94 East

Formed in December 1975 by Pepe Willie (the former husband of Prince's cousin), 94 East was the Minneapolis-based funk group with which Prince first came to prominence. Willie was a key player in launching Prince's career, spotting his many talents and quickly enlisting the young maestro into the band (named after Interstate 94 in Minneapolis). These earliest known recordings made with 94 East were recorded between December 1975 and February 1979, with Prince contributing electric guitar, guitars, bass, keyboards, synths, organ, drums, harmony and backing vocals and he is clearly heard on every track.