The Revolution Announces Reunion Gigs

As promised, members of The Revolution are returning to the stage to pay tribute to Prince. The first confirmed dates are booked, naturally, in The Purple One’s hometown of Minneapolis.

A few days after Prince’s death, drummer Bobby Z, bassist Brown Mark, guitarist/vocalist Wendy Melvoin, keyboardist/vocalist Lisa Coleman, and keyboardist Dr. Fink posted a video online saying they planned on playing some shows together and that they would see fans soon.

The Minneapolis gigs are scheduled Sept. 2-3 at First Avenue. “An Evening with The Revolution” features special guests Dez Dickerson and André Cymone. Dickerson played guitar in Prince’s backing band from 1973-1983. Cymone backed Prince on bass from 1979-1981.  

“Only by playing for you, the fans, can we be Prince’s Revolution. He gives Us 2 oneanother now, as we all start to heal and fill forever emptiness with sound. 2gether, we are The Revolution,” the group said in a joint statement posted on the venue’s website.

The Revolution, which was active from 1979 to 1986, was featured on Prince’s 1999 and Around the World in a Day, along with the soundtrack albums Purple Rain and Parade.

“When we first spoke to The Revolution, and the conversation turned to a possible reunion, it only seemed natural to bring them to First Avenue – to bring them home,” venue general manager Nate Kranz said.

The group last performed at a 2012 American Heart Associated benefit concert. The Minneapolis Star Tribune notes that Dickerson also appeared at the reunion. 

Tickets for both shows go on sale July 8 at 11 a.m. CDT. VIP tickets are available. Visit First-Avenue.com for more information.