Rosie Gaines
Encyclopedia
Rosie Gaines is an American
vocalist, musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer from Pittsburg
, California
. She released a number of dance
hits
, the most notable being "Closer Than Close
".
was a family funk
/soul
group called Unity, with Gaines on organ
, her brother Carl on bass guitar
, her cousin Lacy on guitar
, sister-in-law Dianne on background vocals and her sister Mal on drums
.
Gaines also played in a band called The Oasis and A Touch of Class before joining The Curtis Ohlson Band (with Levi Seacer, Jr.
on guitar). Seacer called Gaines one day and asked her to come to Minneapolis
, Minnesota
to sing a demo
of a song for The Pointer Sisters.
came in the recording studio
, was impressed by her abilities and asked her to join his band The New Power Generation. Gaines was introduced in 1990 as the new vocalist and keyboard
player on Prince's Nude Tour
. Her first appearance on a Prince album was on Graffiti Bridge
. She was also a member of The NPG in the film Graffiti Bridge
. She performed and wrote on the Diamonds and Pearls
album. In 1992, after the Diamonds and Pearls tour, Gaines returned to her solo career, although she continued to work with Prince.
She duetted
with Prince on the live version of "Nothing Compares 2 U
", available on his 1993 compilation album
, The Hits/The B-Sides
.
her debut solo album. Several albums worth of material were recorded, and the album was set for release on Paisley Park Records
. It was never released because of a legal battle between Prince and Warner Bros. Records
.
Gaines eventually released her third album on Motown Records
. It opened with "I Want U" and also includes "My Tender Heart" (composed by Gaines and Prince), which she performed on The Ryde Dyvine TV special in late 1992.
In 1995, Gaines released the album Closer Than Close
. A remix single of the title song was released two years later. The song peaked at #4 in the UK Singles Chart
, and became a club
favorite. Also in 1995 Gaines collaborated with Tevin Campbell
on the song "I2I" featured in the hit Disney movie A Goofy Movie
.
With her own record label
, Dredlix Records, Gaines strove to bring her music directly via the Internet
. In 1997 she released an internet-only album, Arrival
. Limited to 2,000 copies, it was available exclusively through her official website.
In 2003, she released her album You Gave Me Freedom
through Dome Records in the UK
. In 2005 Gaines provided her vocals for "Dance With Me" recorded by K-Klass
and released on SUSU Records label in July 2005.
Gaines released her album, Welcome To My World, for SUSU Records in November 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
vocalist, musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer from Pittsburg
Pittsburg, California
Pittsburg is a city located in eastern Contra Costa County, California, the outer portion of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 63,264 at the 2010 census....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. She released a number of dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
hits
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
, the most notable being "Closer Than Close
Closer Than Close
Closer Than Close is the fourth album by Rosie Gaines, released on June 13, 1995. Prince provided backing vocals on "My Tender Heart".-Track listing:American edition# "I Want U " – 6:34...
".
Ensemble career
Gaines' first bandBand (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
was a family funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
/soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
group called Unity, with Gaines on organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, her brother Carl on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, her cousin Lacy on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, sister-in-law Dianne on background vocals and her sister Mal on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
.
Gaines also played in a band called The Oasis and A Touch of Class before joining The Curtis Ohlson Band (with Levi Seacer, Jr.
Levi Seacer, Jr.
Levi Seacer, Jr. is an American musician. He was an early associate of Sheila E. when he was tapped by Prince to form a new touring band after the demise of The Revolution in 1986. Seacer became the band's bassist, as well as a backing vocalist. Later, he began collaborating with Prince as a...
on guitar). Seacer called Gaines one day and asked her to come to Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
to sing a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
of a song for The Pointer Sisters.
With Prince
While she was doing the demo, PrincePrince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
came in the recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
, was impressed by her abilities and asked her to join his band The New Power Generation. Gaines was introduced in 1990 as the new vocalist and keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player on Prince's Nude Tour
Nude Tour
The Nude Tour was a greatest hits concert tour by Prince. While the previous tour drew critical praise, the high cost of the concert tour production made it a financial disappointment, thus Prince eliminated much of the excessiveness of the previous tour to be more financially viable...
. Her first appearance on a Prince album was on Graffiti Bridge
Graffiti Bridge (album)
Graffiti Bridge is the twelfth studio album by Prince and the soundtrack to the 1990 film Graffiti Bridge.The album was much better received in sales than the film, reaching #6 in the US and #1 in the UK. Nearly every song on the record was written by Prince despite the handful of artists...
. She was also a member of The NPG in the film Graffiti Bridge
Graffiti Bridge (film)
Graffiti Bridge is a 1990 drama/musical written, directed, and starring Prince. It is a sequel to his first film, Purple Rain, though notorious for its relatively low quality and poor performance at the box-office...
. She performed and wrote on the Diamonds and Pearls
Diamonds and Pearls
Diamonds and Pearls is the thirteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, released October 1, 1991, on Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. It is his first album to have The New Power Generation, his backing band at the time, receive co-billing...
album. In 1992, after the Diamonds and Pearls tour, Gaines returned to her solo career, although she continued to work with Prince.
She duetted
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
with Prince on the live version of "Nothing Compares 2 U
Nothing Compares 2 U
"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a pop song written by American recording artist Prince for one of his side-projects, The Family. However, it wasn't until Sinéad O'Connor recorded her version for the album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got when it became a worldwide hit, topping charts in 15 countries,...
", available on his 1993 compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, The Hits/The B-Sides
The Hits/The B-Sides
-Disc 2 :-Disc 3 :...
.
Solo career
Gaines started recordingSound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
her debut solo album. Several albums worth of material were recorded, and the album was set for release on Paisley Park Records
Paisley Park Records
Paisley Park Records was Prince's record label, associated with and funded in part by Warner Bros. Records. It was started in 1985, following the success of the film and album Purple Rain...
. It was never released because of a legal battle between Prince and Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
.
Gaines eventually released her third album on Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
. It opened with "I Want U" and also includes "My Tender Heart" (composed by Gaines and Prince), which she performed on The Ryde Dyvine TV special in late 1992.
In 1995, Gaines released the album Closer Than Close
Closer Than Close
Closer Than Close is the fourth album by Rosie Gaines, released on June 13, 1995. Prince provided backing vocals on "My Tender Heart".-Track listing:American edition# "I Want U " – 6:34...
. A remix single of the title song was released two years later. The song peaked at #4 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and became a club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
favorite. Also in 1995 Gaines collaborated with Tevin Campbell
Tevin Campbell
Tevin Jermod Campbell is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actor. He scored a string of R&B chart hits as a teenager in the early to mid-1990s.-Music career:...
on the song "I2I" featured in the hit Disney movie A Goofy Movie
A Goofy Movie
A Goofy Movie is a 1995 American animated musical comedy film, produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, Walt Disney Animation France S.A. and Walt Disney Animation Australia , and released in theaters on April 7, 1995 by Walt Disney Pictures...
.
With her own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Dredlix Records, Gaines strove to bring her music directly via the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. In 1997 she released an internet-only album, Arrival
Arrival (Rosie Gaines)
Arrival is the 5th album by Rosie Gaines, released in February 1997. It was the debut album on her label, Dredlix Records, and was an internet-only release.-Track listing:...
. Limited to 2,000 copies, it was available exclusively through her official website.
In 2003, she released her album You Gave Me Freedom
You Gave Me Freedom
You Gave Me Freedom is the 6th album by Rosie Gaines, released on February 23, 2004.-Track listing:All tracks written by Rosie Gaines except where noted# "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" – 4:03# "Wanna Be" – 5:07# "New Beginning" – 3:10...
through Dome Records in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In 2005 Gaines provided her vocals for "Dance With Me" recorded by K-Klass
K-Klass
K-Klass are a house music group from Wrexham, North Wales. The members are Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan, and Paul Roberts. K-Klass signed with Deconstruction Records, and later to Parlophone.-Career:...
and released on SUSU Records label in July 2005.
Gaines released her album, Welcome To My World, for SUSU Records in November 2006.
Album discography
| Year | Album | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Caring Caring (album) -Track listing:All tracks written by Rosie Gaines except where noted# "Dance All Night Long" – 5:52# "I've Gone Too Far" – 4:40# "Skool-ology " – 3:56# "Caring" – 6:41# "Frustration" – 4:15# "Wake Up" – 5:17# "Good Times" – 5:20... |
|
| 1987 | No Sweeter Love No Sweeter Love No Sweeter Love is the second album by Rosie Gaines. Originally scheduled for release in 1987, the album was shelved until 2000 when it was released by Sony's Expansion Records.-Track listing:All tracks written by Rosie Gaines except where noted... |
|
| 1992 | Concrete Jungle | Digital release in 2010 |
| 1994 | Try Me | Digital release in 2010 |
| 1995 | Closer Than Close Closer Than Close Closer Than Close is the fourth album by Rosie Gaines, released on June 13, 1995. Prince provided backing vocals on "My Tender Heart".-Track listing:American edition# "I Want U " – 6:34... |
|
| 1997 | Arrival Arrival (Rosie Gaines) Arrival is the 5th album by Rosie Gaines, released in February 1997. It was the debut album on her label, Dredlix Records, and was an internet-only release.-Track listing:... |
|
| 2004 | You Gave Me Freedom You Gave Me Freedom You Gave Me Freedom is the 6th album by Rosie Gaines, released on February 23, 2004.-Track listing:All tracks written by Rosie Gaines except where noted# "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" – 4:03# "Wanna Be" – 5:07# "New Beginning" – 3:10... |
|
| 2006 | Welcome to My World | |