Sheila E. Movies

Still one more reality-competition series from the American Idol team, Fox's The Next Great American Band was a weekly talent contest wherein the hopefuls were groups rather than solo performers. The time-honored American Idol formula was followed to the minutest detail: The "Ryan Secrest"-style host (New Zealander Dominic Bowden); the three-person panel of judges, comprised of the sarcastic Simon Cowell clone (Ian "Dicko" Dickson, costar of the spinoff series Australian Idol), the sympathetic pop singer (Sheila E.) and the neutral "buffer" between the other two (Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls); the opening episode, wherein several born losers and weirdos paraded across the camera with no possible hope of being asked to return; the weekly winners, ultimately pared down to 12 semifinalists; the categorical competitions, ranging from "cover song" to "original composition"; and the input of the home viewers, who voted for their favorites via telephone and internet. The winners on this occasion not only landed a contract with the 19 Recordings label, but also the bragging rights as "The Next Great American Band." The festivities first got under way on October 19, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band (Sheila E., Richard Marx, Hamish Stuart, Edgar Winter, Rod Argent and Billy Squier) headline this performance film, mounted and shot in 2006. Selections include: "Yellow Submarine," "I Wanna Be Your Man," "She's Not There" and many others. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Do you believe in magic? LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson (aka Earvin Johnson) is the host/co-executive producer of this syndicated latenight talkshow taped in Los Angeles (by Magic Johnson Enterprises and Fox Nitetime Productions in association with Twentieth TV). With dynamic percussionist, musical director, bandleader Sheila E. swinging into the show's opening fanfare theme ("Are You Ready for Magic?"), the energetic 38-year-old Magic bounced into the center court of the latenight game with plenty of charm, charisma, and promotional hype, plus his own sidekick, comedian Craig Shoemaker, with Jimmy Hodson on board as the announcer. Guests during Magic's first week included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Whitney Houston, Harrison Ford, Peta Wilson (of TV's La Femme Nikita), Arsenio Hall, Michael Douglas, Kenny G., and Christine Lahti. Magic described his show as "like myself -- fun, crazy, but a good environment." The series premiered June 8, 1998 on numerous Fox affiliates. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Controversial and often offensive stand-up comedian Andrew Dice Clay made his debut as a feature film star in this crude comedy. Fairlane is a "rock and roll detective" who works in the music business, has an office on Sunset Boulevard, and drives a 1957 Ford, with clothing to match. He floats through the rock clubs of Hollywood, picking up women and clients, and soon stumbles into a case involving the death of a heavy metal singer, a corrupt music executive (Wayne Newton), the murder of a radio shock-jock (Gilbert Gottfried), and the kidnapping of the jock's daughter (Maddie Corman). Music stars like Sheila E. and Motley Crue singer Vince Neil also have cameos in the film, which attempts to transplant Clay's aggressively obnoxious stage persona into a movie environment. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

Following his disastrous sophomore film Under the Cherry Moon (1986), Minnesota-based rock star Prince hastily returns to the form and style of his classic motion picture debut, Purple Rain (1984) by directing and starring in this energetic concert film interspersed with dream-like visuals. Recorded in 1987 at gigs in Rotterdam, Holland, and Prince's hometown of Minneapolis (during the world tour supporting his new album of the same name), Sign O' the Times encompasses a wealth of diverse material, distinguishing it from typical, more straightforward examples of its genre. In addition to performing 13 songs, Prince throws into the mix a music video collaboration with Sheena Easton, sweaty dance interludes with his then-current paramour Cat Glover, and a rousing finale that makes a star of drummer-singer Sheila E. Less successful is an attempt to depict an unfolding narrative set amongst characters that seem to be bottom dwellers from society's seedy fringes, occasionally joining the band on stage. The story never gels into a definable structure and remains hallucinogenic, but the music is superbly performed and photographed and the songs are from an album considered by many to be a late-'80s classic. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

This 1985 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Chevy Chase and features musical guest Sheila E. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide