Hannah Ford Welton (Drummer of 3rdEyeGirl)

The dynamic and powerful drummer who anchored Prince’s all-female rock band 3rdEyeGirl, bringing precision, energy, and swing to Prince’s final major musical project.

Hannah Ford

Born: 29 June 1990, Louisville, Kentucky

a.k.a. Hannah Welton is the

drummer, singer, and songwriter, she is best known for her work as the drummer in Prince’s band 3rdEyeGirl from 2012 to 2016.

HER STORY

In September 2012, She was recruited by Prince as a guest drummer for the Welcome 2 Chicago three-show residency after seeing videos of her performing online. Soon after, she appeared as lead drummer of the New Power Generation for Prince's performance of his song, Rock And Roll Love Affair on Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s show on 23 October 2012, as well as in the official music video.[citation needed]

Asked by Prince to look for a female guitarist, Hannah, together with her husband Joshua, scouted online and found Donna Grantis via her videos on YouTube in late November. She auditioned one week later at Paisley Park Studios and was subsequently recruited in December 2012. Bassist Ida Nielsen had been performing with The NPG since October 2010, and the only member of the trio to have previous experience playing for Prince.

In December 2012, 3rdeyegirl were formed and went on to tour with Prince on his Live Out Loud Tour in 2013, and his Hit and Run Tour from 2014 to 2015.[citation needed]

In 2013, Welton was offered a spot in Prince's backing band 3rdeyegirl with guitarist Donna Grantis and bassist Ida Kristine Nielsen.

Joshua Welton would also join[when?] the tours on percussion. He co-produced Prince's next two albums, Art Official Age and Hit n Run Phase One, and co-wrote most tracks on the latter.[citation needed]

In 2013, along with Bellevue Suite, Welton released the album This Far From Sanity (2013).

In 2014, 3rdeyegirl released their first and only album, Plectrumelectrum.

WHY THEY MATTER TO THE PRINCE UNIVERSE 

Hannah Ford Welton was a vital part of Prince’s final creative renaissance with 3rdEyeGirl. Along with Donna Grantis and Ida Nielsen, she helped Prince return to a live, band-oriented rock sound in his later years.

The trio is widely regarded by fans as one of Prince’s most exciting late-period projects, and Hannah’s powerful, musical drumming was central to its success.

SOURCES Prince Vault, Wikipedia,

Discogs, interviews with Hannah Ford Welton (Modern Drummer Magazine, The Current).

Discography

With Bellevue Suite

This Far from Sanity (2013)

With Prince and 3rdeyegirl

Plectrumelectrum (2014

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