Apollonia 6

Apollonia 6

Company type	Vocal group
Industry	Music
Founded	1983
Founder	Prince
Defunct	1985
Headquarters	United States
Products	Music albums, singles

Apollonia 6 was a female vocal trio from the United States, established in 1983 by Prince as a follow-up to his previous ensemble Vanity 6 after the departure of lead singer Vanity. Original members Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie continued with the group, joined by actress and model Apollonia Kotero who took on the role of lead vocalist. The trio produced a single album before disbanding in 1985.

Origin

In 1981, Prince formed Vanity 6, which included Vanity (Denise Matthews), Brenda Bennett, and Susan Moonsie. Following disagreements, Vanity exited in 1983 to embark on a solo career, also relinquishing her co-starring part in Prince's 1984 motion picture Purple Rain.

Director Albert Magnoli discovered aspiring actress and model Patricia Apollonia Kotero, whom Prince renamed Apollonia. She succeeded Vanity both as the film’s female lead and as the frontwoman of the group, which was subsequently renamed Apollonia 6.

Their self-titled album featured backing vocals from Prince collaborators Jill Jones and Wendy & Lisa. In 1985, a four-song video inspired by the album was produced, directed by Brian Thomson with a script by Keith Williams. The cast included Ricky Nelson, Edy Williams, and Buck Henry. Although British company Limelight produced the video, only unfinished versions have surfaced publicly, with some footage available online.

Dissolution

Prince had initially planned for his well-known songs "Manic Monday" (later popularized by The Bangles), "17 Days" (released as the B-side to "When Doves Cry"), "Take Me with U" (featured on the Purple Rain soundtrack), and "The Glamorous Life" (performed by Sheila E. in 1984) to be included on the Apollonia 6 record. Although Apollonia 6 was set to open for Prince and Sheila E. on the Purple Rain tour, this plan was canceled following their promotional tour in Europe. Nevertheless, they appeared at select shows, typically during the "Baby I'm a Star" encore segment, as captured in performances of "I Would Die 4 U" and "Baby I'm a Star" on the VHS release of Prince and the Revolution: Live, recorded in Syracuse on March 30, 1985.

Following the group's breakup, Kotero focused on acting roles in television series such as Falcon Crest and various films throughout the following decade. She also launched a solo music career with her 1988 album Apollonia, released via Warner Bros. Records.

Studio albums

• Apollonia 6 (1984)

Singles

Selected singles with chart rankings

Title	Year	Highest chart positions					Album
		US	US Dance	US R&B	NLD	BEL (FL)
"Sex Shooter"	1984	85	32	19	16	15	Apollonia 6
"Blue Limousine"		—	—	19	—	—