The Time grew from the seeds of the Minneapolis music scene in the early 1980’s, galvanized by the creative drive and commercial success of rock-soul juggernaut Prince. The band began as the fruit of a wager Prince made with band leader Morris Day over the song “Partyup” (originally by a band called Enterprise). After the song’s success, Prince agreed to help Morris put together a band.

The nucleus of The Time consisted of drummer Jellybean Johnson, keyboardists Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir, and bassist Terry Lewis, pulled from their local band Flyte Tyme. Guitar demigod Jesse Johnson endeavored to join Prince’s band, but that band didn’t need a guitarist, so he shuffled into The Time’s lineup. Jerome Benton was a promoter from the aforementioned band Enterprise, and was eventually brought on as a comic foil to Morris Day for their stage act.

The band’s debut self-titled album featured two Top 10 R&B hits with “Get It Up” and “Cool.” Their follow-up What Time Is It? delivered an even higher chart peak with “777-9311”. But the band truly hit their stride once featured in Prince’s blockbuster music film Purple Rain. Their songs “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” from the film would become huge R&B and dance hits and propel their third album Ice Cream Castle to #3 on the R&B charts.

After that success, The Time would temporarily disband. During this period, Morris Day and Jesse Johnson would record solo albums, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (who were dismissed from the band after their second album) would become superproducers.

The band reunited for their fourth album Pandemonium in 1990 which spawned the #1 hit “Jerk Out.” The original lineup remained largely inactive for the next 20 years. The members regrouped under the name Original 7ven to record the 2011 reunion album Condensate. A contractual disagreement with Prince prevented the band members from recording under the name The Time.

RBMA Interviewer: “Prince.. described [The Time] as the only band he was afraid of.”

Terry Lewis: “And rightfully so, because every night, we tried to kick… his… ass.”