The Time Band

Lore & Background

The Time was assembled under a clause in Prince's contract with Warner Bros. that allowed him to recruit and produce other artists for the label. Inspired by the film 'The Idolmaker', Prince built the band out of an existing Minneapolis funk/R&B unit, Flyte Tyme. The original members included Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, and Monte Moir. Prince played all instruments on the debut album, crediting production to his alter-ego 'Jamie Starr' and Morris Day. A rivalry developed with Prince's band the Revolution during the 1982 Controversy Tour. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were fired after missing a concert due to a blizzard, though it is unclear whether their firing was due to that incident or their increasing independence. The band split in 1985 after Day and Jesse Johnson pursued solo careers. The original seven members reunited in 1990 for the 'Graffiti Bridge' movie and album 'Pandemonium', which spawned the single 'Jerk Out'. After another split, several members reunited in 1995 with new recruits. The original lineup reunited again in 2008 for the 50th Grammy Awards and a Las Vegas residency. In 2011, the band changed its name to the Original 7ven and released the album 'Condensate'.

In Their Own Story

The neon lights of Minneapolis flickered out, replaced by a swirling vortex of violet static. A saxophone note cut through the silence, not from a stage, but from the air itself. The Time Band had arrived. Their instruments were made of light and memory, playing a chord that smelled like rain on hot asphalt. As the melody swelled, the walls of the club dissolved into scenes from 1984, then leaped to a future where silence reigned. A figure in a ruffled shirt stepped forward, eyes wide with recognition. 'We are here,' the music seemed to say, 'to remind you that every ending is just a new beginning waiting for its rhythm.'

Reader's Guide

The Time is a real funk rock band, not a conceptual or spectral entity. Their music is described as light and humorous, influenced by Funkadelic, Parliament, James Brown, and Sly Stone. They are known for hits like 'Cool', 'Jungle Love', '777-9311', and 'Jerk Out'. The band's history includes multiple reunions and name changes, with the most recent being the Original 7ven.

Did You Know?

• The Time was assembled by Prince from the existing Minneapolis band Flyte Tyme.
• Prince played all instruments on the Time's debut album, crediting the production to his alter-ego 'Jamie Starr'.
• Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were fired from the Time after missing a concert due to a blizzard, though the exact reason is unclear.
• The original seven members reunited in 1990 for the 'Graffiti Bridge' movie and album 'Pandemonium'.
• In 2011, the band changed its name to the Original 7ven to avoid legal issues over the name 'The Time'.