Sheila E.
Sheila Cecilia Escovedo (born December 12, 1957 in Oakland, California, U.S.A) better known as name Sheila E., is an American percussionist, drummer, singer, songwriter and actress. Born into a musical family, she is the first of four children to her French Creole mother, Juanita, and her father, Pete Escovedo, a well-known Mexican American jazz percussionist. Her four paternal uncles were also well-known musicians, as was her Godfather, Tito Puente. Sheila E. played several instruments as a child. She eventually picked up the drums and has continued with percussion throughout her career.
Prince met Sheila E. at a concert in 1977, when she was performing with her father Pete Escovedo. The two kept in touch and would eventually work together during the Purple Rain recording sessions. In 1984, Sheila E. and Prince collaborated on the single, synth funk track “Erotic City”, the B-side to "Let's Go Crazy". Taken under Prince's wing, Sheila also worked for Prince on Apollonia 6’s album and it was during this project that Prince advised her to go solo. She proved to be a successful artist in her own right starting with her 1984 debut album “The Glamorous Life”, which she and Prince compiled over the course of a week of jam sessions. She became a mainstream solo star and sex symbol. She also toured as the opening act for Prince's Purple Rain Tour with her band (later named The E Team). Often Sheila with her band members Juan E., Eddie M., Mico Weaver and Susie Davis would join The Revolution on stage for the songs "I Would Die 4 U", "Baby I'm a Star" and “Purple Rain”. Eventually Prince and Sheila E. embarked on an occasionally romantic partnership as well as well as musical.
Sheila E. and The E Team (L-R: Karl Perazzo, Benny Rietveld, Stef Burns, Susie Davis, Ken Grey, Sheila E., Eddie M and Juan E.)
In 1985, Sheila E. appeared in the film Krush Groove and also performed her songs “A Love Bizarre” and “Holly Rock” with her E Team band as part of her role. She also appeared in Prince's concert film, Sign "O" the Times in 1987, as well as a couple other films.
Sheila continued work with Prince and recorded and released her third album on Prince’s Paisley Park label. Sheila later served as Prince's drummer and musical director in his band during the tours from 1987 to 1989. She continued to collaborate with Prince performing on TV award ceremonies and as a musical guest on his concert tours throughout their careers.
From the beginning and throughout her career, Sheila has collaborated with many well known artists. She has won and been nominated for many awards. Sheila has also directed many musical events in the entertainment business.
In 2009, Sheila E. participated and won the CMT reality show, Gone Country giving her an opportunity to release her first song in the country genre titled "Glorious Train". A video for the song was made and debuted on CMT.
Sheila E. albums:
The Glamorous Life (1984)
Romance 1600 (1985)
Sheila E. (1987)
Sex Cymbal (1991)
Writes Of Passage (2000)
Heaven (2001)
Icon (2013)
Iconic: Message 4 America (2017)
On June 26, 2016, Sheila (with members of her band, Jerome Benton, Mayte and The New Power Generation) led a tribute to Prince on the 2016 BET Awards, featuring a medley of his hits. She released the song, "Girl Meets Boy," in honor of Prince the next day.
In 2020, Sheila E. along with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for the TV special Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince.
Sheila E. continues to tour and perform music. She continues to release music to the music industry by way of the entertainment company Stiletto Flats, Inc. where Sheila E. Is the CEO.
She is known as the "Queen of Percussion".
