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Arts & Entertainment

Video: Prince's Former Band The Revolution Announce Reunion Plans

the_revolution.jpg
The Revolution (via Facebook)

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The Purple Rain-era line-up of The Revolution, the band formed by Prince, unveiled plans to reunite during a gathering to honor the late Artist.

In a video posted to the Facebook page of drummer Bobby 'Z' Rivkin, five people introduce themselves as BrownMark, Bobby Z, Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, and Matt Fink. But the lineup of impostors is quickly replaced by the real members of The Revolution who toured and recorded the legendary album with Prince.

Once seated and properly reintroduced, Melvoin explains, "We have decided, after spending three or four days together now grieving over the loss of Prince, that we would like to come out and do some shows." Though no dates or specifics are given, Melvoin promises that they'll, "Be there soon."

According to The Minneapolis Star Tribune, the video was shot on Sunday night at the Cosmos Bar in the Loews Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, across the street from First Avenue, the venue where Prince and The Revolution regularly played and filmed Purple Rain. Nearly 100 of Prince's close friends had gathered at the event to mourn the Artist. The Star Tribune explains that the switcheroo in the video was typical of "the kind of levity Prince himself was known for behind-the-scenes."

This lineup of The Revolution played together from 1983 through 1986's Hit n Run/Parade Tour, and served as the backing band on the Prince albums 1999, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, and Parade.

And while we'll have to wait to find out when and where The Revolution will be playing, we can enjoy this incredible footage of Prince and the band playing on August 3, 1983 at a benefit gig at First Avenue. The show is considered to be the world debut of some of Prince's legendary jams, including "I Would Die 4 U," "Purple Rain," and "Let's Go Crazy."

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