For legendary singer Morris Day, it’s time to retire

Day
(CREDIT: Shutterstock)

Say it ain’t so, Morris! Legendary recording artist Icon Morris Day is officially announcing his pending retirement with the release of his final solo album entitled, Last Call.

Day is best known for his role as the lead singer of the iconic band, The Time. The band was the brainchild of Prince. Reportedly inspired by the 1980s film, The Idolmaker, about a rock promoter, Prince decided to put together a pop-funk band that would serve as an outlet for his material and various styles.

Later, Rick James would claim The Time was due to the rivalry he and Prince had when Prince used to open for the deceased funkster.

By 1981, Prince had built The Time out of an existing Minneapolis funk/R&B unit, Flyte Tyme, which featured Cynthia Johnson on lead vocals and sax, Anton (Tony) Johnson on guitar, David Eiland on saxophone, Jellybean Johnson on drums, Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir on keyboards, and Terry Lewis on bass.

To the last four were added Jesse Johnson on guitar and a lead singer and childhood friend named Day, as well as Terry Lewis’ brother and longtime Prince friend, Jerome Benton, who became Day’s personal valet on stage and comic partner.

Day and The Time went on to release three albums, generally light and humorous in tone, strongly influenced by Prince, Funkadelic, Parliament, James Brown and Sly Stone.

The band scored numerous hits during the 1980s, including Cool, Jungle Love, 777-9311, Get It Up, Gigolos Get Lonely Too, and The Walk. When the band broke up, Day went on to record hits, Oak Tree and Fish Net, which landed at #1 on the US R&B charts.

In addition to his success in music, he landed successful film roles in multiple big-screen films including the mega hit, Purple Rain, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Graffiti Bridge and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.

Day and the original six would reunite for two more albums, Pandemonium and Condensate. The former spawned their highest-selling single, Jerk Out. The album is also notable for featuring more input from the band than any other Time album.


REELated:

The New Album 

The new Day album will be released with Universal Music Group and Bungalo Records. The album features an all-star lineup of guest appearances that include performances by Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, e40, Billy Gibbons, Trinidad James, Tech N9ne and others.

The first single and video from the album featuring Big Daddy Kane entitled Grown Man was released in July and debuted strongly on the iTunes contemporary R&B chart, and currently still climbing the charts.

The next single which is scheduled for release in September is sure to take a lot of fans by surprise. Buckle up for this one. The album is scheduled for release 11/11/22.

“On behalf of my client, the legendary Morris Day, along with our team at MDE, we are very excited to be a part of the Universal Family for what will surely be a defining moment in his illustrious career”, says Courtney Benson, Manager for Morris Day.

“Morris Day is an amazing addition to the successful history of iconic artists that Bungalo Records has had the honor to work with over the past two decades. I have been a huge fan and now Morris Day and Bungalo will create their own history together,” says Paul Ring, CEO of Bungalo Records.

”Morris Day is an undeniable talent. His music, style, and artistry have been an inspiration to music lovers and artists all over the world. We’re excited to work with Morris and Bungalo Records on his final solo album release,” says Frank Hensley, Senior Director of Label Relations, Universal Music Group.

Day will be promoting the new release with an extensive Farewell tour entitled the Last Call Tour in 2023. Tour dates will be announced soon.

But who will bring him a mirror?


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Shriekfest

Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1

Day
(CREDIT: Shutterstock)

Say it ain’t so, Morris! Legendary recording artist Icon Morris Day is officially announcing his pending retirement with the release of his final solo album entitled, Last Call.

Day is best known for his role as the lead singer of the iconic band, The Time. The band was the brainchild of Prince. Reportedly inspired by the 1980s film, The Idolmaker, about a rock promoter, Prince decided to put together a pop-funk band that would serve as an outlet for his material and various styles.

Later, Rick James would claim The Time was due to the rivalry he and Prince had when Prince used to open for the deceased funkster.

By 1981, Prince had built The Time out of an existing Minneapolis funk/R&B unit, Flyte Tyme, which featured Cynthia Johnson on lead vocals and sax, Anton (Tony) Johnson on guitar, David Eiland on saxophone, Jellybean Johnson on drums, Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir on keyboards, and Terry Lewis on bass.

To the last four were added Jesse Johnson on guitar and a lead singer and childhood friend named Day, as well as Terry Lewis’ brother and longtime Prince friend, Jerome Benton, who became Day’s personal valet on stage and comic partner.

Day and The Time went on to release three albums, generally light and humorous in tone, strongly influenced by Prince, Funkadelic, Parliament, James Brown and Sly Stone.

The band scored numerous hits during the 1980s, including Cool, Jungle Love, 777-9311, Get It Up, Gigolos Get Lonely Too, and The Walk. When the band broke up, Day went on to record hits, Oak Tree and Fish Net, which landed at #1 on the US R&B charts.

In addition to his success in music, he landed successful film roles in multiple big-screen films including the mega hit, Purple Rain, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Graffiti Bridge and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.

Day and the original six would reunite for two more albums, Pandemonium and Condensate. The former spawned their highest-selling single, Jerk Out. The album is also notable for featuring more input from the band than any other Time album.


REELated:

The New Album 

The new Day album will be released with Universal Music Group and Bungalo Records. The album features an all-star lineup of guest appearances that include performances by Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, e40, Billy Gibbons, Trinidad James, Tech N9ne and others.

The first single and video from the album featuring Big Daddy Kane entitled Grown Man was released in July and debuted strongly on the iTunes contemporary R&B chart, and currently still climbing the charts.

The next single which is scheduled for release in September is sure to take a lot of fans by surprise. Buckle up for this one. The album is scheduled for release 11/11/22.

“On behalf of my client, the legendary Morris Day, along with our team at MDE, we are very excited to be a part of the Universal Family for what will surely be a defining moment in his illustrious career”, says Courtney Benson, Manager for Morris Day.

“Morris Day is an amazing addition to the successful history of iconic artists that Bungalo Records has had the honor to work with over the past two decades. I have been a huge fan and now Morris Day and Bungalo will create their own history together,” says Paul Ring, CEO of Bungalo Records.

”Morris Day is an undeniable talent. His music, style, and artistry have been an inspiration to music lovers and artists all over the world. We’re excited to work with Morris and Bungalo Records on his final solo album release,” says Frank Hensley, Senior Director of Label Relations, Universal Music Group.

Day will be promoting the new release with an extensive Farewell tour entitled the Last Call Tour in 2023. Tour dates will be announced soon.

But who will bring him a mirror?


Follow us on our new Facebook page!


Shriekfest

Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1