The Time

Biography

The Time is a Minneapolis-based funk and dance-pop band formed in 1981 under the guidance of Prince, who sought to create a group that would serve as both protégés and rivals within his musical universe. Built from the remnants of local funk units Flyte Tyme and Enterprise, the original lineup featured Morris Day (vocals), Jellybean Johnson (drums), Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir (keyboards), Terry Lewis (bass), Jesse Johnson (guitar), and Jerome Benton (percussion). Prince was instrumental in shaping the band's sound, composing and arranging much of their early material, and using The Time as an outlet for his funkier, more playful musical ideas[1][2][3].

The Time quickly gained recognition for their energetic live performances and infectious blend of funk, pop, rock, and post-disco. Their early albums, including 'The Time' (1981), 'What Time Is It?' (1982), and 'Ice Cream Castle' (1984), produced R&B hits like "Get It Up," "777-9311," "Jungle Love," and "The Bird." While the band's music was often lighthearted and humorous in contrast to Prince's more introspective work, their musicianship and stage presence made them a formidable act, sometimes even outshining Prince as his opening act[1][2][3].

Despite internal tensions and lineup changes—most notably the departures of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who became legendary producers, and Morris Day's brief exit for a solo career—The Time left an indelible mark on the Minneapolis sound and 1980s funk. The group reunited several times, notably for the 1990 album 'Pandemonium' and the 2011 project 'Condensate' (as The Original 7ven), and continues to tour as Morris Day and The Time, cementing their legacy as one of funk's most influential ensembles[1][2][4][6].

Fun Facts

• The Time was originally created by Prince as a 'rival' act to himself, with the intention of fostering creative competition within his own musical circle.
• The band's early albums were largely written and performed by Prince (with Morris Day on vocals), with the rest of the band sometimes only adding parts later.
• Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, after leaving The Time, became one of the most successful songwriting and production duos in pop and R&B history, working with artists like Janet Jackson and earning numerous Grammy Awards.
• The Time's energetic live shows sometimes outshone Prince's own performances, leading to playful onstage rivalries and legendary tour stories.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Prince - Founder, producer, songwriter, and creative mentor; shaped the band's sound and direction (The Time (1981), What Time Is It? (1982), Ice Cream Castle (1984)) [1981–mid-1980s]
• Parliament-Funkadelic - Stylistic influence; The Time's music drew heavily from the funk innovations of George Clinton's collective (General influence on funk style and performance) [1970s–1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Morris Day - Lead vocalist and charismatic frontman; ongoing band leader (All The Time albums, solo projects) [1981–present]
• Jimmy Jam (James Harris III) - Keyboardist, songwriter, later renowned producer (The Time albums, later production for Janet Jackson, S.O.S. Band) [1981–1983 (band), 1980s–present (production)]
• Terry Lewis - Bassist, songwriter, later renowned producer (The Time albums, later production for Janet Jackson, S.O.S. Band) [1981–1983 (band), 1980s–present (production)]
• Jesse Johnson - Guitarist, songwriter, later solo artist and producer (The Time albums, solo albums, production for Vanity, Ta Mara & The Seen) [1981–1984 (band), 1980s–present (solo/production)]
• Monte Moir - Keyboardist, songwriter, later producer (The Time albums, songwriting for Janet Jackson, Alexander O'Neal) [1981–1983 (band), 1980s–present (production)]
• Jellybean Johnson - Drummer, later producer and songwriter (The Time albums, production for Alexander O'Neal, Nona Hendryx) [1981–1984 (band), 1980s–present (production)]
• Jerome Benton - Percussionist, comedic foil, stage presence (The Time albums, live performances, The Family) [1981–present]

Artists Influenced

• Janet Jackson - Her sound and career were shaped by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who developed their production style in The Time (Control (1986), Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)) [mid-1980s–present]
• Bruno Mars - Cites The Time and Morris Day as influences on his funk-inspired stage persona and sound (24K Magic (2016)) [2010s–present]
• The Minneapolis Sound artists - The Time helped define and popularize the Minneapolis Sound, influencing countless funk, R&B, and pop acts (General influence) [1980s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Jungle Love (Ice Cream Castle)
2. 777-9311 (What Time Is It?)
3. Gigolos Get Lonely Too (What Time Is It?)
4. The Bird (Ice Cream Castle)
5. Get It Up - 2021 Remaster (The Time (Expanded Edition) [2021 Remaster])
6. The Walk (What Time Is It?)
7. Jungle Love - 45 Version (Jungle Love (45 Version) / Oh, Baby)
8. Donald Trump - Black Version (Pandemonium)
9. Jerk Out #3 (Pandemonium)
10. Get It Up (The Time)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia