What do you consider to be the highlight of your career?įor me, the highlight came long after my time with Prince. I cover the challenges of my conversion extensively in the book, but, in short, it did create great tension and conflict within me over time, because I knew that what we were doing ran contrary to my faith in many ways. God didn’t want me to jump through religious hoops-he wanted my heart. What I found out in December of 1980 on a Christmas break from the tour was that god, through his son Jesus, wanted a relationship with us, not religion, and that the true church was not meant to be an Organization, but an organism. While, like many, I had grown up ‘in church’, I had only been introduced to religion (man’s attempt to change himself from the outside-in, through works, deeds, and being a so-called ‘good person’). I actually had a profound, life-changing conversion experience during the “dirty mind” tour, which I chronicle in chapter 20 of my book. With regards to you religious perspective now, if you were as religious then how did it affect you performing with Prince? However, we do have plans to release other rare material from that era sometime soon. Unfortunately, we do not possess the Modernaire master, so, unless it turns up somewhere, that will never be released. Do you plan on releasing any of your older stuff for instance Modernaire? True fans know I played an important part in The Time and Vanity 6 projects, as well as having had an influence on Prince himself during my time in the band. Recognition is always nice, but you have to be secure in knowing that, even if it’s not widely known, you’ve made a contribution of significance. I’m satisfied that those who were on the ‘inside’ are aware of the facts, and, for those that would like more insight, I’ve written about that period in my book. I’m thinking in particular about the input you may have had in the songwriting process between 19, including the vanity 6 and the time projects?Īs is often the case in these situations (George Martin and the Beatles, for example), the public perception and the behind-the-scenes reality are two different things. Are you happy that your contribution towards Prince’s career has been correctly recognized.

While I was unhappy with the band at the time of my departure (as I detail in my book), we parted company on good terms. My split with him and the band was completely amicable. It’s really just a typical example of Prince’s sense of humor. Have u heard the song by Prince “Xtra Loveable”? If so, what is your reaction to the line “What’s the matter Dez, don’t u like my band”?īelieve it or not, I’ve never heard the song, although I’m familiar with the lyric. Do yourself a favor, and buy his book (My Time With Prince), it’s a fun & interesting read! I’d like to thank Dez Dickerson for participating on this questionaire and of course all the Housequake members that sent in a question. Prince & Dez Dickerson Here are the selected 20 questions from our members & the answers from Dez Dickerson himself.

Doctor fink joke wendy purple rain