CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS!!!!!!! A LITTLE REVIEW FROM MOI!

I drove to Champaign, IL with my little brother to see Prince in concert. It was the same concert he performed in L.A. but he switched segments. We were sitting on Floor Section 26, Row 3 Seats 9 and 10 (behind the soundboard which is the way Prince enters the arena in a box). The band walked in first and we cheered (everyone standing on that side gave them pats on the back).

During D.M.S.R., I held up this sign that said "21 Years Ago Today (April 10, 1983) We Saw Prince In Concert - 1999 Tour. Prince was on my side of the stage and pointed to me. I gave him the thumbs up. NOTE: NO BODY CHECK WHEN WE ENTERED THE ARENA. PEOPLE WERE TAKING PICTURES LIKE MAD CRAZY. IF ANYONE HAS PICS OF MOI POST THEM ON THIS SITE!!!!!

Prince went right into his acoustic guitar set and I ran to buy two t-shirts (one t-shirt looks EXACTLY like the 1999 Prince lettering on the album. It's purple with yellow glow in the dark letters. Prince is on the front; on the back is Prince Musicology tour 2004ever). So, while I'm in the hall waiting for people to make up their minds on what souvenirs that want to buy (no tour book), I missed the start of the acoustic set that began with 'Little Red Corvette.' He did not play 'Forever In My Life' but he did play 'I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man.'

When he hit the notes for '7' the band returned. He followed with 'Let's Work' my favorite dance song by Prince. 'Let's Work' segued into 'You Got The Look' and Prince said he needed some dancers. I just knew I wasn't going up because I wasn't on the first row with a wristband. One of Prince's workers (a girl) came from under the stage pointed to me and I took off behind her, ran under the stage, through a curtain which led to the front side by the stairs. I was the first one on stage to dance which is great, but not as great as what happened next.

After several dance songs, Prince went into 'Take Me With You.' He had three girls sing. Okay. A girl in a pink t-shirt didn't know the words. Prince walked around the stage towards me, grabbed me by my right wrist and pulled me to one side of the stage. I put my hand on my face, took the mic and started singing, 'I don't care if we spend the night at your mansion. I don't care if we spend the night on the town. All I want is to spend the night together. All I want is to spend the night in your arms.' My little brother said Prince was behind me giving the thumbs up. When I finished with my last note, I turned and saw him with arms up as if he was saying 'Finally! Some that knows the lyrics and isn't afraid to "attempt" to sing. I took a bow and gave him the mic back. We left the stage on some song (I can hardly remember what I'm typing so forgive me for not remembering the set list). And He came back and performed 'Purple Rain.' End of Concert.

After the concert, the girl gave me a Prince guitar pic and John Blackwell gave my little brother a drum stick.

The drive back was great because I was jamming Prince and doing 85 mph on I-57 towards Chicago.

What an anniversary! And early birthday present. I hope he plays Paris or Copenhagen or London or Rome on November 19, 2004 since that will be my 22nd Anniversary of the first time I ever saw Prince in concert.

I saw you! He sang "you're sheer perfection" and motioned at ya, you know.

You looked like you were having a blast - too adorable!

Girl, I was right on the side of the catwalk you were singing on...and he was checking you out the entire time, smiling and looking quite impressed...you tore it UP!!! NICE WORK.

And hilariously, one of the "girls" who didn't know the words is apparently a guy...one of those creepy Prince impersonators. He did the "splits" and everything, lord. I'm pretty sure that whoever chose him to go up there also thought he was a girl!

Oh, and it IS kinda creepy IMO that he only takes girls up to dance...what, guys aren't supposed to dance? We ain't gonna bumrush you, dude...you're in more danger from the ladies, trust me!

Incognito, the memory of you singing the bridge to Take Me With U is forever a part of the most magical musical experience I've ever had...thanks!

you were so cool up there, too! congrats on the good luck of being chosen to get up there.

Yeah, yeah, yeah! We were all so proud of you-- Prince was behind you smilin' and with a kind of amazed, wide-eyed grin.

The guy who tried to sing-- I know Prince has done this to other guys on this tour, but the guy was not a very good singer, and Prince took the mic back and said, "Security."

2 COOL. Do u suppose that the girl from under the stage that picked u was b cuz u had the sign?

Yeeeaaahhhhh Incognito!!!!

What a wonderful experience!! I'm really happy for you!!!

Great recap from the CHAMPAIGN show, me and a good friend of mine are going to cincinnati ohio show tuesday april 13 2 bad if this show was on april 20th that would fall on my 39th b-day but im not complaining at all. I have been listening 2 some live stuff 4 the last few days so it's ready 2 get in on in section 132 row a... one last thing, living west of DAYTON, OHIO i can honestly say i am one of a few in this small town that can claim 2 b a fan and b serious about it!!!!! See u there soon.

1999fan: I am a longtime fan too. And even here in Columbus, Ohi I feel like I am one of the few hardcore Prince fans. Have a great time at the concert. I am going to Columbus and Penn State this week!!
Lisa

I was soooo excited for all the folks I knew that got up onstage....Marcus...doin' his splits and Miss Incognito.... I missed your sign but saw you singing. BTW....I'm the one you met at H&M that day. The show was great, as usual. For those who haven't seen it yet....get ready for a good time!!!!

It would be a dream come true for me to dance on stage with Prince. I've seen him 6 times live and never got onstage. But if I do make it onstage I just want to dance. I don't want to have mic stuck in my face..

Drove over from Decatur to witness the best performer of our time. I too was on the floor about 5 rows from the stage. I was too close to see the screens. This tour was better for me than the Jam of the Year back in 97'. The funk is stronger than ever. I had cousins who bragged about how they saw him in 84' (St. Louis) at the old Arena, and i can remember the seminal R&B station Majik 108 playing Another Lonely Christmas the day after I had missed the concert. It really was tough being a Prince fan so young and not having anyone to take me. Man it's nice to be all grown up. After wearing my Syracuse Live tape out it was nice to see Prince play the concert i missed in 84' minus the lace pants and spilts. It would have been nice to hear the Beautiful Ones but he's got sooooo many cuts that there is always gonna be something on the wish list. This concert for me was truly a blessing and im still on a cloud 9 two days later. Im gonna try and get some ticks for Chicago or St. Louis now. Wish I was in Indy tonight. Peace and stay wild!!

All I can say is that I was sitting about 2 rows in front of Incognito and saw her get on stage and sing....that was pretty cool. Now I have a name to put with the face...(I was the brother in the tan-ish sport coat, bald head, who turned around to see your sign)

And as far as the being in the Club and getting tickets, they could put me in the rafters for the St. Louis show and it would be all good cause we were sitting FIRST ROW and in front of the soundboard where Mani was standing....this caused P to spend a good deal of time on our side, and even when he wasn't there, we could see him about 98% of the time. Had a good view of John B, Chance and Mr. Neto, though he had his back to us. And I had NO IDEA how FINE Rhonda was/ is!! That is one sexy bass thumpin woman!!! And Candi....oh lord....Chocolate and Vanilla....yummmy!!!

If you haven't already...Join the club. and go to the show!!! it is off the heazy!!

We were cheering you on, girl!!! Singing right along with you and screaming our lungs out for ya!!

When he grabbed your hand and led you to the mic.... the expression on your face was indeed PRICELESS!!

You made Chicago Nation very proud!!


Every Prince fan should be blessed to have a moment with the man! It's an unforgettable feeling!

My daughter and I were at the Champaign concert too! You were great!! The girl in the pink shirt totally blew her chance. You got to do what I have always dreamed of - and many others I'm sure. To be on stage with one of your favorite musicians and actually get to sing.....awesome!!! I was sooooo jealous. But happy for you. We cheered for you. It was a fabulous show. Prince is incredible and he proved it one more time. Congratulations on your once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm sure you are still on cloud nine!