Bobby Z

Musician/Producer/Radio Host

[Melodies & Masterpieces @SVG__Collection]

44 years ago today, “1999” by Prince was released.

[Classic Rock In Pics @crockpics]

Prince gathered backstage with his touring unit during the legendary 1999 Tour between late 1982 and early 1983. Flanked by Brown Mark, Dr. Fink, Dez Dickerson, Lisa Coleman, and Bobby Z, Prince stood in full ruffle-shirt and striped-trouser glory right as 1999 and Little Red Corvette were breaking wide open on MTV and top-40 radio.

🎸 1999 was Prince's breakthrough double album. What is your favorite track from that landmark 1982 record? 🎸 👇️

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

@Baron3121 “Confusion” ending only done once. Confusion is actually very intricate.

[bArON3121 @Baron3121]

I Wanna Be Your Lover

Released as a SINGLE

AUGUST 24, 1979

#PRINCE #PRINCE4EVER

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

Frank Beard, the longtime, hard-shuffling drummer for Texas rock greats ZZ Top, has died at age 77
https://t.co/XdKMNBiWp7

[Funkatopia @funkatopia]

NAME THAT FAVORITE TRACK! 41 Years Ago in 1985 in the U.K., Prince put together an amazing album with some incredible musicians and called them The Family. It would be released a week later in the U.S.. This has long been considered one of his greatest "protege" releases, but the amount of drama and mystique around this album is palpable.

The actual band consisted of Prince, St. Paul Peterson, Susannah Melvoin, and making his first appearance on a Prince album, Eric Leeds. Also featured on the album were Wendy Melvoin playing guitar on Yes, and another debut for orchestrator Clare Fischer. Credited on paper, but not involved in the album recording were Jellybean Johnson, Miko Weaver, and Jerome Benton.

This album had plenty of stories to go around including the song Feline being pulled off due to Paul having issue with lyrical content. Some lyrics of which found their way over to Sheila E's Holly Rock. Paul was also not very excited about the track You're My Love which ended up being a hit for Kenny Rogers.

But the album had raves of its own, like the historic (and original) Nothing Compares 2 U, High Fashion, Mutiny, and even the breakout single Screams of Passion.

Additionally, many songs ended up getting restructured or renamed before release. For instance, the track Lisa became Yes, and Mazerati (a song title, not the band or car. Both of which are spelled differently) became Susannah’s Pajamas. Some tracks also considered for the album were 100 MPH (can you imagine!), and the still unreleased tracks like Feline, I Don't Wanna Stop, and Rough.

All of the songs were penned by Prince with exception to River Run Dry written by Bobby Z. Eric Leeds also received co-writing credit for the songs he performed on. But wow, what an album.

High Fashion (5:06)
Mutiny (3:57)
The Screams Of Passion (5:26)
Yes (4:27)
River Run Dry (3:31)
Nothing Compares 2 U (4:31)
Susannah’s Pajamas (3:58)
Desire (4:58)

[Glam-Slam-Escape @GlamSlamEscape]

August 12th 1985 The Family album is released. Possibly our favourite Paisley Park project, with 7 of the 8 tracks being written by Prince (River Run Dry was written by Bobby Z). Prince also played most of the instruments on the recording with saxophone by Eric Leeds and string orchestration by Clare Fischer all topped of with beautiful vocals provided by St. Paul Peterson and Susannah Melvoin 💜 Read more about the release in the 2Day section of our website https://t.co/jMUrR8GxqC
#Prince #Prince4Ever #PaisleyPark #PrinceLegacy @PaisleyPark @prince

[Jon Bream @jonbream]

David Rivkin, architect of ‘Minneapolis Sound,’ dies at 78. He was instrumental in careers of @prince, Funkytown, @jonnylang, the Jets, @jodywatley, Fine Young Cannibals, more. Won 2 Grammys w @ettajames. Master of studio gizmos who didnt hype his work. https://t.co/vziMbA7chc

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

@LondellMcMillan @PaisleyPark @prince Thank you @LondellMcMillan for all your hard work! It was a Celebration worthy of #Prince!

[Paisley Park @PaisleyPark]

PRINCE CELEBRATION OF LIFE CONCERT - ICONS UNITE

FRIDAY 6/5.💜 PRINCE Celebration 10th Year Anniversary Concert feat members of NPG & The Revolution + Morris Day, Miguel, Tevin Campbell & MORE!

Tickets on Ticketmaster
https://t.co/ZUDOUtOIhV

[H A S S A N @Neo_Manifesto]

Prince
Electric Intercourse
Live at First Avenue
August 3rd 1983

"Electric is my body, baby
I'll shock U with my lips
Darling, don't U know
Your Technicolor climax is at my fingertips?"

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

@Baron3121 @stpaulpeterson @iamjeromebenton Film by my brother Stephen E. Rivkin
https://t.co/22GNFdw9fU

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

@DCO754 @Baron3121 Yes.

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

See U there!

[Paisley Park @PaisleyPark]

PRINCE CELEBRATION 2026 💜
10th Year Anniversary Celebration of Life Round 1 lineup is here.

June 3–7 | Paisley Park + Downtown Minneapolis

VIP & GA on sale now — link in bio 🎟️
Single concert tickets April 22 (Earth Day)

Full schedule drops May 5

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

#Beatles #Prince

[The Beatles @thebeatles]

Chills 😮‍💨

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

Dr. Frankenstein’s project was deemed a success when the monster left Transylvania and signed with the Montreal Canadiens.

[Variety @Variety]

Chuck Negron, Three Dog Night Co-Founder Who Sang 'Joy to the World' and Other Smashes, Dies at 83 https://t.co/hUbDcEu75Q

[GINO A.VANNELLI @DuretteGino]

PRINCE - DO ME BABY ( LIVE THE SUMMIT 1981)

[Bobby Z @BobbyZ1999]

@DeRushaJ Very sad news.