25th Anniversary of Purple Rain

If you have not noticed the proliferation of magazine and internet articles discussing the movie ‘Purple Rain’, then you may not be aware that July 27th, 2009 marked the 25th anniversary of the movie premier! As a result of Purple Rain’s silver anniversary, those involved with the movie (except, of course, for the star) have done interviews recounting the making of the movie and its impact on the record industry as well as its impact on pop culture.

In my opinion, the most thorough interview has come from Spin Magazine (July 2009 issue). Unfortunately, as of the date of this post, the interview has not been reproduced on-line, however, the article interviews pretty much everyone from the Revolution as well as those responsible for the creation of the movie.

Until that article becomes available, however, you can read and listen to several good interviews on Purple Rain discussed by... (drum roll please) Wendy & Lisa!

The Minneapolis Star Tribune conducts an ‘Oral History’ of the Purple One as told by those closest to him (at the time). The interview covers the Purple Rain premier, the Oscar win, Under The Cherry Moon, and the rise and fall of The Family. Contributors to the ‘Oral History’ include Wendy, Lisa, David Z, Eric Leeds, and Paul Peterson. To read all about the Purple Rain premier as well as funny antidotes of the Oscar win, head over to the following article: An Oral History/ Purple Majesty


Chicago Public Radio’s “Sound Opinions” also decided to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Purple Rain by conducting a ‘Purple Rain Album Dissection’. The ‘Dissection’ includes a very nice Wendy & Lisa audio interview in which they discuss how they both ended up joining The Revolution, their inputs on Purple Rain, their influence on ‘The Kid’, as well as the kind of music they listened to during the Purple Rain era. The actual Purple Rain segment of the audio begins around the 5 minute mark. Wendy & Lisa’s interview begins at the 11 minute mark and lasts for about 20 minutes. You can listen to (or download) the entertaining audio interview here: Purple Rain Album Dissection

Wendy & Lisa Talk About Heroes, Each Other, & Prince

In a very nice (short) interview for echoes.org, Wendy & Lisa talk about creating the score for Heroes and how there was not a special effects machine during the first season! So, many of the effects came from them!

In addition, they speak briefly about their 22-year relationship and playing for hours in 1 key during Prince rehearsals!

Again, another great interview by the ladies. Click here to listen: Echoes Wendy & Lisa Interview


(site last visited: July 8, 2009)

Wendy & Lisa: From Girl Bros A Go-Go to Girl Bros a Gabba-Gabba?

During Record Store Day (April '09) at Amoeba Music, in Hollywood, the dynamic duo, Wendy & Lisa, were interviewed by DJ Lance Rock of Yo Gabba Gabba fame!

The ladies discussed their work on Dangerous Minds, Carnival, and Crossing Jordan as well as the making of White Flags of Winter Chimneys and working with Grace Jones. The interview is very funny and is definitely worth checking out!

To see the video interview, please click here: Wendy & Lisa Live At Amoeba Music

(site last visited: June 18, 2009)

Housewife in Hollywood Wendy & Lisa Interview

Like many teens in the 80’s I was a loyal Prince & The Revolution fan. I drew the eyes, lips and side swept hair picture from the Purple Rain album artwork onto every book cover and Pee Chee folder I could find. My zip up hoodie vest was adorned with Prince & The Revolution pins. My bedroom walls were decorated with Prince crawling out of his bathtub and riding his purple motorcycle.

Not only was I infatuated with Prince and the sounds of his music I was intrigued by the two woman in the group, Wendy & Lisa. They added a female vibe and contributed their own musical talent to The Revolution.I was inspired by their style, confidence and attitude.

In 1986, Wendy & Lisa became a musical duo creating their own albums, a few being Fruit at the Bottom, Eroica & Girl Bros. They also started scoring music for film and television shows such as Heroes, Nurse Jackie, Soul Food and Dangerous Minds.

When I heard Wendy & Lisa had a new album out called White Flags of Winter Chimneys I wanted to learn more about them. Here is my interview with Wendy & Lisa:

To read more, please click here: http://housewifeinhollywood.com/wendy-lisa/

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

The Revolution Will be Harmonized By Barry Walters (OUT.COM Interview)

Keyboardist Lisa Coleman was 19 when she started working with Prince on his 1980 album Dirty Mind. Her childhood friend, guitarist Wendy Melvoin, was also 19 when she joined Prince in 1983 for Purple Rain. Known from that point on as Wendy & Lisa, Melvoin and Coleman became key members of the Revolution, Prince’s band at the peak of his musical powers and multi-platinum popularity. After they left the group in ‘86, the pair continued as a recording duo and as composers for such hit TV shows as Heroes. Shimmering with bright surfaces that compliment its complex depths, their latest album, White Flags of Winter Chimneys, showcases sophisticated strains of rock and jazz that definitively assert their serious chops. To celebrate that achievement, Melvoin and Coleman cast aside their usual privacy and gave Out their most candid interview ever.

To read more, please click here: http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=25083

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

What Had Happened Was: Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin by Vibe Interview Keith Murphy

When talking to keyboardist Lisa Coleman and guitarist Wendy Melvoin about their experiences working with mercurial funk-rock God Prince, the stories are seemingly endless. So much so, that we couldn’t fit the bulk of the duo’s interview into our 51 Best Albums That Never Were package, which highlighted Prince’s now mythical 1986 unreleased project Dream Factory (Paisley Park). These days Wendy and Lisa—the most celebrated members of the Purple One’s classic ‘80s backing band The Revolution—are still making uncompromising music with the release of the latest album White Flags of Winter Chimneys (wendyandlisa.com).

As for Prince, the 50-year-old music icon is as prolific as ever. The superstar is releasing a three-disc CD set, LOtUSFLOW3R, MPLSoUND and third album from protégé Bria Valente through an exclusive deal with retail chain Target on March 29. So what’s it like recording with a prodigious talent who can write a song as easy as “brushing his teeth” as Coleman muses? Read on.

To read more, please click here: http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/03/what_had_happened_was_lisa_coleman_and_wendy_melvoin/

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

Per Nilsen Prince bio released

Per Nilsen's new Prince biography Dancemusicsexromance sheds new light on some old Revolution-era stories, including the story of Wendy & Lisa's leaving the Revolution. According to interviews with Revolution drummer Bobby Z., Wendy & Lisa attempted to quit the Revolution many months before they were 'fired' in the fall of 1996. We'll put forward more information after we've had a chance to fully devour the book. Thanks to Nicole Simmons for the tip!

Revolution reunion rumors

While Woodstock '99 promoters may be eager to see a Revolution reunion as soon as Woodstock '99, there are no firm plans for a Revolution reunion at the mega-concert. Or, at this time, for anywhere else. According to Wendy & Lisa's management, there are no plans for a Revolution reunion . . . yet. Apparently there have been -- and continue to be -- discussions of a reunion in some form, but there are no plans currently in the works. According to Wendy & Lisa's management, if there is a reunion, it "definitely will NOT take place at Woodstock."