Dez Dickerson

Desmond D'andrea Dickerson (born August 7, 1955) is an American guitarist and singer who was a member of Prince's band, the Revolution.

Life and career

Dickerson was born in 1955 as Desmond D'andrea Dickerson, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A veteran of numerous Minneapolis rock bands, Dickerson answered Prince's call for a touring musician in the ''Twin Cities Reader'', a local entertainment paper, in 1979.Nilsen, Per (2003). ''Dance Music Sex Romance: Prince: The First Decade''. SAF Publishing, p. 315 After a 15-minute audition in the back of Del's Tire Mart, Dickerson was picked as guitarist. In 1980 when off the road for Christmas break, Dickerson had a profound conversion experience and became a born-again Christian. Afterwards, performing songs with sexual themes began to trouble his conscience. Even though Dickerson's and Prince's popularity were growing, he desired more and more to quit the band. He contributed songs for Prince's side projects, writing "He's So Dull" for Vanity 6, and co-writing "Wild and Loose", "After Hi School", and "Cool" for the Time. Dickerson contributed vocals to "Little Red Corvette" and " 1999" on the '' 1999'' album, as well as the guitar solo for "Little Red Corvette" that ranked number 64 on ''Guitar World's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.Kitts, Jeff & Tolinski, Brad (2002). ''Guitar World Presents the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time''. Hal Leonard, p. 164

Following the ''1999'' tour, Dickerson left the band to pursue other options. He was replaced by Wendy Melvoin.

After leaving the Revolution, Dickerson formed his own short-lived band, the Modernaires, and toured in support of Billy Idol on his 1984 ''Rebel Yell'' tour, frequently joining Idol onstage. Dickerson appeared in the movie '' Purple Rain'' with the Modernaires, but their song was not released as a single nor on the ''Purple Rain'' soundtrack. A solo recording deal failed to materialize, and in 1987 Dickerson relocated to Nashville to back singer Judson Spence. He also kept busy with session work and producing other artists.

In 1990, Dickerson was named vice president of A&R with the CCM (Contemporary Christian music) label Starsong Communications. Four years later he founded his own label, Absolute Records, a Christian rock record company. Artists on his label included Squirt, These 5 Down and Metropolis aka Metropolis America. He released a solo album in the late 1990s entitled ''Oneman'', and then a book, ''My Time with Prince: Confessions of a Former Revolutionary'', which spans from his audition in 1978 until leaving Prince in 1983.

In 2005, Dickerson released a double CD retrospective collection of his work from 1982 to 1987, including the complete version of the "classic" Modernaire. Taken from the film '' Purple Rain'' and featuring Prince on guitars, keyboards and backing vocals, this track was released on vinyl in 2008 by the UK label, Citinite.

Also in 2005, a three-CD set was released, ''Rock of Ages – Where Classic Hymns Meet Classic Rock!''. This was produced, arranged, recorded and mixed by Dickerson and features powerful guitar riffs. It presented 32 well-known hymns in a rock format, with Dickerson playing many of the instruments. Joining Dickerson on this project was his son, Jordan Dickerson, who contributed drums to many of the tracks and bass guitar on some. Jordan also arranged "Agnus Dei".

Currently, Dickerson manages record label and branding companies Pavilion Entertainment and Pavilion Synergies in Nashville. In 2012 he joined his former bandmates at a full-scale Revolution reunion which was set up by drummer Robert "Bobby Z." Rivkin to raise money and awareness for heart disease; Prince attended the performances but did not participate.

Discography

Albums

*''Oneman'' (1999), Absolute
*''Rock of Ages – Where Classic Hymns Meet Classic Rock!'' (2005), Madacy
*''A Retrospective 1982–1987'' (2006)

Singles

*"Modernaire" (2008), Citinite

References

External links

*
Pavilion Group

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dickerson, Dez
1955 births
American funk guitarists
American male singers
Musicians from Minneapolis
The Revolution (band) members
Living people
American rhythm and blues guitarists
American soul guitarists
American male guitarists
American funk singers
Rhythm guitarists
American rock guitarists
Singers from Minnesota
Guitarists from Minnesota
20th-century American guitarists
20th-century American male musicians