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PURPLE RAIN: A RETROSPECTIVE
Bobby Z
(Prince and the Revolution)
Bob Cavallo
(Producer)
Nelson George
(Moderator)
Dig if you will, the picture: A candid conversation on the making of Purple Rain straight from the folks who were there.
TYPE: Moderated Panel Discussion
ROOM: BOVARD AUDITORIUM
TIME: 11:15am - 12:00pm
Bobby Z
(Musician and Record Producer, Drummer for The Revolution)
Robert B. Rivkin better known by his stage name Bobby Z., is an American musician and record producer, most known as being the original drummer for Prince's band from 1978 to mid 1980’s, and as a member of The Revolution.
Bobby Z began his musical career at the age of six, playing several different instruments before finally settling on the drums. Bobby and Prince met in the late 1970’s as Prince was forming his first band for touring, which led to his being hired as drummer for The Revolution and recording on the album, Controversy in 1981. Bobby Z would continue touring and recording with Prince and the Revolution through the release of the 1987 album, Sign o’ the Times.
Bobby Z’s contributions can be also heard on the following 1999, Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, and Parade.
Following Prince’s untimely death in 2016, Bobby Z is currently touring with the original band members of The Revolution, Lisa Coleman, Wendy Melvoin, Matt “Dr. Fink” Fink and Brown Mark. He is also presently running a successful instrumental label with charting titles in jazz, rock and pop.
Bob Cavallo, chairman, Disney Music Group, oversees all of the Walt Disney Company’s recorded music and music publishing operations, including Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, Lyric Street Records, Carolwood Records, Buena Vista Concerts, and Walt Disney Music Publishing.
Cavallo led the remarkable turnaround of the various labels, and organized all the Walt Disney Company’s recorded music efforts into one business entity. The success spans across all genres, from multi-platinum recording artists such as Rascal Flatts, Miley Cyrus, Breaking Benjamin, Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers, Aly & AJ, and Yanni, to soundtracks such as High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Cars. Disney Music Group had a # 1 single with Grammy nominated Plain White T’s, and is home to critical favorites Grace Potter, Atreyu and Marie’ Digby.
Cavallo began his career as a successful nightclub owner and event producer, before entering into the field of personal management where he established himself as a well-known name in the music industry, identifying, developing and managing new artists. Cavallo has managed some of the top artists of the past decades including Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Seal, Green Day, Weezer, The Goo Goo Dolls, Savage Garden and Alanis Morissette. Under Cavallo’s management, these artists have earned more than 100 gold and platinum records and generated billions of dollars in music industry revenue. Cavallo was also partner at Atlas Entertainment where, in addition to being widely considered the premiere music management firm, the company generated critically and commercially successful films. Cavallo produced PURPLE RAIN, and executive produced 12 MONKEYS, ANGUS, FALLEN and CITY OF ANGELS.
Cavallo contributes to many charities and organizations. In recent years, he became involved with City of Hope when he received their highest honor as Person of the Year in 2007. In addition to raising millions for the Person of the Year dinner, Cavallo created Concert for Hope, a yearly concert to benefit City of Hope. The first concert was held last year, featuring Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers, and raised over $1 million.
Cavallo is a graduate of Georgetown University, and majored in Government.
Bob Cavallo
(Chairman, Disney Music Group)
Nelson George is an author, cultural critic and a filmmaker. His non-fiction books include The Death of Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop America and The Hippest Trip in America: Soul Train. He directed the HBO film, Life Support with Queen Latifah and the documentary A Ballerina's Tale about the dancer Misty Copleand. George was a writer/producer on the Netflix series The Get Down and is a producer on season two of the Cinemax series Tales from the Tour Bus. He saw Prince's first show in New York in 1980 with his friends from college and was at opening night of The Purple Rain tour in Detroit.