our moves down. I was hooked on Prince, like a drug! I have a LOT of his 12" singles, a few 45's, several LP's AND a BUNCH of cds. ALL 3 movies.....the list goes on. I'm a fan yes, but nothing like "some" I've seen. He is STILL my favorite artist...such INCREDIBLE talent!!! RIP....

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

What city in Indiana?

[@TheRealNativeSun]

I love forums like this. Engineering insights.

[@DonnyNoMarie]

IMO, what Susan said was part of the reason for the split. Prince had arrived. He no longer needed The Revolution to reach the mountain top and he could no longer manipulate them with the promise of "when we make it big." Like Pepe said, "Prince would use you until he used you up."

[@macmachine]

The Revolution were structured/orchestrated Prince at his best. NPG were steamier and sassier, but relied on groove over harmonic architecture and development. Different bands, equally adept, but 'differently abled'

[@Ember_Janer]

I think The Revolution was greater in their time than NPG was in its own time. Prince was much more experimental with Revolution but more seasoned with NPG. Pick your poison

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

@@Ember_JanerFor me, the SONGS with the Revolution were far superior. No doubting NPG were the superior musicians, it didn’t translate to the songs. The Revolution was Prince at his best.

[@Ember_Janer]

@@isaiahmarquez9717 I respectfully disagree.

[@italiad1013]

WENDY ❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@361c13]

He made many Great songs, but him and the Revolution was the Great fit to me they had something Special,

[@361c13]

I must Agree, But that was his Spirit I think he had to Move on he needed to Experience THINGS!!!

[@brownwolf152]

I played in a band from 6th grade to my freshmen in college, all I did was show up practice and play at gatherings or small parties. There was no power struggle or tension, I left to focus on my degree and haven't picked up an instrument ever since.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

At the heart of it, Prince was tired of them. All the other background noise was just the icing on the cake

[@reginafris6822]

Thank you. It's pretty obvious. People who think Prince should have stayed with the Revolution do not understand Prince.

[@zakiasimpson8928]

I am a fan of Prince first and foremost and he continued with and without every band. And had hits with Andre and Desi. His live performances are great with each band. Saw an interview where Lisa discussed being disappointed that he didn’t use most of their music and went in a different direction, pulled the Dreamland project ( heavily had their input) and did Sign of the Times and it started being him against them. He also expanded his band with Shelia and others and not liking that, They put a nail in their own coffin by reacting like that. They could’ve just waited it out. When his juices are flowing, he moves by has passion.

[@jayc3479]

He changed in later years but early on and unfortunately Prince like George Clinton and James Brown was just not compensating his musicians fairly. ALL members of the time as well as The Revolution talked about the lack of money. People laughed at Alexander O'neal for his assertiveness about $ but he was right and although he didn't get the job with The Time he went on to have a very good solo career.

[@johnmichaelson9173]

Absolutely, people don't think about that side of the business. You give an artist the best years of your life & you have nothing physical to show for it other than the memories. When he went through the "Slave" thing & used the symbol as his name. I know former band members were saying "he didn't feel that way when he was under paying us"

[@tommybrowning2462]

@@johnmichaelson9173And he died with millions and no heir apparent. He could have set up each member of The Revolution with income independence but died on his hoard like an old dragon. In the end, a bunch of lawyers ended up with money that should have been allocated toward the members of The Revolution who helped create the product.

[@EricRosemusic]

I'd like to hear her, or someone talk about The Diamond and Pearls Album./ ERA

[@aawhittle]

Excellent observation about his mistrust of stability.

[@JC.SpdRcr5]

Saw a recent interview with Wendy M. She said the band wanted a raise plain and simple. This is why they really broke up. They were doing a lot of work for the band and the music and they thought they deserved it. They were contributing quite a lot to the music that was being put on the albums. Prince wanted it to appear as though he was coming up with everything on his own (written, performed and produced all by Prince). Like Wendy, Lisa, Dr. Fink, Brownmark, BobbyZ, and Dez Dickerson had zero creative input in any of the music. Wendy said Prince didn't want to hear about the raise. He told them "talk to management" (which was a dead end because Prince would tell management to say no). Morris Day said there were several times when "The Time" would open up and out perform Prince. Prince would get upset and tell them they are off the bill for the next gig and The Time just wouldn't perform the next night. Morris says that Prince would even go as far as to tell them (before going out on stage) not to play certain songs so Prince wouldn't be upstaged. As much as I love the music, after watching countless interviews with various group members I can't help but think Prince did some pretty underhanded Sh*t to his band mates and other musicians. I don't blame anyone for leaving the band or going their separate ways from him. BTW it doesn't take long to find so many artists who had a falling out with Prince. He was an insecure, narcissistic man who made promises he couldn't keep or didn't want to keep. Sad when you find out what was going on behind the scenes for so many of these musicians. Apollonia, Andre Cymone, Carmen Electra, Rosie Gaines, Cat Glover, Vanity, not to mention all the others that were in his bands or side projects. Andre said "once Prince was done with you, he just threw you away".

[@anthonylawrence2094]

I believe you

[@samfrito]

I read something similar about the Time confidently showing up Prince and the Revolution frequently at their performances. Prince said they had to rehearse so much more than Morris and Jimmy.

[@MzCoffee123]

Well I have heard some of these same stories. In addition, look at how he left his family to bicker over his estate. Case closed.

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

...i think you called it.....he has said he was very intimidated by the TIME....and that NOBODY....could rock a house like they could....when his 1st wife wrote her book she said that the pay was lousy....and she was tempted to leave him and go back to being a solo performer....she was making excellent money as a belly dancer...once she complained to Prince....he gave everyone a raise....

[@ruthavery8245]

Why do some people alleged a lot negative things about person after they die. If these people had all this talent how come they did not become as famous prince. Stop the nonsense.

[@ms.capricorn4540]

great interview!

[@avi8r66]

It's subjective, but Prince + the Revolution seemed to be a perfect mix creatively. He was terrific, but the later work never was as good as when he had Wendy, Lisa and the others with him in my opinion.

[@Ember_Janer]

I know what you mean but it is inaccurate. Musically Prince got better with time. His direction in music changed drastically tho. So it isn’t so much that The Revolution was more creative or better as it a question of taste in style. (I prefer The Revolution)

[@avi8r66]

@@Ember_Janer That might be why the first couple of words I said were 'It's subjective'.

[@mandarkastronomonov2962]

@@avi8r66 💯

[@johndean4727]

@@Ember_Janer you just contradicted yourself. look at the LP Purple Rain.then Around the World in a Day”.it’s a totally different vibe.

[@stickyfox]

I was not feeling the 90s pop vibe. When the NPG showed up I was really disappointed and I used to say the same thing. But when I go back and listen to Grafitti Bridge and later works today I feel like it puts it all in context and there are some treasures in there. He did say at one point that his plan was to grow and evolve and he knew some people weren't going to view it all as constructive/productive.

[@bobthebarber777]

I'll never forget sort of losing a bit of interest when "the new power generation" era kicked in. Still, Prince will always be my favourite artist.

[@IamCatharinemme]

Me too cause it wasn’t authentic. He wasn’t a hip hop rapper and he tried to incorporate that. U2 Madonna Springsteen they all stayed true to their sound

[@Christopher-yl6cn]

@@IamCatharinemme Bout time so meone knows whT their talking about👍✔️💯🖤 love me to the nines album was the last of his great albums!

[@ElohimPenemue]

NPG was Prince’s best band & most versatile era of sound.

[@Chickboom34]

Fascinating stuff.

[@marcus.6487]

tha revolution was tha best band and when he made hiz best sh!t ✌🏿

[@ms.capricorn4540]

Shout out to The Revolution Members! Can you elaborate on why you and Prince decided to not work in the same band after several years!

[@paisleyprincess7996]

I know you’re asking the poster, but I think he did it so his sound wouldn’t stay static, or the same. That’s why he went through several incarnations of the NPG

[@ms.capricorn4540]

I am a fan of Prince And The Revolution and their Music collaboratively and Solo!

[@ms.capricorn4540]

I have been a fan of Prince's Music since 1986, I was in grade school then! I hope that soon, the people who worked with Prince who "Are-Not-musicians" stop the negative comments about the musicians who worked with Prince and/or were mentored by Prince! All Musicians who have been studying and working as Professional Musicians for Two, Three, Four Decades Plus are All Exceptional Musicians! No One Musician is Better than their Peers! The comments should focus on the Music that was recorded previously and new music that will be recorded by those same Musicians!

[@CultureKingVisual]

BrownMark was in The Revolution too.

[@jdhrap]

I’d like to know about Madhouse and what was up with that.

[@whendovescry2000]

I think you have a few major issues. 1. Ppl - including actual band members tend to forget, they are hired musicians, that play in his band, versus being a band as a single entity like say the Rolling Stones or EWF. They collectively work for Prince. So if there's issues with pay, writing/contribution credits - you can't really vote for democracy 🙄 it's up to your boss.

[@fredstriker2042]

Exactly

[@kid3764]

Dead on it !!

[@MichaelKerr71]

Sure, but that doesn't mean that the boss has rights to not treat you well.

[@normt6226]

I'm not sure about that...I would have to check carefully the facts about the contacts of that time...But the albums says ''Prince and the Revolution'''...not ''Prince''...Were they hired musicians? Were they a band? Were they something in-between?...can be a lot more complicated than what seems...

[@juicyfruit6311]

Have to know the arrangement Prince had with the Revolution. Were they a band with equal say or just hired guns? Look at Bon Jovi. As time went on, it became clear Jon Bon Jovi was Bon Jovi. Everyone else was employees. Ozzy Osbourne's 1st band after Black Sabbath was Blizzard of Ozz. The agreement was supposed to be a band with equal shares and say. Sharon turned it into Ozzy's band and screwed other equal partners out if profits.

[@douglasbriel6103]

The Revolution was definitely more rock oriented.

[@ms.capricorn4540]

If I had to guess, I would say that everyone was young, had disagreements, wanted solo Attention, etc.

[@chrissmith6785]

The best bang was the 1st band,,,when he had Dez and Andre and then Lisa and Wendy the music was so incredible strong and unbelievable,,,,that was Minnesota!!!

[@brynneholt1990]

I’m curious how many women Prince had in these positions compared to the rest of the music industry - sound engineer, bandleader, etc. Seems like a lot.

[@Andrew_M_Ward]

The NPG albums are my favorite

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

The Revolution did not want to grow with him and I watched Lisa Coleman on truthnfunk podcast and she even confirmed that he grew into such an even GREATER guitar player when he left them.

[@philliplandry4139]

That's what I noticed about Prince's guitar playing, it got better after the Revolution. Prince guitar style on NPG was so different from the Revolution. It was like night and day. In the Revolution, his playing was like self thought and in NPG, it was more like, he went to music school for his playing. In the Revolution, his guitar solos were more like Ernie Isley/Eric Clapton licks. But in NPG, he changed his way of guitar solos more of a Santana/Jimi Hendrix style.

[@tamuman93]

Man… His guitar solo during his induction to the R&R Hall of fame is unbelievable. There is no other word in the English language to describe his depth, insight, and skillful talent than that amazing free-lanced solo. Prince was such a talented artist, entertainer and performer.

[@philliplandry4139]

No doubt, at the 2004 Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, he was in beast mode with that guitar solo.

[@paololuckyluke2854]

I definitely prefer Prince’s earlier music: I mean Purple Rain was one of the best albums ever, 1999 was great and Parade was really good too, especially Kiss. Raspberry Beret, Alphabet St. Sign o’ Times was still good, but transitioning away from his best stuff. After that, it started to get a little chaotic, but still, Prince was such a talented showman he could easily pull off any music in a concert. And Nothing compares to you is one of the very best songs ever.

[@urbanchangewithin624]

good stuff

[@wack8589]

The Revolution, was his favorite Band

[@guerap.2245]

What did Prince say about the "break-up"?

[@factory9xx]

Prince’s sound always continued to evolve and try different avenue because he was so creative. If you look at the Revolution members after the break up, they clearly were stuck in that Purple Rain/ Parade sound. Which they were incredible at but they didn’t evolve.

[@musclebone7875]

80's band was the best

[@katrinaolsen2444]

I went to a show on The Purple Rain tour. Sheila E opened for Prince on that tour. So there was definitely and overlap with the Revolution and Sheila E . So I’m not sure why he would replace the Revolution with Sheila E and her band ; when they had been working together for 2 years. It doesn’t make any sense to me.

[@nicksimon7364]

Seems folks like to compare Revolution, Sheila’s band & npg - it’s like trying to compare Kraftwork Santana & Tony Toni Tone - too different by half

[@guerap.2245]

I have alot of respect, even admiration, for Susan, Lisa,And Wendy. Their skills and talents, gifts they have, are truly exceptional. As women of them too! A marvel of display.great examples for youth and people in the world, female and male. Although, why do I not see concentration on these things to see more of, instead of where, on things that are of in an area of another, with, of all things, our mouth, that can destroy us, and is, water under the bridge, unless, there is a higher purpose or. alterior motive, idk.

[@DonRobinson-le6qp]

I don't think Susan Rodgers get enough credit for the success of Prince and the Revolution. Without her expertise, I don't think Prince music would have hit the heights it did...that woman is brilliant!! As far as the Revolution goes, Prince music was never the same after he got rid of them. I wish Prince would have just found a way to hold on and work things out and stayed together.

[@musikaltherapy3094]

Never heard anyone say that Prince had a mistrust of stability and friends. It makes a lot of sense once you see the people he was associated with leaving after a period of time.

[@emanualavery3785]

During the pre-NPG, I'm glad he kept Dr.Fink from the Revolution a long with Levi S.,Miko,Rosie, and Michael B.Dr.Fink and Miko did their last gig with Prince in '90 or '91 and was replaced by Tommy B. on keyboards.Levi S. switched from bass to guitar and Sonny T. slid in to play bass along with the dancers.Both The Revolution and NPG were good.

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I would have loved for The Revolution to stay with Prince, but then I very much love all the music that he made after they parted.

[@dragonwithagirltattoo598]

I was a huge fan when he was with the revolution. I liked songs here and there afterwards. But it wasn’t the same. Meaning, I didn’t like it as much.

[@kiefferz5556]

I really like Dr Rogers

[@zyajones9360]

I'm bias too Prince 80s music the best so when he had the Revolution they sound different and unique, it was more of gender fluid of it days 💜💜💜💜💜

[@stevevice4991]

When the band is called "Whoever and the ...", you should know who the Star is. Duh.

[@IvanLendl87]

What broke up The Revolution was when Prince brought in “the expanded Revolution” with Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss, Levi Seacer, and those 3 goofball looking backup singers - Wally Safford, z Greg Brooks and Jerome. Eric Leeds came in thru his brother who was Prince’s tour manager. And Eric was a music snob who actually fancied himself a jazz musician 😂😂😂 who was going to take Prince away from this childish rock and New Wave influenced music into uh jazz. Up to that point it was Wendy & Lisa who were introducing Prince to all types of music and bands. And Wally and Greg were apparently non-musical assholes. So the original Revolution members resented these people suddenly being there. Understandably.

[@dominiquejones3805]

Wally was a bodyguard that Prince got 2 b a backup dancer.

[@unastamus6122]

@@dominiquejones3805 So was Brooks...

[@dominiquejones3805]

@unastamus6122 No doubt, Prince would help other discover talents they didn't know the had

[@unastamus6122]

I was there during this transition. There was more going on than meets the eye, but what you've said here is 99% correct...

[@dominiquejones3805]

@unastamus6122 speak on it! Give us the inside info. What was goin on

[@generalinformation3507]

If you listen to Apollonia, if you listen to Morris day he treated people terribly. And people just got tired of the terrible treatment🤷🏿

[@Lyleswl]

This why you have to take care of business upfront. That way it doesn’t get the way later

[@hiighway_chile4080]

Inthought it was they wanted a raise

[@ms.capricorn4540]

I keep hearing these stories about Money! If anyone was Greedy it was the people who wanted More Money From Prince! That is My Opinion! Is Everybody Forgetting that Prince was an Employee too! He should not be blamed for not being an accountant or a financial advisor!

[@kid3764]

Just being in his band or affiliated with him would look good on anyone's Resume...He put u on the map in the world of music... The person who strung his giutar , is probably doing good today working for another talented musician...

[@ms.capricorn4540]

@@kid3764 Absolutely!

[@pastorofmuppets1968]

Like those exclamation points do ya?

[@ms.capricorn4540]

@@pastorofmuppets1968 Yep!

[@Lyleswl]

Yeah I don’t agree with that. Prince was not paying them their worth while also not letting them make money in other places. So he has some blame. But it their fault for not taking care of business upfront

[@guerap.2245]

Almost...right.⚖️🤎☠️

[@loelphillips2109]

I was pissed when Prince (RIP), fired the Revolution. But the album Sign O' the Time(s) was great.

[@groundhog5923]

Prince's ego is why they parted ways. The bandmates knew who Prince was and didn't play along with his 'royalty' charade. I saw Mark one day and Prince was riding shotgun in Mark's Corvette (red, of course). Mark asked a few of us if we wanted to play some ball later and somebody asked if Prince was going to play. Mark said 'nah, he's mad I even stopped to talk to you guys'. Prince just stared straight ahead looking irate the whole time. He never said a word and ignored everybody like they weren't there. I think Mark liked doing shit like that to Prince, letting him know he couldn't control Mark.

[@WH012Vids]

Prince was a very insecure man. He could never beat that demon. Susan breaks it down beautifully, why he couldn't.

[@bradgarnerjackson5channel897]

Prince changed bands when his other members were getting older and he would get younger bands members!

[@matthewmartin5610]

He wrote all his best songs when he was working with the revolution, they probably weren't his best backing band. I think the sign and lovesexy bands were his best. But he did his best run of albums when he worked with the revolution.

[@christopherwatson157]

I would LOVE to hear more from Susan and less the other two - unless they got Prince stories.

[@tommyjohnson3294]

Prince is missed. His death was a sad tragedy.

[@tonydeltablues]

....er....2nd

[@MoleyRusselsWart_]

What she’s not saying is the pay issue

[@stevenboldt6489]

Prince was at his peak early on, around 1983. He was writing the music that wound up in the movie Purple Rain. He might have wound up selling 1/3 of the records he sold without the movie. Everyone from Prince, to David Bowie to Rick James were notorious cheapskates with how they payed their musicians.

[@ericanderson7059]

In other interviews Dr.Rogers has said Prince was generous w his employees ( didn't specify as far as the musicians ) and tells a story how on the Purple Rain tour he had the " roadies " stay in their own individual rooms which she says was unheard of .

[@MinneapolisSkip]

More like , the late 70’s.

[@stevenboldt6489]

Wendy was only 20 years old in 1984 but she became the spokesperson for the Revolution. They got sick of Prince screwing around with his bodyguard and acting silly. At a gig in Yokohama in 85' the Revolution knew it was over. I was gigging full time in Osaka at the time doing urban top 40. Over 60 hours a week in a mafia funk dive. Prince wanted something new and formed the NPG.

[@Elhastezy888]

I don't understand how anybody can not see it. (?) Of course the man was talented but he was also a narcissistic jerk. Both. Like soOo many "stars" Why is it so difficult for anybody to believe? edit:typos

[@jaemastermind108]

SaaaaaaAAAy Whut!

[@mattfraser3452]

Same reason he split with his Father . Took what he needed and split leaving him broke , remember what he did to Martica as well ?

[@MargaretTiver]

The Revolution didn’t want to keep taking instructions for the music Prince wanted to evolve with. They wanted equality for music each band member wanted to develop. They wanted eventually equal billing. That’s great, Prince told them to go do what they want. He started on his own with WB and brought them along to help them and he did that. It is my opinion they were ungrateful and deserved the life in music they got, doing what they wanted, however they look back on the split. Do they not realise how ungrateful and jealous they sound?

[@kelvynification]

So there we have it… Prince got caught up in the great musician player BS playing generic riffs and grooves and losing what the Revolution was… innovative harmonic invention, real original songwriting and not just riffs. Sheila E and all those fantastic musicians were not great songwriters so Prince dumbed down thinking he was stepping up playing with these musicians and left the art of great songwriting behind when the Revolution parted ways.

[@ruthavery8245]

Nonsense. Hater

[@indivisibleman]

The NPG era was Prince getting boring and embracing cheesy cliches. His playing was always superb but that music does not stand up like the Revolution era. It’s not even close.

[@amberlopez7477]

Prince didn't want to share the wealth. More cash for himself.

[@anyname777]

Taylor Swift says renegades always need someone.

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

Who?

[@anyname777]

@@sunsetsoundrecorders I'm uncertain about who the who is asking who about.

[@dallassegno]

before Wendy and Lisa there wasn't them... soo...

[@kiefferz5556]

It's online but boni Boyer and prince constantly insulted each other and he was not to impressed with her keys skills i think the only reason he kept her around was because she was a powerhouse vocalist

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

....she also was not beholden to him on any level...i do remember she went on to have a solo album and for some reason he resented her for it.....

[@ozzsoldier666]

His biggest mistake. His music was not as good after the fact. He had a lot of good songs after, but nothing was as good as with the Revolution.

[@mrlofi333]

You are in no position to say so the change was what HE wanted

[@LamarJennings-eo8ps]

Prince did treat them bad

[@avalond1193]

​@@mrlofi333and in 1988 after the change prince was bankrupt this was soon after all ties with revolution was cut..it took batman to save prince.. then flop again with graffiti bridge. he then made diamonds and pearls and later the most beautiful girl in the world which were hits but again soon after he nosedived in sales and was pretty much over

[@poplife123]

Listen ....we weren't there ...we don't know ....and his music actually changed and improved if anything .... All good things come to an end 💜

[@wubranch1]

@@avalond1193he wasn’t happy with the Revolution anymore, Wendy and Lisa wanted to move on, and change isn’t easy. You can’t just replace a band with that much chemistry easily. He had to find a band that fit, and times were changing. So to say that the Revolution always would have worked is ridiculous, it’s like saying the Beatles should have never broke up. Bands run their course sometimes. People love to shit on the New Power Generation, and they shouldn’t. Diamonds and pearls was a completely different album and was a huge success for an artist being accused of being past his prime. As with anything, time moves on without you.

[@mrflynn01]

1st

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

I identify as first...

[@avalond1193]

People like to say the npg was the best band prince ever had but growing up as a fan i believe the revolution was the best prince ever had.. and looking at it through history and not trying to hate or put down any work they done diamonds and pearls was the only hit album prince had with npg. While with revolution prince had more hit records

[@surfshack2]

Did Wendy and Lisa really write the music to the song Purple Rain like how it was written in the movie? It seemed like Prince went as far as he could with the Revolution and then just wanted something new. But his time with the Revolution was very cool , it was the highlight of his career. I remember the first song i saw on MTV after Purple Rain was "Raspberry Beret" and it was like a Saturday or Friday night at midnight premiere (remember when MTV was so cool, I was like 16 yrs old back then and we would have high school parties and get togethers and MTV ruled those times, it was the coolest thing ever , the music videos were endless and so cool and creative. Those times were the best, there was nothing like it) and so i remember me and my friends watched and were pumped that the first new song was coming out on video and when we watched it , we were disappointed. It was like what is this?? This sucks compared to Purple Rain...this aint Purple Rain at all. LOL, i just remember feeling that when we all first watched the video.

[@American_King]

@@meldonovan7902 Prince wrote Purple Rain stop it you wierdos are pure comedy tho lol

[@surfshack2]

@@meldonovan7902 What the???

[@coreyc3093]

The Revolution era of Prince, though great, is NOT the highlight. People love the Revolution for many nostalgic reasons, but by far the NPG was considerably more diverse and talented and is the reason why P utilized them for more output for a longer duration.

[@rodneyjones4787]

The exact opposite is what I got. Girls loved his haircut . And who wouldn't love that cloud suit? It was so beautiful and different. Wasn't supposed to be another Purple Rain.

[@Will324]

@@rodneyjones4787 exactly. I'm thinking when I read his comment - 'what the hell man raspberry beret? That's one of the best and a fantastic video with him riding a motorcycle with a hot babe thru the countryside. Such a great song and video'.

[@thomasminarchickjr.7355]

Prince blew it when he let the Revolution go. Regardless of what he thought of himself, he was best as a pop artist. His music and career never came close to the Revolution days. He should’ve paid his band and not treated them like trash. He left Warner and made a bunch of albums almost no one cares about. His ego was his biggest weakness

[@anthonylawrence2094]

Watch The Revolution play Erotic City Live, can't any of his other bands do that, no disrespect to them

[@yardleywood7585]

Thomas Minarchick Jr - a bunch of albums almost no one cares about!! Ridiculous hyperbole - why would you want an artist to stagnate, to recreate a sound you liked over and over again? Great for you, but what about their artistic expression.