Continued from Part 1…

Kathy Jeung (Make-up Artist):  In the mid-‘80s, I was the resident DJ at Helena Killianiotes’ exclusive members-only restaurant and nightclub, Helena's, that was frequented by Jack Nicholson, Sean Penn, and Madonna (who was the informal DJ, before I began working there), to name a few of the big celebrities who, along with most every entertainment "heavy hitter" of the time, were always in attendance.

One night, probably in 1985, Prince was there (he had been there a few times before) and around midnight, when the dance floor was packed, his security came up to my booth with a 12" acetate test-pressing; and told me they’d just received it, and that Prince wanted to hear it:  "Play it, now." 

I said sure, and that I'd work it into my set. 

"No, NOW."

I balked, because I didn't want to disrupt the energy on the dance floor; and I wanted to find the best song to segue way into it.  “Okay,” I said. “I just need to listen to it on my headphones first, so I can cue up the track.”

"No. Play it NOW." 

So, I dropped it on the first opening-break that I knew was approaching, in whatever song was playing (I can't remember what). Didn't fade-out or -in, just "cold-cut" it in...  And the track was “Kiss”!

Everyone on the dance floor stopped dancing for about 2 seconds, heard the intro to “Kiss” - then proceeded to go bananas! 

The way it went down, the song, the response, and the honor of being one of the first to play it, anywhere... Everything was AMAZING!! 

Amy Sacco (Founder, Lot 61/Bungalow8/No.8/Rec Room): “He used to stop by, often – first to Lot 61 and then to Bungalow 8 – near closing, with a friend or two, and spin records.  I’d let them come-in through the back door, so nobody would see him, and sometimes I left him to close-up.  Eventually, I gave him his own set of keys.  He just wanted to DJ, and rarely drank anything. Occasionally, people noticed him, but were cool enough to let him be; and we all kept our enthusiasm to ourselves (aside from the pinch-me-now effect, and some “Holy fucking shit!  Is that Prince?!?!”)

Annabel Schofield (Author, The Cherry Alignment):  I remember Prince showing up at a club I frequented - it may have been Helena's – and as soon as he walked in, everyone felt his presence. I also remember not being able to help myself from impersonating his funky dance-moves, right in front of him. I just couldn't stop my limbs! EMBARRASSING! 

But, I guess he was watching and admiring, as shortly after that I was invited to dinner with about five others, including The Purple One, at an Italian restaurant, in Venice. He was very late. But when he showed he was beautiful and immaculately attired.  He was tiny, in a peach suit with black polka dots and matching platforms. He sat next to me and I rambled on, as I had no idea what to say to him.  (Overwhelmed was I!) He was very quiet and shy, and barely said a word. Actually, his only words to me were "Would you like some more pizza?" I have never wanted pizza more. 

Concluded in Part 3, with remembrances from Prince’s longtime DJ, Adam Bravin.

Prince
Olev HaSholem

Get Into It!
#Prince