Kool & The Gang @ Ravinia

The Time, later known as Morris Day and the Time and the Original 7ven, is an American funk rock band formed in Minneapolis in 1981. The group played a role in the development of the Minneapolis sound, a style combining elements of funk, R&B, new wave, synth-pop, and dance music. The band was led by singer Morris Day and became closely associated with musician Prince. Their best-known singles include "Get It Up", "Cool", "777-9311", "Jungle Love", "The Bird", and "Jerk Out". Former members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis later became a prominent production duo after leaving the band in 1983. Morris Day and guitarist Jesse Johnson also released solo material alongside their work associated with the group. The Time was formed under a contractual arrangement that allowed Prince to produce and assemble acts for Warner Bros. Records. Inspired in part by the 1980 film "The Idolmaker", Prince created the group as a vehicle for funk-oriented material while pursuing other musical directions in his solo career. By 1981, he had developed the band from the Minneapolis funk and R&B group Flyte Tyme, which included Alexander O'Neal, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir, Jellybean Johnson, and others. Jesse Johnson was added on guitar, and Morris Day was installed as lead vocalist, replacing Alexander O'Neal. Jerome Benton also joined as a stage performer and onstage partner to Day. Prince played a major role in the band's early recordings, including performing most instruments on their debut album while crediting production to the pseudonym "Jamie Starr" alongside Morris Day. The group's early releases included albums such as "The Time", "What Time Is It?", "Ice Cream Castle", and "Pandemonium", and their music drew from funk and R&B traditions. Tensions developed between the Time and Prince's associated acts during the early 1980s, including on the "Controversy Tour". During performances, conflicts occurred between members of the touring groups, including incidents involving thrown objects and backstage disputes. The relationship between the band and Prince was also marked by disagreements over creative control and compensation. During the 1982–1983 "1999" and "Triple Threat" tours, the Time served as a backing band for Vanity 6 while also performing their own set. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis increasingly pursued independent production work with other artists during this period. After they missed a scheduled performance due to travel disruptions, they were subsequently dismissed from the group. Monte Moir also left around this time. The lineup was later restructured with additional musicians, and the revised group appeared in the 1984 film "Purple Rain", which increased their public visibility. Morris Day left the group in 1985 following disagreements with Prince and pursued a solo career. Jesse Johnson also departed to continue solo work. Other members formed a short-lived project called The Family, while Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis went on to achieve significant success as producers and songwriters. In 1990, the original members reunited for the film and soundtrack "Graffiti Bridge" and released the album "Pandemonium". The project included the hit single "Jerk Out" and featured greater collaboration among members than earlier releases. Despite commercial success, internal disagreements led to another breakup shortly afterward. In the mid-1990s, several members reformed the group with additional musicians, and the lineup toured under names including Morris Day and the Time. This version of the band appeared in the film "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and continued performing live. A further project, sometimes referred to as "Old Dogs, New Tricks", was reported in development in the late 1990s but was not released. An album attributed to Morris Day, "It's About Time", was released in 2004 and included both new material and live recordings. In 2008, the original lineup reunited for a performance at the Grammy Awards, featuring a medley that included "Jungle Love". Later that year, the members performed a series of concerts in Las Vegas, followed by additional reunion shows in 2010 in Detroit and Minneapolis. Around this period, the group announced that a new album was nearing completion. In 2011, the band changed its name to the Original 7ven and released the album "Condensate", including the single "#Trendin". The name change was described by members as a way to continue working without legal and contractual disputes affecting the use of the original band name. The group appeared on television programs including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and performed at the Soul Train Music Awards. Following the death of Prince in 2016, members of the band participated in various tribute performances. A reunion performance took place at the Grammy Awards in 2017 as part of a tribute segment. The group has also been recognized with a star on the exterior of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, reflecting its historical connection to the venue and its role in the Minneapolis music scene. Monte Moir left the group again in 2019 after earlier periods of departure and return, though he later rejoined for a tribute performance at the 2020 Grammy Salute to Prince. Jellybean Johnson, a founding member and longtime drummer, died on November 21, 2025 at the age of 69. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Time_(band) Studio albums The Time (1981) What Time Is It? (1982) Ice Cream Castle (1984) Pandemonium (1990) Condensate (2011, as The Original 7ven)