The best part is that even the two most vocal critics of the actual performance (myself and a plate of SassyFrass) had a great fucking time....so no worries.

And please, if you went to the show and liked it, don't let my dumb ass tarnish anything about the experience or the memory...I'll always remember it, that's fo SHO, and I love that my first aftershow outside of Paisley was in Chicago, with all my friends from here packed in the house. That's you, Anxiety and TOFKA. Shit, RedZRyder, I count you as a friend even though I don't think we've ever officially "met": I've been watching you since the Paisley dance parties in the summer of 2002 when you recognized yourself on the Aladdin DVD, and it feels like you're one of the back-up dancers - Prince should put your ass on salary. Good to see your post on here. It's good to hear that Prince didn't look disinterested from up close...

And of course I was with the hottest boys in the fucking house, SassyBritches and LemonPie, and it's not possible to have a bad time with those bitches. What's better, Sassy brought along a mischievous angel who made me feel like I had known her for years within seconds...I'll say the same thing that I said after my trip to MPLS last month: It's cool to me that I can honestly say that it's about the friends I make, more than the music. Not that I'm dissing the music, and in both cases the main concert was PHENOMENAL, but what's a good show without someone to enjoy it with?

So at the only 2 aftershows I'll probably ever go to, there were apparently problems with the guitar, "forcing" him to put it down and tinker on the keys (again, I feel like I should stress that he wasn't soloing on the keys or anything...from where I was, you couldn't even tell what was him and what was Chance, but either way it was just chords). That's just my fucking luck!

RedZRyder said:

My friend took me to Millenium Park on Sunday afternoon and made me soak my feet in the wading pond for an hour to help me recover from the HOB aftershow.

You put your FEET in there, Anxiety?

What did the cops say about THAT???



Keith/Kacey

Kacey725 said:

oh, we got yelled at.

damn if my feet didn't feel better though.

Ha Love all of your comments!!! I would have loved the long wait for some reason myself, I was at the concert and was kind of happy to know that my night wouldnt be ending as soon as i thought. Gave me more much needed time away from the hubby and kids!! Wish i could have went to the aftershow, Would have loved to see Prince kick that amp off the stage!! Did his platform flip flops go flying too? HA!! I can almost picture that one!!!!

Hey, don't apologize on my behalf! That's just weird.

yeah, bluey, i agree.

please people, stop apologizing for me. i don't see any of prince's people apologizing for his incredibly late start.

i'm about as sorry for my actions as prince is for his.

theblueangel said:

Hey Blueangel! You know, I feel like I know you too!! I remember the wonderful writeup you did about the Paisley parties last July and your account of my Big Payback performance!! I love your outlook and your attitude... you are honest, you tell it like it is, and you always remain positive even when you're critical. Next time you see me... and you WILL see me... HOLLA!! I'd love to finally meet ya!

Will do, RedZRyder, I promise....look forward to it!!!

Your performance at Paisley was the highlight of the trip, girl!

Anxiety said:

Greetings, Prince Orgers!

Here’s my version of the aftershow. Sorry, it took so long, but I did go to Toronto for the first show. Did a little sightseeing, collected my Hard Rock Cafe sweatshirts and saw a little Prince. And my ears have finally stopped ringing!

First and foremost before I get started, anyone that was upset about the aftershow, let me explain it to you in laymen terms. An aftershow is a jam session. The performing artist(s) does not have to perform any of his/her songs. The purpose of the impromptu jam is so fans of MUSIC can see the artist(s) in a less structured environment. Aftershows usually consist of many covers, especially songs that inspired the performing artist(s) to create some of his/her works.

During my not so peaceful sleep, I could hear a ringing noise. I immediately jumped up and looked at the clock. It was 8 a.m. Saturday, July 24. The ringing wasn’t coming from the alarm clock but my phone a few feet away, which required me to get out of bed to answer it. I quickly threw back the covers and ran to the phone picking it up and glancing at the caller ID at the same time. It was my sister calling to tell me she just saw the ‘Musicology’ video and wanted to call me to let me know she liked it. My family always lets me know what they think of Prince’s projects as if I have the man’s ear. I wish. Anywho, I told her it was 8 a.m. and I only had four hours sleep because I was hanging out at the afterparty. I climbed back into bed to force myself to sleep, but the sun would not have it so I was up. UP for the day and night of two concerts I would be attending; Prince’s scheduled concert and Prince’s aftershow that I knew wasn’t going to kick off until the wee hours of the morning.

I arrived at All State Arena at 6:50 p.m. and noticed people were going inside the arena instead of standing outside like the previous two nights. I called Leighsa to let her know. This early entrance had me believing the concert would start on time since Prince was having an aftershow. HA! Of course Prince started the July 24 concert on CPT time as well. I’m not going to discuss the concert since this is about the aftershow, but the three American Idol girls, Tamara, Jasmine, and ? sat two rows in front of me in section 5 (I was on row 3). I told them if they go on stage, don’t try to kiss Prince because security will have them out of the building before they knew what happened. I told them to act cool as if they were superstars too. And yes, Prince did have all three come on stage to dance.

I stood up at the concert from 7 p.m. until I left while ‘Purple Rain’ was playing which was 11:30 p.m. Not to be caught up in the horror of the Arena parking lot, I had the common sense to park at the car wash across the street. I made it downtown at 11:51 p.m. I kicked out my two passengers who were not going to the aftershow because "I" didn’t get them tickets, parked the car on the south side of Wacker Drive and Dearborn and ran across the bridge. I went indoors to will call to pick up my ticket then had to circle the building to get in a line that was on the bridge on Dearborn. The line was moving quickly. I was inside of HOB within five minutes. I ran up the stairs and the crowd met me. I figured the 1300 people that had tickets were already inside. I slithered my way along the bar to the stairs on the right side of the stage (when you face the stage) and dead center was my guy Derek (he arrived at HOB at 8 p.m. and was number four in line). I squeezed between some girls that were drinking and chit chatting to stand behind Derek and in front of Lou (whose 6’2").

At 2 a.m. the concert still didn’t start but we could see the techs setting up equipment. Around 2:45 a.m. I looked up at the booths and saw Reneto sucking on a cigarette. I waved, pointed to my watch and motioned for him to get on the stage. John Blackwell and his wife came up behind Reneto. They moved to the next booth over, so they could see the stage. At 3:12 a.m. (I was looking at my watch), the curtains opened and Prince was playing his guitar with his back to us. The man had on his lounge wear which were black wedged (two inches) open toe suede shoes, jersey pants and a kimono jacket. Prince put his guitar down. It was changed for the light blue guitar. Prince went to pick it up and it wasn’t working. Next came the Horner guitar and when that didn’t work, Prince pushed over the amp. I said, "Ah, SH**! Prince is mad. Please don’t let him walk off the stage and we paid $75." I guess Prince was thinking the same thing and decided to get on his keyboard. At 3:45 a.m. he said he needed some dancers. He pointed to Derek who was in front of me but the security guy reached for me and pulled me over the barrier. I saw RedzRyder on stage and then Derek grabbed me. It was his first time on stage. Up next came Carla. Chicago Nation was in the house. Prince kicked off our dance with ‘The Jam.’ I came out with energy giving it up at almost 4 in the morning. I was tired but I decided I would dance since brother man said make it funky.

I figured we would only be on stage for one song. HA, HA, HA!!!!! After, Candy’s sax solo which hurt my ears since I was in front of the feedback speakers Prince wanted more dancers on the stage. He picked this one guy with who had on a white hat. Prince came to my side of the stage and I decided I was going to help him pick some people. I pointed to Elo and he shook his head no (ELO he probably saw you refuse his pamphlet at the concert—sorry about giving you that piece of golden information. I forgot Prince doesn’t like the word, NO). I pointed to Nikki and Prince shook his head no again. I shrugged my shoulders since I was 0-for-2 and didn’t want to go down with the count. I don’t know who was pulled on stage because I was too busy talking to people in the audience.

Prince slowed it down with ‘No Diggity’ and ‘What is Hip’. I was really tired by this time and wanted to come off the stage, but it’s a rule somewhere that you don’t leave the stage until Prince excuses you. Prince FINALLY let us leave the stage at 4:15 a.m. I was so tired. I leaned against Derek. It was nice to hear Prince play Controversy’ on the keyboard.

At 4:35 a.m. Prince picked up the guitar and we cheered. He did a little jam and went into ‘THE RIDE!!!!!’ which is a blues song—no city knows the Blues like Chicago. After ‘The Ride,’ Prince played ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Bambi.’ I screamed turned around, thanked The Universe and sang along with him. (NOTE: I posted on the npgmc in a THANK YOU PRINCE! For the Chicago Aftershow message to play ‘The Ride’ since Chicago is a blues city, ‘Bambi’ which is divine and a song where he would have to read from his little purple book).

When the jam session ended, I discovered my thigh muscles were tight. I could barely walk and I had to drive three people home. RedzRyder told me I should have been cool on the stage dancing instead of like a wild woman because you never know how long Prince will keep you up there. Now, I know.

My feet hurt so badly it hurt to drive. Of course, while I was trying to pull off, Anxiety and Cdaryl pull up beside me ‘talking trash but saying nothing.’ Joke. I still love you two.

I arrived at home at 6 a.m. I unplugged my phone, turned off my cell and fell into my bed. When I opened my eyes, it was 6 p.m. at night. I needed those twelve hours of sleep after three days and four concerts worth of Prince.

I can’t wait to do it again. See y’all on August 3.

[Apparent accidental duplicate post snipped. --Matt]
[This message was edited Tue Aug 3 1:55:59 2004 by matt]

"(ELO he probably saw you refuse his pamphlet at the concert—sorry about giving you that iece of golden information. I forgot Prince doesn’t like the word, NO). "

Guess what? No one likes the word No. It doesn't matter if your a husky Puerto Rican in Jersey who DJs or a short black guy from Minneapolis who plays guitar.


'I was really tired by this time and wanted to come off the stage, but it’s a rule somewhere that you don’t leave the stage until Prince excuses you."


Statements like this make me embarassed to be a Prince fan.

Oh, I'm sorry..... "fam".

incognito said:

i usually enjoy your reviews, incognito, and this is no exception! i saw you get on stage in champaign and now here...its very cool!

that said, please don't be too condescending when you explain what an aftershow is. i think most of us, here at the org, who were disappointed/upset by the aftershow "performance" are very aware of what an aftershow is. even those who haven't been to one before have most likely heard them on a recording. i have been to late night jam sessions before and i know what prince usually does at these shows. this past saturday/sunday morning (and that mess in chanhassen back on 18 June) were not up to par.

.
[This message was edited Thu Jul 29 13:09:42 2004 by SassyBritches]

It's funny, because reading your post, incognito, it sure doesn't sound like you were very thrilled with the aftershow either.

Let's see, when the curtains open he was strumming his guitar with his back to the audience. Wow, that sounds hott.

In fact, it sounds like you pretty much made yourself suffer through all the boring shit so you could hear Prince actually play 3 songs at the very end, at 5 a.m., which is pretty much how many of us on here have already described it.

And you ain't got to break nothing down into layman's terms, thanks. I've been a Prince junky for decades and I know what time it is. As Sassy said, that was a shockingly lackluster performance.

He could play all Madonna covers for all I care, if he was tearing shit up on the guitar, and oh, I don't know, SINGING?! That would have been nice. Or how 'bout if he's gonna play on the keyboards, could we maybe get a solo or 2?

I think it's great that Renato's a smoker - and he was spotted smoking in public? Do you think Prince made him pay a fine like he did for Wendy?

A lackluster performance was the one he gave in Toronto on July 27. He was into the show but not like he was INTO the Saturday (July 24) CONCERT in Chicago.

And I thoroughly enjoyed the aftershow. I had to wait eight hours at Paisley in 1995 when Prince missed his flight in L.A. We stood at the Park from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. when the concert started.

There's something about Prince that draws me like a moth to a flame. If I could cut him out of my life, I would. I tried to for two months (in 1996), but I end up having withdrawal symptoms.

I saw Prince perform for only a half hour in the Erotic City Room at Glam Slam Minneapolis. He played his guitar and never opened his mouth. Some people were upset. I was happy to be in the presence of one of the greatest musicians to every grace planet Earth. I love his funky moods. And he was in a funky mood at Chicago's aftershow. Now, compare that to one of his best aftershows (Cabaret Metro, Chicago, IL, April 6, 1993 2:07 a.m. - 4:20 a.m.). Superb with a lot of old material and new material he was testing on us.

Sorry, for being a smart-a-leck.

incognito said:

aww!! i'm so jealous...i would so love to see an aftershow where he just played guitar!!!

I guarantee you there would have been nothing but resounding cheers if Prince had come to the front center of the stage like he wanted to be there and PLAYED HIS GUITAR like nobody else can. There would have been whooping and hooting and hollering, no matter WHAT song they were playing. I'm not talking about strumming along as a rhythm guitarist, I'm talking about Prince on fucking GUITAR.

I think it's sad that he discarded all his cool-looking guitars except the symbol one just for Purple Rain. It's like he doesn't enjoy playing guitar anymore.

Umm I think you mean 12.30AM

unless you really got there at lunchtime the day before ..

.
[This message was edited Sun Aug 1 0:49:04 2004 by FunkyStrange]

XxAxX said:

Right On!! That's all I'm sayin'!!!!

XxAxX said:

JesseJohnson said:

Put the pipe DOWN



.
[This message was edited Sat Aug 7 18:43:04 2004 by CalhounSq]

CalhounSq said:

i'm sayin'!! don't we see the damage crack did to rick james??!!