The beat goes on
For famed percussionist Sheila E., it’s deepened over years
After 40 years in the music industry, Sheila Escovedo still takes a step back to take it all in when she can. Known for playing drums, Escovedo made it all right for a woman to play the instrument — which is predominantly still a male heavy field.
“First of all, it’s amazing and I love being able to be an inspiration to people’s lives,” she says during a recent interview. “I do it because I want to inspire. I was inspired to have a family in the music industry.”
Escovedo is known simply as Sheila E.
Over the course of her illustrious career, she’s shared the stage with greats and had a flurry of hits.
She’s also collaborated with Billy Cobham, Lionel Richie, George Duke, Prince, Ringo Starr, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Hans Zimmer and Kanye West.
She rose to fame during the 1980s with her solo hits, “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre.”
Escovedo’s full schedule got even busier with the release of her book, “The Beat of My Own Drum,” which was released in September. She also recently released her first album in 12 years, “Icon.”
And, in her spare time, she mentors youth groups — both musical and nonmusical.
“I love encouraging and mentoring young people,” she says. “They want to get a sense of what it’s like to be in the industry. I’m there to give them a firsthand look. There are so many young women and young boys who need some sort of inspiration. I’m blessed that I can try to do that for them.”
With decades of songwriting behind her, Escovedo says that each time she starts a new project, it’s something new.
“My writing is going to change as much as I do as a person,” she says. “There’s all the life changes. The trials and tribulations that each one of us goes through. There’s plenty to write about and I think my music is as exciting as ever and it remains very percussive.”