After a stunning response to the surprise announcement of their first tour in decades, The Revolution have now confirmed plans for an extensive North American tour. The reunion, which began as just six dates, including a special show at Paisley Park for Celebration 2017, quickly expanded even further when demand made it necessary to add second shows in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Now, the quintet are set to bring their exciting new show to the rest of the U.S. with additional dates that bring the band through the Midwest and on to the West Coast. The current itinerary ends on July 15th in Seattle, with even more dates expected to be announced soon.
The Revolution formed in 1979 when Prince joined drummer, Bobby Z and keyboardist Matt Fink. Over the next four years, several formations would emerge until finally Prince found the band he felt could master the challenging musicality of his vision. The legendary final line-up included Lisa Coleman on keyboards/piano, Wendy Melvoin on guitar and Brown Mark on bass. The Revolution was credited on three Prince studio-albums, Purple Rain, Around the World In a Day and Parade while some members also played on 1999. Together, they earned multiple #1 hits, as well as two Grammy Awards and an Oscar, with the song “Purple Rain,” for Best Original Song Score in 1985.
After Prince passed away in April of 2016, The Revolution came back together for three special sold-out shows at the famous Minneapolis venue, First Avenue, the birthplace of Purple Rain. “When we played those shows, I choked up every single night,” says Brown Mark, “but now, I’m past that stage of it—now I’m looking at my happy times, remembering being a kid, joining this huge band and starting out a journey in my life I did not ever expect.”
When they were approached to perform at Paisley Park on the first anniversary of Prince’s death, they decided it was time to take The Revolution back on the road. “I think everybody in the Revolution is singular, not like anybody else,” says Melvoin, “So while we still have a shot at getting that same feeling, let’s do it with as much grace and integrity as we can. We’re still a band, still vital human beings, so let’s play this stuff before we can’t anymore.”
The Grammy Award winning group is now rehearsing for the tour and are ready to bring back their powerful music, spreading a message of hope, love, and unity. “Prince said that music is medicine,” Bobby relates, “People need it, and we need it, and we can make it as authentic as we can. In honor of him, we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
TOUR DATES:
April 21 Celebration 2017 @ Paisley Park Minneapolis, MN
April 23 Metro Chicago, IL
April 24 Metro Chicago, IL
April 27 The Fillmore Silver Spring Washington, DC
April 28 BB Kings New York, NY
April 29 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
April 30 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
May 3 Webster Hall New York, NY
May 4 Capitol Theatre Port Chester, NY
May 12 Barrymore Theatre Madison, WI
May 14 The Vogue Indianapolis, IN
May 16 Bogart’s Cincinnati, OH
May 18 House of Blues Cleveland, OH
May 20 Majestic Theater Detroit, MI
May 21 Phoenix Theatre Toronto, Ont
June 14 House of Blues Dallas, TX
June 15 House of Blues Houston, TX
June 16 The Aztec Theater San Antonio, TX
June 17 ACL Live Austin, TX
June 21 Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, NV
June 22 House of Blues San Diego, CA
June 23 Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
July 12 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
July 13 Artown Reno, NV
July 14 Roseland Theater Portland, OR
July 15 The Showbox Seattle, WA
More dates TBA
