New Power Generation – Celebrating Prince

The late Prince was immensely proud of his band New Power Generation but with his passing, fans’ enjoyment of Prince’s music does not have to end. NPG continues to tour and give the followers what they want, namely the thrill, colour and vivacity of The Purple One’s songbook….there is the precedent of the Sun Ra Arkestra , now led by Marshall Allen after the death of Herman Blount aka Sun Ra.

But who are New Power Generation? I met Prince in his heyday (just before a Wembley show) but how did the ensemble get on with him? The longest-running member of the NPG, keyboardist Morris Hayes, who also served as Prince’s Musical Director for many years, was asked to do the same job for the official tribute concert held in honour of the legendary artist. Hayes brought the original band members back together to serve as the house band (where they were joined by many other musicians throughout the night) for the epic musical celebration. The response was overwhelming in favour of bringing a scaled down version of the musical tribute to other cities around the world. Soon after that historic 2016 memorial show, the band reunited and joined forces with other world class musicians, singers and artists to present their own tribute to their legendary mentor and brother, Prince.

Current NPG touring band members comprise Lead vocals: Mackenzie (newest member of the band joining in 2018) // Guest co-lead vocals: Kip Blackshire // MD, keyboards: Morris Hayes (longest serving member)// Keyboards: Tommy Barbarella (1990)// Drums: Kirk Johnson (1990) // Bass: Sonny T (1990) // Guitar: Homer O’Dell (Grammy nominated Mint Condition) // Rap/Guitar/Dance: Tony M (1990)// Percussion/Dance: Damon D (1990).

We spoke with keyboard ace Morris Hayes about his own style and the workings of the group as they gear up to play live in London…

Thanks for your time, Morris.

It’s a pleasure to speak, man

Now I’ve been looking at the lineup of musicians you have in the touring band and you have some interesting characters in there!

Yes indeed, it’s very cool! You look at the list and it’s pretty good..some fine players we searched out, to maintain the quality there

Tommy Barbarella has got quite a history with NPG, doesn’t he? So how do you two work out the keyboard parts?

Tommy has very much a jazz background, you might say. It’s become kinda natural the way we split the keys parts. Doesn’t require too much headscratching, really

One thing I wonder about your own playing style – were you ever a fan of Richard Tee?

(Pause) Wow, man! Tee is absolutely one of the greatest musicians ever! I take that as the greatest compliment! ..thank you

Well there’s a lot of church in Tee’s music…

Which is exactly where I came from too!

But also he can switch from upbeat gospel to say, salsa just like that!

(Laughs) Well I thought I could play salsa until I was with Sheila E and boy did THAT shake me up !

Not surprising!

I am so glad you know of Richard….I guess my liking of him must show, to the practised ear!

How did you find your guitar man Homer O’Dell ..the name seems familiar

Ah! Homer was – is – the guitar player in Mint Condition

So…local to Minneapolis?

Indeed. His approach and skills are what this Prince material needs

Didn’t you have Kat in NPG for a spell? She’s now touring with Zucchero, the Italian star

That’s right – she can play anything, gets it right

I heard she is always very professional and well-prepared

So true, she has every item she needs ready, cleaned up, ready to go. Unusually so!

Zucchero has nothing but praise for the way she adapts to each song, doesn’t show off…your singers?

Kip Blackshire is a fine singer but we now have Mackenzie aboard..a young cat but he feels the music, loves the songs. So we have that happening up front

The song I do is Money Don’t Matter..love it

Well there’s every chance that one will get in the list ! The whole idea is to respect all these great songs, bring them to life..

The Prince following, like Bowie’s has a wide demographic these days…it was a cult when I first saw him here – The Lyceum June 1980

That’s way back!

Dirty Mind Tour. Took my brothers, who didn’t know what they were about to experience…

Wow! On your point, yes we do get families attending, all generations. The music has such wide impact..to dancers, listeners, other musicians…huge appeal, which is why we do all this, I guess.

Did you enjoy the studio sessions with Prince?

Oh man! A lot of the time we were laughing whilst working..yes, the work got done and the parts completed but it wasn’t all serious, long-face at all. I once came up with an arrangement Prince really dug and he was jumping around, Pete – laughing, wired…I smile whenever I think back to that.

Pete Sargeant