associated_acts genre years_active |name label birth_date background |image_size instrument article_title birth_name occupation
the time , the family , the revolution rock , funk , funk rock , funk metal , dance , pop , r & b , soul 1981 -- present jerome benton warner bros. . paisley park 19 september 1962 solo_singer 150 percussion jerome benton
 jerome benton promoter
jerome benton

jerome benton -lrb- born september 19 , 1962 -rrb- is an american musical performer , backup dancer and comedic actor .
he can be seen in music videos by janet jackson and prince , but he is best known for his association with the time .
benton is the half brother of time bassist terry lewis and worked closely with the band behind the scenes in its initial stages .
during one performance , lead singer morris day asked for someone to bring him a mirror .
benton responded by ripping a mirror out of the club 's restroom and bringing it on stage for day to comb his hair .
this act elevated benton 's integration into the band as a comic foil to day , along with his dancing and providing backing vocals .
in 1983 , when jimmy jam and terry lewis missed a concert in san antonio , benton was tasked by prince to pretend to fill in for lewis on stage with his bass unplugged , while prince provided the bass line backstage .
jam and lewis were eventually fired after the tour .
benton appeared in the 1984 film `` purple rain '' with the rest of the time and assumed the role of morris day 's bodyguard and valet .
he also appeared in prince 's second film `` under the cherry moon '' .
the chemistry between day and benton was well received .
although the time soon dissolved after day started pursuing a solo career , prince retained benton , as well as jellybean johnson and paul peterson for the short-lived project the family .
benton reunited with the family on december 13 , 2003 for a single charity performance along with other acts formerly associated with prince .
according to a january 31 , 2007 press release on st. paul 's website , the family announced that the group is returning with a new record and a tour .
