The famous drummer, singer, songwriter, author, humanitarian and icon Sheila E., whose No. 1 dance hits “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre” still resonate, is a member of the Escovedo musical family.See Sheila E. live in concert Thursday, June 1, presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance are $45, $55 and $65. A limited number of discounted tickets for UAB students and employees are available. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit AlysStephens.org, call 205-975-2787 or visit the ASC Box Office at 1200 10th Ave. South.
The Alys Stephens Center will host a pre-show party at 5:30 p.m. with food trucks and a lobby dance party with 98.7 KISS FM.
Guided by the forces of family, faith and music, Sheila E. has made a name for herself as one of the most talented musical icons over the decades, with hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre” that still resonate. With a fearless nature and a passion for sharing her gifts with others, her dynamic music is the heart of everything she does, according to her artist’s statement.
Born into a musical family, Sheila Escovedo (Sheila E.) was influenced and inspired by her percussionist father Pete Escovedo; musical uncles Coke Escovedo, Alejandro Escovedo, Mario Escovedo and Javier Escovedo; and godfather Tito Puente. While she grew up in the Escovedo household, musical instruments were for everyone, she wrote in her memoir, “The Beat of My Own Drum.” As a young child, she would copy the hand movements of her father as he played the drums — planting the seed for what would quickly become her life’s passion. At the age of 5, Sheila E. gave her first public performance for an audience of 3,000, appearing alongside her dad.
Five decades later, the famous drummer, singer, songwriter, author, humanitarian and icon still considers music to be the purest form of self-expression and the one true love of her life, she says in her biography.
In her diverse career, Sheila E. has played on Herbie Hancock’s pivotal album “Monster,” performed as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, and performed on “American Idol” and at the 2012 Academy Awards, among many highlights. In September 2011, The E. Family, consisting of Sheila E., Pete Escovedo, Peter Michael Escovedo III and Juan Escovedo, released the album “Now & Forever.” Sheila E. played percussion on tracks on Gary Clark Jr.’s album “This Land” and, in 2016, provided drums for the orchestral soundtracks to superhero films “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” That year, Sheila E. and The New Power Generation led a tribute to Prince and played a medley of his hits on the BET Awards. The next day, she released a new song, “Girl Meets Boy,” in honor of Prince.
Sheila E. performed and served as music director for “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince” concert in 2020. She and her friend Lynn Mabry are also the co-founders of Elevate Oakland, a nonprofit that uses music and art to serve the needs of youth in Oakland public schools. Sheila E. and her father were presented with the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.