Morris Day and The Time to perform after parade
Morris Day and The Time will perform the free post-parade concert at next year’s First Ever
15th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Bridge Street, according to Visit Hot Springs.
“He’ll be the perfect topping for the zany vibe that our little parade brings to our guests,” Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said in a news release.
Visit Hot Springs announced in August Grand Funk Railroad will perform at the first pre-parade concert on Friday, March 16.
The added entertainment is in honor of the
15th anniversary of the parade, and to provide an additional draw for visitors.
While the post-parade concert has become an
annual event, this year’s entertainment will start an hour later.
The 2018 parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. to accommodate the crowd that will be attending the running of The Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Arrison says the later start will allow Oaklawn fans “plenty of time to enjoy the live racing and get downtown for the start of the parade.”
Day went to school with Prince Rogers Nelson and sang in Prince’s first band, Grand Central, according to a biography provided by Visit Hot Springs. “Prince grew as an artist and so did the opportunity around him. The Time was originally created as Prince’s alter ego to be seen as the cool, street-wise funk band contrasting Prince’s more soulful R&B sound,” the release said.
“After looking at several lead vocalists, Prince wanted someone with mad talent so he cast his high school friend, Day, in that role. Soon after, Morris Day and The Time were cast in Prince’s movie, ‘Purple Rain,’ which captured the exploding Minneapolis music scene at its peak,” it said.
The group’s self-titled album, “The Time,” included “Get It Up,” “Cool,” and “Girl.” The group went on to record three more albums, including “What Time Is It?” (featuring the hits “777-9311,” “Wild and Loose,” “Walk,” and “Gigolos Get Lonely Too”) and “Ice Cream Castle,” (which included the hit “Jungle Love”). After three albums Day launched his solo career, releasing three albums: “The Color of Success,” “Daydreaming,” and “Guaranteed.” Combined sales of Day’s solo work and “The Time” exceed 10 million units.