Fortunately, I managed to see Prince live at the last minute. That was on 18 September 2010 at the Gelredome in Arnhem. I had earlier opportunities to see him, but I always let them pass by. Prince's performance was amazing and forever etched in my memories. His death on 21 April 2016 hit like a bombshell. Far too young, just like some of my other great pop heroes. Prince is no longer with us, but his music will always be a part of my life.
Prince
Prince Rogers Nelson, better known by his stage name Prince (Minneapolis, 7 June 1958 – Chanhassen, 21 April 2016), was an American pop artist in the funk and rock tradition. Besides being a singer, composer, guitarist, keyboardist and bassist, he was also a dancer, record producer, film director and actor. Prince was known as a very productive workaholic and an innovator in pop music.
During his lifetime, he sold more than one hundred and fifty million singles and albums, won seven Grammy Awards, an Oscar for the song Purple Rain and a Golden Globe. A frequently used nickname is His Royal Badness, a reference to his sexually charged lyrics.
Prince grew up in Minneapolis and formed a band: The Revolution, which people often forgot about, causing the band to split up. His genre was pop, but he himself said he liked rock much more; he often listened to Ike & Tina Turner in his youth.
It was a fact that Prince loved releasing albums: up to 2010 he made 46 albums. Prince was also often out of money. That’s why he once had to sell his purple Purple Rain jacket for 100,000 dollars. One of the reasons he ran out of money was because his studios were not doing well.
Prince certainly did not have an easy childhood; his parents divorced when he was five years old. He was seven when he learned to play the piano.
On 21 April 2016, Prince was found dead in his home. He died at the age of 57.
(source: Wikikids)
Click here for the albums of Prince and the Revolution
Sunday Morning Classics
On 21 July 2019, the album Parade was spinning on our turntable during the Sunday Morning Classics.
After the huge release of Purple Rain in 1984, Prince felt the need for change. He had developed the now legendary "Minneapolis Sound", and with it he began making music he had written for himself and others, often using different names.
His genius could not be underestimated, and the audience finally began to "get it". Although Purple Rain was the definition of this distinctive sound he created, he decided to, let's say, really challenge the listeners.
Parade is the soundtrack/the individual album that accompanies his 1986 film Under the Cherry Moon. To be honest, to understand this record, you need to understand the film itself. The film was shot in black and white and the scenes and locations give it an almost European feel from the 1950s. This is part of the reason why the music works so well because they complement each other thoroughly.
Although the casual Prince fan might reject this album because of its overall non-commercial sound, its fruits really come through after repeated listens. It’s no secret that people’s favourite albums are not always the ones they immediately love. They have to grow with them and find new ways to engage with them.
Since Parade features one of Prince’s biggest hits of his career, it’s a pleasantly surprising treat for those who have no idea what this album has in store for them. A true classic.
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Photo: Penner
Text: Jan Liebregts
