Sheila E.
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Sheila Escovedo (born December 12, 1957), known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American musician, perhaps best known for her work with Prince.
She is the daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo, with whom she frequently performs. She made her debut with jazz pianist George Duke. She is a remarkable drummer and percussionist and also plays violin. She had also played with Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross by the time she was in her early twenties. Escovedo is Mexican and African American.
Though taken under Prince's wing, she proved to be a first-rate artist in her own right. In 1984 she scored hits with "The Glamorous Life" (Hot 100 #7, and regarded as something of an '80s classic), "The Belle Of St. Mark" (#34) and "A Love Bizarre" (#11). Sheila E. was nominated for American Music Awards and Grammys for "The Glamorous Life," and opened for Prince on his wildly successful Purple Rain Tour in 1984–85. Sheila recorded three albums during the '80s, The Glamorous Life, Romance 1600, and Sheila E. She appeared in two films, Krush Groove with Run-DMC, LL Cool J and Blair Underwood in 1985 and Prince's concert film, Sign 'O' the Times in 1987.
During the Sign 'O' the Times and Lovesexy period of Prince's career, she served as his drummer and musical director in his highly regarded backup band, dubbed the New Power Generation not long after her departure. She also served as a writer and musician on many of Prince's records, as well as on the albums of his protégées such as Madhouse. After leaving the Prince organization in 1989, Sheila recorded a few more albums, Sex Cymbal, Writes of Passage, and Heaven. However, a serious issue with her health at the time prevented her from promoting Sex Cymbal, and the album garnered little attention.
In February 2006 Sheila performed with Prince once again at the Brit Awards. Recently she joined Richard Marx, Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, and Rod Argent touring with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band.
Discography
Albums
- The Glamorous Life (Warner Bros. 1984) #28 US
- Romance 1600 (Warner Bros. 1985) #50 US
- Sheila E. (Warner Bros. 1987) #56 US
- Sex Cymbal (Warner Bros. 1991) #146 US
- Writes of Passage (Concord 2000)
- Heaven (Concord 2001)
Singles
- "The Glamorous Life" (1984) #7 Pop, #1 Dance
- "The Belle of St. Mark" (1984) #34 Pop
- "The Belle of St. Mark" (1985) #18 UK charts
- "A Love Bizarre" (1985) #11 Pop, #1 Dance
- "Sister Fate" (1985) #26 Dance
- "Bedtime Story" (1985)
- "Love on a Blue Train" (1986) Japan-only single
- "Hold Me" (1987) #68 Pop, #22 Dance
- "Koo Koo" (1987)
Trivia
- Sheila E. is the business partner of singer and former Brides of Funkenstein, Lynn Mabry. They formed a foundation for abused children called the Lil Angel Bunny Foundation, where Sheila E. has very quietly done a great deal of charity work.
- Sheila E's uncle is Alejandro Escovedo, formerly with Delphine Neid's first-wave punk rock group The Nuns, now with The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra.
- The late Tito Puente was Sheila's godfather.
- Sheila E. was the leader of the house band on the defunct late night talk show, The Magic Hour, starring Magic Johnson.
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
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