Dez was not just a lead guitarist. He co-wrote the Vanity 6 album with Prince, played instruments (including drums) and some of the Time’s music. He’s not credited on the album, but he is listed in the publishing notes.
As gifted guitarists, Prince, Dez, and Andre Cymone were a terrific triad. They knew how to stroke and pick their musical instruments. I'm love-struck again.
I still have a guitar pic he threw into the audience! It hit me in the neck, and went down my shirt!(I was in the 3rd row in downtown Cleveland & the 2nd concert I'd ever been to). Prince, Time, Vanity 6, stayed at the hotel my mom was the mgr. at. I saw some of the band members in the game room playing pool. I was playing Ms. Pacman because I just got out of school, so I'd walk to my moms office & help her, or hang out and do my homework, or play in the game room. Like I said I was playing Ms. Pacman & Morris Day & some band- mates were playing pool. Prince walked in singing with the hotel music playing overhead- it was George Benson's. "Turn your love around". By then my mom gave me that stare that instantly got my attention. You know the look that can burn a hole in you? Thats the look. She told not to bother them. Later, they gave my mom 2 tickets & a backstage pass. Tickets were in the 3rd row! My older brothers & wives already bought tickets. My mom said I could go with a chaperone. I went with a local boxer who knew my family. Dez was an amazing, almost hypnotic guitarist & made my night seem magical. Great memories! Thank you!
You did very well on this. Dez is my pastor and a great person to know. I can tell you that his 2003 book titled My Time with Prince-Confessions of a Former Revolutionary is a great read. It is a book about his own journey before Prince, during Prince and post Prince. He has a non-demoninational/interdemoninational church called We Are Here that is held in a local downtown music venue called The High Watt every Sunday from 9:30am-11am.
Much respect to Dez. I always appreciated the Revolution when Dez was there along with Andre, Gayle, Bobby, and Dr. Fink then eventually when Lisa joined.
Mayte Jannell Fans Uh, nishani3's comment *is* accurate and makes perfect sense. Lisa _eventually_ joined the band. She replaced Gayle as the new female keyboard player and backing vocalist.
Revolution was best Prince band bar none. That era had the right mix of funk, punk, rock, and blues. It was the Minneapolis Sound. Jam and Lewis to this day are still pure to that sound.
Thanks,,,, Princes’ Friend for telling the story of Dez,,,,,I had heard it before,but now I know it was True. I am so proud of Dez for doing what he thought was right for him. May God Bless him. I hope he has found the happiness,and I think he has, that he was looking for. He choose what was right for him. 🙏☮️❤️
Thank you for covering Dez Dickerson! I always respected him, he is a class act and well respected in the industry. He is so very talented, also plays keyboards, writes, produces and is s great showman!! Dez wrote a book “ My Time With Prince” which is fascinating! He talks about how he auditioned for Prince, the early days on road and touring! Miss Dez, I hope goes back to his music!! 💜💜💜
I appreciate your balanced take on why he left the “blossoming” Revolution ; ) You didn’t mock he religious motivations. There should be more of that. I enjoyed hearing that he didn’t leave music or circle of friends when he converted. Some folks have to do that, understood. But it’s nice to see when they still stick around, too.
Dez, Andre and Prince not only had chemistry with their sound, but even more so with their visual. At that time when they 1st came out touring with Rick James, no other black band had that mysterious rock band look, which added to the mystic, and interested of those 3 in particular. I'm happy for Dez. Besides, none of those bands during that era were able to keep all the original members. It is quite normal for people to have their own agendas in life. But man, I'll have to admit that I really miss those rock/funk band days.
As always well done. And yes you should continue the series. I've seen a few interviews with Dez Dickerson, he's actually a really intelligent guy. I had always wondered why he left the band and what became of him afterwards. So nice to hear that he did well for himself
Thanks for clarifying. I always just assumed he had greater musical aspirations than just being Prince’s guitarist (hence fronting his own band shown in Purple Rain). Short videos highlighting the various members of Prince’s bands is a great way to inform everyone of all the talent he surrounded himself with over the years.
When Dez finally released Modernaire digitally a few years back I grabbed it up right away. I'm so glad to have all the tracks from the Purple Rain film.
Loved this! Keep doing these videos. Also Dez wrote a book called My Time with Prince. I bought it years ago so I'm not sure if it's still in print. It was long before Prince's death. The book was a great read and you really get the sense Dez is a humble guy that's cool to be around.
I love this story. Thank you for sharing this information. Prince is still and Always will be my number 1. My heart still hurts. I couldn't do anything that whole month. 😢 I always wondered what happened to Dez. These 3 men, Prince, Dez, and Andre were my crushes the finest finest, finest 😊❤🙏🏾 I'd love to hear from him
Nothing wrong with him leaving. I'm glad he was happy after he left. He's a good guitar player. He made a good contribution to Prince. Good video and keep making more.
Love the videos, keep it up. So much history behind one man and all those around him. One thing I might have added was that even Prince had a change in life spiritually which also changed his view on his own songs and how he played them at concerts later if he played some of them at all.
I really like when you do videos like this!! Its great to hear the story behind the different people in Prince's life. I would love to hear the story behind Wendy and Lisa, and their departure. For the the longest time I didn't even know they had contributed to Sign of the Times. KEEP DOING THESE!!!!! ❤👍
Always wondered what happened to him!! I didn't even know Andre had married Jody Watley at one time!!! Knew he did a lot of music on one of her albums... Dez obviously was a great guitarist as well!! A great era of talented musicians during the 70-90's 60's too!
I grew up in Maplewood, MN and lived very near Dez's parents back in the day - went to school with Dez's sister Ladonna (awesome person), and his dad was THE BEST umpire at my Little League baseball games. Dez had a band called Romeo that KICKED BUTT. The keyboardist from that band (Roland Lozier) is still a good friend & a guy I ended up playing with in church for over 20 years. This is a really accurate video of what went down. Well done!
Thanks for this interesting info on Dez. He was fab, especially watching him live. I heard he had a very successful music career but I had no idea that Prince’s raunchy performances didn’t sit comfortably with him, or that he converted to Christianity and left for this reason. The Dirty Mind tour was overtly raunchy though😂
On the 1999 album inside of the letter I it says "and the revolution" upside down so this is technically the introduction of the revolution not the purple rain album
Great video, PF 💜 I loved Dez and I always though the band lost a bit of their rock edge when he left. So glad to hear he's had success in life. Is he still working with the Revolution? Thanks!
First of all, you have a great channel and I'm happy to be a subscriber. Dez...I sure wish I could here more from him. Love that guy and his great guitar playing. Also, I sure hope you read his book. What an excellent read! Keep this great material coming!
I loved that mordernaire track during the movie. As a kid I remember searching for it in my aunts and uncles record collection. They had every prince related release from the 70s till the early 90s.
❤🎶Thank you for sharing! Much respect to Dez. Wow...this auto correct. I kid you not. When I first typed much respect to Dez it changed to "much respect to sex! If I thought Prince could see this, I'd think it was him playing a joke since he loved to laugh.🤣 Now I almost want to cry missing him.❤
I'm from mpls. I tell you it's a different vibe here now that prince is gone. I can't explain it maybe it's that the possibility of running into prince at any given time and place is no longer.
I used to live in minneapolis. I can't imagine that place without Prince! There were so many stories about him and the ladies that worked with him in town. Miss those days sometimes.
Can’t believe I’ve never ran across this video and channel. So cool! Whenever anyone asks me who my guitar heroes are, my top 2 are ALWAYS Eddie Van Halen and Dez Dickerson. They always say “Dez who?” Then I play them old Prince songs and show them videos and they say “Oh yeah! I remember him!” Big influence on me.
Thank you, Dez gave his life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s all good. As musicians, we grow as well. Thank you for sharing this. Many other musicians, Dave Muistane of Megadeth, Peter Criss of KISS, Lenny Kravitz, and Mary J.Blige are also Christians. God bless and thank you, PRINCE’S FRIEND. Yes, and keep doing the interviews. 😎💖✝️🙏🏾
Great video about Dez 🤗 it is amazing how the Spirit of God moves on a person's heart 💕 glad to know he is okay and doing well. I always thought he was kinda cute!
Keep doing the videos that was awesome also a lot of people don't know that Dez influenced Prince's 2nd phase a lot he got him into the whole punk thing in heavy metal thing as well and even the look that came from Dez I've read about this so desperate more of a part then more people even realize
What happened to Jesse Johnson? Everybody that played with Prince, all should come back to do a tribute concert for Prince...Like Jesse Johnson, Dez, Wendy, Suzanne, The Time, Morris day, Sheila E...etc...Love your commentary on Prince and the legend...Thanks...
Jorge Torres That’s Right, Prince was always a Christian from the early days in his music career. He became a JW but he always said he believed in God, he loved God,....Love you Forever Prince💜😀💜
He is awesome with Prince ! It's true that lots of young people in the 80's were teaching themselves how to be musicians. Know quite a few in my area in California that did the same. Playing by ear was more common then mentioned. Thanks for bringing that up! The great message is having joy with what we are doing - Prince really has this with music. When we aren't finding joy in what we are doing and what is coming from within - that can lead to the upset in seeking out.
In Jazz bands...and apparently in Rock & Metal bands: Musicians leave, trade bands talk about other guys' abilities; and they also scout out each other when they first hear that a player somewhere is really good. Dez was there with Prince for 3-4yrs. That's a lifetime in some bands. Andre told Prince he only wanted to stay for three albums. It's all good. Air-body's Grown people.
Dez Dickerson left because he woke up one morning and he could have sworn it was Judgement Day, everybody knows that! The sky was all purple there were people running everywhere said Prince who didn't even care... Found out Lisa was dreaming when she wrote it, and ask for forgiveness if it goes in her ashtray... and then Dez just wanted to be a Modernaire. A Modernaire, a Modernaire...
Thanks for answering a question I always wondered about. I've seen interviews with Dez and he seems like a very balanced individual. In my opinion Dez should always be proud because he contributed his talent and was a part of my all time favorite Prince album "1999'. I respect his reasons for leaving but I feel he would have continued to collaborate successfully with Prince had he stayed.
I always loved him because he did the guitar solo on Little Red Corvette. I got so pumped when I saw “The Modernaires” in Purple Rain, only to get mad at Prince for not doing a proper soundtrack album. I lived in a small town and didn’t hear the single till Napster was out and I just searched and found it.
You are so informative and knowledgeable and your fans really appreciate your contribution to the Prince legacy. Thank you for your relentless research. I am a subscriber!
Please, keep doing these vlogs. They are very informative and interesting, to learn about all of the talented people Prince worked with. You never here to much about them once they leave Prince. I would love to hear about Wendy and Lisa.
Nice video! This video made me have the highest respect for Dez! He listened to his heart, which is ALWAYS a good thing! I don’t fault him! We must ALWAYS walk in our OWN truth and that is what Dez did. I applaud him for that. Besides, he got to work in and work around the greatest musician of ALL time (as far as I am concerned). Not bad at all. Yes, please do more videos! I enjoy them. Peace.
As I understand it, Dez tried to appeal to Prince's spirituality and Prince would be very understanding. But Prince could not stop seesawing between spirituality/religion and the Pum Pum. Poor Dez was trying to be saved and so was Chapman. However, Prince was trying to manage fame, fortune, religion and Pum Pum. They were all on spiritual paths using different approaches. Prince years later said he was doing the best he could. After receiving an award on BET, he said young people don't have to do what he did. LOL. I have to admit this is one of my favorite Prince bands, with Prince, Dez and Andre and the others too. I wish Prince had toned it down a little so that Dez could have stayed longer.
Pinkpostergirl. I used the word to add humor based upon Prince's hilarious song Poom Poom. Prince's Friend is correct. See Dickie Holmes channel and listen carefully to the song and then look at how I use the word in context. I don't want to get in trouble so I can't tell you anything else.
Vanity was heavy on drugs which caused a ripple in her relationship with Prince who was against it. Vanity became born again almost a decade after leaving the prince camp.
Well, I wish that he never would have left! He was so cool, as part of, Prince’s band. A very talented musician. However, I can understand why he left. We all have to do what makes us happy. Life is just short. I continue to wish Dez much happiness. Peace.
There’s a time and season for Everyone’s growth 💜🧚🏾♀️ In life dez time and season was at that time he left prince, prince season was not yet it Came at a later time in life God bless both of them for their love and belief of God Amen 🙏🏼
Great video man! My first concert was Prince on the Purple Rain tour at the Forum in LA, so Dez had already left the band but my Brother saw them on the 1999 tour a few years earlier when Dez was still with them in Virginia.
Wow!! I'm going to look into Dez' company and 1 group u mentioned that I had not heard of. Yes, please continue. I prefer to receive info in the manner in which u r sharing it...NOT in a gossip format, though I am not knocking anyone. It s just my personal preference to enjoy more of a documentary format like yours . BTW, would u also consider updating us regarding Prince's sister, how things r going now that she s running the biz and any new releases, music or otherwise on Prince's behalf. Thank u.
Thanks for making this video. Dez, in my opinion, is extremely gifted and talented and very well spoken. I've seen him in interviews and was so impressed by him. He knew what he wanted to do then had the courage and conviction to follow a different path. I respect him and still enjoy clips from the past of his singing and playing. He was just so cool on stage...he was absolutely spectacular! 🎶
Ray Campbell I know we like to compare and contrast...so here's my comment...there is a time for everything...and everyone. Dez and Wendy were a part of the purple experience when they were supposed to be. We all grow and change and move on. Both incredible artists who showcased their gifts and talents for us to enjoy. I loved the material they cranked out because they seemed to love what they were doing and they seemed to work hard to give their best. Amazing work! 🎶🎸🎶 Prince knew the sound he wanted and the chemistry he wanted in a band and he was able to include people who helped create some amazing and magical sounds that are timeless classics! 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Thank you for the information on Dez and I was sad when he left the band. I love the video and I have one request. Why did Gayle Chapman leave the band?
Great info! Dez was and is one of the greatest guitarists in the industry. Listen to the live harmony solos with Prince on Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad. He is a serious dude!
He was vice president of A&R at Star Song Records. I love seeing his name on the credits of some of the CCM albums in my collection. Thanks for the video. :)
Please dont stop doing this! So intesting...i often wondered to what happened to him. He was in the 1999 vid..but i don t remember seeing him after that, The laday Jill was in Purple Rain...I found out later she was in Prince vid 1999. So intresting
Thanks for this information. You look really great in that T shirt.....I did not know Dez did solos on Little Red Corvette. I have heard Prince on same song thinking it was him I guess.
Good video and it’s nice to find out that Dez has been very successful. Good metal knowledge too Ser, I saw Gary Holt’s (Exodus/Slayer) new guitar and he has “Purple Reign” on the back of the neck, I was made up to see it and he’s a big Prince fan.
WTH? Did you just say Alice Cooper is a born-again Christian? Or do I need to clean out my ears because I swear you just said out with Cooper is a born-again Christian now wow
I'm not surprised that Alice Cooper is now a born-again Christian because his father was a minister so Cooper grew up exposed to religion from an early age.
superhiro Na me too. I really wished everyone had remained together. But in this world, people are going out for self and doing what's in their best interest. That is why I can't understand why some people had a problem with Prince disbanding the Revolution. Should he have waited for each member to walk out on him one by one?
It is told.. It one try one thing 10000 times... You will master it to be your gold in life.. Like Prince did with his guitar 🎸 when his dad lock him in his room... Your gift 🎁 is apart of you. You live it. Dream it. Give it to the world to keep
One thing that I remember reading also is dead. Is the reason that Prince changed his whole get up from what he was dressing like in the 70s to the way that he was dressing in the 80s. Des got him in to punk bands like Devo. And this is also into heavy metal So dad's played a huge part. And not only princess sound but also princess look.
Hey there Prince's friend. I don't mean to nit pick, but the name of Dez's band was called the "Mountain"aires I believe. Also, I watched Dez do an interview years ago and he said that he was the one that actually came up with the chords to Raspberry Beret while riding on the tour bus back in the day. And was shocked when he heard the chords in Raspberry Beret. I wonder if he got credit for that on the Album? I would check for myself but my collection of Prince music and memorabilia got stolen from me in 1989. I had EVERYTHING Prince had ever done up until that point. Needless to say it broke my heart back then because I was a fan from the very beginning. Back when it wasn't cool to be a Prince fan. Yes I was mocked pretty bad back in those days, and had heard it all. So now I laugh at these Johnny come lately fans. But it's okay, I knew people would eventually come around and recognize the genius of this guy sooner or later. Nice channel Prince's friend and your energy is awesome. Good luck with this brotha.
