Amidst all the music award show performances and various artists attempting to pay homage to the Purple One, the greatest live tribute to Prince is currently traveling from theater to theater across the United States, run by his most iconic band, The Revolution. After over 30 years since the band split, they haven’t missed a beat; if anything, they’ve become better with age. Members Dr. Fink and Lisa Coleman electrify the audience with their mastery of the keys while drummer Bobby Z. continues to hold down the rhythm that penetrates through the building. Fans dance and stare in awe as Brown Mark energizes the room as he slaps the funk out of the bass and Wendy Melvoin spews guitar licks that represent her incredible talent with six strings and her musical likeness of Prince. To add flare to the lead vocals shared by both Brown Mark and Wendy, the band has invited Mint Condition’s and Minnesota’s own Stokley Williams to tour with the group, whom Wendy claims was beloved by Prince. Stokley not only aids in providing a falsetto tone to memorable Prince hits but adds his own unique, recognizable voice to classic songs that instantly makes you become a fan of his as well, if not already.
Brown Mark and Dr. Fink
Throughout the performance, Wendy fights back tears as she tells stories about their relationship with Prince and the impact he had on their lives. Lisa and Wendy pay a personal tribute to Prince by providing an instrumental and vocal duet performance of the song all three created together, “Sometimes it Snows in April”. Fans in attendance received an unexpected surprise when the band went deep into The Vault, playing the unreleased songs “Destiny” and “Roadhouse Garden”. The entire night was a celebration, giving fans a taste of what it must have been like to be in a Minneapolis night club in the 80’s.
Sadly, we will have to live the rest of our lives on this Earth knowing that we will never see another prolific live performance from Prince. Luckily, the Revolution has discovered a way to entertain his fans as if he were on stage. It is evident that they will make sure the Minneapolis Sound continues to echo throughout the world.
Adam Kita
Setlist
Wendy Melvoin
Computer Blue
America
Mountains
Automatic
Take Me With You
Uptown
D.M.S.R.
Destiny
Roadhouse Garden
Raspberry Beret
Erotic City
Let’s Work
1999
Paisley Park
Controversy/ Mutiny
Sometimes it Snows in April
Let’s Go Crazy
Delirious
Kiss
When Doves Cry
Purple Rain
Encore
I Would Die 4 U
Baby I’m a Star
