Whatever Happened to Andre Cymone?
February 9th, 2007 by Pete - - Posted in Pop, Prince |
Andre Cymone, to you non-Prince freaks, was Prince’s childhood buddy and the first bassist in Prince’s touring band (before they were known as the Revolution). He left in 1981 to pursue a solo career, which - ehhh- didn’t pan out the way he probably wanted. He released three solo albums: Livin’ in the New Wave (1982), Survivin’ in the 80’s (1983), and AC (1985). AC contained his biggest hit, “The Dance Electric”, written and produced by Prince.
Andre found later sucess by producing hit albums for Pebbles, Adam Ant, and Jody Watley (whom he had a relationship with until into the 90’s). Over the years, I’ve wondered whatever happened to the guy. I did a YouTube search tonight, and found a treasure trove of live Andre Cymone footage posted by his drummer (Bam Bam) from way back when. In one of the comments, he mentions about Andre: “Last I heard, Andre was living in N.Y. trying his hand at some kind of tv or movie scripts.”
All three of his albums are out of print, but I’m sure they’re out there somewhere. I have my three vinyl albums nestled safely in their plastic covers, along with any Prince related record of that era. Vanity’s ‘Wild Animal’? Got it.So come on people, help me track Andre Cymone down. Enough is enough. The Andre Cymone ‘Ickmusic Interview’ needs to happen!
Andre Cymone: The Dance Electric (mp3) b/w Red Light (mp3) - from the extended 12″ single | M.O.T.F (mp3) - from Survivin’ in the 80’s
Check out the YouTube profile of Bam Bam for some Andre videos. Now this is vintage 80’s: unfortunate red winged uniforms, Andre doin’ the robot, and dancing like he’s straight out of Valley Girl.
February 10th, 2007 at 8:43 am
“His body is decomposing in my locker.”
See Stand & Deliver.
February 10th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I’m curious as well! I’ve done a few web searches over the years, and most references found are about his producing Jody Watley. But Livin’ in the New Wave and Survivin’ in the 80’s were awesome! I still have those albums, but unfortunately they didn’t survive the 80’s very well, due to excessive play.
February 12th, 2007 at 6:49 am
About 2 years ago, he came by my office with another guy (forgot his name, but he was in The System) and they had a kid with them and he played a few songs. They were both working with him on an album. Never heard anything since then, but he told me that he was doing some session stuff and producing. This was in NYC, by the way.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Andre Cymone’s name was dropped in the Hold Steady’s song “The Swish”.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Skip / Jon - thanks for the info. I just downloaded “The Swish” off of eMusic.
February 16th, 2007 at 8:18 am
[...] Pete at Ickmusic asks the question on everyone’s mind: Whatever happened to Andre Cymone? [...]
February 16th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Awesomeness!
February 21st, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I saw Andre at the winter carnval doing a concert @ Roy Wilkins in like 83 he had a big fro and Surving the 80’s LP came out wow loved the video clip on You Tube And I thought his Biggest hit was Kellys Eyes any one pleasr respond we all loved Andre !!!!!
March 9th, 2007 at 3:14 am
Does anyone have a copy of “The Girls” he produced in the early 80’s?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Marcus - nope, but you may want to ask on my Prince forum.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:46 am
he has a website….
http://www.andrecymone.com
March 11th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Ehhhh not so much Georgia. The domain exists, but there’s just ads. Not exactly his web site. Actually, not at all.
>>georgia Says:
March 11th, 2007 at 2:46 am e
he has a website….
http://www.andrecymone.com
March 12th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Anyone know a place online where I can download his song “Kellys Eyes?”
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:49 am
well he is my uncle and i do not want people saying rude things about him thank u and have a nice day
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:56 am
Huh?
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:59 am
oops your right…well that used to be his website…now I guess he’s really lost.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:01 am
Daja can you help us find him?
April 8th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Reuinite the oringinal members for Prince’s band. Andre Cymone is the first person from Prince’s to make it. I have all of his single’s on CD and his CDS. James Brown’s death, the funk community realized that death is forever. It is time for him to record again, GO Dre.
April 15th, 2007 at 2:09 am
I’ve got the Girls on LP and burned it to CD I will try and convert to mp3 and upload them for you. I want some more info on Andre - I miss him.
August 25th, 2007 at 9:06 am
What web site can I find Kellys eyes on mp3 I loved that song!
August 25th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Dee - Dee - e - mail meee
pete
at
ickmusic
dot
com
October 27th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Where is Andre we (his fans) miss him…
January 14th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Andre Cymone is a brilliant musician. He’s probaly having some challenging times.
All of us go through the wilderness at some point in our lives. He had a song called
“Voice on The Radio” and “Kelly’s Eyes” excellent songs. I had a girlfriend named
Kelly so that song came to mind often. He did incredible production work on Jody
Watleys’s stuff. Andre Cymone write your songs and throw down some heavy bass
on them. Write from your heart, you can do it man. The songs and CDs are within you.
You are not a throw-back to the 1980s but constantly moving foward. Stay encouraged Andre and keep your head up. Life doesn’t always work out the way that we plan it, but God Almighty had the plan before we came on the scene. Pray, seek
His face, turn your life over to Lord Jesus. Listen to TD Jake’s song “Manifest” off
of “A Wing And A Prayer.” You are a giant Andre, it’s time for you to walk in the
now. Andre you are an incredible artist, use what God has given you brother. God
made each person with a special design that can’t be duplicated. You are your own
painting.
January 20th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I love Andre Cymone and have since I was 16 years old!!! That’s 24 years!!! lol
Someone please let me know what is going on with him now.
I would also love to get some of his music. Can someone point me in the right direction??
March 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I did not know anything about this artist until I searched for Jodi Watley. I am pleased to know who he is and what real challenges Prince and his band had. I am very pleased to know who Jodi Watley’s sister is as well as her ex-husband.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:44 am
I love Kelly’s Eyes!!! i want it too!!
April 6th, 2008 at 4:57 am
In case you haven’t seen it, here’s an article I wrote on André Cymone and the Minneapolis scene, featuring an exclusive interview with John ‘Bam Bam’ Morgan, his drummer from his early 80s band.
April 6th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Might help if I posted the link!
http://citinite.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/andre-cymone/
July 12th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I AM A SERIOUS ANDRE CYMONE FAN I LOVE THIS MAN AND I MISS HIS MUSIC\
I GREW UP WITH THE PRINCE MUSIC ERA
AS FAR BACK AS THE 70′S WHEN PRINCE FIRST CAME OUT…. LORD HELP THE YOUTH OF TODAY BECAUSE THEY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND GOOD MUSIC… THIS CRAP THEY HAVE NOW IS JUST MIND BOGGLING…..
IF ANDRE IS ANYWHERE OUT THERE AND IS READING THIS PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM YOU NUMBER ONE FAN….. EMAIL A SISTA *SMILE*
July 25th, 2008 at 1:30 am
My two favorites of Andre’s were “Stay” and “Don’t let the future come down on you”, I also liked “Kelly’s Eyes”. I got my LP’s safely tucked away, I’m going to try to get one of those LP to MP3 players…
Survivin’ in the 80’s! (+30)
August 13th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
My two favorites of Andre’s were “Stay” and “Don’t let the future come down on you”, I also liked “Kelly’s Eyes”. I got my LP’s safely tucked away, I’m going to try to get one of those LP to MP3 players…
Keith, now your talking my language. Those are my two favorite Andre Cymone songs, too. I’ve beeen searching for anything on him for years with little luck. If you get one of those LP to mp3 players, please email a brotha. Thanks.
mrantonioedwards@aol.com
September 15th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Andre Cymone write up and MP3 download here:
http://soundgallery.wordpress.com/2008/09/13/andre-cymone-pretty-wild-girl-1985/