Milestones: The Glamorous Life by Sheila E.

Sheila E.’s essential debut album has a fun 80s sound but also shows off her talent as a musician.

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Before Sheila E. was, well, Sheila E., she was Sheila Escovedo, a drummer and percussionist who came from a musical family. Her dad, Pete Escovedo, was a respected Latin jazz musician. Sheila started playing drums when she was little and got really good really fast.

In the late 70s and early 80s, Sheila played with a bunch of different artists like Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, and Diana Ross. But the most important person she met was Prince. They first played together at a concert in 1978, and Prince was blown away by her skills on the drums.

Prince and Sheila became friends and started working together a lot. She joined his band as a drummer and played on some of his biggest albums, Purple Rain. Prince could see that Sheila had star power and encouraged her to start her own solo career.

With Prince’s help and support, Sheila E. began working on her first album, The Glamorous Life. Prince co-wrote and produced a lot of the songs, and his funky, pop-R&B style was a big influence on the record’s sound. But Sheila E.’s musical style and Latin roots also played a big part in shaping the album’s vibe.

Prince and Sheila E.’s musical partnership was super tight. They had a special chemistry that you could hear in the grooves of The Glamorous Life. Prince helped Sheila E. craft songs that would show off her skills as a drummer and singer and make people want to dance.

When The Glamorous Life came out in 1984, it made Sheila E. a star right away. The album and the hit title track put her in the spotlight and let everyone know that a new, exciting artist had arrived. Sheila E. went from being a backup player to a headliner, and it was all thanks to her talent, hard work, and that magic Prince connection.

While Prince played a huge role in helping Sheila E. launch her solo career, The Glamorous Life also proved that she was an incredible artist in her own right, with a unique sound and style that would make her a music icon for years to come.

This record is a wild ride through all kinds of musical styles, from funk and R&B to pop and Latin rhythms. It’s like a big melting pot of sounds that all come together to make something fresh and exciting.

The title track, “The Glamorous Life,” is probably the most famous song on the album, and for good reason. It’s a funky, danceable tune with a killer bass line and some seriously cool synth sounds. Sheila E.’s drums and percussion are the glue that holds it all together, giving the song a really strong groove. The lyrics are all about living life to the fullest and being a bit of a party animal, which totally fits the song’s fun, upbeat vibe.

Another standout track is “The Belle of St. Mark,” which has a more laid-back, romantic feel. Sheila E.’s vocals are sweet and soulful, and the Latin-inspired rhythms give the song a special flavor. It’s a great example of how Sheila E. could switch up her style and still make it sound awesome.

“Oliver’s House” is a quirky, new wave-ish song that shows off the album’s playful side. The bouncy synths and Sheila E.’s talk-singing style make it a really fun listen. And don’t even get me started on the instrumental jam “Shortberry Strawcake”—it’s like a master class in funky drumming and percussion.

One thing that really makes The Glamorous Life stand out is the production. Prince definitely put his stamp on the album’s sound with lots of his signature synths, drum machines, and funky guitar licks. But Sheila E.’s musical voice comes through loud and clear, too. Her Latin roots add a spicy flavor to the mix, and her incredible skills as a drummer and percussionist give the whole album a super tight, danceable feel.

When you listen to The Glamorous Life, it’s clear that Sheila E. wasn’t just a Prince protégé or a flashy frontwoman. She was a serious musician with a ton of talent and a unique vision. The album’s mix of styles and sounds was pretty groundbreaking for its time, and it still feels fresh and exciting today.

So whether you’re grooving to the funky beats of The Glamorous Life, vibing out to the romantic sounds of “The Belle of St. Mark,” or just marveling at Sheila E.’s incredible musicianship, this album is a true classic that showcases the birth of a real star. It’s a must-listen for any fan of 80s pop, funk, and R&B and a proof of Sheila E.’s enduring talent and vision.

When The Glamorous Life dropped in 1984, it wasn’t just the music that made a splash. The album also had a huge impact on pop culture and style. Sheila E.’s look and image were a big part of her appeal, and they helped define the flashy, funky vibe of the 80s.

The music videos for “The Glamorous Life” and “The Belle of St. Mark” were all over MTV, and they showed off Sheila E.’s bold fashion sense. She rocked bright colors, big hair, and lots of sequins and sparkles. Her style was all about being confident, sassy, and a little bit wild. Girls everywhere wanted to dress like her and have that same cool attitude.

But Sheila E. wasn’t just a pretty face or a fashion icon. She was also a role model for a lot of people, especially young women and girls. Here was this Latina woman playing drums and leading her band, which was a rare thing back then. She proved that women could be more than just singers or backup dancers—they could be real musicians and leaders in the industry.

The album’s lyrics also touched on some important themes that went beyond just partying and having fun. “Next Time Wipe the Lipstick Off Your Collar” and “Strawberry Shortcake” were about standing up for yourself and not letting guys walk all over you. Sheila E. was singing about women’s empowerment before it was cool.

Of course, the whole glamorous image was a big part of the album’s appeal, too. The idea of living this fabulous, jet-setting lifestyle was really attractive to many people. Even if it was just a fantasy, it was a fun one to imagine yourself in. Sheila E. made that fantasy feel a little more real and reachable.

When you put it all together—the music, the fashion, the attitude, the message—The Glamorous Life was more than just a great album. It was a cultural moment that captured the spirit of the 80s in all its neon-colored, big-haired, dance-all-night glory. And Sheila E. was the perfect person to be at the center of it all, with her talent, style, and unstoppable energy.

Let’s be real: the music industry in the 80s wasn’t always the most welcoming place for women, especially women who wanted to do more than sing. But Sheila E. wasn’t about to let that stop her. With The Glamorous Life, she didn’t just break barriers—she straight up smashed them.

As a female drummer and percussionist, Sheila E. was already a rarity in the music world. Most people just weren’t used to seeing a woman behind the drum kit, let alone one who could play with as much skill and power as any guy out there. But Sheila E. didn’t just play drums—she made them the center of her sound and her style.

When you watched Sheila E. perform, it was clear that she was the boss. She led her band with confidence and charisma, and she wasn’t afraid to take center stage. That may not sound like a big deal now, but back then, it was a bold move for a woman in music.

Sheila E. also wrote and produced a lot of her music, which was another way she broke the mold. A lot of women artists at the time were expected to sing songs written by men and look pretty. But Sheila E. had her vision and her sound, and she made sure it came through loud and clear on The Glamorous Life.

Of course, being a trailblazer can be challenging. Sheila E. had to deal with a lot of sexism and doubters along the way. Some people couldn’t accept the idea of a woman playing drums or leading a band. They tried to pigeonhole her as just another pretty pop star.

But Sheila E. never let the haters get her down. She kept doing her thing and proving them wrong every time she took the stage or dropped a new track. In the process, she inspired a whole generation of young women to pick up drumsticks and chase their musical dreams.

Looking back, it’s clear that Sheila E. was a true pioneer. She showed the world that women could rock just as hard as men and that they deserved to be taken seriously as musicians and artists. She paved the way for so many other talented women who came after her, from drummers like Cindy Blackman to genre-bending stars like Janelle Monáe.

So when you listen to The Glamorous Life, remember that it’s not just a killer album—it’s also a symbol of everything Sheila E. achieved as a woman in music. She broke down doors, shattered stereotypes, and proved that talent has no gender. And for that, she’ll always be an icon and an inspiration.

Standout (★★★★½)