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Prince & The Revolution
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Prince & The Revolution · The Revolution was an American funk rock band from Minneapolis, formed in 1979 by Prince, at first as his live band and later also as a studio band. The group began as a multiracial ensemble of men and women, following the example of Sly Stone. The first line-up consisted of Prince, Dez Dickerson on guitar, Andre Cymone on bass, Bobby Z. on drums and the keyboard players Gayle Chapman and Matt Fink. In 1979 Prince recorded material in Colorado with the group as a side project, The Rebels.
Music and breakthrough
The band was first heard on the studio record 1999 from 1982. It became world famous with Purple Rain in 1984, the album that topped the Billboard 200. Around the World in a Day followed in 1985 and also reached number one. The band had six top ten singles in the Billboard Hot 100, including three number ones: Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry and Kiss. The sound combined rock, funk, R&B, new wave, synth-pop and psychedelia. Together with Prince's other projects it created the Minneapolis sound.
Influence
After the tour in support of Parade, the soundtrack of Under the Cherry Moon, the group broke up in 1986. After Prince's death in 2016 it announced reunion concerts. The Revolution won three Grammys. It showed how a band of different backgrounds could make rock and funk sound together.