Marva King on Prince's Unreleased Music, Stevie Wonder & Untold Stories

0:00 But he called me to do that jam session that night, and that was with d'. Angelo. Oh, was that at Tramps? I was at Tramps. And the first time on stage with Prince was the first time on stage, too, with d'. Angelo. Yeah. That was an amazing night. Hi, I'm Marva King, and you're watching Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelly.

0:22 And welcome back to Musicians Reveal. Marva King. I think this is our third or fourth time that. You. Visited. Yeah, at. Least. Yeah. And going back 22 years, I think first time was 2004. So. Yeah. How you been doing? I've been very well, thank you. I cannot complain, Joe. Yeah. So. So Marburger King, of course, we know her with all her solo stuff and Prince and the mpg and we'll get into some of that.

0:51 And right now, she has the number one soul song on the UK soul charts with your former boss, Stevie Wonder. Wow. Congratulations. That's amazing. Thank you so much. Yeah. My very good friend. Still. Yeah. Now, how. How is it like getting Stevie onto a record? Because he's as busy as you. Yeah, he's busier than me.

1:14 Okay. Kidding me. First of all, he has nine children, so that'll keep you quite busy. And then he has these double or triple album that he getting ready to release, I guess, next year. So he's a busy man right about now. Yeah. Not to mention that he's on tour, so. That's right. But, yeah, well, Stevie actually heard this song.

1:37 I played it for him. I went to the studio. He always told me, come by, let me listen. Let me listen to what you got. And you listen to what I got and you tell me what you think. So I went and I played my song and he said, it needs a harmonica on it. And I said, really? Right. Ironically, you are the harmonica player.

1:59 So I said, put one on. And he said, okay. And, yeah, took us a minute, but he got it on there and it was amazing. I mean, he was just chopping up so many, like, nah, next one. Next. I said, no, you. You're killing it. You're just. You're killing it. Oh, my God, it was killing me. And he's such a perfectionist, and I can't talk, but he's such a perfectionist.

2:25 But this one that we have, it's very amazing. It's so emotional and just so perfect for the type of song that it is. And the great thing, all these years, you've been writing your own songs with and collaborating, but, I mean, you're a songwriter as well as a singer. And musician, so. Yes. And producer.

2:43 And producer. That's right. Yeah. So. Right. Don't forget that part. And performer. She's still going strong on stage. As. Witnessed by whoever sees Marva. And we've seen her loads of times on stage. So you. To be commended. You know, probably some of your peers aren't doing what you're doing. Yeah, it could be.

3:00 Yeah. God is great. He's not good. He's great. Yeah. I feel exceptionally well and. And yeah. Ready to hit it again too. Yeah. Let's talk about another heartbreak. The song with the UK soul charts. Of course, you're doing really well in Europe. Where can the people who are watching or listening right now purchase the single?

3:24 They can purchase a single@www.marvaqueenking.com, which is the same as my IG and tick tock. So you will remember. So if you forget where it is, just go there. Yeah. The success for over in Europe, obviously you've got some great success over there. When did this start and why the difference? The US needs to pick up the slack, I believe.

3:53 You know what I ended up, my first album, it played in the United States, but it just basically took off in almost every territory outside of the U.S. europe feels right album. I go to Japan, they come in with all these copies of Feels Right. Cited, Cited, please. Finally we get her over here to do that.

4:20 Australia, I found out South Africa, the islands, you know, the Caribbean island. Pretty much everywhere. America. It was an interesting situation that happened with the deal. I actually left Elektra before the album was released, so that might have something to do with it, but still it did play here.

4:42 But I am very grateful for the people that follow me and support me in those countries because I love going over there anyway. Yeah. So, yeah, that's how that ended up happening. You've got some. Some. Are you playing like a soul bash coming up next year? Right? Yes, I guess you can call it that. But yes, that's what it is.

5:04 Okay. Yes. It's called Luxury Souls. Okay. That is actually in Blackpool and that's near Manchester. Yeah. Uk. So, yes, I'm looking forward to that as a three day event and very excited because that's where I'm gonna break a lot of things out, like the album and just all this other incredible stuff I've been creating and working on for the last year to present.

5:29 So those people are going to be some very fortunate and happy people. They're going to be pretty happy. When is the Luxury Soul? When's the date for that? Do you have it. Oh, the date for it, yes. My date that I performed in January 9, 2027, but it actually starts on the 7th of January, so it's 7th, 8th and 9th.

5:55 I've been to Manchester some years ago. I went with Prince. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. But that's probably the only time I've been to Manchester. So I look forward to going back because I. Everybody talks about how the music scene is just so incredible and how grateful and appreciative they are of music, live music.

6:13 But that, to me, that's all of Europe, and particularly the UK with soul music. Yeah. France. Yep. Yeah. Oh, yeah, France, too. So you've got an interesting story with Stevie Wonder, how you first met and jumped aboard the. The Wonderlove train. So if. If the people. Maybe you can refresh that first meeting and getting into the camp.

6:39 Yeah. Well, I moved to Los Angeles, California from Flint, Michigan, as a teenager, planning to get in the industry. I always felt I would. And when I arrived, of course, things were never like you think that they're going to be, especially as a kid. Didn't have any money and got jobs and enrolled in college.

7:02 And next thing I know, I did a show someone asked me to do, and I think I got. I remember it was probably $50, $25. I don't even remember what it was, but. But it was a very small check. But I was quite grateful. And that person, the best thing that ever came out of that, his name is Aubrey Moore. He took that cassette that he recorded, unbeknownst to me, and gave it to another young lady that I didn't know and told her, this is a girl that sang at my show.

7:35 She listened to it and took it to Stevie and say, I have a girl that you need to listen to. And within hours of that happening, I was at Wonderland Studio and I was auditioning. And I was, of course, terrified because maybe four months before that, I was reading a magazine, it was an industry magazine, and they were talking about Denise Williams.

8:02 Denise Williams said that I started a little late in my career because she had been married or whatever and had children. And she said how fortunate she was that Stevie found her and she started working with him. And I read the whole article and I just put it down and just said, wow, I wish something like that could happen for me.

8:20 And four months later, lo and behold, you speak it, you get it. And I was there. And he didn't want to hire me because at that time, you know, I looked really young. You know, I kind of think I Looked a little young for my age. That I really am. I'm not telling right now, but some people can do the math.

8:39 But at that time, I looked like a baby. And he was apprehensive about hiring me. And I followed him out the door because he said, my road manager said, you look like a baby. And I said, I'm not a baby. I said, I'm grown. And he said, well, I don't know what that means. It's like anything. Like some kids run away.

8:58 And I said, no, no. I said, I'm. And I followed him out the door. He said, well, I'm going to think about it. And he said, I like your talent, and you sound like a solo artist, so I don't know if I should have. I said, no, I need your job. I said, I've always admired you and wanted to work with you. Anyway, next morning I got a phone call and they said, come to rehearsal.

9:17 I was so happy. So the first tour, was that Hotter Than July? Yes, well, it actually was. What was that album? That Secret Life of Plants. Okay, Right. And we recorded Song in the Queue. I mean, what is it called? I'm Thinking Song, because he's out there promoting that right now. But no, Hotter Than July came after that, and we were working on it around the time that we went on that first tour.

9:50 Okay. Which was Secret Life of Plant. So he did that, you know, for a film. And that's how I end up getting my record deal,. Because. He featured me on a song that Sarita sang on. Called. Come Back as a. Yes, Come Back as a Flower. And one of the musicians was also a producer and had connections to Richard Perry.

10:13 And at that time, he was, like, the hottest producer in the industry, and they had a deal through Elektra. So he said, had you ever thought about doing a solo deal? I said, of course. So that's how that happened. But you did do the Hotter Than July tour, right? You know, I did one, two. I did. Yes, I did.

10:34 Of course, I did some of the dates. We did US dates. We went over to Europe. We did some dates in Europe and. Yeah, but I didn't do a lot of them because after I did the US Leg of it, which was only two weeks, I ended up getting that record offer. Yeah. Wow. Prince and the mpg. Of course, a lot of our viewers and listeners know you with the affiliation with Prince.

11:03 That first meeting was really random chance, right? Definitely. Very much so. And I think that was divinely orchestrated as well, because I wasn't going to go to that party. Okay,. Yeah, I wasn't going to go. It was actually Stevie's birthday, and everybody in Los Angeles know he has legendary birthday parties because all the celebrities show up, and you just never know the who's who come out, and it's always so much fun.

11:32 And then there's a lot of live, random performances and stuff. So, yeah, I almost didn't come because I was mad at Stevie for canceling a tour that had been scheduled for months. And I said, I'm not going. And someone talked me into it, and I did. And I'm so glad I did, because, you know, had I not, I don't know if I would have met Prince.

11:54 Why did he choose you think? Why did. Why did. Prince. Choose you to come into the. Building? Well, Prince chose me because, first of all, he loved this dress that I had on. I was there a little early with this girlfriend who also worked with Stevie at that time, and we were standing in the front of the door.

12:14 We were very early, like, before most people got there. And, of course, Prince was his punctual self. He came in very early, and my back was to him. And I went shopping that day, and I was like, I don't know what I'm gonna wear. She said, mother, just come. Just come. I said, I don't know what to wear.

12:28 I bought a dress, and it was in the stars because that was a store that he was frequenting. They were making clothes for him. I had no idea that. And so that's why he walked in, and he shoved me really hard when he walked in. I mean, like, it threw me forward. The door, or he walked up to you and pushed you?

12:50 No, I was standing in front of the door. He pushed me. He literally took his shoulder, and as he walked by with the security, he hit me so hard that I flew forward and I looked and I said, that's that little man. I said, oh, no, you didn't. And I said, he didn't even turn around, say excuse me, or anything.

13:10 And my friend, she had a baby voice. She said, that was so rude. And we both just looked at him and waited for him to turn around. He just kept pimping on into the room, like, whatever. But I know him now, and if he likes something he sees or he's like that. And I said, you. I wonder who taught him those moves.

13:31 Yeah. All I know is he pushed me so hard, I couldn't believe it. And he didn't know that I was a singer. So Stevie called this all on the stage. That used to work with him and still work with him. It was about six or seven of us on stage, and he decided, I'm gonna write a song. And. Everybody was looking like, oh.

13:54 And he said, I need somebody to help me write the song. And everybody started backing up. My stomach started churning because I felt I was gonna be in trouble. I said, please don't call me. Please don't call me. And everybody was thinking that. He called one girl. I guess she couldn't think of anything.

14:08 He sent her back, and then he said, I know who'll do it, Marva. God. He would call me. So I walked up to him, I said, I'm gonna kill you. He just smiled. I went. I said, what do you want, right? He said, hey, we just go make it up on the spot. Oh, my God. So I did. And I still don't know what I did to this day, but all the people started roaring and cheering.

14:32 And Princess, that's when I said, that's that girl up front. He said, that's my new singer. Wow. I said, really? So before I could get off stage, his security was at the bottom of the stage, along with Stevie's sister, who said, marva, something really big has happened. And before I knew it, I was communicating with them.

14:50 And in two days, I was at Paisley Park. So that. That first tour jam of the year was. Was the tour you did with Prince, right? Yeah. Yeah. I had a question, because did you play the first couple dates or you jumped in? Like, after the third or fourth? I jumped in. I don't even know how many they had done.

15:09 Because when I went up to Paisley, he gave me six songs to sing. Right. Leading background. I might have told you that. And I did, while he went to go do a jam session with some of the musicians. When he came back, I had it done. And he just said, okay, I need you to come out on the road. And I said, I can't.

15:29 I'm working with too many people at that time. So many artists. And so I missed. I'm sure I missed several days, probably. Yeah. Because I. Looked up. I looked up on Prince of all, because I saw the show at Jones beach in New York. Yeah, that was the first one. I showed up, and I didn't even perform that one.

15:47 Okay. Yeah. Because I didn't see us performing there. Oh, but you. Were there. I was there. That was the first time because he contacted me and said, hey, come hang out with us. Okay. Wow. Because I told him when I did all those songs, he said, okay, I want to have you in my Band. And I said, I don't know if I can do that.

16:06 And so when he invited me to Jones beach, he said, come as my guest. And that sound appealing. And I was in the studio with Lionel Richie in Tennessee, and I said, this is a good time for me to break. And I flew up to. I flew up because, you know, Lionel is so wonderful, man. I would just sit there just making money, but just doodling and that kind of stuff until he called me.

16:31 But I went to Jones beach and I didn't perform. He kept trying to get me to come on the stage. And I said, I don't know your material like that. I don't know your show, and I am not coming out there. But I was so, so fascinated at the audience and, you know, just how he had such a command of the audience and how much they loved and cheered.

16:51 And me and my earplugs just kind of stayed on the side wings until it was time to go. But he called me to do that jam session that night, and that was with d'. Angelo. Oh,. Was. That a Tramps? That was at Tramps. And the first time on stage with Prince Was the first time on stage, too, with d'. Angelo.

17:11 Yeah, that was an amazing night. That sold me. I was like, okay, I want to work with this guy. I want to work with him. You weren't on the boat when he came in on the. On the ocean there, right, to enter at Jones Beach? I was not there. No, I wasn't. I wasn't. That was a unique entrance to the stage,.

17:31 For sure. That was pretty cool. Yeah,. I probably was backstage or something. Yeah. Were your. Were your earplugs on? Yeah, but, yeah, that tour molded right, you know, into the new power soul. So that was like two years continuously on the road, right? Yes. Right. Yeah. Non stop,. Non stop. In between, of course, Princess Courting and, you know, the new power generator.

18:02 You know, some great stuff you did with them. Come on. And. Yes. Yeah. What was your first experience in the studio with Prince? Recording. I'm trying to think what I did first. It was definitely something, of course. Well, you know, he was planning to do an album on me, so we started an album. So I think Playtime, this song called Playtime, was my first time in the studio with him, and I liked that song.

18:31 And he actually, before we could even record it, really good, he had me on stage performing that. That as well, too. And, yeah, that was my first song and my first time in the studio actually recording with him. So you. I think you told me before you did two albums with him, right? I mean, that he did.

18:52 With. You or. Well, he did one album with me by myself, but he did another album. I just wondered, where are some of those songs? They're probably in the vault, too. That amazing album that had so many songs on it that I love that he featured me on a lot. And I haven't heard it. Right. I haven't heard it anymore.

19:15 But, yeah, that was the second project. And then he finally told me, look, you have access to the studio. Just come in and just finish your album. But when did we ever have time? I know, yeah. That make it worthwhile. Yeah. But you never know. You may get that email or call and say, we're going to release your songs from.

19:35 From the Estate. That would be nice. That would be great. That would be great. I mean, they're there, so. Yeah. Yeah, there's a lot of great songs that I really liked a lot there,. So. Really cool. On the. The timeless is latest release that came out of Paisley park, the Guilty Ones. You're on with Shelby, right?

19:53 I'm sure I am,. Yeah. Oh,. They didn't. Let you know? Well, I'm sure I. I heard about them, but,. Yeah,. I didn't go back to. Look, I don't go and buy the records or I. Don't. I don't follow it like that, you know, I miss him. Yeah. A lot. And I. I still perform some of his older material, but things that we all did together, for me, it's a little tough for me to hear.

20:18 It's. It's still a little tough for me to hear. So I don't. I. I don't make a point of. And right after his passing, you did the 2016 big concert in Minnesota and. Yes. Yeah, it looked. It looked tough for you up there with Stevie. I'm sure it was. Oh, gosh, it. Was a tough night. Yeah. Yeah, that was a tough night.

20:42 I. I had a great time performing his older songs. That was really fun. But in front of all those appreciative fans who were excited to just reminisce and just have a great time in the name of Prince and. But yeah, when Stevie got ready to go out, he said. He said, please come out with me. And. I said, okay.

21:04 I said, okay, sure. And he grabbed my hand and. Oh, my God, he was gripping it so hard that I wanted to say. And it stayed like that. He was really affected. Yeah, he was really, really emotional about. Yeah. And Prince was. He was deep into everything Stevie did. So. Yeah,. They had that mutual bond.

21:29 Yeah. Yeah. What was it like going, you know, years later after the, the late 90s, getting back on tour with him, 21 nights in London. And was he any different as a band leader between that, that era? Different as a band leader? How can I say? He had settled into himself quite a bit more by then. He was more relaxed as a band leader.

22:00 Not relaxed in that anybody could get away with anything. Right. His approach was a bit different, one might then because, you know, he was in the Bible, pretty heavy by then. And so he was more palatable in any given time because he was a strict, very strict test master when it comes to everybody working and knowing their parts and just everybody.

22:29 He ran a very, very tight ship and I'm not mad at him because that's why the greatness was there. That's why the people have an experience like no other, so. Or they had an experience like no other. So I'm not upset with him about that, but it was just a lot easier to say it because it's like he would expect things of us still.

22:53 Right. But yeah, his approach was just a little different and I appreciated that. Plus you were in a city for a long stretch so the travel didn't factor in too much. Right. Yeah. So that was, that was a bless plus. Yeah,. Yeah, yeah. 21 nights were great, man. It was. That was amazing. I heard the after shows were great too.

23:13 They were, they were, they were. So, yeah, the whole experience. I'm so glad because he called me and said, like, I know how to get her back here on this road. He's like, I know that she liked the uk. He knew that I loved Europe, so. Right. They sent a message, said, you know, Prince want to know if you want to go and do.

23:36 He has 21 nights in the UK and I'm like, how can I turn that down? Yes, I'll be there, I'll be there. And I'm so glad I did because, yeah, we had a ball, we had a great time and then we went to Russia, you know, right after that we were supposed to go straight back to the U.S. Right, right. We ended up doing a private show in Russia so I got a chance to experience.

23:54 Experience Russia as well. Yeah. I guess if you have the money, you could play anywhere. Right. Or get, get the artist. That's pretty cool. Yeah,. Yeah. This person had a 10 million dollar party in Russia. Wow. So, yeah, I think you can afford. Yeah. Right. When's the last time that you saw Prince? Oh my.

24:20 The last time I saw him face to face was maybe about a Year before his demise. Yeah, I saw him in New York and it was really crazy. I had a couple shows on the east coast in different states. When I heard that his plane had to land early, you know, he was coming those concerts that he did. I had packed my bag for Minneapolis too, because I was calling and I couldn't get through.

24:52 Nobody was picking up. And I knew by then he wasn't carrying cell phones on. Right. And I said, I'm gonna go. And if I didn't have those shows, I was gonna go directly there. But I said, you're gonna get sued because I had contracts. And while I was packing, I get a phone call and someone told me that, you know, Prince had died.

25:17 Right. And that was just like. I. I couldn't sleep for two days. By the time I got to Washington, where the first show was, I had been up 48 hours and I just. I couldn't sleep. I could not sleep. And then I reached out to a couple of the other ladies that worked with Prince and they said the same thing.

25:36 They said, I can't sleep either. Nobody could. We. We couldn't sleep. Which was crazy. And I had a show. I don't know how I did the show. I know. Just all the emotions. Yeah. Incredible. Being so close to someone. Yeah,. Yeah. But some. I. I want to get on another topic. Liv Warfield gave you a lot of.

25:56 A lot of love and said nice things about you for getting her into Prince's camp and showing her the ways. And, you know, she was very complimentary when she stopped by the show last year, so. Oh, that's wonderful. Yeah,. Yeah. I saw her at a soul music convention in Dallas. I was doing panels and performing.

26:17 It was like a three day weekend and I saw a lot of great talent there. And I actually referred at least one other to Prince as well, who was an amazing talent, too. Who. Was amazing. A girl named Yazara. Okay. Do you know of Yazara? I've heard her name, but I don't know. Okay. She's amazing. And she was just.

26:40 I think Prince felt like she was just a bit much. Okay. I was shocked that he didn't pick her. And then there was another lady named Monica Blair out of Detroit that I referred. Both those three are the last three that I referred to him. And I said, you got to choose one of these. If you don't choose one of these.

26:59 I said, because he wanted to do a three girl group, like a LaBelle. Oh, okay. Yeah,. Yeah. So that's why. And he chose Liv, which was, you Know, very, very fortunate for her. Yeah. Well, that's cool. He trusted you for referrals. Oh yeah, he trusted me a lot, period. Yeah. Because everybody know me, I'm just a straight shooter.

27:24 And he, at first he's like, I don't know if I like that all the time, but he learned to really appreciate that. And I said, well, I am who I am and Right. With, with talent. He know I had his heart and I had the best interest at heart for him. So. How about the humor with him? Because I, you know on the Leno show, that when you said oink oink, was that, was that off the cuff?

27:51 You didn't. Give. Of course it was off the cuff. Most things we did was off the cuff. Right, but you had him cracking up. Oh, he almost lost it. And I didn't expect for him to lose it. I didn't expect that. You know, I'm just. With the Ponderosa. Yeah, he just said, when he said something, I said, oh, I don't even know because I grew up around southerners, My family is from the south and so I've been on many farms that didn't.

28:23 He said the Ponderosa and I'm thinking pig oing. And he said now see. Yeah, yeah, that's right. Yeah, that was. His. So. Oh my God. Because what he learned about me and who had really learned to love. Because I would make him laugh. Oh my God, I would make him laugh. And a lot of times in inopportune times.

28:44 But I also was quite mischievous with him and with play tricks and stuff on him and he's like, boy, you never know what to expect. She's like a box of chocolates, man. And that particular one. And I said, oh, I hope he holds it together because we were on television and it was live. Did he ask you to do that following shows when you do come.

29:09 Up? No, no, we did a lot of things off the cuff. Like I said, you. I never knew what he was going to do with me and sometimes it was terrorizing, you know, like jumping up on six foot monitors and I'm having on thin stiletto six inch heels and stuff like that. And his are reinforced with steel, so he can do that.

29:30 But. Yeah,. What can I do if he grabbed me and say we're jumping up there and here we go. So it was a lot of spontaneity that went on with working with him. Yeah. And I was down most of the times. Right. Well, hopefully they'll really. I mean they're starting to release more of these concert film Pro shot and really nice stuff.

29:48 So I'm sure there's tons with your performance and hopefully, you know, it sees the light of day. Oh, yeah. The Light of Day, which happened to be the name of one of my. Matter of fact, my first. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Independent was called Light of Day. You know, one of my favorite songs of yours, Cosmic Girl.

30:06 I can't. I can't. Get enough. Of that song still, I mean. Oh, thank you. That was your second or third album it came off of? Oh, no, that was the Cosmic Girl. One, two, three. That was like my fourth. Okay. That. Was my fourth indie album. Fourth indie album. Okay. And Cosmic Girl. Yeah, that one was supposed to come out when I had New Power Soul.

30:35 And, yep, I was going to use it for that project. And some things went on with, I guess, Prince Brother. That created a lot of issues. And so we didn't get a chance to do our full spill on what was to come. Had a lot of great music on that project. We did an indie project, all original music that we all contributed to.

30:58 Cosmic Girl was one of the ones that I contributed to and to the project. And then we did some remakes of print songs and we cut all that stuff at Paisley Park. Wow. So,. Yeah,. There. Who else is on the record? Do you remember anything? Who else were. Oh, yeah. Some of the horn players that work with Prince.

31:23 Adrian. Oh, yeah. Marcus. Anderson. Marcus. Yep, Marcus. And Josh. Okay. Josh the bass player, Right? Yeah. And let's see. Yes. Josh Dunham. And I'm trying to think, were there any other. Oh, well, the twins were involved. Yeah. They did the video. With you. Yeah. Yeah. Right. Yeah, man. Nandy. And then I hired some other outside musicians that were pretty amazing, and we got a chance to do one really strong show on one of the coldest nights that any entertainer would have ever thought.

31:59 They'd be outside performing. It was the Super Bowl. Yeah. Yeah. Outside. Oh, my God. And the horn pads froze. And that was the one. In Minneapolis. Right? That was in Minneapolis. I've seen that video. I. Think the time. Did a show that. Night. Yes. A whole bunch of. Yeah, everybody. Everybody that worked with Prince pretty much.

32:20 Did. A show because there was two or three nights. I think there was three nights. And our night just happened to be the coldest night of that entire super bowl weekend. Lucky us. They were going to cancel our show, but Terry Lewis came up to me and he said, I'm not going to let them do that. Wow. I said, what are we going to do?

32:40 He said, we're bringing in Analog. He said we're bringing in analog boards and stuff, he said, because the digital boards are frozen. And I'll never forget Terry for that. That's why I'm always honored to sing on whatever he asked me to come in and perform on. I'm like, I'm there for you because he had my back.

32:58 He had our back. Yeah. So you still do work with Jam and Lewis Occasionally? I still work with them when they have artists that they want me to perform and do backup vocals with. I do that. And matter of fact, I just saw Jam in New York about a month ago. He did his own show and it was amazing. I had so much fun.

33:19 And. Yeah, and Terry, of course, we stay in communication quite often. Yes. And Jerome, he's back with. And Jerome. Yeah,. That's right. And I saw my boy Jerome. I love Jerome. I saw a nice picture of Jelly Bean Johnson and you together. Another friend who passed away just about a year ago. It's coming up next month and.

33:39 Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So you have. Some. Great memories with Jelly Bean. Oh, yes. What a jolly giant,. Right? What a wonderful human being. The sweetest. And yeah, that was devastating. I just communicated with him by social media just like a couple days before I was told he passed. So. Okay. Wow.

34:04 Yeah,. That. Yeah, that was devastating. Yeah,. Devastating. He was just. He's a lover of music. He would ask me to make copies of some of the guests who came on the show and sent it up to him. This is way back when we were putting them on, on CDs and everything. He was. Yeah,. He just loved music there.

34:22 He was in his DNA. Yes,. Yeah,. Definitely in his DNA. Yeah. A. Good guy and very talented. Yeah. Drums, guitar and. Yeah, and humble too, I always say. Very humble. Yeah. So. So I wanted to touch on a little bit about the. The early days, Flint, Michigan, and your. Your parents and. And the gospel music.

34:49 Who, who's really influential in your voice to push you, to push you to sing. I have to say first, my mom. Okay. My mom is an amazing singer. Thank God she's still here on planet Earth. That's right. I think I saw a picture. Yeah. Beautiful lady. Yeah. My mom has always been amazing. She was very aggressive, very quiet, soft spoken woman.

35:11 But when she got on that piano, she banged that thing like Little Richard and she would sing. Boy, she would sing. She had a strong, strong voice and she had a mezzo soprano voice as well, which is where I got my mezzo soprano and my range, because I can do a tenor up to high soprano. It's starting to come down a little bit as I age.

35:34 But it's all good. I still have a high meso soprano, but I got that from my mom. And, yeah, so she trained me. And she worked with so many gospel greats at that time. She would be on programs with her singing group. And so I got a chance to witness a lot of amazing gospel artists like Shirley Caesar and the Caravans.

35:57 Who. Mickey Howard's mom is in there. And I identified Mickey from her mom, the memory of her mom. And I said, you look just like this lady. And her mom worked with the Caravans. Can you believe that? Wow. And. I would stare at this woman. I said, look at her eyes. I was a little girl. I said, she looks like an owl.

36:15 She got these big, pretty, round eyes like an owl. And I just stared at her, dreaming. And Mickey has the same eyes. That's crazy. Yeah. And I was in Flint, Michigan, to meet her in Los Angeles and find out that was her mom. But, yeah, I was around a lot of gospel greats. And I also listened to some of the R and B and soul greats, too.

36:40 I love Jane Brown Energy, which is why I still like to get wilds, you know, on stage and stuff. And. And, of course, the Temptations. And I love the Supremes, but I love Doretha. And I love Benny Riperton. I mean, I can go through so many Gladys and so many artists. Earth, Wind is Fire. Oh, my God. And Stevie.

37:04 I love Stevie. So that's why it was such an honor to work with him when I finally got with him. But everybody. Al Green. Oh, my God. I can go on and on and on about how many artists that I appreciated. Ramsey Lewis, Quincy Jones. Oh, my God. And I loved a lot of country western. Dolly Parton. Yeah. Another great.

37:28 Yeah. Yep. And Clark. What was his name? I'm a picket. And Roy. Clark. Roy Clark. I love Roy Clark. Hee Haw. I love everybody on Hee Hawk. But my mother grew up in the south, so, you know, she would always play the country western shows. But, yeah, so. And I was in Detroit, and jazz was very big in Detroit.

37:52 They had wjzz. I think he's still there. And so I. At nighttime, we would listen to a lot of jazz music. I would. Anyway. And so it was really mellow. And I loved the Carpenters and so many artists, man. It was so many great people at that time. Not to say they aren't great ones now, but that was a special music era.

38:15 And a radio station, you could just play whatever sounds good, you know, that's Right. Yeah,. That's right. That's right. Did. You. Run into. Any of the P. Funk crew when they were up there recording? No, I didn't know them then. I actually met them the very first. First day I came to Los Angeles. Another man that I.

38:36 I met, he knew the road manager or he. He knew Michael, who was a guitar player. Michael Hampton. He knew Michael Hampton. Right. And we pulled up at the Forum, and I sat in the car while he went inside doing soundcheck. And next thing I know, we were at the hotel where his road manager was. And they were like, She wants to be in the industry.

39:09 And so he said, no, you're a good girl. I can't put you with the girl. They had the Brides of Funkenstein. Yeah. And I was like, I want to work with them. But he said, no, we can't do that. And I end up meeting George and all the rest of the crew. Amazing concert. Of course, the mothership landed and the costumes, and I went to their after party and.

39:32 Oh, that was crazy. And George is the sweetest, too. George is the absolute sweetest. And he's still. Despite. He's probably lived a lot of lives, but he's still going strong. He's still going strong. He has a wonderful wife. Her name is Carlon. Carlon runs a tight ship,. And. She's very quiet and subtle that.

39:52 But, yeah, she keeps things in line. And I think she probably kept him alive. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you speak the truth. You speak directly. I'm not disagreeing. I think so. Yeah. One of the interesting studio work you did, Phil Collins, he did some great work with Phil. How did that come about? That came about.

40:14 I was just, you know, I was a session singer for many years, and I ended up getting called. I mean, I don't even remember who called me, but I was called to work on Phil Collins project. So I went several days and worked with him, and he was actually very cool, very smart man, very sharp, very decisive.

40:37 He knew exactly what he wanted in the studio. So it was a good experience working with him. Yep. So all the other artists throughout your whole career that you've worked with, who do you think was the. The toughest to work in this? Not. Not toughest personality, but wanted to get things just right all the time.

40:53 And who just freeformed it? Anybody? I know that's a tough question, but,. You know, I have to say, all of them want it. Right? Right. Probably the most free formed one was probably. Even though he had a regimentation going, but he was very easygoing. About it was Jeffrey Osborne. I worked with him for a while.

41:16 Oh, okay. But other than that, Prince, I have to say, was the most strict. He was the most regimented when it comes to learning his shows. When it comes to performing, it comes to punctuality, to everything. He ran a tight ship. And like I said, he was a businessman. And I'm not mad at him for that because, you know, that's how you get success and a great reputation.

41:42 But he was tough. He didn't toe the line too often, you know, especially in the earlier days. So we all had to conform, otherwise you just would not be there. Simple as that. But Stevie also, too, runs a tight ship. But Stevie's pretty easy guy. It's very, very soft approach. Very. I call it a marshmallow approach with everything.

42:09 But don't get it confused with any kind of thing that lacks or not. He want everything pristine as well. But, yeah, that's. That's what I. That's what I definitely have noticed about those particular artists. I wanted to ask you, you toured with the Isley Brothers, right? Yes, I toured with the Isley Brothers as well.

42:43 What years were that with, roughly? Well, it was really Ron Isley. It. Wasn't the Brothers,. Right? It wasn't the Brothers. It was Ron Isley. And with Ron Isley, I started in the 90s. I'm trying to think exactly when. It was probably around 94, somewhere around there. 94. It was a couple years before I started with Friends.

43:08 So, yeah, so I started with him, and I actually learned his show on stage. Oh, wow. We just couldn't seem to get to that rehearsal. And that was the most terrifying thing I had ever done in my life, because I love the Issac Brothers as well. Yeah. And just the mere fact that we actually got all the way to the States, something happened at the venue.

43:34 We couldn't do a sound check, and I was terrified. But I got through it. And they said, okay, you a pro. I just listened to the girl who was speaking in my ear, and she was saying, do this. Okay. Take the top note. Okay. Take the middle there. Okay. Here's. The show going on. While the show was going on.

43:52 Here's the lyrics to this. Here's. And I'm thinking, oh, my God, that was rough. That was scary, I'll tell you that. But I got through it. And after that, it got easier and it turned into fun. It was really great working hearing all those songs I grew up listening to. That was great. Yeah. That's when the musicians were really, really working at their craft.

44:17 And you step right in there on the fly. That's amazing that you can, you could sing with someone in your ear. Oh my gosh. I didn't have a choice. Yeah. Otherwise I would just look real crazy. Right, right. And the audience is not privy. So they're like, why is this girl? Yeah. You know, so you have to perform.

44:38 And they had steps, choreography. She said, just follow me. Whatever I do, just do what I do. Okay. And we had step out parts. I said, oh my Lord, when is this going to end? When is it going to end? Were the rehearsals after that or sound checks probably? Right? Well, we had sound checks, yeah. Because we were on the road.

44:56 Yeah, we were on the road. So. Yeah, but yeah, yeah. So the big single Another Heartbreak just. Just released recently on the top of the charts. You can check it out. Trey Lorenz is looking up at you. It's been out one week. Exactly. Because I found out it was playing early. It was supposed to be released on this past Monday, but this past Monday is when it came in the charts at number one.

45:23 And now I'm getting all these other messages. I just got Radio 2. Do you know of Radio 2? Yeah, out in the UK. Okay. And then Star Point. Okay,. That one. Right. So I'm getting reckless. I have two stations. I've been told since yesterday that I have record of the week from two other stations. And it's very exciting to hear this.

45:49 And so this is just the beginning. I can't wait for everybody to hear the album. Yeah,. I'm very proud of that. You're thinking early next year, right? Yes, early next year. I'm doing pre orders for the album starting November 5th. Okay. What's the title? Oh, it's called Sold Out. S O U L E D Out. Yeah,.

46:10 So that's the name of it. And I got up Temples, Mid Temples ballads, some amazing ballads. And it's. I'm. It's probably like my proudest project that I've ever done. I. I'm really, I work so hard on this and it's taken its toll. I'm not, not health wise because I take care of myself. But I am very much sleep deprived.

46:38 Right. But I have taken the extra steps to make a really good product. Definitely happy that I'm selling vinyl and I'll have some digital uploads as well. Downloads, I should say. Digital downloads on my website, www.marvaqueenking.com. And I also will be selling it on Band Camp. Oh yeah? Yeah. A lot of artists say that's That's a cool.

47:05 I know. Andre Simone uses them. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I like their style. Right? Yeah. And we. We love your music and. Oh, I. Thank you. One of the best songs you did when you. You fooled me on it, too. I thought you were doing a duet, but actually was you singing. I think I know what you get to know you. Yeah, yeah.

47:29 That was. Called Know you. Yeah. Yeah. You know what's really funny? That song I cut and I just said, a male. And I kept thinking about a male. And then I said, you know what? I can sing it myself. And I just pitched my voice down. My great collaborator and my best friend, rest in heaven, Lloyd Tolbert, said, I can piss you down.

47:53 He passed. Okay. He passed. Oh, my God. I remember Toll House. There you go. There you. Go. That's right, Lloyd. I miss him so much. We worked for 23 years. He was the nephew of James Carmichael, who produced all of the Commodores and liners. Yeah, that's where we met. Okay. So Lloyd pitched my voice down.

48:11 And you know what's amazing? My son is amazing. Diamond status music producer himself. Phonics. He still goes by. Phonics. Yeah. Yes. And when he pitched my voice down, my voice sound exactly like my son's voice, which is spooky. Yeah,. Yeah. And at that time, my son was young, so his voice hadn't changed.

48:33 And we didn't know that until he got older. Right. Once he got older, I said, oh, my God. Because he can sing as well, too. I'm so mad at him for not putting records out himself. He's just a producer. That's. He said he's going to do it, but we'll see. But his voice sounds just like my voice. My. My singing voice.

48:51 You'll have to do a duet, live duet, or a studio version with him yourself on that. Yeah,. He don't want to do a duet with mom. No. He does his R and B, hip hop ish kind of music, so I don't know. Yeah. But he did write some songs for me. Okay. Yeah,. Yeah, yeah,. I know. He one of my indie records. Yeah.

49:09 So talent running through from. From your mom all the way down? Yeah. Oh, yeah. It's in the family. Even my grandbabies have music talent, so. There you go. Oh, yeah. Are you still making home out in California. And. No, no, no, no. I'm on the east coast and I've been in New York for six years now. I love New York City.

49:31 I love it. I love it. I go to LA all the time. I just left there a Couple weeks ago, I did my entire album there. Oh, you did? Okay. Yes. And Vegas, too. You. You go to Vegas a lot? I go to Vegas quite often. Okay. And of course, not as much as la, but, yes, I do go quite often. Yeah, go ahead. My dad lives out there, so we go out there.

49:52 Oh,. Really? To go see him? Yeah. I love Vegas. I love. I love to go there, too. A lot of music scenes and, you know, everybody comes through Vegas. Yeah, that's true. Yeah. You just gotta look at the calendar. So, Marva, I. It's great having you on, talking about new. Music. And I love the. Track. Another Heartbreak.

50:12 Thank you. And it's. Congratulations. You know, no one can take it from you. Number one, UK soul. I mean, I remember in 2004, we did an interview live when we were in the MPG Music Club chat room. I think we did. It. In 2004. They were digging that. Yes. Oh, yeah. Yeah. That was cool. Yes, I remember that.

50:33 Yeah. So. So, fortunately, we're still here. And we're. Still here, Joe,. Keep on talking about things. That's right. That's right. Keep doing music, and you keep doing what you do,. Giving. Us all a platform to come and speak to people that show us love and are interested in what we're doing, you know, and what we've done.

50:51 Those of us who are new or those that are new to us. Yeah,. We appreciate that so much. So much love to you, Marvin. Likewise. And look forward to what's coming up in 2,027, that new album. Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited. All right, Joe. All right. Thank you so much for having me. Okay,.

51:11 You. Got it. You have a wonderful day. Take care. Okay, take care. Bye. Bye.