Prince - Why Did Prince Fire Alexander O'Neal?

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  • Опубліковано 25 бер 2023
  • In this episode, we discuss how one of the biggest R&B artists in the 1980s, Alexander O'Neal, got fired by Prince. What was the biggest want on O'Neal's wish list? What did O'Neal do that really upset Prince? Who did O'Neal try to defend, to his own detriment? Who came to O'Neal's rescue after what happened? Check out this video to find out.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 482

  • @dmoney668
    @dmoney668 Рік тому +58

    "If you were here tonight" is 1 of the best slowjams of all time

    • @mz.punkin7669
      @mz.punkin7669 Рік тому +5

      Yeees it was like listening to a soulful Opera he hit all those notes and the music was beautiful ❤

    • @sirjer73
      @sirjer73 Рік тому +2

      Ironically I believe Monty Moir from the Time wrote that classic!!!

    • @jamalsoward72
      @jamalsoward72 Рік тому +3

      ​@@mz.punkin7669 Alex had a little Frank Sinatra going in that song

    • @mz.punkin7669
      @mz.punkin7669 Рік тому +1

      @@jamalsoward72 That's for sure😉

    • @iyonlionofficial8372
      @iyonlionofficial8372 Рік тому

      100% classiccccc

  • @hillside4818
    @hillside4818 Рік тому +276

    Prince firing Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Alexander O’Neal was one of the best things to happen in black music. Those boys blessed us from the 80’s up until now. Everything happens for a reason.

  • @TheMidnightGrooveCollective
    @TheMidnightGrooveCollective Рік тому +138

    Alexander O’Neal had a better voice than Morris but I couldn’t imagine anyone else but Morris being the lead singer .

  • @leatricetodmann3299
    @leatricetodmann3299 Рік тому +37

    A O Neal is underrated he got hits,don't sleep on this cat.Innocent,Fake,Saturday Love with Cherelle,Sunshine,All True Man cmon now he got classic hits

  • @suzeesix
    @suzeesix Рік тому +82

    Prince was right. They only needed one drummer. If he hired Jellybean, Morris is out. I’d rather have Morris IN the band. Can you imagine Alexander O’Neal playing Morris’ part in Purple Rain?
    Prince made the right call and Alex went on to make it on his own.

    • @dwightlove3704
      @dwightlove3704 Рік тому +6

      @@thescribe3184 Yes O'Neal wasn't going to work for peanuts he started asking about money!!!!!

    • @darrylpowell8247
      @darrylpowell8247 Рік тому +2

      @@thescribe3184 if you say so.😂🤔

    • @anthonyewing457
      @anthonyewing457 Рік тому +8

      @@thescribe3184 wouldn’t have worked. The Time, particularly Morris, was just an alternate version of Prince. Alex couldn’t have done that. The Time was created along with Vanity 6, The Family, Maserati etc to release Prince music that Warner Brothers wouldn’t let Prince release. That’s why all of the music on their 1st few albums was written, performed and produced by Prince. Listen to The Originals album by Prince. It has the original versions of Jungle Love, Glamorous Life, Sex Shooter and other songs that Prince recorded before he gave them away. There aren’t many changes from his original version to what was released by his alter ego performers.

    • @balialharris7446
      @balialharris7446 Рік тому

      ​@Anthony Ewing Masarati wasn't Prince's band or creation, that was Mark's, Yes Prince gave them "Kiss" but took it back and that was the only song of thiers that was written by Prince the rest were a combination of Mark and various members.

    • @balialharris7446
      @balialharris7446 Рік тому +1

      ​@Tony That wasn't O'Neil's only problem, he was a "sugar booger" king and heavy partier, he even brought a small party/ practice space in St.Paul Minnesota, we used to go to back in the day and watch him and his band get it in and he had a D.j between sets, it was a lot of fun, but Prince had issues with Alexander lifestyle for sure like he did with Morris's partying but he and Morris were friends Alexander and Prince weren't, Alexander would end up in rehab on several instances.

  • @kevinlemelle5402
    @kevinlemelle5402 Рік тому +140

    Prince fired Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis became a great blessing.

    • @Kamkammmmm
      @Kamkammmmm Рік тому +8

      Most definitely!

    • @andrenaetrammell2711
      @andrenaetrammell2711 Рік тому +14

      So true Kev, If it hadn't been for that snow storm that hemmed them up...just think Janet Jackson would have never been in ..CONTROL! LOL! No Rythm Nation. Them missing that gig was IMO one of the most successful mistakes in music history! Peace!

    • @saj8
      @saj8 Рік тому +5

      ​@@andrenaetrammell2711 And had Janet not been introduced to Jimmy and Terry, history would have told a whole different story.

    • @exclamationpointman3852
      @exclamationpointman3852 Рік тому +3

      All throughout the music industry. It's really amazing how life is.

    • @selenaphillips6971
      @selenaphillips6971 Рік тому +13

      Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were stuck in Atlanta. The city shuts everything down(including the rental car places) when they get a small amount of snow, unlike Minnesota. They were producing SOS Band album. They contacted Prince and he gave them an ultimatum. Get to the concert gig or get fired. They were fired. Blessing in disguise.

  • @MrPTR91
    @MrPTR91 Рік тому +31

    Crazy! Glad everything worked out for both guys. Both had tremendous careers. RIP, Purple One...

  • @mrmiggedy123
    @mrmiggedy123 Рік тому +18

    The fact that Jam & Lewis went back & got their brother & kilt the game (fueled with get-back energy from Prince) is epic to me. They also kept Monte Moir, Jellybean & Jerome working too.

  • @kelpine89
    @kelpine89 Рік тому +19

    He was “criticized”😂😂

    • @crencottrell7849
      @crencottrell7849 Рік тому

      Funny enough it's the female singer who made the song a hit imo 😂

  • @edubb1luv100
    @edubb1luv100 Рік тому +64

    Glad O'Neal stood his ground!!

    • @cmarie6157
      @cmarie6157 Рік тому

      Stood his ground & became a drug addict.

    • @edubb1luv100
      @edubb1luv100 Рік тому

      @cmarie6157 🤣🤣🤣 another 1 that's all butt hurt cause O'Neal didn't kiss prince ass!!

    • @keneshiaallah795
      @keneshiaallah795 Рік тому +1

      I Couldn't See O'Neal Having It Any Other Way 😂😂😂😂😂😂
      He's A True Bo$$$ He Understood The Missions

  • @ROCKNROLLFAN
    @ROCKNROLLFAN Рік тому +77

    Alexander O Neal completely LIED on Prince because Jimmy jam set the record straight on the original 7ven documentary saying that during their meeting, Alex wanted MORE PAPER and how he wanted a HOUSE, A CAR and speaking in the 3rd person saying that Alex just need some things and finished it off by saying "now, let me throw down on this steak" and I dont blame Prince for getting up from the table and leaving because Prince himself didnt have all of that stuff yet and Alex actually talked himself out of the deal.

    • @lauraveney1412
      @lauraveney1412 Рік тому +11

      Say it again for people who love sob stories

    • @1brianfan
      @1brianfan Рік тому +1

      Right.

    • @kimberlyanita1006
      @kimberlyanita1006 Рік тому +8

      Why is that talking yourself out of a deal just because you want a house Car 💵 💰 he had a right to express his needs up front. He did that because he knew his worth. And Later became a STAR 🌟 AND HIS OWN MAN. At the end of the day he didn't need that little silly group/band and brought his own goods. And kept his name. Never having to have to write the artist formally known as and etc. So whatever

    • @SaturdayMorno86
      @SaturdayMorno86 Рік тому +2

      Well for one thing you have to remember Prince had just came out with three albums at the time and he was only 22 at the time well Alexander O'Neal was already grown man at 27 and we aren't talking about the Year 1980. Alexander O'Neal was thinking too much of himself so in reality Prince was a little intimidated by his request. The reality is it was a blessing in disguise because while Alexander O'Neal's star was rising thanks to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Prince's star hit started to fade once the 90's came around. Make no mistake Prince was still recording but it wasn't as major as his last two albums

    • @dorothyparker319
      @dorothyparker319 Рік тому +2

      You are absolutely right....thats how I heard it. Alex reminds me of the goodfellas after the heist was complete in the movie Goodfellas.
      Alex felt he deserved a advance on the money they hadnt made yet.

  • @tinytowz4471
    @tinytowz4471 Рік тому +45

    It seems as though Prince did to others what he, himself, fought against his parent company. Does anyone remember when Prince wore the word "Slave" on his own face?

    • @missy652
      @missy652 Рік тому +15

      Prince did nothing but expect everyone to be dependable as he expected of himself and if you couldn't do it, he always said, 'his door had no locks on it'. His parent company was not stellar, trying to manipulate him and he was not having it. People don't realize his heavy load and all the crap he was dealing with beyond his contract which in itself, in his mind was foul and rebuked them in any form til the end. He did what he needed to do and still became a legend. No one can ever take away his work ethic and commitment because he changed the game in many ways despite how people have tried to shade him.

    • @joycefinklea8234
      @joycefinklea8234 Рік тому +1

      Yes, he wore it demonstrating that the company didn't own him as a individual -- but some of the songs he had written😢

    • @seaor2k122
      @seaor2k122 Рік тому +1

      ​@Missy What did it profit him to gain the whole world and lose his soul?

    • @missy652
      @missy652 Рік тому +5

      @@seaor2k122 None of us can answer that even if we tried, especially not knowing how his soul was judged. That would be the decision of a higher power, right? Nice try tho.

    • @seaor2k122
      @seaor2k122 Рік тому

      @Missy His lifestyle didn't indicate that he was saved. I hope he repented and asked Christ into his life before he passed.

  • @lizzi437
    @lizzi437 Рік тому +126

    They can call it 'firing,' but O'Neal chose to work and live on his own terms. By not shutting up and instead asking questions pertinent to his livelihood and career, O'Neal demonstrated that he was not about to sell out in order to work closely with a highly talented narcissist. (I wish more people would choose like that!)

    • @koden24
      @koden24 Рік тому +16

      Ice Cube did the same thing with NWA! He would not settle for less!

    • @likeisaidjenkins3689
      @likeisaidjenkins3689 Рік тому +19

      Alexander O'Neal wanted a lot of money, cars, houses, etc. Alexander also had drug issues.

    • @koden24
      @koden24 Рік тому +3

      @@likeisaidjenkins3689 I concur!

    • @BadTV1993
      @BadTV1993 Рік тому +5

      @@likeisaidjenkins3689 yes, he, coming for MS and coming up poor, asked for a lot of it before he had put in the work agreed

    • @missy652
      @missy652 Рік тому +7

      Get real, he wasn't dependable because of his 'choices'. Bruh was fired.

  • @damemarthafalker6738
    @damemarthafalker6738 Рік тому +30

    That history is nuanced like all life experiences. Alexander O'Neal also had a warm-up routine he needed to do before he stepped to the mic. He had to warm up his vocals by doing push-ups among other exercises. Prince frowned upon this because he always wanted you to be 'on' and just jump right in at his command. No time for prepping. (I sing - and I don't see anything wrong with tuning up your vocals prior to a performance. As you get older, it becomes a must.) And when Alexander O'Neal released his 'All True Man' album, he was making snide remarks to Donny Simpson on 'BET Soul' about all the sissy boys out there with the girlie make-up, clothes and pumps. It didn't take a genius to realize some of that was an under-handed attack on Prince. So, Alexander O'Neal had his own moments of being petty, as well.

    • @Jeffmullen
      @Jeffmullen Рік тому +7

      I never saw Alex doing pushups before any concert back in the day but he was a very big muscled dude so maybe he snuck them in without any of us musicians seeing. I think the entire situation worked out for the best with those that love the music from all three camps.

    • @damemarthafalker6738
      @damemarthafalker6738 Рік тому +3

      @@Jeffmullen My great-grandmother was a Mullings. Mullen is a variation of the name used from the old country. Is your family from Scotland or Ireland?

    • @Jeffmullen
      @Jeffmullen Рік тому +3

      @@damemarthafalker6738 Scotland and more historically recently speaking England

    • @damemarthafalker6738
      @damemarthafalker6738 Рік тому +2

      @@Jeffmullen Quite possible we may have shared a great grandparent some generations back.

    • @mjpeter3964
      @mjpeter3964 Рік тому +2

      Thank you for these insights, Dame. Prince always riled my spirit. He just seemed like the ultimate tiny jerk. LOL! Love most of his music, though.

  • @janetjones5959
    @janetjones5959 Рік тому +15

    What's Missing and All True Man 🙌🙌🙌

  • @1968dogg
    @1968dogg Рік тому +13

    My quadriplegic granny: there are 3 sides to every story--ur side/my side/the truth. . .

  • @kerrylanecartwright8575
    @kerrylanecartwright8575 Рік тому +34

    Alexander you are and were a cold blooded singer you made it firing you was a blessing brother love your voice ♥

  • @HightopRob
    @HightopRob Рік тому +9

    Alexander O' Neal's eponymous 1st album should come out on stream

  • @kelgreen99
    @kelgreen99 Рік тому +12

    Talented as he was, Prince was SOOOPER controlling in both in his business & personal life. Everyone isn't willing to put up with that!😊

    • @carolynbratton7827
      @carolynbratton7827 Рік тому +3

      And he also seemed to enjoy being so rude and arrogant towards others.

    • @kelgreen99
      @kelgreen99 Рік тому

      @@carolynbratton7827 Short man's syndrome.😐

    • @pedward323
      @pedward323 Рік тому

      You have these newbies who do not get all this or his nasty,arrogant behavior toward other artist.They also do not get as big as Prince got after Purple Rain their was many artist bigger then him but unlike them he had famous hanger on friends who treated him as a God.I saw Ron Isley in a interview and as nice as he could said when he was introduced to him around that time he saw Prince as being into the Hollywood thing.
      After Eddie Murphy introduced him to Prince and I took this as him being arrogant,when he met this great artist,legend was dismissive towards him and tripping.Some Prince fans seemed upset because Isley was asked about sone of the great artist he has met and the interviewer brought up Prince after he made great comments about Micheal when he met him .What Prince did not get is as much as he lived Hendrix and it showed up big time in his music,presentation as a artist he could have asked this great legend not only about his artistry for decades, but Hendrix was in a band with them,lived with them mask he had to have great stories about him ,which was why Ernie became the great guitarist he is being he idolized him as a young boy.

  • @davidg7136
    @davidg7136 Рік тому

    Thank you for this super interesting story! You narrated this very well!

  • @cindeed4422
    @cindeed4422 Рік тому +6

    O’Neil and Charelle were the Marvin and Tammy of the 80’s

  • @AMERILOGIC
    @AMERILOGIC Рік тому +42

    Prince couldn't control Alexander, Alexander had street in him. Prince can't handle Mr.O'Neal .

    • @saj8
      @saj8 Рік тому +4

      Isn't Prince from North Minneapolis?

    • @lauraveney1412
      @lauraveney1412 Рік тому +3

      He did not to Hadley him he moved the fuck on

    • @joannabmarketing
      @joannabmarketing Рік тому +1

      true

    • @Dracula249
      @Dracula249 Рік тому +6

      THE REAL TRUTH IS ALEXANDER WASNT THE RIGHT LOOK TO BE A FRONT MAN, PRINCE WANTED A MORE LIGHT SKIN FRONT MAN AND MORRIS WORKED OUT GREAT

    • @4everyoung869
      @4everyoung869 Рік тому +2

      Street= irresponsible men

  • @idonthavemonkey
    @idonthavemonkey Рік тому +5

    All's well that ends well. My only regret is that Alexander and Cherelle didn't do more duets. They shoulda been the Marvin and Tammy of the 80's.

    • @KNByam
      @KNByam Рік тому

      She died too young.

  • @tb22k
    @tb22k Рік тому +1

    Thank you for show us this ❤

  • @platinumone1159
    @platinumone1159 Рік тому +2

    I love your videos, good chill relaxing music, excellent content, keep up the great work.

  • @vanessa4u4evr
    @vanessa4u4evr Рік тому +6

    Prince was always firing people. He also fired Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who in turn ended up being the top producers in the industry for several years. They turned Janet Jackson into a superstar and won several Grammys. That was a sweet revenge for them.

  • @KevinAgot
    @KevinAgot Рік тому +2

    I’ve been a fan of Prince since his first album, way before Purple Rain. I didn’t know this history. I just subbed and look forward to checking out your other vids.

  • @tooblessed573
    @tooblessed573 Рік тому +26

    Yeah I heard Prince was something else smh

  • @aliaswizard6963
    @aliaswizard6963 Рік тому +8

    All God's will. All of those men are Legends. They did not need each other so all is well. Sometimes things are meant to be a certain way. I don't think anybody got physically assaulted or anything like that so it's history now. 💯

  • @luvrrg1rl
    @luvrrg1rl Рік тому +43

    the story in this video is clearly told with an agenda to paint prince in a particular light. you can tell people have not watched any of the many jimmy and terry interviews telling this story or morris telling the story because they all describe it the same way. alex had a huge ego also and was very disrespectful in the beginning which is why he was replaced with morris. and prince put jellybean in the band mainly because jellybean and morris were best friends since kids, and in order for morris to feel comfortable up front, he wanted his friend taking his place on drums.
    prince threw alex out before they even got a record deal, so he was never _hired_ to have been _fired_ . and i love and appreciate alex’s music, but he has been known to lie on prince before with his one rendition of the reason why he was “fired” being that he was “too dark” when more than half the band was made up of dark skinned black men so that is obviously false.
    watch the documentary that came with the condensate album. there are so many references refuting this story from people who know both sides. i don’t know why all of a sudden it is a trend on here to make a deceased music legend out to be a villain in videos half retelling 35-40+ year old incidences.

    • @reginafris6822
      @reginafris6822 Рік тому

      Thanks! The second I read " hired" I shook my head. O'Neill was the petty one.

  • @jahmenj
    @jahmenj Рік тому +1

    That was very entertaining because you made me laugh.
    Thanks 🙏🏽

  • @rogers5588
    @rogers5588 Рік тому +21

    Iam a advid Prince fan for years and this is the first time I have heard the story told this way!!!!! Even his version of how Prince fired Jimmy and Terry is suspect!!!

    • @steveosborne377
      @steveosborne377 Рік тому +9

      This makes perfect sense. As a band member myself I can tell you one thing about both Prince and Alexander. They both have tremendous egos.

    • @chica4530
      @chica4530 Рік тому +3

      Because this guy just makes up information or he just doesn't do any real research. This information is so WRONG and a waste of time and people listening to this believe it. SMH

    • @rogers5588
      @rogers5588 Рік тому +5

      I agree and the other thing is I remember watching a interview with Morris Day and it didn't even tell this story any where near what this guy is saying!!! I am so sick of people who claim to be real Prince fans and they are nor!!!!!!

    • @jsutigers8954
      @jsutigers8954 Рік тому

      @@rogers5588 💯

  • @laurdessvalentino5849
    @laurdessvalentino5849 Рік тому +2

    Finally, a video with substance and class. I am looking forward to more videos from you.

  • @konstantgrowth7551
    @konstantgrowth7551 Рік тому +1

    Oh that's really dope That was refreshing, Loved your breakdown on this whole situation.. This reminds me of radio scope back in the day. Really great editorial or program should I say. Like the way you put the coincidental humor at the end. I loved all those groups Alexander O'Neill and cherelle really used to rock out to and my 10 years I love their music I loved his voice needless to say Jimmy jam and Terry Lewis went on to show it their contributions were to music overall and we all know with Prince and the time What a beautiful life to have experienced all this good music.

  • @rodjoseph5424
    @rodjoseph5424 Рік тому

    You got the voice, the content and they are short just like people like them. Just keep it up and you will hit the moon!

  • @gsprings43
    @gsprings43 Рік тому +6

    prince for sure was a my way or the highway type person

  • @kentworrell3725
    @kentworrell3725 9 місяців тому +1

    Alexander O'Neil have one of the best Christmas Albums to come out of the 80's , period!

  • @saj8
    @saj8 Рік тому +8

    It's a good thing Alex went solo because Prince didn't appreciate Jellybean's talent.

  • @exclamationpointman3852
    @exclamationpointman3852 Рік тому +7

    Wow! I must admit, Minneapolis gave us some powerhouse musicians! I mean, this is incredible!

    • @exclamationpointman3852
      @exclamationpointman3852 Рік тому +1

      GOD bless Minneapolis and please don't let Satan destroy it in the name of JESUS CHRIST.

    • @jodizzle6321
      @jodizzle6321 Рік тому +2

      O'Neal is actually from Mississippi (my home state).

  • @MrKingoverall
    @MrKingoverall Рік тому +3

    "Sentimental " is my favorite O'Neal song. 👌

  • @winfredtreece9699
    @winfredtreece9699 Рік тому +2

    The story I've ALWAYS heard was the band (The Time) was developed because Morris Day wrote a song called " Party Up" and Prince liked it and wanted it and offered Morris money or the would put together a band. Morris chose the band, and they started putting together The Time. And yes, Morris was gonna be the drummer, and when Prince fired O'Neal, they needed a singer, and Prince told Morris to do it. Morris didn't want to be the front man, but was talked into it, and that's how Jelly Bean became the drummer ( he actually a guitarist and REALLY GOOD), and rest is history

  • @scotcoker153
    @scotcoker153 Рік тому +1

    Alex still in my rotation to dis day pssst cnt tell me nutn🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @dawudabdullaah6977
    @dawudabdullaah6977 5 місяців тому +1

    Point of clarification: Alexander O'Neals' best song, IF YOU WERE HERE TONIGHT is not a Jam & Lewis song. It's by Monte Moir, who was also a member of The Time (the white dude).

  • @gsprings43
    @gsprings43 Рік тому +6

    prince ran his ship with a iron claw,,,kinda reminds me of stories i heard about how james brown ran his ship

  • @domigriffin340
    @domigriffin340 Рік тому +8

    The sound of the time would of been totally different if Alexander had of stayed.vocally he is much stronger and more soulful than morris . Aldo imagine what paisley park productions would of been if prince had jam and Lewis , Jesse Johnson and the rest of the time as in house producers .paisley park could of been one of the biggest labels

  • @jahleeleli3280
    @jahleeleli3280 Рік тому +2

    I loved the genius of Prince & his musical mastery, but he could've built an even stronger legacy with all of the talent around him (the exiled others) remaining in the fold.

    • @Nardo-ws7hd
      @Nardo-ws7hd Рік тому

      Yes!!...That's what Jesse said 35 yrs ago...Little dude was so afraid and jealous of anyone of his peers to become more talented than him so he'd stop their growth and kept them as small as possible...Prince didn't share the money, the spot light, nor the writing credits and recognition...He didn't want people or the fans to like anyone else but him!.....He became a prisoner & a slave to his on selfishness and creations....Look at it....Prince ran off all of his real friends out of life by doing them wrong, That's why his death ended up being just like it was...very confused & chaos to his family, friends & fans 🎼✌🤎✊

  • @TheRetroWoman80
    @TheRetroWoman80 Рік тому +6

    "If you don't have anything nice to say about somebody, don't say anything at all." A very difficult concept to grasp and action to employ by many today...but it is so very easy once you put it into daily practice. Even if you know what someone's character is like, why waste your precious time and energy on publicly disparaging them? Go live your life.

    • @JukuduB
      @JukuduB Рік тому +2

      Because everyone is not an angel and people would like to tell what happened in their own life EXACTLY as it happened.

  • @jminor318
    @jminor318 Рік тому +10

    This was Prince behavior and tendency with every single person that was ONCE close to him. 😏

  • @moby1017
    @moby1017 Рік тому +3

    Alexander also referred to himself in the 3rd person. That says a lot about a person. Prince was the Alpha in Minneapolis. But AO's vocals were on point and I think he would have fronted a 'black" band. Prince understood marketing very well. There is some truth about the race thing. Meaning The Time would be more marketable with a light skinned lead. Also, The Time with AO would effect how audience's saw Prince as a commodity. It's show BUSINESS. That said, I think AO in the lead and Morris on the drums would have been a band that blew away any contemporary. Ahhh Ego's.

    • @Nardo-ws7hd
      @Nardo-ws7hd Рік тому +1

      🙄😏I hope I can comment on this without upsetting anyone...Alexander is not a real good talented singer, as we thought he was??...I'm a big fan of his recordings but live performances not so but I still enjoy it...Alex could get a little lazy at time, He had bad habits, He's very short winded & his vocals are very pitchy in live shows, Jam said back in Flyte Tyme days Alex would forget the lyrics when he's singing, so every night there's new words to the songs, not one song every stayed the same😂😂...he done made a new song with the same music every night😁.....So where's the talent?...Well the talent is he's a hustler and truthfully Prince didn't care about his singing, Because Prince's songs require no skills, It wasn't written for vocalist...He just needed a front man and Alex have the courage to be on the mic...Alex don't write, don't dance nor play instruments....Prince and The Time was doing all the work....On Alex being dark skin or too "Black" for the band to be market?...NO!...All of their songs is written for the R&B charts...He wrote their songs to be Funky...Morris didn't become the front man because of his skin complexion...Morris never wanted that job...Prince didn't have time and Morris didn't have another singer...Warner Bros. was waiting...So Morris was forced to be on the mic...If he wants this thing to work...Skin color played no parts with any market strategy or Alex....It was Alex's "Demeanor"...Alex is from the southern states...He's 6ft and played football in school in the 60's..You know those southern boys ain't into that weird freaky shit what Prince was doing...like wearing heels & pantyhose....Hell that dam Lil Richard was enough😂😂🤣...Alex moved to my city Da Chi before go to Minneapolis...So his demeanor was a little to rough for Prince's ideas they never seen eye to eye at that restaurant meeting...He demanded that Michael Jackson paper! 😁...Alex couldn't eat food without drowning it with hot sauce😂Not even a bag of chips😁..he's too hood😂....So that's how it all went down...🤎✌✊🎼

    • @davidbrown5168
      @davidbrown5168 Рік тому

      @@Nardo-ws7hd ppl

  • @joannabmarketing
    @joannabmarketing Рік тому +5

    Wow, you narrated this so well; I enjoyed listening and will watch more of your videos. I didn't know Morris played drums, too!! I never heard all this before. Well, Alexander was a very different type of artist anyway. Absolutely love his voice and him and Cherrelle were no joke!! No it wasn't at all nice or professional in the way that Prince handled it. At that time, he was a real shinning star after his Purple Rain movie and album and was apparently acting in a superior type of way. May he rest in peace. I'm glad Alexander let that help him propel himself in his music career. Also, I hope he's doing well.

    • @Nardo-ws7hd
      @Nardo-ws7hd Рік тому +1

      Yeah..Morris, Cymone & Prince played in the same band together....Morris played drums & sung on Vanity's 1984 song "Mechanical Emotion" enjoy 🎶

    • @joannabmarketing
      @joannabmarketing Рік тому +1

      @@Nardo-ws7hd oh didn't know all of this either! Thank you! Have a good week. 🙂

  • @trece4470
    @trece4470 Рік тому +4

    Minneapolis finest ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @mz.punkin7669
    @mz.punkin7669 Рік тому

    When I use to bartend I played music for my customers when I played A broken Heart can mend everyone in the bar would start singing. In the 2023 that song is a icon. When one door closes God opens a Window.

  • @Jaydawg562
    @Jaydawg562 5 місяців тому

    Man this worked out perfectly for everyone in the end. Morris Day got to shine and Alexander O Neal got to shine on his own

  • @kevinpayton2664
    @kevinpayton2664 Рік тому +22

    Well Alexander O'Neal went on to have a very successful solo career so things did work out for him.

    • @lauraveney1412
      @lauraveney1412 Рік тому +3

      No he did not

    • @polyprinz
      @polyprinz Рік тому

      He did not.

    • @kevinpayton2664
      @kevinpayton2664 Рік тому

      @@polyprinz At least a decent solo career

    • @shalonrivers6732
      @shalonrivers6732 Рік тому

      Ummm, Alexander is a crackhead…excuse me, recovering crackhead since 1987 🫤

    • @mikeatturnpike
      @mikeatturnpike Рік тому

      He had a very good solo career. Five top five R&B hits, including a number one. Several Top 40 Pop hits and uk hits as well. A series of lower charting singles as well. And he toured consistently in the US, UK, rest of Europe and Japan.

  • @orlandojohnson5742
    @orlandojohnson5742 Рік тому

    Everything happened the way it did for a reason! Look at what we got from each group member & solo career!
    Flyte time put out some killer songs, Prince did , & also Jessie had some good stuff to enjoy too! MorrisDay…. & The Time too(With or without Prince hidden in the background)!
    They got along off the stage better than many know! They miss Prince passing too I’m sure! There is business before pleasure too sometimes!
    Andre Simone(prob misspelled) had some good songs too etc!
    A friend of mine back home & a relative we’re crazy about their music! I love the Minneapolis sound of the 80’s-90’s plus! Listen to it still today!

  • @jupiterjohnson7191
    @jupiterjohnson7191 7 місяців тому

    I just discovered who Alexander O’Neal was! An incredible singer! The universe works in mysterious ways!

  • @falanajerido875
    @falanajerido875 Рік тому

    Yes what he thought was a curse came out a blessings look how great there music is thank Prince

  • @CertifiedLeeHawkins
    @CertifiedLeeHawkins Рік тому

    I always thought it was drugs! Thanks for this clarifying video!

  • @goat1408
    @goat1408 Рік тому +1

    That thumbnail😂😂😂😂

  • @lisabrightly
    @lisabrightly Рік тому +9

    I just love Alexander O Neil! 🥰

  • @stevendaron7316
    @stevendaron7316 Рік тому +1

    I can’t lie I’m getting tired of pages where people post information that’s already on UA-cam. These people aren’t reading anything so they have no purpose in this space but to scam you out of your time smh

  • @frankwhite1650
    @frankwhite1650 Рік тому

    I saw Alexander O'Neal in person. I will never get that wasted time back.

  • @robertabaka1908
    @robertabaka1908 Рік тому +5

    He was never hired.

    • @paisleyprincess7996
      @paisleyprincess7996 Рік тому +1

      Because he was a king money questions and he didn’t even audition!

  • @Christopher0632
    @Christopher0632 Рік тому +5

    Who didn't Prince fire? LOL

  • @dominiquejones928
    @dominiquejones928 Рік тому

    Wow it’s crazy this video popped on my timeline, Alexander O’Neal, this is my Grandmother nephew, which he is my cousin

  • @daddyslaggy8606
    @daddyslaggy8606 Рік тому +1

    It’s was the right thing to do for both of them ,I can totally see Prince doing exactly what O’Neil said he did and having watched a lot of biopics from that around that time I saw a lot of situations like that and those bands who failed to address those issues earlier on ended up having those terrible band splits etc

  • @thatguymcfly2835
    @thatguymcfly2835 Рік тому +8

    Alexander O'Neal made the greatest Christmas album ever!!!!

    • @joannabmarketing
      @joannabmarketing Рік тому +1

      wow, didn't know he made one!

    • @tavoiceful
      @tavoiceful Рік тому +1

      ...along with Con Funk Shun's christmas album!!

  • @yoshluv7
    @yoshluv7 Рік тому +8

    I love me some Alexander O'Neal!!!!!!

  • @janiceaviles2226
    @janiceaviles2226 Рік тому

    NEW SUBSCRIBER HERE 😁😀✌️

  • @platinumone1159
    @platinumone1159 Рік тому

    oh yeah, and great investigative reporting.

  • @timbattle4035
    @timbattle4035 Рік тому +1

    What's your source bruh. I neva heard this side of the story. I've had my ears open since it all went down in the 80's.
    Me and my boss talked about this same subject last week. How do I just trust you.

  • @keeper3036
    @keeper3036 Рік тому

    🤣😂I can totally imagine all of this RIP Prince😍💓

  • @undisputedtruth4954
    @undisputedtruth4954 Рік тому +1

    Everything worked out for everyone. It's All good.

  • @johnnwako2488
    @johnnwako2488 Рік тому

    An important factor seems to be missing in this interesting exposition: The direction the music was going to take with regards to style!
    Prince was very funky in the beginning of his career, before he broke through commercially (in 1983). But then he chose less funk and more rock in his music - thereby he was reaching out to a larger audience, a rather mainstream audience instead of a rather black audience.
    It's evident that Alexander O'Neal was the one musical artist that would fit the least in Prince' more commercial music with all the elements from rock music - no wonder that the (successful) music of the, so to speak, 2 Prince fractions, became so different: many rock elements in the music of Prince, and hardly any in the music of O'Neal (and Jam and Lewis).

  • @hasanicoward4425
    @hasanicoward4425 Рік тому +2

    I believe Prince was a genius and could tell who he could work with some forget later when he wrote the song Round and Round for Tevin Campbell he was working with another group and they were creative just every band including The Time were talented

  • @seansimon6119
    @seansimon6119 Рік тому +1

    No my brother , I didn't exactly happen that way and it wasn't that many albums by Prince . No sir !!!!!!!!! But good story indeed .

  • @troywells5532
    @troywells5532 Рік тому +1

    All These BROTHA Brought Something To Our Tables! They We,re & Still Are C.o.o.L!😎

  • @OutLawJames808
    @OutLawJames808 Рік тому

    He helped them out by firing them they went on to do so much sometimes things that hurt turn in to a blessing

  • @Dee9158
    @Dee9158 Рік тому +13

    Alex was right Prince treated those guys bad and didn't want to pay them

    • @suzeesix
      @suzeesix Рік тому +8

      They got paid from the music Prince wrote though.
      Think of it this way. Morris got 4 alb, a movie, a tv series and 40 years of touring because of the music Prince wrote AND RECORDED for him. I’d say he made out pretty well.
      Jam And Lewis credit Prince TO THIS DAY for making them better artists.
      He (and WB) definitely underpaid them but in the long run, they made a lot of money and had longer careers because of Prince , who wrote, produced and played every instrument on the songs that put them on the map.

    • @darrylpowell8247
      @darrylpowell8247 Рік тому +7

      Prince was a hard azz. But calm storms do not make a experienced ship captain.
      Everybody became better performers because of Prince's work ethic.

    • @lauraveney1412
      @lauraveney1412 Рік тому +2

      They knew what they were getting paid when they went out on the road and they did not write any songs but they are still performing them abd making money

    • @joannabmarketing
      @joannabmarketing Рік тому +1

      Really?? I never heard that before.

    • @n34z3r
      @n34z3r Рік тому +1

      ​@@suzeesix 🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @Caramel923
    @Caramel923 Рік тому

    I saw Alexander Oneal perform in Seattle maybe 7 years ago. I believe he has been living in the UK. I wonder why he left the country. Does anybody know?

  • @MsDisneylandlover
    @MsDisneylandlover Рік тому

    Love him

  • @DOKKKSTRANGE
    @DOKKKSTRANGE Рік тому

    isn't he singing at the end of Everything I Miss At Home?

  • @cellmate1
    @cellmate1 Рік тому +1

    It worked out for everybody

  • @liviaforeign6630
    @liviaforeign6630 Рік тому

    🎶If you were herrrrrre, you would know what I mean to sayyy -ay -ay-ay🎶 Love that song

  • @kristabene
    @kristabene Рік тому

    Loved me some Prince. Savvy business man indeed

  • @cynthialowery1063
    @cynthialowery1063 Рік тому +1

    I think anyone would agree, as a Boss, you make Boss moves… You don’t hire someone to come in your house who wants to also be the Boss, I think this was less about money, than control! Jimmy Jam has said what I felt concerning Prince firing them…Prince freed them, so they could freely be who they were destined to be, O’neal was cocky and needed his own venue…Prince made the right choice for all involved…I never knew any of this about O’neal until recently, never knew he had any connection to Prince, yet I adored Prince and O’neal never stood out to me at all…Im happy for O’neal in finding his own path in music…However, when you look at the bigger picture in music comparison analogy Prince was a King, O’neal a court member…as far as, Prince blackness you can listen to his music and know he was a proud Black man and used his platform to help elevate us as a people..sounds to me O’neal had issue with his own complexion that’s an issue he needs to heal in hisself!!!

  • @jody1music
    @jody1music Рік тому +3

    Alexander (Nevermind)

  • @batmandestroys1978
    @batmandestroys1978 Рік тому +1

    He fired Wendy, Lisa, and Bobby Z, including disbanding the Revolution in 1986! This was pure madness!

  • @MrAdditionelle
    @MrAdditionelle 5 місяців тому

    Thank God that he was fired! His solo work is the best Jam & Lewis work out there!

  • @teronnierichardson4374
    @teronnierichardson4374 Рік тому

    Dang

  • @BBroadnax
    @BBroadnax Рік тому

    Maaan, that dude could SING!

  • @sirusmasters3586
    @sirusmasters3586 Рік тому

    LMAOOO at Prince😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂

  • @Hohner1973
    @Hohner1973 Рік тому

    A battle of egos with the one having the most leverage winning ….

  • @robertjones8771
    @robertjones8771 Рік тому +2

    🙏🏾❤️💪🏾🎤

  • @Adarkguy
    @Adarkguy Рік тому

    I love Alexander O’Neal music

  • @AvoidsPikes-
    @AvoidsPikes- Рік тому

    I'm very glad that everything turned out well for Alexander O'Neal. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are like talented lucky cats -everything seems to go well for them.

    • @michaelspeaks4398
      @michaelspeaks4398 Рік тому

      Luck has no bearing on those guys, it's pure Gifts and talents
      not superstition....They got it and they created it hit by hit..consistently

  • @yjwalk
    @yjwalk Рік тому +2

    I don’t think here actually hired him in the first place

  • @vivian6204
    @vivian6204 Рік тому

    I saw O'Neal on t.v , maybe an award show or something, he was singing, hitting the hi notes and his teeth fell out of his mouth. The entire audience laughed him off the stage.

  • @kylechristian7232
    @kylechristian7232 Рік тому

    🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 O Zander needed a few Thangs A House and thangs a pool and Thangs A Car and Thangs 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @philsophkenny
    @philsophkenny Рік тому

    😮