John Blackwell was an American contemporary R&B, funk, jazz, fusion, and pop drummer. After working with Cameo and Patti LaBelle, John Blackwell was recruited by Prince and took over Kirk Johnson’s position as drummer of The NPG in September 2000. He was the first musician to play from beginning to end, barring an interlude, on an album Prince released under his own name (The Rainbow Children).
After the Musicology Live 2004 ever tour, John Blackwell left The NPG and was recruited by Justin Timberlake, whom with he toured for two years. He came back working with Prince asThe NPG drummer in July 2010, while he continued to pursue his own projects, and collaboration with other artists.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Prince featured the “Upper Room with Joe Kelley and Gi Dussault” on his official website http://www.npgmusicclub.com. This is the first radio show to have ever received that honor. “Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley” has been on the radio airwaves since 1982.
http://www.musiciansreveal.com
Interview originally aired in 2016
