Susan Moonsie-Mohan (born January 21, 1964) is a Trinidadian-born American singer. She is best known as a member of the 1980s musical groups Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 that were associated with recording artist Prince.[3]
Susan Moonsie | |
|---|---|
| Also known as |
|
| Born | Susan Vashtie Moonsie January 21, 1964[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1980–1988 |
| Label | Warner Bros. |
Life and career
editSusan Vashtie Moonsie was born in Trinidad and Tobago on January 21, 1964, the daughter of a conservative school teacher.[1][2] She grew up in Minneapolis, where she met Prince at a local discotheque when she was sixteen in 1980.[1] In 1981, he formed a girl group that would be called "The Hookers" with Moonsie and her sister Loreen along with Cavallo, Ruffalo & Fargnoli employee Jamie Shoop.[4]
Then in 1982, Moonsie became a member of Vanity 6 along with set designer Roy Bennett's wife Brenda Bennett and lead singer Vanity.[5] Moonsie was given a "teenage Lolita" image by Prince for shock value—Susan claimed she was only 16 years old at the time, although she was 18 years old when the group was formed.[1] The group had a hit on the US R&B Chart with their single "Nasty Girl."[1]
After lead singer Vanity's departure in 1983, Moonsie and Bennett were joined by Patricia "Apollonia" Kotero, who replaced Vanity in the group. Prince changed the group's name to Apollonia 6 and they appeared in the 1984 film Purple Rain, which co-starred Apollonia, and had a minor hit with the song "Sex Shooter" that same year.[6] In the 1980s, Moonsie provided vocals on some of Prince's tracks.[7]
Moonsie has lived between the United States (in Florida) and Trinidad and Tobago since 2000.[8] Married with two children, Moonsie purchased Hardy Park Bistro in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her son, Aaron Mohan, in 2020.[8] She has also worked as a real estate broker.[9]
Relationship with Prince
editPrince is believed to have written the song "When Doves Cry" about his relationship with Moonsie.[10] His song "Private Joy" was also reportedly written about her.[11]
Moonsie kept in touch with Prince through the years, up until his death in 2016.[8]
In pop culture
editMoonsie is mentioned in the lyrics of the Timex Social Club hit song "Rumors". "Did you hear that one about Susan, some say she's just a tease. In a camisole, she's six feet tall. She'll knock you to your knees".[12] This fact was confirmed by Timex Social Club founding member and lyricist Marcus A. Thompson.[13]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 "Vanity 6 Living Out Daring Fantasies on Stage". Jet: 58–62. January 24, 1983.
- 1 2 Tudahl 2018, p. 93.
- ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Biography: Vanity 6". Allmusic. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ↑ Tudahl 2018, p. 13.
- ↑ Draper, Jason (November 1, 2016). Prince: Life and Times: Revised and Updated Edition. Chartwell Books. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7603-5363-9.
- ↑ "Prince Makes Debut as Actor in his Hot Film 'Purple Rain'". Jet: 47–49. August 27, 1984.
- ↑ Tudahl 2018, pp. 258, 391.
- 1 2 3 Mayo, Michael (March 6, 2020). "Are changes ahead for popular Hardy Park Bistro in Fort Lauderdale?". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ↑ "DBPR – MOONSIE-MOHAN, SUSAN VASHTI, Real Estate Broker or Sales". www.myfloridalicense.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ↑ Tudahl 2018, pp. 284–285.
- ↑ Draper, Jason (2016). Prince: Life and Times: Revised and Updated Edition. Book Sales. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-7858-3497-7.
- ↑ Marx, Tommy (September 4, 2009). "One Hit Wonder: Timex Social Club, PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ↑ OldSchool80s (March 26, 2021). "Interview with Marcus 'DJ Marcus T' Thompson of Timex Social Club". www.rediscoverthe80s.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Further reading
editTudahl, Duane (2018). Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-5381-1643-2.