Escovedo, Sheila (1957–)

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Escovedo, Sheila (1957–)

American pop singer and drummer. Name variations: Sheila E. Born Sheila Escovedo, Dec 12, 1957, in Oakland, California; dau. of Juanita and Pete Escovedo (percussionist for band Santana).

The only female Prince protegé with staying power, learned to play drums and other percussion instruments as a child; quit high school to join father's band Azteca; became successful studio percussionist (late 1970s); recorded and toured with Diana Ross, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Richie, and Marvin Gaye (early 1980s); collaborated with Prince on duet "Erotic City" (1984); launched solo act (1984); released album The Glamorous Life (1984), which yielded hit title track; released albums Sheila E. in Romance 1600 (1985), Sheila E. (1987), Sex Cymbal (1991), and Writes of Passage (2001); scored singles hits with "Belle of St. Mark" (1984), "A Love Bizarre" (1985), and "Hold Me" (1987); put solo career on hold to tour with Prince's band the Revolution (late 1980s); suffered collapsed lung (1991); was bandleader on Earvin "Magic" Johnson's late-night talk show (1998).