Dez Dickerson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Dickerson was born in 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He answered Prince's call for a touring musician in the Twin Cities Reader in 1979 and was picked as guitarist after a 15-minute audition in the back of Del's Tire Mart. In 1980, during Christmas break, he became a born-again Christian. He contributed songs for Prince's side projects, writing 'He's So Dull' for Vanity 6, and co-writing 'Wild and Loose' and 'After Hi School' for the Time. He played guitar on the 1999 album, including the guitar solo for 'Little Red Corvette' that ranked number 64 on Guitar World's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos, but did not contribute vocals to 'Little Red Corvette' or '1999'. Following the 1999 tour, Dickerson left the band and was replaced by Wendy Melvoin. He formed the Modernaires, toured with Billy Idol on his 1984 Rebel Yell tour, but did not appear in the movie Purple Rain. He relocated to Nashville in 1987 to back singer Judson Spence. In 1990, he became vice president of A&R at Starsong Communications, and in 1994 founded Absolute Records. He released a solo album in the late 1990s entitled Oneman, and a book, My Time with Prince: Confessions of a Former Revolutionary. In 2005, he released a double CD retrospective collection, and also produced Rock of Ages – Where Classic Hymns Meet Classic Rock! He manages Pavilion Entertainment and Pavilion Synergies in Nashville. In 2012, he joined a Revolution reunion for heart disease awareness; Prince attended but did not participate. Starting in 2023, he periodically fills in for hosts at Super Talk 99.7 WTN in Nashville.

In Their Own Story

Backstage at the First Avenue club, the air was thick with sweat and anticipation. Dez looked down at his guitar case, the leather worn smooth by years of touring. Around him, the crew buzzed with excitement for the night's show, but silence settled in his chest. He thought about the verses he had sung earlier that day, words that no longer felt like truth to him anymore. The purple lights from the stage flickered through the curtain gap, casting long shadows on his face. It wasn't a decision made lightly; it was a choice between the roar of the crowd and the quiet voice within. He closed the latches slowly, knowing this would be one of the last times he walked out to that specific sound.

Reader's Guide

Dickerson's career spans from his time with Prince's Revolution to Christian music and radio. Key works include the 1999 album, the Modernaires, and his solo album Oneman.

Did You Know?

• Dickerson's guitar solo on 'Little Red Corvette' ranked number 64 on Guitar World's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
• He co-wrote 'Wild and Loose' and 'After Hi School' for the Time.
• He founded the Christian rock label Absolute Records in 1994.

Rise Within the Revolution

Desmond D'andrea Dickerson, born in Minneapolis in 1955, emerged from a background of local rock bands to join Prince's inner circle. In 1979, he responded to an advertisement in the Twin Cities Reader and secured his position after a brief fifteen-minute audition held at Del's Tire Mart. As the guitarist for the Revolution, Dickerson became integral to the band's early sound, contributing backing vocals on major hits like 'Little Red Corvette' and '1999.' His instrumental prowess was particularly highlighted by his guitar solo on 'Little Red Corvette,' which later earned a spot on Guitar World's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos. Beyond performing, he served as a songwriter for Prince's side projects, penning tracks for Vanity 6 and co-writing songs for The Time. His tenure coincided with the group's explosive rise in popularity, establishing him as a key architect of the Minneapolis sound before his departure following the 1999 tour.

Faith and Departure

A profound spiritual transformation occurred during the Christmas break of 1980 when Dickerson experienced a born-again conversion. This shift fundamentally altered his perspective on performing music with sexual themes, creating an internal conflict as the band's popularity soared alongside Prince's provocative artistic direction. Despite their growing success, Dickerson increasingly felt compelled to leave the group to align his career with his new religious convictions. He eventually departed after the 1999 tour, paving the way for Wendy Melvoin to take his place. His exit marked a significant transition in the band's lineup and sound, driven by his desire to pursue options that respected his conscience rather than continuing on a path he found troubling.

Post-Revolution Ventures

Following his departure from Prince's orbit, Dickerson formed the Modernaires, a short-lived group that toured with Billy Idol during the 1984 Rebel Yell tour. Although they appeared in the film Purple Rain, their contributions were not included on the official soundtrack or released as singles. After an unsuccessful attempt to secure a solo recording deal, he relocated to Nashville in 1987 to support singer Judson Spence while engaging in session work and production. His career trajectory shifted significantly toward Christian music; by 1990, he was serving as vice president of A&R for Starsong Communications. Four years later, he founded Absolute Records, a label dedicated to Christian rock that released works by artists like Squirt and These 5 Down, demonstrating his commitment to the genre after leaving mainstream pop.

Legacy and Later Years

In the decades following his time with Prince, Dickerson has remained active in the music industry through various projects. He released a solo album titled Oneman in the late 1990s and authored a memoir detailing his journey from audition to departure. In 2005, he issued two significant collections: a retrospective of his work from 1982 to 1987 and Rock of Ages, a rock reinterpretation of classic hymns featuring his son Jordan on drums and bass. The 'Modernaire' track from the Purple Rain film was finally released as a single in 2008. Currently based in Nashville, he manages Pavilion Entertainment and occasionally hosts segments for Super Talk radio. His enduring connection to his former bandmates was highlighted in 2012 when he joined a Revolution reunion organized by Bobby Z., an event Prince attended but did not perform at.