Sheila E.

Bio:
Sheila E.(born Sheila Escovedo on December 12, 1957 in Oakland, California) is an American singer and drummer. Her first recording was with jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson in 1976, and by her early 20s, she’d already collaborated with stars like Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. She began working with Prince during his Purple Rain recording sessions and provided vocals for a number of his songs. Her biggest hit, “The Glamorous Life,” was released in 1984: It reached No. 7 on the Top 100 charts, No. 1 on the U.S. dance charts, and was nominated for a Grammy award. Throughout her career, Sheila has released seven albums and worked with singers like Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. She also worked with Ringo Starr in 2001, 2003 and 2006 as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, and has worked professionally with Prince since their split. Sheila also tried her hand at country music by winning the CMT show Gone Country in 2009 and has performed on the Academy Awards, Dancing With the Stars and American Idol.

Best Known For:
Sheila is best known as a singer/drummer and Prince’s fiancee.

Personal Life:
Sheila met Prince at a concert in 1978. They eventually started collaborating on music together and had a romantic relationship, but it wasn’t until she released her memoir, To The Beat Of My Own Drum, in 2014 that she revealed they’d been engaged. Prince popped the question on stage in 1987: While performing “Purple Rain” he turned to Sheila and mouthed, “Marry Me?” However, their busy schedules took a toll on the relationship and they split before tying the knot. Sheila also admitted in her memoir that she was “pretty much” engaged to Carlos Santana when she was just 18 and he was married.