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If Prince ever revealed anything about himself, it’s that he liked to take charge (just too demanding, and like his father, too cold). There’s no better example than The Time. When Warner Brothers allowed Prince to recruit new talent for the label, he hooked up Minneapolis band Flyte Tyme with a record deal, and slapped old pal Morris Day at the front of the stage, where his wacky, comedic timing served him well as a frontman.
On Time records, Prince played virtually everything, allowing Day to sing, but even dictating his vocal performances. Prince was in charge of nearly every aspect of the band’s career, but over the course of grueling tours and The Purple One’s reign, The Time and Prince’s backing band The Revolution began to feud.
The group dissolved in the mid-’80s, reuniting for 1990’s Pandemonium. In recent years, Morris Day has lead a lineup across the country on tour (the group hits Phoenix on Saturday, August 27, when they are scheduled to perform as part of Mega 104.7’s Birthday Bash at Celebrity Theatre). Reports suggest a new album — and it will be supremely interesting to hear the group without the influence of Prince.
But The Time aren’t only example of Prince slapping a Paisley Park seal of approval on an artist. Here’s five purple pet projects…
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The Family
The Family was formed by members of The Time after that group dissolved. The Family holds the honor of being the first to record Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which Sinéad O’Connor later recorded, scored a hit with, and of course, eventually allegedly came to blows with Prince over.
Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra was a backup dancer for Prince. He produced her 1993 album. It’s neither one’s best work. (Electra’s best? 1997’s Good Burger.)
Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6
It’s generally argued that Prince sort of swapped out female performers on a whim. Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 were awesome, and, yeah, pretty hard to tell apart.
