'80s Funk Rock Icon Makes Exclusive Announcement for 45th Anniversary
Morris Day is marking a major milestone in his music career with a special release that gives fans a deeper look into one of his most celebrated projects.
The legendary funk and R&B performer announced on Instagram that Warner/Rhino Records will release a deluxe edition of his 1985 album Color of Success on June 26 as part of his 45th anniversary celebration in music.
"In Celebration of My 45th Anniversary in music Warner/ Rhino Records is releasing "COLOR OF SUCCESS" Deluxe Edition on June 26. Packed with all the rare unreleased mixes from the Warner Vaults. This is a MUST have. And also coming soon the "Oak Tree Remix" by SHAWTYR3DD," Day wrote.
The announcement gives longtime fans access to previously unreleased material from the Warner vaults while highlighting a career that spans more than four decades. The upcoming package will feature rare mixes connected to Color of Success, the debut solo album that helped establish Day as a successful artist outside of his work with The Time.
The release arrives during a year of reflection and celebration for the singer, songwriter, bandleader and actor, who remains one of the most recognizable figures in funk music.
Morris Day Celebrates 45 Years in Music
Day is best known as the frontman of The Time, the Minneapolis-based funk band closely associated with Prince. The group emerged in the early 1980s and became a major part of the Minneapolis sound that gained worldwide attention during the decade.
Founded in 1981, The Time played a prominent role in Prince's 1984 film Purple Rain and became known for energetic performances and hits including "Jungle Love," "The Bird," and later "Jerk Out."
Before leading The Time, Day and Prince attended the same high school in Minneapolis and performed together in the band Grand Central during the 1970s. Their creative partnership helped shape one of the most influential eras in funk and pop music.
While Day's work with The Time earned widespread acclaim, his solo career also produced notable successes. Released in 1985, Color of Success reached No. 37 on the Billboard 200 and climbed to No. 7 on the R&B chart. The album generated several charting singles, including "The Oak Tree," "The Color of Success" and "The Character."
"The Oak Tree" became one of Day's signature songs, reaching No. 3 on the R&B chart and helping solidify his standing as a solo performer.
In addition to the deluxe album, Day revealed that a new version of "The Oak Tree" is also in development. According to his announcement, an "Oak Tree Remix" by SHAWTYR3DD is scheduled to arrive soon, though additional details have not yet been released.
The news comes shortly after Day made headlines for clarifying that he and The Time would not perform at the Great American State Fair, a multi-day event planned for Washington, D.C., as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations.
After being included in an initial lineup announcement, Day publicly denied that he would appear at the event.
"Contrary To Rumor, Morris Day & The Time Will Not Be Performing At The ‘GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR,'" he wrote on Instagram.
In a recent interview, Day explained that he prefers to keep his music separate from politics and emphasized that his focus remains on entertaining audiences and sharing positive messages through music.
For fans of classic funk, Minneapolis sound, and 1980s R&B, the upcoming Color of Success Deluxe Edition represents an opportunity to revisit a pivotal chapter in Day's journey while discovering previously unheard material from the vault.
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 4:44 PM.