20137
Jerome Benton Of The Original 7ven To Debut New Play In Minneapolis
Jerome Benton has been a member of The Time/The Original 7ven over the past 30 years. He has also been a play-writer and will be debuting his new play "HIIH" in Minneapolis this summer.
In an interview with FOX 9, he talks about "HIIH" which is short for "I Want To Go To Heaven Because Hell's Too Hot".
"‘I Want to Go To Heaven Because Hell's Too Hot' -- it's a morality play," Benton explained. "It's about false freedom a young lady who's out there bad. She's turning all the spiritual light off in her life. It raises the hair on your back, creates goose bumps. It'll put a tear in your eye."
Jerome also talks about if people will be disappointed in the play with him not portraying the image of the side-kick and mirror holder. I will say this; those that know Jerome and are fans of Jerome, will not be disappointed.
Jerome comes from a good place. With the name change (Which is not even a focal point of the story, wow! What a concept.) and with Jesse Johnson leaving the Original 7ven. He is genuine. That is part of his charm.
According to Fox 9, Tickets go on sale in late June. The play is set to hit the Pepito's Parkway Stage in Lake July. Benton does plan to continue performing with The Original 7ven and currently spends his time between Minneapolis and Los Angeles.
Much Love & success on this Jerome. Miss ya man.-DocFB
Diagnosis: From "side-kick" to center stage....
20128
“Purple Rain” The Movie: 28 Years Later
This weekend marks the 28th Anniversary of "Purple Rain" the movie. Within a week of its release, it would be number 1 at the box office, joining "When Doves Cry" as the number 1 single, and the "Purple Rain" soundtrack as the number 1 album on Billboard. Prince was the first artist to ever to hold all 3 at the same time.
It was Prince's 6th CD, the official debut of his group The Revolution and most importantly, his major motion picture debut. The summer of 1984 belonged to Prince. My favorite song (along with hundreds of others) by Prince was dominating my stereo. When Doves Cry got worn out on my record player. I had to replace the cassette copy of the entire album every 2 months. I killed it.
This movie had several stories going on, and it succeed, unlike "Rock Of Ages" earlier this year.. From the performances with the Revolution and The Time and Apolllonia 6, no rock/music movie has ever matched up to Purple Rain since it's release. EVER!
I just wanted to honor Prince and those that made the movie and the music so special to me and millions of others.
So Prince, Albert Magnoli, William Blinn, Susan Rogers, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Jerome Benton, Billy Sparks, Jill Jones, Charles "Big Chick" Huntsberry, Dez Dickerson, Prince, Brenda Bennett, Susan Moonsie, Alan Leeds, Israel Gordon, Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Jellybean Johnson, Mark Cardenas, Gerald E, Hubbard Jr., Paul Peterson, Jesse Johnson, 1st Avenue, The People Of Minneapolis and Prince, thank you. Thank you so much.
There are a few photos I took of some personal items that have ended up in my possession over the past few years. Some you may have seen before. I felt on this anniversary, I would pull them out for you. Much Love always.-Dr.FB
201217
The Original 7ven (Formerly The Time) Comment On Jesse Johnson Leaving The Band
The Original 7ven. Promo Photo
A month after Jesse Johnson announced he was leaving The Original 7ven, the band Formerly Known As The Time, the other band members have finally spoken about him leaving.
The statement was posted on the band's website;
For the statement and exclusive video footage, click the continue reading button.
20119
The Original 7ven (Formerly The Time) Rock 1st Show!
Morris Day of The Original 7ven. Photo: Cody Breedlove
In the 1st show as The Original 7ven, The Band Formerly Known As The Time took us to "Strawberry Lake" to kick things off.
They then went into a multitude of hits featuring "Get it Up", "The Stick", "Cool", Jerk Out", "Skillet", "777-9311" and "Trendin'"(video coming soon) the latest from the Original 7ven.
Donnie Simpson introduced The Original 7ven, noting it was the very first show with that name.
The Original 7ven. Photo: Cody Breedlove
Aside from a sound issue at first (It is Club Nokia, so it expected) The OG7 brought it. The band also played "Fishnet" and "Oak Tree" 2 songs released as a solo artist by Morris Day.
In the middle of the show, Jesse Johnson took over to show he is one of the baddest guitarists in the land. Performing "Free World", Can You Help Me?" and "I Want To Be Your Man" along with some great solo work accompanying him with Jerome Benton coming out a time or two.
Jesse Johnson. Photo: DrFunkenberry
The band then went into "Gigalos Get Lonely Too" and then bringing up quite a few sexy socialites if I do say so myself.
They closed with "The Bird" and Jungle Love" which left the crowd condensating for sure.
It was a high energy show and it was great to see all of them perform together. My first and only time seeing them all together was for a taping for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno a couple of years ago before their shows in Las Vegas.
Morris Day Of The Original 7ven Photo: Cody Breedlove
Coming up next for the band whose new CD "Condensation" dropped this week, is The Tonight Show With Jay Leno October 27th, along with upcoming shows in Minneapolis and New York.
These are some of the greatest musicians in all the land. The term real music by real musicians most def applies to them. Please support real music by buying the CD and just like them, we are sure you will be "Trendin'" soon as well.
Thanks for the love guys and the great show.-DocFB
Diagnosis: Whose Drawers? You Know
When using story or photos, please credit drfunkenberry.com as this is copyrighted and exclusive material.
201123
The Original 7ven (The Time) Talk Name Change & Purple Rain Sequel
Morris Day, DrFunk, & Jerome Benton. Photo: Drfunkenberry.com
When I ran into the Time in August, there was no mention of a name change. All they told me is that everything is coming together and its time, for them, to return.
In mid-September, it is announced they are now called The Original 7ven (The band Formerly Known As The Time) and have a new album, "Condensate" which is out now. The Original 7ven consists of all the original members of The Time, Morris Day, Jimmy Jam. Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Monte Moir, Jellybean Johnson, and Jerome Benton.
A member of The Time calls me about the name change. "Ahh. We got you on that, didn't we? We were able to keep it a secret until we wanted it out there."
20114
The Original 7ven AKA The Time To Hold Q & A Session At Grammy Museum
The Original 7ven. Promo Photo
The Original 7ven aka The Time are showing a documentary about the group at the Grammy Museum and afterwards they are going to hold a Q & A session.
The documentary is entitled Reel To Reel and the event cost $10.00 and tickets can only be purchased at the Grammy Museum. The event takes place Tuesday, October 18th, a day before the Original 7ven's concert at Club Nokia Wednesday, October 19th.
The Grammy Museum released this press release:
The GRAMMY Museum is proud to debut the intriguing new documentaryThe Original 7ven in the Clive Davis Theater. Chronicling the adventures of seven young musicians; Morris Day, Jesse Johnson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jellybean Johnson, Monte Moir, and Jerome Benton, the 80-minute film illustrates how the group came together in the early 80's and eventually rewrote music history. Required viewing for any fan of the Minneapolis Sound, the documentary is an up-close-and-personal portrait of life as told by the band members themselves. Their new album, Condensate, will be released the same day. After the screening, a group of panelists involved with the production, including the entire band, will be available to take audience questions.
Make sure to buy the best Buy version of the CD, as the documentary will come with the CD.
We are looking forward to the event. Again, you can only purchase tickets through the Grammy Museum. For the concert, there are still plenty of great seats left that can be purchased here.-DocFB
Diagnosis: We #Trendin
201138
The Band Formerly Known As “The Time” Returns With New Music! Listen Now!
The Original 7ven. Promo Photo
Yes! "The Time" is finally releasing new music. One problem; they are no longer called "The Time" but "The Original 7ven" instead. Hmm.
We have no idea why they are no longer going by "The Time" unless the rumors of Prince owning the name "The Time" and not letting them use it for new music they are recording.
I don't understand Prince's reasoning for it since they have been using it for the past 30 years but I guess we will get into that another time.
When I spoke to all 7 original members of "The Time"....I mean "The Original 7ven" they told me that they and Prince were cool. I mostly spoke to Morris Day and Jerome Benton, but nothing came up about the name change.
For now, "The Time"..we mean "The Original 7ven" are releasing new music for the first time in 2 decades! The CD "Condensation" comes out in October and the new song "#Trendin" comes out September 20th!
Right now, we have a sample of the new song "#Trendin" below!
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What do you think of the new song by "The Time"...we mean "The Original 7ven"?-DocFB
What's My Name?
P.S. Morris. Jerome. Contact Me! Thx!
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