This is a post that is two months overdue but it is finally here. Back on May 15th, I had the privilege of attending a very special concert at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky. What band was playing that night? None other than The Revolution. That's right, Prince's former band was performing and there was not a chance in hell that I was not going to be there. Not only was I there, I was at the very front of the stage rocking along with all the deep purple concord jams that I grew up with. From the opening drum beat of Computer Blue that kicked off the show, The Revolution took us on a whirlwind tour of the soundtrack of my life. America was next followed by Mountains from Parade. Next up was Automatic which led to Take Me With U. Then special guest Stokley Williams (from Mint Condition) came out to take over lead vocalist duties on Uptown and D.M.S.R..
The then unreleased Our Destiny with Wendy and Lisa on lead vocals was next and this segued straight into Brownmark leading on the then unreleased Roadhouse Garden. Both of these songs have since been released on the Remastered Deluxe Edition of Purple Rain. Stokley came back out as the band jumped into Raspberry Beret which was more of a crowd sing-a-long. Next up was an extremely funky Erotic City with some slinky guitar work by Wendy. I mean baby girl was playing that thing and I guarantee if Prince would have been there, he would have definitely been making one of his funk faces! Keeping that funk groove going, the band slid right into Let's Work with Stokley sharing vocal duties with Wendy. After a rousing version of 1999, which had the entire place rocking and chanting "PARTY!" at the top of our lungs, Wendy took to the mic for a brief monologue. She spoke about Paisley Park and the time of Around the World in a Day and how it was a great time for Prince as a lyricist. She spoke about what Paisley Park meant and how much the song meant to him and the band and asked the crowd to sing along with them so that Prince could hear us. And boy did we ever get loud because we let everyone know that "Paisley Park is in your heart!"
The Revolution went old school next with Controversy which segued into Mutiny rather nicely. Then came one of the most heart-stopping, gut-wrenching moments of the night. The band left the stage except for Wendy and Lisa and Wendy spoke about the day that Prince died. And then she spoke about going through songs that they (Wendy & Lisa) had done with Prince and they came across Sometimes It Snows In April. They realized that they had recorded that song on 4/21/85 and that Prince had died on 4/21/16. So they said they had to play it for him. They then performed Sometimes It Snows In April with Wendy on guitar and Lisa on piano and I cried like a baby. I think we all did.
After a short break, the band reappeared and those familiar organ chords began playing before those famous words of "Dearly beloved..." were spoken and the band launched into Let's Go Crazy. Delirious and Kiss were next followed by When Doves Cry. Then we heard that familiar guitar chord from Wendy and the crowd lost their minds as Purple Rain was played. Wendy played an amazing solo at the end that would have made Prince proud and then they were gone. But they weren't through with us as they came back out once more for I Would Die 4 U and then finally Baby, I'm A Star! After that, they took a bow and then left the stage for good.
I grabbed some swag at the merch table but my fav stuff is the autographed poster from the band, the setlist from the show and a guitar pick from Wendy! I went to celebrate Prince's music and it ended up being a very healing night. I also met some new Prince friends and can't wait to see them again!
So there you have it folks! It was an awesome experience and if you have a chance to see them, go see The Revolution. They put on one hell of a show and you will not regret it. If nothing else, go see them for the healing aspect and to honor the music of Prince! Until next time, peace & be wild!
