Morris Day | Remembering Prince Behind The Bio

Morris Day (born December 13,1957, in Springfield, Illinois) is a musician, composer, and actor. Although a gifted drummer, he is best known as the charismatic lead singer of The Time, a band that also launched the careers of famous producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Day was a high-school classmate of both Prince and André Cymone and the trio formed an early band called "Grand Central", later renamed "Champagne".

The Time

With his dynamic dancing and smooth vocals, Morris Day played an essential role in the development of the Twin City dance/club sound of the 1980s. A founding member of Prince's band, The Time charting hits such as The Bird, Oak Tree, Jungle Love, and Sometimes I get Lonely. Day remained with the group from 1981 until 1984, when he launched his solo career. Returning again in 1988, he also performed and recorded with the Time from 1990 until 1991 and then after 1995.

Solo Career

Releasing his debut solo album, Color of Success, in 1985, Day reached his apex with his second solo album, Daydreaming, two years later. Produced by ex-Time members Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the album included the chart-topping R&B tune "Fishnet." Day released his third solo album, Guaranteed, in 1992. After Guaranteed, Day toured occasionally without any new product. He finally returned to recording in 2004 with It's About Time, a mostly live album with a few new studio cuts, one including a guest appearance by rapper E-40. Day has also appeared in several films and television shows.

Acting Career

In addition to his roles in Purple Rain (1984) and Graffiti Bridge (1990), Day also appeared in small parts in films such as Richard Pryor's Moving (1988) and the Andrew Dice Clay film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990). Day's presence on the screen decreased until, in 2001, he returned to film in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, performing "Jungle Love" with The Time and dancing with the movie's stars in the film's coda, and being introduced emphatically by Jason Mewes' character as "Morris Day and The motherfuckin' Time!".

Day also appeared on the small screen in 1990 when he portrayed the character Lamar on ABC's short-lived sitcom New Attitude. He guest-starred on the sitcom Eve as a pimp who wanted Eve's fashion boutique to design a flamboyant suit to match his witty personality, and appeared as himself in an episode on the series Moesha, attempting to file a lawsuit against Moesha's ex-boyfriend Q, who used a sample from "The Oak Tree" without permission. He also appeared on 227 in the 80s.

He appeared opposite James Avery and Matthew Stewart in a pilot called Heart & Soul produced by Quincy Jones.

Relationship With Prince

Day joined Prince’s band Grand Central in the early 70”s. Day recalls he didn’t say two words to me for about two months. He liked the way I played drums; otherwise I wouldn’t be in the band. He was seriously trying to figure me out. Once he saw the person I was, we became good friends. I was never in the habit of biting my tongue with him. Musically, I’d tell him if I liked something or I didn’t. He was the same way with me. If we had to fight about something, we’d fight and get over it.

Day stated in a 2019 Interview that his relationship with Prince was complicated. It was very one-sided. Once I left the camp, I never knew how to call Prince. Every now and then, at 11 o’clock at night or some strange hour, my phone rings and it’s like, “Morris, it’s Prince.”

Back in the day, it was a mutual friendship.. I’d go by his house, he’d come by my house. No big deal. But it turned into something else, the way the whole thing ended. I had resentments, but it was a love/hate relationship. More love than hate.