My transcript of the interview with Prince and Richard Wilkins of the today show (filmed on 22 October 2003) Have to break it up in2 separate post coz it rather long.

Someone has kindly dowloaded the interview ....Coped this from EroticCityNPG groups: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/f...erview.wmv Posted below.


Tracey (T) and Richard (R) are hosts

Preview to interview

T He is one of the biggest earning performing stars of all time but despite his enormous profile Prince has always zealously guarded his privacy. This morning we are going 2 try 2 get under that guard 4 an Australian exclusive

(Cut 2 excerpt from interview)

R Can I get U 2 tell us about the decision 2 open it up and give these fans a…

P Hey, lets take a break 4 a minute and come back

(Studio)

R Yeh, that’s Prince yesterday and the he puts on a 2hr (no quite) sound check just 4 the fans. I guarantee U its an interview people will be talking about 4 a while, certainly I will B. He is a fascinating character.

T Did he reveal a little more off than on camera

R I will tell U about it soon

T Tell us now

R One of the most bizarre experiences of my life
[This message was edited Mon Oct 27 2:59:49 PST 2003 by ozpfan]

PART 2

Interview

(Studio)

R During the 15 years I have had the pleasure 2 interview the biggest and most successful recording artists on the planet, well yesterday I had one of the most interesting interviews and fascinating experiences ever when none other than Prince agreed 2 a back-stage interview

He is of course one of the most prolific, private and influential artists of his generation, his songs have become anthems and during that purple patch in the 80s he was rarely off the air waves, constantly in the charts and regularly on tour. And while his music has always been groundbreaking he also challenged the traditional methods of merchandising and marketing and managing control of his intellectual copyright prompting him 2 change his moniker and abandon his multi-national record company. These days doing it all on his own terms, his way.

Now this is footage of him and his band – New Power Generation - yesterday at Rod Laver Arena giving his true fans a rare insight 2 the prelude 2 last nights 2nd show in Melbourne. Now after the sound check I went backstage 4 a rare experience with Prince and the New Power Generation.

(Cut to interview with Prince, NPG and Richard at Rod Laver)

P I haven’t been here in about 11 years. Always been a fun place 2 play. It’s a party town. This music is real festive and we wanted 2 try it out on some of the best fans we got.

R It must be great t2 have such a large body of work 2 draw on. How do U decide what U R going 2 play?

P It’s a little rough. We got a large repertoire now. John (Blackwell) a lot of times in rehearsal starts singing certain songs he wants me 2 play, but he don’t sing so well, so a lot of his choices don’t get added.

R How would U describe working with Prince?

Maceo U look or dream 4 an opportunity 2 work with someone of his magnitude. I just simply say a genius. I don’t mind saying that – where he can or can’t hear me – he is the closest I have come 2, that because most of us get labelled with one, - funky, pop, jazz, whatever – I call myself a funky player – he does it all

(Prince gestures playfully as if 2 say please don’t)

R U don’t read music

P No

R Just instinctive

P Yeh, I would say so….

MP Genius. Like I said.

P The pays the same Maceo

(NPG laugh)

R Tell me how does it feel 2 have that sort of power out there

P We don’t look at like so much a power position, just active participants in the experience. The wonderful thing about this concert, and most concerts we do, is the crowd R just as much a part of it as we R. They are our background vocals, provide energy 4 us. It’s a give and take.

R Well the period when U were just starting out, pre-Controversy time, when U were just getting record deals….

P … Probably want 2 stay in the now

R In the now

P Yeh

R Ok. Fine. Can I get U 2 tell us about the decision 2 open up and give these fans a….

P Ok, lets take a break 4 a minute and we can come back

PART 3 (FINAL)

(Cut back to Studio)

R I gotta say I didn’t know what was going 2 happen after that but he took me back 2 his private dressing room and 4 half-an-hour we chatted about the industry and all sorts of thing. He’s really anxious in front of the camera, obviously reluctant.

T Did he get grumpy because U wanted 2 talk about history, is that why he wanted 2 take a break

R No, he wants 2 come across, he doesn’t want 2 come across as someone who is preaching 2 others how 2 do their career or whatever. He lives 4 the music and 4 now. He wants 2 B someone who is passionate about his craft and adamant that he maintains absolute control of every facet of his career and when U hear it from his point of view U kind of say fair enough. But after the brief exclusive interlude it was back in front of the camera 4 this final piece

(Back to interview – Just Prince by himself with Richard)

R How hard is it 2 keep focus on the purity of the music?

P It is not really hard at all. I do think of myself as music, so its really hard 2 go 2 sleep @ nite. I’m always hearing music. If I’m watching TV 4 example and someone is talking about music my ears prick up. It like someone called my name. It’s as easy 2 me as breathing.

Its necessary 2 have the business together and we do quite well, but @ the same time there are 2 different avenues. Music is natural 2 us, business is taught 2 us so we R constantly learning this, learning new ways 2 approach it.

R U don’t do this sort of thing every day s, sit there and chat 2 someone U have never met B4 about yourself.

P Well, uhmm….

R I don’t blame U either

P Like I said I’m a musician. I let the music speak 4 itself.

R Is it still as much fun as its always been?

P No. It gets better. I would have never expected it 2 but boy it really gets better. Everyday I’m happier, stronger and once again when U get 2 meet new people, new experiences. I had a wonderful meet and greet with some club members and I think we are going 2 do another today and hopefully in Sydney. Its too much fun.

R U R so driven, when U have a day off U R doing a little club show, meeting the fans. Does it ever stop?

P No that’s my job. I’m blessed 2 have a job I love. Everything’s cool.

R Prince – thank U 4 the opportunity. Welcome back.

(Back to Studio)

R Prince in concert in Australia. I gotta say he is a really nice guy. A lovely guy.

T He’s sort of Too Cool 4 School really. Isn’t he? Does he talk like that when U ducked out the back? Its almost like he doesn’t want 2 talk.

R He’s reluctant in front of the camera. He’s a very different person one-on-one. A lovely guy.

The shows have had unbelievable reviews. 5 encores last night…..

A good read. Thanks.

Thanks for posting this ozpfan.

Nothing interesting was said. A lotta talk, no content. Superficial. No meat. Low point in the journalist's career, I'm sure.

scififilmnerd said:

Don't blame Princey! Blame Richard Wilkins and his stupid questions!

scififilmnerd said:

What do you want to know? What questions would YOU have asked?

abucah said:

I wouldn't have bothered. Prince says: "I let the music speak for itself." Then what's the point of an interview?

scififilmnerd said:[quote]

abucah said:

well first id have done some research. then asked him about NEWS, why didnt he release Xpectation? why do the meet and greets for $1000 (knowing the money is going to charity and thus giving him good press. hey i can still be a fan). then id mention that fans will already have ONA live yet hes giving them another copy. and id ask about choc invasion. id intersperse this with the usual shit that gets asked every interview.

howeveri would make sure he didnt feel like i was having a go etc. then me and prince would become best friends and id have him round for sleepovers and stuff. it would be ace.

Maceo U look or dream 4 an opportunity 2 work with someone of his magnitude. I just simply say a genius. I don’t mind saying that – where he can or can’t hear me – he is the closest I have come 2, that because most of us get labelled with one, - funky, pop, jazz, whatever – I call myself a funky player – he does it all

(Prince gestures playfully as if 2 say please don’t)

R U don’t read music

P No

R Just instinctive

P Yeh, I would say so….

MP Genius. Like I said.

P The pays the same Maceo



this is cool, it shows his sense of humour and its pretty nice maceo is saying hes the closest hes ever come to genius! the man worked with james brown!

softandwet said:

It certainly did. U could see when the question was asked Prince was looking behind and to the sides of the NPG 2 C who would speak up... then Maceo (he is a legend) has the spunk 2 say what he feels ,,, and Prince responded with a wonderful modesty

thanks for the transcript

[This message was edited Sat Oct 25 15:22:53 PDT 2003 by FunkyStrange]

Thanks for posting this.

Too good.

"Music is natural 2 us, business is taught 2 us so we R constantly learning this"

D:


Everyday I’m happier, stronger and once again when U get 2 meet new people, new experiences

Sounds like he's in a good place. Nice to hear.

Coped this from EroticCityNPG groups:

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/f...erview.wmv

enjoy.


Hope this hasn't been posted yet.