Its still going on as of 11pm, not sure how long they'll go or where the voting stands, but its Prince vs. Rick James old school battle on Detroit radio (WMXD 92.3; not sure if it streams or not) but it was cool to hear Billy Sparks call in (dude is LONGWINDED!) and talk about the old Prince and Rick James tour (apparently the idea originated with some local promoters), the hysteria that ensued at Cobo, Members Only jackets with the "Dirty Mind" font on the back in red, etc. etc. I'll see if I can get an audio or something, but Billy has lots of stories and great memories! As for the few songs I heard during the battle

Let's Work vs. You and I

Little Red Corvette (Mayday mix)

Fire & Desire

To be continued!

datdude said:

Its still going on as of 11pm, not sure how long they'll go or where the voting stands, but its Prince vs. Rick James old school battle on Detroit radio (WMXD 92.3; not sure if it streams or not) but it was cool to hear Billy Sparks call in (dude is LONGWINDED!) and talk about the old Prince and Rick James tour (apparently the idea originated with some local promoters), the hysteria that ensued at Cobo, Members Only jackets with the "Dirty Mind" font on the back in red, etc. etc. I'll see if I can get an audio or something, but Billy has lots of stories and great memories! As for the few songs I heard during the battle

Let's Work vs. You and I

Little Red Corvette (Mayday mix)

Fire & Desire

To be continued!

I'm listening to the Prince Vs Rick James "Battle Of The Old School Battle" and I was pleasantly surprised to hear Detroit legend, Billy Sparks call in. Billy Sparks is a cool dude and very personable. I got a kick out of Billy cussing a few times on-air. I loved the anecdote Billy shared about Rick saying "why y'all niggas always wear those Prince jackets? What's up, do we have a problem?" after Rick released Street Songs and was outselling Prince's Controversy album. Right now they are playing "I Wanna Be Your Lover".

http://www.iheart.com/live/Mix-923-1149/?cid=main.html&pname=1910&campid=play_bar&autoplay=true

here's the link to listen live

looks like they're going to be going for at least another 30 mins or so. he said they will be playing Super Freak, Purple Rain and a woman just requested something with P and Apples since they played Rick & Teena

[Edited 6/28/14 20:19pm]

datdude said:

Let's Work vs. You and I

Little Red Corvette (Mayday mix)

Fire & Desire

Wha's that Mayday mix about? When I read 'Mayday' in reference to Detroit I think of Derrick May, but can't find anything about him doing a remix of any Prince tracks either released or otherwise.

nonamesleft said:

datdude said:

Let's Work vs. You and I

Little Red Corvette (Mayday mix)

Fire & Desire

Wha's that Mayday mix about? When I read 'Mayday' in reference to Detroit I think of Derrick May, but can't find anything about him doing a remix of any Prince tracks either released or otherwise.

The "Mayday Mix", is the long 12 inch verison of "Little Red Corvette". It's on the Ultimate Prince compilation which was released in 2006.

^^^
That's all I could find too. The 'dance mix'. Nothing it do with Detroit techno legend Mayday then.

Damn he still alive

Derrick May IS a huge Prince fan though. He gushes on him often. He also credits the Electrifying Mojo with helping to shape his sound by playing everything from P, the B-52s, Kraftwerk and PFunk. For some reason I think Prince's song Annie Christian had an influence on Derrick. To me that song is a forerunner of techno, esp. the beginning.

But yeah, Billy didn't sound NO WAYS OLD on that call in, as lucid and animated (and longwinded) as ever!

nursev said:

Damn he still alive

I've seen it posted on FB a few times that he wasn't, but I could never find any info on his "death"..

Bambi82 said:

nursev said:

Damn he still alive

I've seen it posted on FB a few times that he wasn't, but I could never find any info on his "death"..

A friend of mine here in Detroit has worked at the post office with Billy's sister for over 10 years, and he is indeed alive and well. From what my friend has told me, she says Billy's house is like a shrine to Prince with unseen private photos, rare collectors items, etc. Also, he has lots of uncirculating outtakes and unseen concert footage that will probably never see the light of day.

Mindbells9 said:

Bambi82 said:

I've seen it posted on FB a few times that he wasn't, but I could never find any info on his "death"..

A friend of mine here in Detroit has worked at the post office with Billy's sister for over 10 years, and he is indeed alive and well. From what my friend has told me, she says Billy's house is like a shrine to Prince with unseen private photos, rare collectors items, etc. Also, he has lots of uncirculating outtakes and unseen concert footage that will probably never see the light of day.

Glad he's doing well, thanks for the update!

Billy had the best line in PR

nursev said:

Billy had the best line in PR

"Life, my ass, motherfucker!" ???
Or when he offered to give the Kid advice without actually doing so?
"Let me give you a piece of advice, junior: your music make sense to no one... but yourself."

Mindbells9 said:

Im super jealous...