Courtesy of Kare 11
MINNEAPOLIS - Celebrating the one year anniversary of surviving his near-fatal heart attack, Bobby Z, drummer for Prince & The Revolution, will have a rare reunion performance to benefit heart-health awareness.
The Revolution - Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Dr. Fink and Bobby Z - have not played together since 2003 for Sheila E's Family Jamm.
"Benefit 2 Celebrate Life!" will be presented by Bobby Z and the American Heart Association. It will feature The Revolution, along with heart-health and life-saving information and inspiring stories of survival.
The benefit concert will be at the Legendary First Avenue Main Room on Sunday, February 19 at 8 p.m.
For more information, visit MyPurpleHeart.org or First Avenue Proudly Presents: The Revolution.
Bobby Z was in critical condition after three blocked arteries caused a heart attack in February of 2011. Doctors were able to open his blockages with three stents which has allowed Z to make a full recovery.
(Copyright 2011 by KARE And MYPURPLEHEART.ORG)
“Life is completely different now,” Z said. “Every moment has a new appreciation. I am still overwhelmed by all the thoughts and prayers I received from all over the world. This concert is for the fans. I am so honored and thrilled that The Revolution will join me in this celebration of my recovery. This will be an intimate show with music and stories.”
Wendy and Lisa added, “Our hearts were broken when we heard that our dear friend, and bandmate Bobby Z had had a heart attack. He was the heart, the pulse, the beat of our band. We can't wait to share the stage as one again, and help others in a fight against broken hearts caused by heart disease. The beat goes on!”
“I want to personally thank Prince for his emotional support for me and my family during a very difficult time. That has meant a lot to me,” added Z.
The Revolution is a rock, funk, and new-wave band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979 by Prince. The Revolution rose to international fame in the mid 1980s with Purple Rain, the album sold more than 16 million copies in the United States alone. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1980s. The band achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums (Purple Rain and Around the World in a Day), six top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and won three Grammy Awards. The band officially disbanded in 1986 at the end of the Parade tour.
The Revolution
Wendy And Lisa - Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are an Emmy® Award winning musical composing duo based in Los Angeles. They both started their careers in one of the most successful rock bands of the 80s, Prince & The Revolution. They continued to work as a duo and released five original albums as well as pursuing a career path in scoring feature films and television.
BrownMark - Mark Brown (BrownMark) spent most of his life in Minneapolis, Minnesota where, in the 80’s, the Minneapolis music scene took America by storm with its unique blend of Rock and R&B. BrownMark grew up with musicians such as Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Morris Day and Alexander O’Neil who laid the foundation for his advancements in his production skills and musical theory.
Dr. Fink - From Berlin dance floors to British airwaves to Grammy Award winning stages in the States, Matt "Dr." Fink's signature sound occupies an irresistible place in music history. Cunningly clad in surgical scrubs as Prince's award-winning keyboardist in The Revolution, this player-turned-producer modestly shrugs when asked if aware of the impact his music has had on the artists and producers of today.
Bobby Z - Robert B. Rivkin, better known by the stage name Bobby Z., is an American musician and record producer, most known as being a member of Prince's band from 1978–1986, and as a member of The Revolution.
