The NPG (The New Power Generation): “Celebrating Prince”

Having performed with the legendary artist Prince for more than two decades, The New Power Generation, a.k.a. The NPG, is undoubtedly one of the most successful and recognizable backing bands in the world. Following the acclaim from the October 2016 “Official Prince Tribute Concert” in Minnesota, the NPG decided to reunite to perform a limited series of concerts under the banner “Celebrating Prince”, celebrating the man and his music.

Brief History

The New Power Generation, a.k.a. The NPG, was the backing band of musician Prince, from 1990 to 2013. They were last active in 2013 when Prince took a new direction and formed a new band he called 3rdEyeGirl. However, in 2015, some members of The New Power Generation reunited to work with Prince on his final studio album Hit n Run Phase Two. 

Although the phrase "Welcome to the New Power Generation" was first mentioned on the opening track of Prince’s 1988's „Lovesexy”, the NPG was first used as a band name in the 1990 film “Graffiti Bridge”, and the song "New Power Generation” appeared on the accompanying soundtrack album. Prince’s enthusiasm was captured in the lyrics:

“Lay down your funky weapon, come join us on the floor. Making love and music’s the only things worth fighting 4. We r the new power generation, we want 2 change the world. The only thing that’s in our way is u. Your old fashioned music, your old ideas, We’re sick and tired of u telling us what 2 do.” (© Prince ) 

The PNG debuted live during the 1990 “Nude Tour” and on record on the wildly successful and critically acclaimed, Diamonds and Pearls album in 1991 – which spawned more hits on the Billboard charts than any other Prince album released since Purple Rain.

The current line-up of is the same as the original NPG except for drummer Michael Bland, whose commitments to Soul Asylum did not allow him to commit to touring and singer and keyboard player, Rosie Gaines, who has suffered from health issues for several years. On drums instead is Kirk Johnson, who was also in the original NPG but as a percussion player and dancer. And in Rosie’s place ever since she departed from the NPG in 1992 is Morris Hayes. In fact, Morris was actually on the Diamonds and Pearls tour with Prince and the NPG, playing with his own band behind the tour’s opening act, Carmen Electra, who was on Prince’s Paisley Park Records label at the time. Morris would go on to become Prince’s Musical Director and, as the keyboard player for the NPG until 2012, he was the band’s longest running member.

For the full detailed band history, please check out: http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Band:_New_Power_Generation 

Line-up:

• Morris Hayes (MD & keyboards)
• Tommy Barbarella (keyboards),
• Sonny Thompson (bass),
• Mike Scott (guitar),
• Kirk Johnson (drums),
• Tony Mosley (vocals, guitar, dancer)
• Damon Dickson (background vocals and dancer).

Special Guests:

• Kip Blackshire  (vocals)
• André Cymone (vocals, guitar, bass)

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Video playlists (classic videos): https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLNEBF4mALyHbEAkklriWP9s64-v56DbxK&v=9aKBmNTLLl0