I wonder if there’s any member of my generation who doesn’t have a significant memory that touches on Prince, his music, or the myriad acts he wrote for, produced, or inspired (including Apollonia 6, the Bangles, Tevin Campbell, Ingrid Chavez, Cherelle, Andre Cymone, Morris Day, Sheila E., Sheena Easton, Carmen Electra, T.C. Ellis, The Family, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Madhouse, Madonna, Martika, Sinéad O’Connor, Maceo Parker, Mavis Staples, Támar, The Time, Tina Turner, Vanity 6, and Wendy & Lisa).

And while I could rattle-off all sorts of Prince-related statistics and figures – sold more than 100 million records, worldwide; won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and seven Grammys; was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible (2004); and released 39 albums over the course of his 40 year career – I thought I’d ask a few of my pals to recount their favorite Prince moments, for you.  So here they are, followed by one of mine.

Rose Apodaca (Editor/Curator): “He pulled me onstage, to dance with him, in March ’05.  He was doing a series of shows at the Hollywood Roosevelt; and by coincidence, I was there, celebrating my last day as West Coast Bureau Chief of WWD.”

Gant Johnson (DJ/Producer): “After Salon Wednesdays (Flamingo East, NY – 1993-1999), I produced Cock & Soul (The Cock, NY – 1999-2006) with Nashom Wooden (The Ones); which then evolved into a monthly theme-party, showcasing our favorite divas.  We had a night dedicated to Grace Jones, as well as ones for Tina Turner, the Ladies of Hip-Hop, and Diana Ross.  One night, we celebrated Prince and the Ladies of Prince.  We even had t-shirts made!”*

Eddie McDonald (DJ): “He would occasionally come by JET (at The Mirage; now 1OAK), later in the evening (usually after 2am). I believe we always set him up in JET’s VIP #2 section of the club; which was on the other side of the dancefloor, directly across from the DJ booth, in the Main Room. I was told that there were to be no lights on him, and if memory serves, there was to be no eye-contact or direct dialogue, with him, either. I was told by our marketing team to play James Brown and other funk and soul music, for him; and after a long night of Top 40-driven open-format, I was incredibly happy to accommodate. About 20 minutes into my set, Prince sent a member of his entourage over to tell me that Prince was loving what I was doing. Couldn't have asked for a better end to a night!”

And as for me, my favorite Prince story took place in 2006.  Prince had opened his 3121 Club at The Rio; Chaka Khan was performing; and I was taking my roommate, Lieuchi, to see her.  After the concert began, and my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I noticed not only that Prince was sitting in the VIP booth directly in front of ours; but that he kept turning-around, to give Lieuchi the up-and-down, rather like a searchlight.  Lieuchi was completely into the show, and not only was she utterly oblivious to Prince’s gaze, but had been jamming so hard that her wig had come unpinned.  So, being the good friend that I am, leaned across the booth, and whispered in her ear “Girl!  Your wig has slipped; and by the way, Prince has been checking you out, all night!”  After letting a quick gasp escape her lips, she immediately shimmied out of our booth, hands on her head, and ran to the Ladies Room.  Ten minutes later, she returned; but it was too late - Prince was now totally engrossed in Chaka Khan’s performance.  After the show, we were escorted back to Chaka’s dressing room, where, after autographing my 12” of “Ain’t Nobody” the Queen of Funk hugged me so hard, that I nearly suffocated in her voluminous bosom. 

Prince
Olev HaSholem

Get Into It!
#Prince

[Editor’s Note: While I never saw the Cock & Soul t-shirts for the Prince/Ladies of Prince celebration; I still have the ones made for the showcases of Diana Ross and Grace Jones!]

The world’s greatest hip-hop collective returns this weekend with the second edition of the history-making WU-TANG CLAN: THE SAGA CONTINUES… THE LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY