Apollonia 6 (Prince’s Second All-Female Trio)

The glamorous, provocative female trio that succeeded Vanity 6, created and produced by Prince, best known for their sultry 1984 album and the cult-classic song “Sex Shooter.”

OVERVIEW

Apollonia 6 was a three-member R&B/pop group formed by Prince in 1983. They were the direct follow-up to Vanity 6 and continued Prince’s vision of bold, sensual, and stylish female groups within the Minneapolis Sound.

MEMBERS

• Apollonia (Patricia Kotero) – Lead vocals

• Brenda Bennett – Vocals (carried over from Vanity 6)

• Susan Moonsie – Vocals (also carried over from Vanity 6)

PRINCE CONNECTION After Vanity left the group (and Prince) in 1983 to pursue solo work, Prince chose actress/model Patricia Kotero as her replacement and renamed the group Apollonia 6. He wrote and produced their entire album, played most instruments, and guided their image. Apollonia also starred as the lead actress in Prince’s 1984 film Purple Rain, where the group performed “Sex Shooter.” She was Prince’s girlfriend during this period.

KEY RELEASES Apollonia 6 (self-titled album) Released: October 1, 1984 Label: Warner Bros. / Paisley Park Notable Tracks:

• “Sex Shooter” – Their biggest hit and signature song (featured prominently in Purple Rain)

• “Blue Limousine”

• “Ooo She Shook Me”

• “Take Me with U” (a duet with Prince on the Purple Rain soundtrack, though credited to Apollonia 6 in some contexts)

The album had a heavier funk and synth-pop sound than Vanity 6, with Prince’s signature production style.

STAGE WORK & LATER CAREER Apollonia 6 opened for Prince on the Purple Rain tour in 1984–85. The group was short-lived and disbanded in 1985 after the tour.

• Apollonia went on to release a solo album (Apollonia, 1988), act in films and television (Falcon Crest, Black Magic Woman), and later became a businesswoman and motivational speaker.

• Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie stepped back from the spotlight but have occasionally reunited for Prince tribute events.

WHY THEY MATTER TO THE PRINCE UNIVERSE Apollonia 6 was a key part of Prince’s mid-1980s purple empire. They added visual glamour and feminine energy to the Purple Rain era and helped solidify Prince’s brand of sexually charged, high-concept pop-funk. “Sex Shooter” remains one of the most memorable songs and performances from the Purple Rain project.

SOURCES Prince Vault, Wikipedia, Discogs, interviews with Apollonia Kotero, Brenda Bennett, and Susan Moonsie.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.