The Revolution (1986)
Keyboardist and composer who was a key member of Prince's The Revolution and later formed the duo Wendy & Lisa.
Lisa Coleman (born August 17, 1960) is an American composer, musician and singer-songwriter, primarily on keyboards and piano. She is known for her tenure as a member of Prince's backing band The Revolution from 1980 to 1986, as well as Wendy & Lisa, her musical partnership with fellow Revolution alum Wendy Melvoin.
Lore & Background
Coleman played keyboards for Prince on his Controversy and 1999 albums, providing vocals on the latter, as well as the three albums she played as an official member of The Revolution: Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day and Parade. She was also featured as a session player on recordings by The Time and Vanity 6, two side projects of Prince. Shortly after the completion of Prince and The Revolution's Parade project, Prince started a new band, and Coleman and Melvoin started working together as a duo.
Reader's Guide
Coleman's discography with Prince includes Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), 1999 (1982), Sign o' the Times (1987), Planet Earth (2007), and Piano and a Microphone 1983 (as composer) (2018). With Prince & the Revolution, she appears on Purple Rain (1984), Around the World in a Day (1985), and Parade (1986).
Did You Know?
- Coleman got her professional start at age 12, playing keyboards in the bubblegum pop band Waldorf Salad.
- She played a small role as a high school pianist in the 1975 TV film Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic.
- Coleman and Melvoin won an Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title in 2010 for their theme to Nurse Jackie.
- Coleman self-released her first solo instrumental album titled Collage in 2019.
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