15 Dec Jesse Johnson Announces He Is Leaving The Original 7ven/The Time
Jesse Johnson Photo: Jeremiah Freed
It seems the band formerly known as The Time may be the band formerly known as The Original 7ven as Jesse Johnson has announced he is leaving the band.
Jesse Johnson took to his Facebook Fan Page to make the announcement;
Hello Babies,
I don’t really think I’ll be performing with the Original 7 (or The Time if your nasty) any more! We simple don’t see eye to eye on anything. Love the guys, but I feel in my heart it’s “Time” to walk away while we’re all still friends. May Peace be you.
PeaceLove,
Jesse Johnson Bey ♥
Wow. So, I am wondering if this will derail all plans for a tour and to promote the album in 2012. I mean, how can you tour as The Original 7ven when it would actually be 6?
The Original 7ven. Promo Photo
The band announced their reunion earlier this year and with the reunion came the name change as they no longer could be called “The Time” due to Prince owning the name. All this ground work and a funky album and……now this.
We wonder what the other boys in the band think of this news?-DocFB
Diagnosis: Time To Fix Your Clock……
libra1
Posted at 18:26h, 30 JanuaryI think it is a biggg let down for the fans who have been wishing to have them all unite,it is a big loss!!! However I have heard Morris with a pretty good band with just he, Jerome and the substitutes…they were pretty good! I first saw The Time on the Vanity 6 Tour with Prince and when they finished my ex husband looked at each other and said ” What the heck is Prince gonna do” I wouldn’t want to come on stage behind them!!!! I wish they just could be fire just one more Time!!!!
Someone Else
Posted at 13:20h, 16 JanuaryHi ‘Garth’.
You aren’t, er… ‘related’ to Jesse Johnson are you, by any chance? 😉
Garth
Posted at 22:17h, 15 JanuaryHa! Drugs! You don’t know what the F u r talking about. He has never been on drugs. That just some BS gossip. He probably leaving for the same reasons before. Business. The business is being handled immaturely. No one has time to play around when you have a family to take of. He’s playing with D’Angelo to take care of his family. The Original 7 is a cool thing. But, if you can take care of your family screw it. Some times things on the surface or not what really going on. Several things are going on you we never know about.
Rock on
Posted at 16:19h, 30 DecemberJesse’s an idiot. He always thought he was above the pack. Talented he is, but he’s not getting any younger and his days as the Front Man are not going to happen…it’s a blessing to be back with these talented guys. Geez.
Thomas
Posted at 21:28h, 29 DecemberThis is very sad. This is the second Time Jesse Jerked Out on the band (1991). What a selfish punk. After all the work in getting everyone together, all the rehearsals, all the recording and producing of the new record. All that was left was for them to do a tour. He could have stuck it out for a few more months, did 10-20 shows around the county with the band and they would have been done and the fans would have been pleased with the entire project. I guess his parents didn’t teach him to finish something he started and agreed to. He left his band mates and his fans hanging high and dry on this one. Very sad, but typical of today’s values.
Redfoxxx
Posted at 08:10h, 23 DecemberI’m very disappointed with this latest development. I love the album and was look forward to seeing the original 7 perform. So sad
Najee12
Posted at 06:17h, 23 Decemberchocolatebox,
No one is acting like they are more gifted than Jesse Johnson. On the other hand, you’re so deluded that you are overstating how successful his post-Time career is and was, to the point you’re actually downplaying Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’ career and spouting false information (if not outright lying).
Take the “L” and go home. You’re now embarrassing yourself.
chocolatebox
Posted at 19:33h, 22 DecemberU people on these sites never show no support 4 artist that have made it already.U act like Ur more gifted and talented & have sold millions of records.When actuality no one knows who U are or even cares..Jesse was successful and accomplished more than any of U can ever dream of. Whether he has had one or twelve platinum records it don’t matter. Don’t hate
Najee12
Posted at 19:08h, 22 Decemberchocolatebox,
The RIAA, the recording industry’s entity that certifies the sales of albums and singles, shows that Jesse Johnson has only one gold album, “Jesse Johnson’s Revue.” You should have questioned where you pulled your “data” because Johnson’s debut album was his biggest selling album, in addition to it producing three of his five Billboard top 10 singles.
Seriously, take the “L” on this one. Now you’re quoting inaccurate information at the least.
Najee12
Posted at 19:06h, 22 Decemberchocolatebox,
The RIAA, the recording industry’s entity that certifies the sales of albums and singles, shows that Jesse Johnson has only one gold album, “Jesse Johnson’s Revue.” You should have questioned where you pulled your “data” because Johnson’s album was his biggest selling album, in addition to it producing three of his five Billboard top 10 singles.
Seriously, take the “L” on this one. Now you’re quoting inaccurate information at the least.
chocolatebox
Posted at 17:26h, 22 DecemberTitle Release
Date US US R&B Worldwide Sales
(when available)
Jesse Johnson’s Revue 1985 43 8 700,000
Shockadelica 1986 70 15 1,000,000
Every Shade of Love 1988 79 26 500,000
To Whom it may concern!
Jesse has two gold & one platinum albums
Vicki Murray
Posted at 13:37h, 21 Decemberthat didn’t take long at all! so sad and disappointed.
Najee12
Posted at 13:17h, 21 December“I hear you. I just don’t hear as much chicken grease on the record for my taste. Not saying its a ‘bad album’ or unworthy of listening. My point is that there is a certain wickedness that I don’t feel with ‘Condensate.’ Just me I guess.”
That could be because there aren’t the extended jam sessions that were common on the previous albums. Instead of the occasional seven- to 10-minute song, must of the songs are clocking in at the four- to five-minute stage.
You have to blame that more on consumer tastes and the changes in the music industry since “Pandemonium” came out. Music companies generally want all the songs on the album to be conducive to four-minute airplay; acts don’t make an edited, radio-friendly version of a song and then have the extended version on the album.
As for the interplay you said you noticed on “Verbal Penetration” vs. “Condensate,” we have to keep in mind that the concept of The Time/The Original 7ven is centered around Morris Day’s vocals and persona. Jesse Johnson’s solo stuff is centered around his guitar playing. The Time/Original 7ven has to incorporate the talents of five other prolific musicians to come to a common ground and be versatile in multiple styles. With Johnson’s solo stuff, it’s pretty much more of a jam session with vocals being somewhat secondary.
Najee12
Posted at 07:45h, 21 December“I don’t know Jesse. It only takes 2 degrees of seperation for any connection to that crew of musicians. (Alan and Eric Leeds are friends of my family) So it’s anybodys guess what the real deal is. My overall observation is that just because someone gets off of a supposed gravy train that doesn’t mean that it’s because of using. Thats all.”
I agree. Until proven or acknowledged without a shadow of a doubt, I don’t feel any drug speculation regarding Jesse Johnson is worth noting. We may never heard publicly the reason Jesse left the band, but IMO he is making a terrible decision.
I mean, really — Johnson sees more value in being a sideman in a possible European tour for an ongoing artist who has made two albums in 17 years, who has not even a hint of a third album coming out? He doesn’t want the Prince associations/comparisons so he agrees to be possibly a bit player for a Prince-influenced artist who hasn’t an album in 12 years?
hoodedmonk
Posted at 18:30h, 19 DecemberI hear you. I just don’t hear as much chicken grease on the record for my taste. Not saying its a “bad album” or unworthy of listening. My point is that there is a certain wickedness that I don’t feel with “Condensate”. Just me I guess. I still purchased the damn thing. They could poot in a bottle and I’d still consider buying it. LOL
I don’t know Jesse. It only takes 2 degrees of seperation for any connection to that crew of musicians. (Alan and Eric Leeds are friends of my family) So it’s anybodys guess what the real deal is. My overall observation is that just because someone gets off of a supposed gravy train that doesn’t mean that it’s because of using. Thats all.
When I listened to Jesse’s new solo stuff ( which is massive) I hear a lot of players interacting WITH him. Like Musicology. There is space. Not just a section for a sexy solo.
I hope the guys keep moving forward. I hope Jesse gets the guitar status that he is due.
Najee12
Posted at 18:14h, 19 December“This is just my opinion as a musician that has played in many groups. Some for years. The album ‘Condensate’ in some ways sounds very little like the classic Time of the first 3 albums.”
Our mileage may vary, but IMO “Condensate” sounds like the Minneapolis Sound with influences of Flyte Tyme’s and Jesse Johnson’s styles. Given that The Time’s sound somewhat intersected with Prince’s stlye, some elements of the songs even reminded me of Prince’s post-“1999” work.
“Strawberry Lake” = a combination of “Ice Cream Castles” and Prince’s “Mountains” and “Glam Slam”
“Condensate” = reminds me of Prince’s James Brown-inspired music
“If I Was Yo Man” = an updated version of “777-9311”
“Role Play” = basically an updated, male version of Janet Jackson’s “Rope Burn”
“Sick” = the band going hard rock, Jesse Johnson style
“AYDKMN” = a combination of Prince’s “Scarlet Pussy” and Jesse Johnson’s rock riffs
“Toast to the Party Girl” = Prince’s “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” with the instrumental end reminding me of “Baby I’m a Star”
To me, the only songs that didn’t have that Minneapolis Sound style are “Lifestyle” and “Hey Yo,” which sound like the mid-tempo music that has dominated the music scene for the past few years.
“But this album has Morris talking so much its kinda annoying to me. Morris and Jerome putting skits into a song is cool. But having it all thru the song sounded phony.”
I must have gotten another album than you, because my version didn’t have Morris Day and Jerome Benton having distracting banter throughout the songs. The beginning of “AYDKMN” had Morris and Jerome speaking in the first 20 seconds, but other than that it was the typical line of Morris saying a line to the band or Morris asking Jerome to pick up the female a dress in “Lifestyle.”
“I think personal problems aside Jesse plays guitar on the same level as Prince. He can’t sing like him. But he can make a song pretty hot when given the chance. But you can’t tell it from this album.”
I would have to refer to songs like “Sick” and “AYDKMN” as examples of Jesse Johnson’s hard rock imprint, in addition to the solo in “If I Was Yo Man” and his subtle playing in “Cadillac.”
G. Money
Posted at 15:18h, 19 DecemberMan, that really sucks!! Just when I thought that the world was going to get introduced to some real music again from a real band (not discounting Mint Condition) they get derailed again. That’s always been the problem with being a fan of a band, they hardly ever stay together. “First the Commodores and now this?!” Oh well, it really is too bad because this album is one of their best and it’s all them. Dayum! Dayum! Dayum!!
hoodedmonk
Posted at 13:12h, 19 DecemberI suggest that if you’re reaching for speculation, why not just go to the music?
This is just my opinion as a musician that has played in many groups. Some for years. The album “Condensate” in some ways sounds very little like the classic “Time” of the first 3 albums. It could be that Prince was not involved. Maybe not. Jam and Lewis have a history of writing made to order grooves.
But I’ve heard Jesse play for years. Hits or not, his guitar style is just as important as Jellybeans drumming and Morris’ vocals. But this album has Morris talking so much its kinda annoying to me. Morris and Jerome putting skits into a song is cool. But having it all thru the song sounded phony. ( To me)
I think personal problems aside Jesse plays guitar on the same level as Prince. He can’t sing like him. But he can make a song pretty hot when given the chance. But you can’t tell it from this album. Maybe he just didn’t want to be stuck the rut of being on stage faking it.
Tamara
Posted at 13:00h, 19 DecemberHey Najee12 I’m feeling you all the way! I really do hope Jesse Johnson will change his mind about being in the band. Verbal Penetration is a nice album and if he were to tour with The Original7 people could find out about it as well as his older works. He’s a really dope guitarist. Johnson should also think about the fact that they are blessed to be able to do a reunion tour. He should think about Rick James, Teena Marie and other acts that were around in their heyday that don’t have that option.
AlfredHaynes
Posted at 03:34h, 19 DecemberSometimes, you can’t go home, because home isn’t there, anymore. Maybe that’s what happened to Jesse.
Najee12
Posted at 01:03h, 19 December“I just mentioned Janet because I’m a fan of hers & worked with her.”
Then why are you comparing Jesse Johnson’s post-Time track record with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’? You pretty much have to go to Madonna to find a career comparable to Janet Jackson’s profile and virtually all of her hit songs came from the Flyte Tyme factory.
Just on Janet Jackson alone, this is a one-sided joke. But when you start throwing in the legions of hit songs Jam & Lewis made beyond her over the years, and you’re still going on with this ridiculous argument?
There is a difference between an objective fan (me) and a star-struck zealot with no good sense of perspective (you). You just need to take the “L” on overstating Johnson’s solo career, because he needs the association with The Time more than some of the other members.
Najee12
Posted at 00:35h, 19 December“Jesse is already relevant on stage. He has been touring by himself even before the reunion even happen. Google it or you tube it. If selling out shows is not successful as a solo artist where they make the real dough at. I don’t know what else is.”
Jesse Johnson performs, but is more of an underground artist who plays in small venues. His albums are modest sellers on small independent labels with virtually no promotion beyond live performances. He is NOT relevant on a national stage — if he was, I would have not spent the past two months correcting people who thought he no longer performed or thought he disappeared after the “Pandemonium” album.
Maybe Johnson can go back to his burgeoning career of playing in small clubs but I find it ironic that the guy who has been living off the billing “formerly the guitarist in The Time” for roughly two decades now chafes at the idea of being temporarily in the role that made him relevant in the first place.
chocolatebox
Posted at 00:22h, 19 December“He personally needs to get over his over inflated ego and delusion and milk the opportunity to make himself relevant on the national stage again.”
Jesse is already relevant on stage. He has been touring by himself even before the reunion even happen. Google it or you tube it. If selling out shows is not successful as a solo artist where they make the real dough at. I don’t know what else is.
The End
Najee12
Posted at 00:20h, 19 December“I don’t even know why your even on this thread. U are not a fan of Jesse’s obviously.”
OK, now when you’re in doubt you try deflection. Another fallacious argument.
BTW, I am a Jesse Johnson fan. I love his work in The Time, bought all three of his solo albums with A&M and followed him through “Bare My Naked Soul” and “Verbal Penetration.” He’s an integral part of the group and it is lessened without his presence and considerable talent.
But at the same time, he needs to face reality. He’s not this independent solo star that he is somehow above being “the guitarist in the band.” If Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (who are much more successful than he ever was) not only gladly are taking up their former roles of sidemen but are among the ones leading the charge in putting the band back together, then Johnson really has nothing to stand on.
More importantly, Johnson bailed on the group two months after the album comes out and before the band goes on his tour. Personally, it’s career suicide on his behalf. He largely has been out of the mainstream spotlight for two decades and he may have kissed any chance of re-igniting his solo success goodbye.
Najee12
Posted at 00:09h, 19 December“Don’t try to make me look unknowledgeable on here. Because I know EVERYTHING about the whole Prince Minneapolis scene. Including ALL his proteges.”
Then you would know you are overstating Jesse Johnson’s success as a solo artist. He wasn’t that successful as a solo artist, especially since his attitude per his recent posts on his FB page suggests he does feel he was constrained going back into the band. He had five top 10 singles on the Billboard soul music charts in the mid to latter ’80s and one gold album.
Moreover, you’re trying to match up Johnson’s post-Time career to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ career — which is so laughable that it does call into question your objectivity and knowledge. If anyone needs the recognition and attention the reformation of the band brings, it’s Johnson. He personally needs to get over his over inflated ego and delusion and milk the opportunity to make himself relevant on the national stage again.