The Time

The Time is an American funk and dance-pop band formed in 1981 by Prince in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Built from the remnants of the local group Flyte Tyme, the band debuted with Morris Day as lead vocalist alongside key members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Prince created The Time as a vehicle to channel his funk and R&B influences while continuing to experiment more broadly in his solo work. The band's debut album, The Time, was released on July 29, 1981, marking their first significant release. Their second album, What Time Is It?, followed on August 25, 1982. The band then released their third studio album Ice Cream Castle on July 2, 1984. The Time gained notable success with their album Pandemonium on July 10, 1990, spawning hit single "Jerk Out". Throughout their career, The Time toured extensively, including as the opening act for Prince's Controversy Tour and 1999 Tour. In 1983, a dispute led to the departure of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, but the band continued with new members, rebranding in 2011 following internal conflicts and name disputes. In the 1990s, the band experiences sporadic activity, partial reunions, lineup shifts, and periods of inactivity. Some members go on solo or production careers. In 2011, the core group reunites under the name The Original 7ven (since the rights to “The Time” name were controlled by Prince). They release the album Condensate — their first new full-length in 21 years. The Original 7ven perform live, though with some lineup changes. After Prince’s death in 2016, the group has sometimes been billed again as The Time or Morris Day & the Time. On November 21, 2025, drummer and guitarist Jellybean Johnson died at the age of 69.