DOWNEY – Morris Day, called “one of pop’s most verbally pretentious artists,” will perform at the Downey Civic Theater on Saturday, March 7, accompanied with band the Time. Morris Day’s musical career dates back to high school, when he was part of a trio called Grand Central that also included pop music legend Prince. Prince would go on to pursue a solo career while Day formed the Time.

From Wikipedia:

“The Time’s most prolific and visible period came in 1984, when Day played the antagonist to Prince in his feature films Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge, which helped establish Day’s playboy stage presence.

“Typically escorted by his valet, ‘Jerome’ (Jerome Benton), Day won fans with his exaggerated vanity (“Jerome bring me my mirror!”) and strutting bravado (“Ain’t nobody bad like me!”), acting as a comic foil to Prince’s romantic, sensitive lead. This persona was further exploited for comic effect on The Time’s records, on songs such as “Chili Sauce” and “If the Kid Can’t Make You Come” from the album Ice Cream Castle.

“That album, the group’s most popular, is best remembered for the infectious singles “Jungle Love” and the Rufus Thomas influenced, “The Bird.” With their palpable pop energy and catchy choruses, both songs were hits on both urban and pop radio.”

The Time scored a No. 1 hit in 1990 with “Jerk Out,” a dance-funk cut from their reunited fourth album, “Pandemonium.” This album also featured the original members of the band.

The same year, Day formed his own girl band (not unlike Prince’s Vanity 6/Apollonia 6) called The Day Zs. The group’s first and only album release was produced by Day and he sang on one of the tracks called “Green Acres.”

Day came out of his self-imposed retirement in 2000 “because of his fans’ support.” Day has remained a popular concert draw since the late 1990s, fronting a revamped lineup of The Time, including originals Jellybean Johnson on drums and Monte Moir on keyboards.

The band was invited to perform on Prince’s direct to video concert film, “Rave Un2 The Year 2000”, in December 1999.

Tickets to see Morris Day and the Time at the Downey Theatre start at $45 and can be purchased online at downeytheatre.com or by calling the box office at (562) 861-8211.

The concert begins at 8 p.m.

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Published: Feb. 26, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 46