Sheila E.

Sheila Cecilia Escovedo<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> (born December 12, 1957), known under the stage name Sheila E., is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the greatest musicians of her generation; she is known for skills as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play drums or percussion. She is sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Percussion".<ref>The Queen of Percussion, Grammy nominated Sheila E. will wow at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, June 1. Hamlet Hub. Retrieved December 10, 2016</ref> Her music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including R&B, funk, jazz, pop, synth-pop, latin pop, and salsa.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Sheila began her music career as a percussionist for the George Duke Band in 1976. She departed from the band in 1980. She rose to mainstream success with release of her debut album The Glamorous Life (1984) on Warner Bros. Records. The album's singles "The Glamorous Life" and "The Belle of St. Mark" became international hits. The album earned four Grammy Award nominations; including one for Best New Artist. Her follow-up album Romance 1600 (1985) produced another top-charting international hit called "A Love Bizarre". She released two more albums on Warner Bros. Records: Sheila E. (1987) and Sex Cymbal (1991).

In 2021, she received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In July 2023, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In April 2024, she released her ninth album Bailar. The album's single "Bemba Colorá" won a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance at 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Early life and family

Born in Oakland, California, Sheila E. is the daughter of Juanita Gardere, a dairy factory worker, and percussionist Pete Escovedo, with whom she frequently performs. Her mother is of Creole-French/African descent, and her father is of Mexican-American origin.<ref>Leading Women Defined by Mom: Sheila E, BET.com. Retrieved October 1, 2016</ref><ref>Sheila E. Finds Her Own Beat, Ebony. Retrieved October 1, 2016</ref> She was raised Catholic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pete Escovedo and his brother Coke Escovedo were born in Los Angeles, and they were the sons of Pedro Escovedo who had immigrated from Mexico at age 12.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sheila E's uncles include Javier Escovedo, founder of seminal San Diego punk act The Zeros; Alejandro Escovedo, founder of seminal San Francisco punk band The Nuns; Mario Escovedo, who fronted long-running indie rockers The Dragons; and Coke Escovedo, who was in Santana and formed the band Azteca. Nicole Richie is Sheila E.'s biological niece, the daughter of Sheila's musician brother, Peter Michael Escovedo. Tito Puente was her godfather.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Better source needed

She has publicly stated that, at the age of five, she was raped by her teenaged babysitter, and this event had a profound influence on her childhood development.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

1976–1983: Beginnings

In 1976, Escovedo debuted on jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson on Yesterday's Dream. In 1977, Escovedo and her father Pete Escovedo released an album called Solo Two, credited to Pete and Sheila Escovedo. In the same year, she joined The George Duke Band as their percussionist. Escovedo appeared Duke's albums, including Don't Let Go (1978), Follow the Rainbow (1979), Master of the Game (1979), and A Brazilian Love Affair (1980). In 1978, Escovedo and her father released their second album Happy Together on Fantasy Records. In 1979, she contributed percussion to Michael Jackson's song "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". In 1980, she appeared on Herbie Hancock's album Monster. In 1983, she joined Marvin Gaye's final tour Midnight Love Tour as one of his percussionists.

1984–1992: The Glamorous Life and career breakthrough

File:Sheila E. 1985.jpg

Sheila E. in 1985

In early 1984, Escovedo signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records and adopted the stage name Sheila E. She began recording her first solo album with singer and musician Prince, whom she met at a concert when she was performing with her father in 1977. On June 4, 1984, she released her debut solo album The Glamorous Life. The album peaked at number 28 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and sold over 500,000 copies in the United States,<ref name="billboardchart">Sheila E. Billboard Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved on February 21, 2025</ref> becoming certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).<ref name="riaa">Template:Cite web</ref> The album's lead single "The Glamorous Life" peaked in the top-ten on the US Hot 100 and at number one on the US Dance chart.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The album's second single, "The Belle of St. Mark", became a moderate hit, peaking at number 34 on the Hot 100.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The song also became NME's "Single of the Week".<ref name="Parsons">Parsons, Tony (1978) "Single of the Week", NME, February 2, 1985, p. 14</ref> The album earned four nominations at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards including Best New Artist, Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "Strawberry Shortcake", and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance as well as Best R&B Song for "The Glamorous Life".<ref name="grammy">Sheila E. Grammy Awards and Nominations. Grammy.com. Retrieved on February 21, 2025</ref> She also performed "Baby I'm a Star" with Prince during the ceremony. In July 1984, she appeared on Prince's song "Erotic City". In November 1984, Sheila began touring as the opening act of Purple Rain Tour. Shortly after the tour, she signed with Prince's record label Paisley Park Records.

In March 1985, she appeared on the USA for Africa's song We Are the World. Sheila released her second album Romance 1600 on August 26, 1985.<ref name="riaa"/> It sold over 500,000 copies in the United States, becoming certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).<ref name="riaa"/> The album's lead single "Sister Fate" was released to moderated success, peaking in the top-forty on the US R&B chart.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The second single A Love Bizarre" was a commercial success, reaching number eleven in the United States.<ref name="billboardchart"/> In November 1985, Sheila appeared as the female lead in the musical comedy-drama film Krush Groove, which spent its first weekend at number two on the U.S. box office and grossed $11 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sheila released "Holly Rock" as a single from its soundtrack album which entered the top ten in the Belgium and the Netherlands.

On February 24, 1987, Sheila released her eponymous third studio album. The album featured the single "Hold Me", a R&B ballad that peaked at number three on the R&B chart.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The second single "Koo Koo" peaked in the top forty of the R&B chart. In June 1987, Sheila served as the musical director for Prince's Sign o' the Times Tour. She also served as musical director during his Lovesexy Tour in 1988 and 1989. On April 10, 1991, she released her fourth album Sex Cymbal. The album's lead single "Sex Cymbal" became a moderate hit on the R&B chart, peaking at number thirty-two.<ref name="billboardchart"/>

1994–2005: Music production and directing

File:Shiela E.jpg

Sheila E. in 2000

In 1994, Sheila was a featured percussionist for Gloria Estefan's album Mi Tierra.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 1996, Sheila appeared as a percussionist and background vocalist on Japanese singer Namie Amuro's album Sweet 19 Blues. She also toured as the drummer and background vocalist for Amuro's Sweet 19 Blues Tour. In 1998, she played percussion on the Phil Collins cover of "True Colors". In the same year, she began the music director for Magic Johnson's talk show, The Magic Hour; making her the first female musical director in television. She released her fifth album Writes of Passage on October 10, 2000. On August 28, 2001, she released her sixth album Heaven.

In 2001, she began a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and toured with the band in 2001, 2003, and 2006. In 2002, Sheila appeared on the Beyoncé song "Work It Out". In 2002, she reunited and performed with Prince during his One Nite Alone... Tour. In November 2003, she provided the musical arrangements for Cyndi Lauper's cover version of "Stay". In 2004, she joined Mexican-American musician Abraham Laboriel for his New Zealand Tour as drummer and percussionist. In May 2004, she appeared on Tonex's song "Todos Juntos" which is featured on his Out the Box album. She appeared as the music director for Amerie's World Music Awards and The Lady Of Soul performances in 2005.

2006–2012: C.O.E.D. and The E. Family

In February 2006, she performed with Prince at the BRIT Awards and on the Good Morning show in June 2006. She also performed at the Sonoma Jazz Festival in 2006 as part of Herbie Hancock's band. In the same year, Sheila formed her female band called C.O.E.D. (acronym for Chronicles of Every Diva). The band performed on several live televised shows and also recorded an album that was never released.

She performed at the 2007 Latin Grammy Awards with Juan Luis Guerra. In mid-2007, she toured with Prince. In October 2007, she appeared as a judge on Fox network's The Next Great American Band. On April 9, 2008, she appeared on the Emmy winning program Idol Gives Back. She took part in the show opener, "Get on Your Feet", with Gloria Estefan while the So You Think You Can Dance finalists dance troupe joined them on stage. On April 26, 2008, she performed with Prince at the Coachella Music Festival. From May 2 to 6, 2008, she played four sold-out shows at Blue Note Tokyo, the most frequented jazz music club in Tokyo, Japan. On June 14, 2008, Sheila E. performed at the Rhythm on the Vine Music and Wine Festival at the South Coast Winery in Temecula, California for Shriners Hospital for Children.<ref name="aboutrotv">Shriners Hospitals for Children, "About Rhythm on the Vine," Template:Webarchive Rhythm on the Vine, 2008.</ref>

On May 30, 2009, Sheila E. and the E Family Band performed at Rhythm on the Vine at Gainey Vineyard in Santa Ynez, California for the Hot Latin Beats concert. Also performing at the concert was Poncho Sanchez.<ref>Shriners Hospitals for Children, "Hot Latin Beat", Rhythm on the Vine, 2009.</ref> On December 13, 2009, Sheila E. performed at the Deryck Walcott produced Christmas Jazz held at the Plantation Restaurant in Barbados. In 2009, Sheila E. participated and won the CMT reality show, Gone Country. This gave her an opportunity to make country music aided by the country producer, writer, and singer John Rich. Sheila E.'s first song in the country market was "Glorious Train". A video for the song debuted on CMT on March 7, 2009, following the airing of the episode of Gone Country in which Sheila E. was announced the winner.

Sheila E. performed two shows at Yoshi's in Oakland, California, on August 15, 2010. At her merchandise stand, she sold an EP From E 2 U. She toured on Prince's 20Ten Tour and Welcome 2 America tours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010, she joined forces with Avon as a celebrity judge for Avon Voices,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Avon's first global, online singing talent search for women and songwriting competition for men and women.

On May 25, 2011, Sheila performed alongside Marc Anthony on the 10th-season finale of American Idol. On June 7, 2011, she performed on the Late Show with David Letterman as a part of the show's first "Drum Solo Week". In September 2011, The E. Family consisting of Pete Escovedo, Peter Michael Escovedo III, Juan Escovedo, and Sheila released an album Now & Forever. The album spawned the singles "Do What It Do" and "I Like It". On February 26, 2012, Sheila performed at the 2012 Academy Awards alongside Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer, playing the into and out of commercial segments.<ref name="Vessell">Template:Cite web</ref> On April 17, 2012, Sheila was featured with "Macy's Stars of Dance" on the Dancing with the Stars results show.<ref name="Vessell" /> On June 16, Sheila headlined the 2012 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="Vessell" /> Sheila joined Dave Koz on his 2012 Christmas Tour.

2013–2022: Icon and Iconic: Message 4 America

File:Sheila E. 9 06 2014 -2 (14978107358).jpg

Sheila E. performing in 2014

In November 2013, she released her album Icon on her own recording label Stilettoflats Music. In September 2014, she released her autobiography Beat of My Own Drum.<ref name="Vessell" /> In 2016, Sheila provided drums for the orchestral soundtrack to the blockbuster superhero films Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. On June 26, 2016, Sheila and The New Power Generation led a musical tribute to late singer Prince at the 2016 BET Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next day, she released a single titled "Girl Meets Boy" in honor of Prince.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2017, she was the featured percussionist for the soundtrack to the film The Boss Baby, which was also co-produced by Zimmer. She was featured in Fred Armisen's 2018 Netflix comedy special Stand Up for Drummers. Sheila played percussion on Gary Clark Jr.'s album This Land. She performed and served as music director for Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince concert at the Staples Center on January 28, 2020.

On April 17, 2020, she released the single "Lemon Cake" which was available as an audio track on YouTube.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On May 14, 2020, Sheila E. premiered the official video for "Lemon Cake" on Rated R&B.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 2020, Sheila E. collaborated with MasterClass to create "Sheila E. Teaches Drumming and Percussion"<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

2022–present: Bailar

In 2023, Sheila was featured on Kelly Clarkson's song "That's Right" which appears on her album Chemistry (2023).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sheila became the music director for the 2023 CBS bilingual, multicultural game show Lotería Loca.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2024, she released her ninth album Bailar. The album earned a nomination at 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Tropical Latin Album and the album's single "Bemba Colorá" won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance.<ref name="grammy"/>

Artistry

Voice and musical style

Sheila's voice is classified as a contralto. She is also renowned as a multi-instrumentalist.<ref name="entertainmentweekly1">Sheila E. reflects on working with Prince: 'We pushed each other'. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref> She is considered a percussion virtuoso and a master of drums, percussion, guitar, and keyboards.<ref name="entertainmentweekly1"/> She has played percussion and drums on all her albums.<ref>Sheila E. Credits. AllMusic. Retrieved on March 1, 2025</ref> Her music includes various styles of musical genres such as contemporary R&B, jazz, funk, pop, latin pop, synthpop, and salsa.

Influences

Sheila names her father Pete Escovedo as her major musical influence. Aged three, she began copying his hand movements when he played drums. She began working musically with her father during her teenage year. Sheila recorded two albums with Pete Escovedo titled Solo Two (1977) and Happy Together (1978).

Equipment

Template:Hidden Sheila E. is known for performing with various and extensive percussion instruments. She is proficient in playing congas, bongos, shakers, tambourines, and the shekere.<ref name="greatestdrummersbook"/> Her signature instrument are a custom-made timbales that equipped with two cowbells, referred to as LP Sheila E. Signature Timbale Set and paired with Zildjian cymbals.<ref name="greatestdrummersbook"/><ref name="equipboard">Sheila Escovedo's Gear. Equipboard. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref> Another drum set primarily in her later years are the DW Collector Series Custom Drum Set.<ref name="equipboard"/>

Legacy

Sheila E. has been regarded as one of the greatest musicians of her generation. She has been referred to as the "Queen of Percussion" for having become the first female drummer and percussionist in mainstream pop music. Rolling Stone ranked Sheila at number 58 on its list of 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time in 2016.<ref>100 Greatest Drummers of All Time. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref>

As a performer, she became known for her showmanship as a percussionist and drummer.<ref name="greatestdrummersbook">Template:Cite book</ref> Eventually in the 1980s, she came to be regarded as a sex symbol by the media for her innovative and revealing outfits.<ref>Sheila E. On Breaking Down Boundaries And Finding Solace In Music. WNYC Studios. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref><ref>Fashion Icon Files: Sheila E.. The Dro Show. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref> She later expressed her frustration for being viewed as a sexual image. Sheila told Los Angeles Times, "No one knows me for what I do best. But people don't realize I can play drums--I mean really play."<ref>Sheila E. Wants to Shed Her Sexpot Rep. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on March 1, 2025</ref> She wrote the song "Sex Cymbal" as response to the "sex symbol" imagery given by the media and released it as the lead single of her fourth album in 1991.

Personal life

Relationships

In 1975, Sheila dated musician Carlos Santana, whom she met during the time her father Pete Escovedo played percussion in rock band Santana. Their relationship ended when she discovered that he was married to his then-wife Deborah King. In 1984, she was in a romantic relationship with Prince while he was still in a relationship with Susannah Melvoin.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the late 1989, they became engaged during Prince's Lovesexy Tour.<ref>Sheila E. Looks Back on Prince: Their Collaborations, Engagement & Lifelong Love. Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2016</ref> She later ended the engagement in late 1989.

Health

In late 1991, Sheila was hospitalized shortly after returning from her tour in Japan. She experienced a collapsed lung after a failed acupuncture treatment punctured her left lung.<ref name="crossrhythms">Sheila E: World acclaimed drummer and singer and a witness for Christ. Cross Rhythms UK. Retrieved December 10, 2016</ref> Following the collapsed lung, she also became semi-paralyzed due to her calf muscle becoming degraded due to wearing high heels while playing drums. She underwent a two-week long treatment to rebuild her calf muscle and regain the ability to walk.<ref name="crossrhythms"/><ref name="latina">Exclusive: Sheila E. Says She Survived Childhood Abuse. Latina Magazine. Retrieved December 10, 2016</ref>

Achievements

Throughout her career, Sheila E. has earned numerous awards and honors. She has won two Grammy Awards (including a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award),<ref name="latingrammy">Template:Cite web</ref> two American Music Awards nominations, three MTV Video Music Awards nominations, and two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations.<ref>Sheila E. - Television Academy. Television Academy. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref> In February 2009, she became an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority by the Eta Delta Chapter located at Howard University in recognition of her humanitarian efforts through and in music. She is also an inductee of the National Museum of African American History and Culture,<ref>Sheila E. National Museum of African American History and Culture. National Museum of African American History and Culture. Retrieved on February 26, 2025</ref> and the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame,<ref name="moderndrummer">Sheila E. is Crowned First Female Winner of the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame. Modern Drummer. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref> making her the first female to receive this achievement.<ref name="moderndrummer"/> Sheila was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2021 recipients">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2025, she became the first recipient of NAMM TEC Awards DW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.<ref>Roland and DW Present Patrice Rushen, Sheila E. With Lifetime Achievement Awards at NAMM 2025. American Songwriter. Retrieved on February 27, 2025</ref>

Other activities

Business and ventures

In 2012, Sheila founded her own entertainment company Stiletto Flats Music Inc. The company began as a production unit for music. With headquarters in Los Angeles, the company serves as an umbrella for the entertainer's various brands in music, videos, and concert films. Stiletto Flats Music's first production was the concert film Sheila E. Summer Tour 2012: Raw And Real, Live In Lugano Switzerland (2012). The company has also distributed Sheila's albums: Icon (2013), Iconic: Message 4 America (2017), and Bailar (2024).

Philanthropy and activism

In 2001, Sheila and Lynn Mabry founded the Elevate Hope Foundation.<ref name="nbc">Sheila E. and Friends Give Back. NBC Bay Area. Retrieved on February 26, 2025</ref> The foundation provided financial assistance to disadvantaged children and children of physical abuse for music programs.<ref name="nbc"/> The music programs teach how to play music instruments and use digital music studio equipment. In 2002, Elevate Hope hosted its first "An Evening with Angels" event. In 2006, the Elevate Hope Foundation hosted the Circle of Passion charity fashion show at Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. In 2011, Sheila, Lynn Mabry, Yoshie Akiba, and Jason Hofmann formed Elevate Oakland (formerly known as 51Oakland), a nonprofit organization.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The organization provides music and arts programs to public schools located in Oakland, California. In February 2014, the organization held a benefit concert.<ref name="nbc"/> As of 2024, the organization annually serves over 3000 students in more than 30 schools in the Oakland Unified School District.

In 2020, Sheila donated her drum and percussion instruments to music band Valkyrie Missile after their instruments were stolen and the band began canceling scheduled performances.<ref>Sheila E. donates her drum set to Fresno band that had gear stolen in SoCal. ABC30. Retrieved on February 26, 2025</ref>

Discography

Albums

• The Glamorous Life (1984)
• Romance 1600 (1985)
• Sheila E. (1987)
• Sex Cymbal (1991)
• Writes of Passage (2000)
• Heaven (2001)
• Icon (2013)
• Iconic: Message 4 America (2017)
• Bailar (2024)

Tours

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2 Headlining tours

• A Love Bizarre Tour (1986)
• Sex Cymbal Japan Tour (1991)
• Sheila E. and C.O.E.D. Tour (2006–2007)
• The E. Family Tour (2011–2013)
• Sheila E. and the E-Train Tour (2024)

Supporting

• Master of the Game Tour (percussionist for George Duke) (1979)
• Diana Ross on Tour (percussionist for Diana Ross) (1980)
• Midnight Love Tour (percussionist for Marvin Gaye) (1982)
• Sign o' the Times Tour (music director for Prince) (1987)
• Lovesexy Tour (music director for Prince) (1988–1989)
• Sweet 19 Blues Tour (music director for Namie Amuro) (1996)
• Seventh All-Starr Band Tour (drummer for Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band) (2001)
• One Nite Alone... Tour (drummer for Prince) (2002)
• Eighth All-Starr Band Tour (drummer for Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band) (2003)
• New Zealand Tour (drummer for Abraham Laboriel) (2004)
• Ninth All-Starr Band Tour (drummer for Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band) (2006)
• Tenth All-Starr Band Tour (drummer for Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band) (2008)
• 20Ten Tour (percussionist for Prince) (2010)
• Christmas Tour (percussionist for Dave Koz) (2012)

Template:Col-2 Opening act

• Purple Rain Tour (Prince) (1984–1985)
• Welcome 2 Tour (Prince) (2011)

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External links

• Template:Official website – official site
• Template:Discogs artist
• Template:IMDb name