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Snapper Music Quote: "Pepe Willie's band - 94 East
- will always be remembered as the band that gave the young Prince Rogers Nelson his first
studio experience - let's face it, a good enough reason to be remembered. What's often
overlooked is the skill and talent of Willie's ensemble and the influence it had on the
developing 'Minneapolis Sound' - not to mention the influence it had on the developing
Prince."
If you don't know about the
contributions of Pepé Willie, Pepé Music Inc., or 94 East to the development of the
Minneapolis music scene, you haven't really been in the loop. Pepé Willie, Marcy
Ingvoldstad, and Kristie Lazenberry are the original members of 94 East and owners of
Pepé Music Inc. Their inconspicuous presence has had a profound effect on the birth and
consequent growth of Minneapolis as a leading force in the music industry.
Pepé Willie learned the
ground rules of the business in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1960's as a valet and
"gopher" for Little Anthony and the Imperials (his Uncle, Clarence Collins is an
original member). Little Anthony and the Imperials were at the height of their career at
this time with hits like Shimmy, Shimmy, Koko Bop; Going Out of My Head;
and Tears On My Pillow topping both the R&B and pop charts. Willie watched
and listened, absorbing everything he could about the business and the making of hit
songs. Willie hung out with the likes of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Supremes,
Chubby Checker, Marvin Gaye, and many others. He then began writing and recording on his
own. It was this experience and knowledge that Willie brought with him to Minneapolis.
Pepé Willie came to
Minneapolis in the mid-70s from Brooklyn, New York, when he was married to the Prince's
cousin, Shauntel Manderville. During his visit, Willie had the opportunity to hear an
audition by the band, Grand Central Station, who at that time included Prince, André'
Cymone, Morris Day, William Dowdy, and Linda Anderson (André's sister).
Pepé began working with the
members of Grand Central Station when they were only 15 and 16 years old, teaching them
song construction and facts of the business. He also started using Prince and Andre' as
studio musicians for his own demos, making these sessions the first times Prince and
Andre' worked in a studio professionally.
Pepé formed his own group, 94
East, and signed with Polydor in 1977, hiring Prince and Andre' as side musicians. Pepé
also took Prince and Andre' to New York to record there for another project.
When Prince first signed with
Warner Bros., Pepé helped him through the complications during that time period.
Willie let him use his house for six months as a place to audition new band members and
practice in preparation for his first tour. Pepé's company, Pepé Music Inc., produced
Prince's first concert at the Capri Theatre in North Minneapolis. Pepé assisted Prince in
finding suitable management after his breakup with first manager, Owen Husney. Pepé also
traveled with Prince on some of his initial PR tours.
The single that 94 East
recorded for the Polydor label was co-produced by Willie and Hank Cosby (My Cherie
Amour). The single featured a song titled, 10:15, written by Pepé, and a
song written by Cosby titled, Fortune Teller. Cosby brought in a then relatively
unknown artist named Colonel Abrams to record the lead vocals. Polydor let go of Cosby
just before the single was to be released and consequently the single never hit the
shelves.
Minneapolis Genius,
94 East recordings done in 1975, featuring Prince, Andre' Cymone and Pepé Willie, was
released here in 1986 and also released in Japan and England in 1987. Do Yourself a
Favor, written by Pepé, appeared in the B side of Jesse Johnson's single, Lovestruck,
and also on Johnson's previous Shockadelica album. Prince recorded the same song
in the early 1980's, but never released it. In March 1995, the original versions of the
Minneapolis Genius songs were released along with 5 additional songs called the Cookhouse
Five on a 2-CD set titled, 94 East featuring
Prince, Symbolic Beginning.
Pepé has been working through
his own company, PMI, writing, recording, producing, and consulting various veteran and
budding talent in the area. He has also influenced, through consultation, the careers of
Morris Day, Rocky Robbins, Dez Dickerson, Sue Ann Caldwell, Cynthia Johnson, Morris
Wilson, and others.
94 East recently completed a
new CD titled, 94 East featuring 10:15 and Fortune Teller Remix with
Prince on Guitar. 10:15 and Fortune Teller are previously
unreleased recordings, originally recorded in the late 70s. These two songs have been
mentioned in all books written about the one and only Prince, but they have never been
heard before by the general public. They both feature Prince's musical
contributions on guitar.
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