A BENEFIT 2 CELEBRATE LIFE featuring An Intimate Evening with THE REVOLUTION
Proudly Presented by MyPurpleHeart.org
& The American Heart Association
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - Bobby Z, drummer for Prince & The Revolution, will celebrate the one year anniversary of surviving his near-fatal heart attack in 2011 with a rare reunion performance of The Revolution — Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Dr. Fink, Dez Dickerson and Bobby Z — to benefit heart-health awareness, at First Avenue Main Room, Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 8 pm.
The concert, billed as a ‘Benefit 2 Celebrate Life!’ and presented by Z and the American Heart Association, will feature The Revolution, along with heart-health and life-saving information and inspiring stories of survival. The Revolution hasn’t played together since 2003. “The American Heart Association is honored to partner with Bobby Z and The Revolution on this concert,” said Gretchen Leiterman, Twin Cities Board chair for the American Heart Association and vice president of Regions Hospital. “We appreciate the spotlight that they are shining on this prevalent, and largely preventable, disease.”
Bobby Z, best known as a drummer for Prince & The Revolution, was in critical condition after three blocked arteries caused a heart attack in February 2011. Doctors were able to open his blockages with three stents which has allowed Z to make a full recovery. “Life is completely different now,” Z said. “Every moment has a new appreciation. I am still overwhelmed by all the thoughts and prayers I received from all over the world. This concert is for the fans. I am so honored and thrilled that The Revolution will join me in this celebration of my recovery. This will be an intimate show with music and stories.” Wendy and Lisa added, “Our hearts were broken when we heard that our dear friend, and bandmate Bobby Z had had a heart attack. He was the heart, the pulse, the beat of our band. We can't wait to share the stage as one again, and help others in a fight against broken hearts caused by heart disease. The beat goes on!”
The Revolution was featured in the GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning score from the iconic film Purple Rain. Bobby Z performed with Prince for 10 years. “I want to personally thank Prince for his emotional support for me and my family during a very difficult time. That has meant a lot to me,” added Z. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Z's MyPurpleHeart.org for continued heart-health education, and the American Heart Association. Z is also a featured speaker, sharing his story, at the American Heart Association’s annual Twin Cities “Heart & Stroke Gala” on December 10, 2011, at The Depot in Minneapolis.
TICKETS:
$40.00 limited advance general admission
$65.00 advance general admission
$150 VIP admission (VIP ticket includes red carpet entrance and a catered reception with the band)
Day of show tickets TBA
THE REVOLUTION
The Revolution was an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979 by Prince. The Revolution rose to international fame in the mid 1980s with Purple Rain, the album sold more than 13 million copies in the United States alone. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1980s and sold over 16 million albums in the United States alone. The band achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums (Purple Rain and Around the World in a Day), six top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and won three Grammy Awards. The band officially disbanded in 1986 at the end of the Parade tour.
WENDY AND LISA
Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are an Emmy® Award winning musical composing duo based in Los Angeles. They both started their careers in one of the most successful rock bands of the 80s, Prince & The Revolution. They continued to work as a duo and released five original albums as well as pursuing a career path in scoring feature films and television. Since 1995’s box office hit Dangerous Minds, Wendy & Lisa have set a successful track record scoring films such as Soul Food, Something New, television series Crossing Jordan, Carnivalé, Nurse Jackie, Mercy and the Emmy-nominated NBC series Heroes, as well as producing and releasing two albums independently, Girl Bros. and White Flags of Winter Chimneys.
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Apart from their composing career, Wendy & Lisa are often sought out for their song writing and collaboration skills. They have collaborated on albums with Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Neil Finn, Seal and Grace Jones to name a few. Currently, Wendy & Lisa continue to compose for Nurse Jackie, and films as well as making time to release more albums of original songs.
Their full-length score soundtrack to Heroes titled Heroes: Original Score was released in April 2009 which includes Wendy & Lisa’s opening theme score and compositions for each of the show’s main characters. Lionsgate Music/Showtime released Wendy & Lisa’s original music to Nurse Jackie in March 2010. It features 30 cues from the hit Showtime television series’ first season. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman were honored for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for the Emmy®-nominated comedy series Nurse Jackie. A common misperception about Wendy & Lisa’s music often gets their music filed under the funk genre; however, Wendy & Lisa are adult alternative artists similar to that of Coldplay or Elbow. But the amazing thing about Wendy & Lisa is that they have built a sound all their own, deeply referencing the best sounds from the 70s and today’s ethereal alternative rock.
BROWN MARK
Mark Brown (BrownMark) spent most of his life in Minneapolis, Minnesota where, in the 80’s, the Minneapolis music scene took America by storm with its unique blend of Rock and R&B. BrownMark grew up with musicians such as Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Morris Day and Alexander O’Neil who laid the foundation for his advancements in his production skills and musical theory.
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In 1981, BrownMark made his debut with Prince on the Controversy tour. For seven and a half years, he honed skills as a bassist for Prince and the Revolution and soon became known for his funky bass playing. Prince quoted in a Rolling Stone article that “without BrownMark on bass,” he would “take bassout of the music.” In 1988, BrownMark landed arecording contract with Motown. This career move was fueled by a track record of proven successes with the rock group, Mazarati (one of BrownMark’s creations), Chico DeBarge, Troop, Georgio, Stacy Latisaw, Teen Dream, Sheila E., and LakeSide, to name a few. BrownMark debuted his solo album Just Like That on Motown in the late 80’s with the single “Next Time.” His second CD release on Motown was titled Bang Bang. Collaborating with his former boss, Prince, BrownMark attempted to reintroduce himself as the funky bassist he was known to be.
To add to the list of his accomplishments, BrownMark received two Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards for his contributions to the Purple Rain movie soundtrack. He also had the privilege of performing with the talented Stevie Wonder and Stevie Ray Vaughn, along with Salt ‘n’ Pepa and Jodie Watley in an MTV special. He again had the honor of performing with Stevie Wonder at his “Character Party.” BrownMark has also shared the stage with Sting, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Q-Tip, and Doug E. Fresh.
DR. FINK
From Berlin dance floors to British airwaves to Grammy Award winning stages in the States, Matt "Dr." Fink's signature sound occupies an irresistible place in music history. Cunningly clad in surgical scrubs as Prince's award-winning keyboardist in The Revolution, this player-turned-producer modestly shrugs when asked if aware of the impact his music has had on the artists and producers of today.
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With over thirty R.I.A.A. Diamond, Platinum and Gold Awards, MTV, Grammy and American Music Awards for the albums Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, Parade and Sign O' The Times - not to mention appearances on releases by The Time, The Jets, Ashanti, Vanity 6, Mavis Staples, Lipps Inc. and more - it's no wonder the "Dr." is in on speed dial with the likes of Timbaland, Timberlake, The Neptunes as well as Diddy. In 2009, as evidenced by his appearance on Diddy's Making The Band series, the good "Dr." continues to make house calls. He travels the globe working with artists such as Danity Kane (Bad Boy Records), Making The Band's Seven Auralius as well as Ken Lewis protégés Man On Earth. Back home in Minneapolis, he owns and operates StarVu Studios - a playground for all things unique and the birthplace of cutting-edge pop songs by hit-making artists from all over the world.
BOBBY Z.
Robert B. Rivkin, better known by the stage name Bobby Z., is an American musician and record producer, most known as being a member of Prince's band from 1978–1986, and as a member of The Revolution.
DEZ DICKERSON
Dez Dickerson is a guitarist / singer who was a member of Prince's band, The Revolution.
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