Legendary R&B songwriter and producer Jimmy Jam talks about his early days, life with Prince, goin' broke, the influence of Prince and the disco era, DJ experiences, touring challenges, being working class musicians, and pursuing other interests outside the band.
Flight Time band formed in Minneapolis with Jimmy Jam as a keyboard player and Terry Lewis on bass, catching the attention of Prince.
The collaboration between Flight Time and Morris Day gave birth to The Time after Alexandre O'Neill's departure.
The band's fashion sense represented self-respect and class, while Prince emphasized individuality rather than a uniform look.
The band faced financial struggles with low salaries, forbiddance from moonlighting, and tension with Prince, but succeeded with their hit song 'Just Be Good to Me'.
Deep dives
Formation of Flight Time band
The Flight Time band was formed in Minneapolis with Jimmy Jam as the keyboard player and Terry Lewis on bass. They recruited a drummer named Jellybean Johnson and eventually added Monte Moir as a second keyboard player. The band gained a reputation as one of the best in Minnesota and caught the attention of Prince.
Joining forces with Morris Day
After opening for the Bar-Kays and Switch, Morris Day approached Flight Time and Prince with the idea of joining forces. Prince owed Morris a favor, and Morris believed that combining their bands would lead to a record deal. Flight Time agreed, marking the beginning of their collaboration with Morris Day and the creation of The Time.
Alexandre O'Neill's departure
Initially, Alexandre O'Neill was the lead singer of Flight Time, but he eventually left the band. The departure occurred over a dinner at Perkins, where Alexandre spoke in the third person about his needs and desires. After this incident, Prince and Morris got up and left the restaurant. Flight Time continued without Alexandre, with Morris fully committing to the drums and Jesse Johnson joining the band as the guitarist.
The promise to bring back Alexandre O'Neill
Despite Alexandre O'Neill's departure, Flight Time promised him that if they ever made it big, they would come back and get him. They made this promise as a way of reconciling their situation and acknowledging O'Neill's talent.
Getting Started and Rehearsing with the Band
The band members recall their early days, with Alex still playing gigs locally while they rehearsed every day. The album was already complete, and they were given six songs to learn. Rehearsals took place at a bar called the Yasm, owned by Leonard Weaver, who had two rules: don't touch his juice machine and don't touch the titty lamps. Jerome went from being a roadie to a band member when he pulled out a mirror for Morris during rehearsal, catching Prince's attention. The band also shared stories of breaking titty lamps and pouring water into the juice machine to hide their shenanigans.
The Band's Unique Style and Image
The band members discuss their fashion sense and the importance of their image. They reveal that they used to shop at thrift stores to afford decent outfits. Their style, which enhanced by Prince, represented self-respect and class. However, Prince's vision included showcasing the group's individuality rather than conforming to a single look. The band remembers the specific jackets, suits, and accessories they wore on stage. They also mention Prince's desire for them to always maintain a certain appearance, even if their jackets were falling apart.
Financial Challenges and Moonlighting
The band talks about the financial struggles they faced during their early days. Their salaries were low, around $150 per week after taxes, making it hard to make ends meet. Prince forbade the members from moonlighting, but some members went against the rule to make extra money by producing records for other artists. This caused tension, and Prince eventually fired them. However, it was later revealed that the firing was a bluff to make them fail and beg for their jobs back. When they succeeded with the hit song 'Just Be Good to Me,' the bluff backfired.
The End of the Band
The band recalls being let go from the group during a meeting with Prince. Initially, they thought they were going to mix songs for the SOS Band but were called to meet Prince instead. Prince informed them that they were fired for producing records for other artists. Terry Lewis initially tried to reason with Prince, while Jimmy Jam accepted the situation calmly and walked out. The firing turned out to be a bluff, and the band resumed their work after realizing they were not actually fired. They also reflect on the loyalty they had for each other during this time.
