I REALLY got interested in him after seeing his famous Super Bowl halftime show, albeit on YouTube . My main thought was " that's UNDILUTED CHUTZPAH... & I LOVE IT ! ". Then hearing about how involved he was with the soundtrack for Batman 89.
I'm so glad you included that clip of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which I've never seen. The part where Prince backbends off the stage and has to be supported by an audience member! This essay really brought those days back to me, as Michael's writing always does.
Early on, before the world discovered him, I was Prince’s promotion manager at Warner Bros. During the week, he’d sometimes come and hang out with me in my office, and I’d update him on what was happening in the streets with his album, ‘Prince,’ which we’d released in 1979. Sometimes we’d go out for a bite or drinks afterward. Occasionally, I’d talk him into visiting a local club or two with me to meet their DJ and urge them to play his record. He didn’t talk much, but when he did, it was obvious that he had been born with a very clear vision of his destiny and was determined to see it through. That was a challenging feat for any artist, but Prince wasn’t just any artist. However, outside of myself and the executive who originally signed him to the label, Warner Bros mainly kept their doors shut against him. Let’s just say that they thought he and his music was too “weird.” And he knew it. I have so many stories about my experiences with Prince, and one day, I’ll write about them. After all of the dust settles, and folks start telling the real truth.
Michael, when I heard that he died and how, I just couldn’t stop crying, because I felt deep in my soul, that if I had somehow remained a part of his life, I might have been able to prevent his death. Working around celebrities, in that world, I reluctantly have had to fact the bitter fact that fame can and will kill you, if you are not extremely circumspect with how you inhabit that world. And there are a million ways it can happen, especially for famous folk of color. Prince was smart, and he was very savvy, so he was the last person, the Last Person I would have expected to end up this way. I miss him badly.
Well done, sir. I especially appreciate how you show that Prince was a beloved figure in the black community well before the mega success, and contrary to the misconceptions, he remained anchored in the community while he conquered the world.
Love that cover of Code "The Evolution of Man." If only. We needed him around longer. 💔 Raspberry Beret was the first song I learned all the lyrics to. I was five.
Thank you for this, Michael A. Gonzales! As hard as it is to believe, I think Prince is underrated except by musicians who were alive in the 70s. (Raises hand.) "Lovesexy" on cassette was the soundtrack of my life in the hot Summer of '88 in NYC, a time of great change, sweet love affairs, energy to stay up all night, and being a kid in Manhattan, where either your looks, your wallet or your connections propelled you to where it was you wished to be in life.
I liked the songs but not the overall sound of "Purple Rain." I'd like to hear that album completely dry, no reverb, and absorb it. I liked "Around The World In A Day" far, far better, my God, talk about an album creating a sonic world to get lost in!
And then "Lovesexy" and "Sign O' The Times" just knocked me out, forever and ever. The man's acting? And movies? Let's just say he was a great musician! Bowie didn't make good movies, either, neither did Sting or Madonna or Ringo or Mick. That's just the way it is.
I'm glad he chose not to participate in the awful "We Are the World."
I was so shocked when he died. Like Michael, it was a damned shame the way he went, still young, and all alone. But that's probably my fate as well, as it was my mother's and father's. It can't be that bad.
This is a wonderful remembrance/tribute to Prince, and the author’s own musical coming-of-age with which I strongly relate, despite our different backgrounds. We must be about the same age, as I, too, remember well first hearing “I Wanna be Your Lover” blasting out of the radio as a high school junior and there was no turning back. Like Bowie, who as mentioned predeceased him by just three months in that traumatic 2016, Prince was so musically fearless and willing to push all kinds of boundaries in ways that free many people to be themselves. His music sounds as fresh and exhilarating to me now as it did when I was 17 or 27. If I am lucky enough to find a place to dance to good tunes, I will still lose my mind on the dance floor at 63 to his magical music.
GASP! I love this stack somethin' fierce! Thank you for honoring the phenomenal, extraordinarily talented and deeply human PRINCE. I especially loved your highlight of fave PRINCE riff - from the George Harrison tribute - While My Guitar Gently Weeps. It is absolutely the BEST example of PRINCE's virtuosity with an electric guitar. It's my go-to reel whenever I'm feeling blue and need to get a dopamine hit. LOVE LOVE LOVE this man and miss his deliciousness. Deeply grateful for your beautiful story. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WKoIMWypFO4
What a bittersweet start to the day. I also remember the day I heard prince died and thought it was a hoax. But what a wonderful start to rewatch that performance, it brought tears to my eyes.
I really enjoyed this article, I was a huge Prince fan, and had the pleasure of seeing him in concert twice. Once with The Time and Vanity Six and once with Sheila E, both were amazing presentations, have lots of his work, had the Purple Rain poster in my college dorm room. Had huge drama when my boyfriend stole my Purple Rain sweatshirt!
I had that same sudden wrench in my stomach when I got the news.
Over the last few years, so many of my favorite musicians have passed on. That heavenly rocking band of Angels must be cooking there these days! I feel so fortunate to have lived and been aware and had the luck to see so many of these greats perform. How great is it that Prince and the others have left us with the music that still thrills us even in their absence.
Music has always played a significant role in my life, and my greatest joy is to share it with others.
Thanks for sharing the excellent article. I really enjoyed it!
I REALLY got interested in him after seeing his famous Super Bowl halftime show, albeit on YouTube . My main thought was " that's UNDILUTED CHUTZPAH... & I LOVE IT ! ". Then hearing about how involved he was with the soundtrack for Batman 89.
Prince's performance for the Superball show was fantastic. I;d assumed he discussed the rain with God, who made it happen on cue.
This was such a powerful tribute, personal, vivid, and full of heart. You didn’t just remember him, you made his presence felt again.
Thank you kindly. I tried to do my best.
Thank you so much. Prince brought me so much joy for decades, I just wanted to serve his memory and music correctly.
You did him justice, felt like both a tribute and a lived experience. His impact really came through. 🎶
Gen X and Prince: What a ride we had together.💜
I heard that the sexy people can stay on the Prince ride. It's cool... LOL Thank you my friend.
Truly.
I'm so glad you included that clip of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which I've never seen. The part where Prince backbends off the stage and has to be supported by an audience member! This essay really brought those days back to me, as Michael's writing always does.
It’s incredible! As is Michael’s writing.
Much appreciated. Thank you.
Early on, before the world discovered him, I was Prince’s promotion manager at Warner Bros. During the week, he’d sometimes come and hang out with me in my office, and I’d update him on what was happening in the streets with his album, ‘Prince,’ which we’d released in 1979. Sometimes we’d go out for a bite or drinks afterward. Occasionally, I’d talk him into visiting a local club or two with me to meet their DJ and urge them to play his record. He didn’t talk much, but when he did, it was obvious that he had been born with a very clear vision of his destiny and was determined to see it through. That was a challenging feat for any artist, but Prince wasn’t just any artist. However, outside of myself and the executive who originally signed him to the label, Warner Bros mainly kept their doors shut against him. Let’s just say that they thought he and his music was too “weird.” And he knew it. I have so many stories about my experiences with Prince, and one day, I’ll write about them. After all of the dust settles, and folks start telling the real truth.
I look forward to the day when you write those stories. Thank you very much for reading and sharing.
Michael, when I heard that he died and how, I just couldn’t stop crying, because I felt deep in my soul, that if I had somehow remained a part of his life, I might have been able to prevent his death. Working around celebrities, in that world, I reluctantly have had to fact the bitter fact that fame can and will kill you, if you are not extremely circumspect with how you inhabit that world. And there are a million ways it can happen, especially for famous folk of color. Prince was smart, and he was very savvy, so he was the last person, the Last Person I would have expected to end up this way. I miss him badly.
Wow!
Well done, sir. I especially appreciate how you show that Prince was a beloved figure in the black community well before the mega success, and contrary to the misconceptions, he remained anchored in the community while he conquered the world.
Thank you Leigh...
Yes! Michael says it all. Also... While My Guitar Gently Sleeps blows my mind just thinking about it let alone watching it live multiple times.
I’ve watched that video so many times. Incredible.
Thank you David. That clip is so addictive. I play it so much. As always your comments are much appreciated.
Love that cover of Code "The Evolution of Man." If only. We needed him around longer. 💔 Raspberry Beret was the first song I learned all the lyrics to. I was five.
Thank you for this, Michael A. Gonzales! As hard as it is to believe, I think Prince is underrated except by musicians who were alive in the 70s. (Raises hand.) "Lovesexy" on cassette was the soundtrack of my life in the hot Summer of '88 in NYC, a time of great change, sweet love affairs, energy to stay up all night, and being a kid in Manhattan, where either your looks, your wallet or your connections propelled you to where it was you wished to be in life.
I liked the songs but not the overall sound of "Purple Rain." I'd like to hear that album completely dry, no reverb, and absorb it. I liked "Around The World In A Day" far, far better, my God, talk about an album creating a sonic world to get lost in!
And then "Lovesexy" and "Sign O' The Times" just knocked me out, forever and ever. The man's acting? And movies? Let's just say he was a great musician! Bowie didn't make good movies, either, neither did Sting or Madonna or Ringo or Mick. That's just the way it is.
I'm glad he chose not to participate in the awful "We Are the World."
I was so shocked when he died. Like Michael, it was a damned shame the way he went, still young, and all alone. But that's probably my fate as well, as it was my mother's and father's. It can't be that bad.
Thank you as well Josh.
This is a wonderful remembrance/tribute to Prince, and the author’s own musical coming-of-age with which I strongly relate, despite our different backgrounds. We must be about the same age, as I, too, remember well first hearing “I Wanna be Your Lover” blasting out of the radio as a high school junior and there was no turning back. Like Bowie, who as mentioned predeceased him by just three months in that traumatic 2016, Prince was so musically fearless and willing to push all kinds of boundaries in ways that free many people to be themselves. His music sounds as fresh and exhilarating to me now as it did when I was 17 or 27. If I am lucky enough to find a place to dance to good tunes, I will still lose my mind on the dance floor at 63 to his magical music.
GASP! I love this stack somethin' fierce! Thank you for honoring the phenomenal, extraordinarily talented and deeply human PRINCE. I especially loved your highlight of fave PRINCE riff - from the George Harrison tribute - While My Guitar Gently Weeps. It is absolutely the BEST example of PRINCE's virtuosity with an electric guitar. It's my go-to reel whenever I'm feeling blue and need to get a dopamine hit. LOVE LOVE LOVE this man and miss his deliciousness. Deeply grateful for your beautiful story. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WKoIMWypFO4
Day launched with this article, followed by My Guitar Gently Weeps. Better than coffee. Thank you, Mr. Gonzales and Prince.
I've always strived to be better than coffee. Thank you.
Ha!
What a bittersweet start to the day. I also remember the day I heard prince died and thought it was a hoax. But what a wonderful start to rewatch that performance, it brought tears to my eyes.
Me too! Caffeine! Monday morning! And now I am putting on "Tambourine!"
"Oh my God, there you go..." I love that song too. Thank you for reading.
Such a great tribute 💜
Thank you
I really enjoyed this article, I was a huge Prince fan, and had the pleasure of seeing him in concert twice. Once with The Time and Vanity Six and once with Sheila E, both were amazing presentations, have lots of his work, had the Purple Rain poster in my college dorm room. Had huge drama when my boyfriend stole my Purple Rain sweatshirt!
What a beautiful love letter.
I had that same sudden wrench in my stomach when I got the news.
Over the last few years, so many of my favorite musicians have passed on. That heavenly rocking band of Angels must be cooking there these days! I feel so fortunate to have lived and been aware and had the luck to see so many of these greats perform. How great is it that Prince and the others have left us with the music that still thrills us even in their absence.
Music has always played a significant role in my life, and my greatest joy is to share it with others.
Thanks for sharing the excellent article. I really enjoyed it!
Cheers!
Thank you as well.