April 28, 2017
The last time Matt Fink, better known as "Doctor Fink," spoke with Prince was three years before the iconic musician died last April. According to The Revolution’s keyboardist, Prince was talking about reforming the band for an album and tour.
“Prince said to me in his studio, ‘I’m thinking about bringing back The Revolution,'” Fink recalled. "I told him that I was waiting to hear that for a long time.”
The Revolution has reformed, but the backing unit never had the chance to jam with Prince over recent years.
“It’s a shame that he’s gone, but at least we’re back doing our thing again,” Fink said during a recent interview.
“We’re playing his music. The Revolution is back.”
The Revolution, which will perform Saturday and Sunday at the Theater of Living Arts, will play the hits.
“People want to hear those songs and we want to play them,” Fink said. “Those songs make you feel good.”
Each member of The Revolution – Fink, percussionist Bobby Z, guitarist Wendy Melvoin, keyboardist Lisa Coleman, and bassist Mark Brown will take turns singing. “Little Red Corvette,’ “Purple Rain” and “Let’s Go Crazy” are some of the hits which will be delivered.
“The more we play, the odds are that you’ll hear deeper tracks like “Lady Cab Driver,” Fink said.
“We’re not doing that yet, but we will open it up. It’s a celebration of Prince, who was one of a kind.”
Fink believes there are two reasons why Prince became one of the most significant recording artists of the last generation. “It all started with his family,” Fink said.
“His father was very musical. Prince grew up with music. But he also was the hardest worker. He was never satisfied. He had to stay until he got it right. Sure, Prince had talent, but the fact that he outworked everybody made such a difference.”
Fink joined The Revolution, which backed Prince during his salad days, in 1978. The Revolution continued until 1986.
“It was unbelievable,” Fink said. “So many great records were made during that period.”
Fink was on board when the 7-time Grammy winner created some of his greatest albums. 1980’s audacious “Dirty Mind,” 1981’s playful and funky “Controversy,” 1982’s amalgam of funk, rock and soul “1999,” and the ambitious, celebratory masterwork “Purple Rain,” which, along with the movie of the same name, made the diminutive genius a superstar in 1984.
It was like a dream come true. We knew our experience was once in a lifetime. We played music that had to be heard. The masses embraced it.”
“It was so exciting for all of us working with him,” Fink said.
“It was like a dream come true. We knew our experience was once in a lifetime. We played music that had to be heard. The masses embraced it.”
Fink still can’t believe that Prince is gone.
“It’s still shocking,” Fink said. “I remember when it was confirmed, and I felt like I left my body. Prince was so young and he had so much music left in him. But, fortunately, he left a lot of music behind and we’re going to remind everybody who comes out that he created some amazing material. We’re honoring a man who felt he had something to prove. He had epilepsy as a child. Prince was short and people teased him at school. He wanted to show everybody. He looked inward, worked hard and showed us all that he was a true genius.”
