MODEL CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Though not officially a part of the Noble
Street Festival, there’s no better way to
kick off anything — racing festivals, space
shuttle launches, trips through time and
space — than a Morris Day and the Time
show. We’re talking about Jungle Love, The
Bird and Jerk Out, here, huge R&B hits and
excellent music to dance to.
The band will be in town Friday night
playing a free concert at Zinn Park to kick
off the third year of Model City Music
Festival shows.
As of press time, official schedule
information has yet to be announced,
but the best place to check for updates is
facebook.com/pages/CD-Cellar-Anniston,
the unofficial headquarters for Model City
Music Festival, where new information will
be posted as it’s made available.
Born in Minneapolis, Day had a flair for fashion.
Inspired by photographs of his grandpa in zoot
suits, a true fashionista was formed! Day went
to school with Prince Rogers Nelson and sang
in Prince’s first band Grand Central. Prince grew
as an artist and so did the opportunity around
him. The Time was originally created as Prince’s
alter-ego to be seen as the cool, street-wise funk
band contrasting Prince’s more soulful R&B
sound. After looking at several lead vocalists,
Prince wanted someone with mad talent so
he cast his high school friend– the funky, the
fabulous Morris Day. Soon after, Morris Day
and the Time were cast in Purple Rain which
captured the exploding Minneapolis music
scene at its peak.
Morris Day burst onto the public scene with
the group’s self-titled album, The Time, which
included “Get It Up,” “Cool,” and “Girl.” Soon
after the world was introduced the prolific
Minneapolis music marvel, the group went on
to record three more albums, including What
Time Is It? (featuring the hits “777-9311,” “Wild
and Loose,” “Walk,” and “Gigolos Get Lonely
Too”) and Ice Cream Castle, (which included
the hit “Jungle Love”). After three albums Morris
Day launched his solo career, releasing three
albums: The Color of Success, Daydreaming,
and Guaranteed. Combined sales of Morris
Day’s solo work and The Time is in excess of 10
million units.
“It was such an innocent time,” Day reminisces.
“We were just doing our thing, talking the way
we talked and dressing the way we dressed.
Bringing our personalities to the record. It was
us being us. I’m proud of where I came from
musically and the things we’ve done, but I’m
here with another project. I’m looking forward
to the ride again. That’s what I’m focusing on
now.”
Bio courtesy of morrisdayandthetime.com
INSIGHT
April 2014
9