First of all, don't believe the hype by the attention grabbers on this site.

Prince is a nice guy. I spent my entire college life going to Paisley, and attended many parties there where Prince would hang out and chill. I have never seen him be impolite to anyone, although he is generally very shy in public and this can make him come accross that way at times. Think about it... he opens up his studio for free on weekends so strangers can just drop on by! He makes sure there is popcorn and soda for us? What more can you ask for from a major music superstar? Can someone else name ANY musician who is so accessible and plays free shows for his fans? Can anyone else think of someone who hosts a week-long Celebration at his studio?

Now he is letting us hang out during the soundcheck. I can only comment on the one yesterday, because that is the only one I attended. Despite Divinity's self-serving statements about what happened, Prince was pretty damned polite to her. After she finally shut up, a lot of us asked questions and he was really cool.

The first thing he did was apologize to us for the long wait outside. He asked us how long we were waiting and someone yelled "too long!" He said he was sorry for being late but that he had been at the Kingdom worshiping.

One lady offered him a poster that her students had signed for him and he was really gracious to her. He let her talk about it for minutes while he stood there politely and listened. Someone yelled out at Larry to tell us about the girl on the airplane. Larry looked puzzled for a moment, then once he figured out what the guy was talking about, he told us the story. People then thanked Prince for playing Joy in Repetition and Sometimes It Snows In April the night before, and he was really humble and told us he appreciated our compliments.

Contrary to popular belief, he was not "controlling" and "possessive" about the whole thing. He was really laid back. People started yelling for him to play in Baltimore so we could see him again, and he laughed. He then got serious and mentioned that he really wants to go to Europe because he hasn't played there in so long. Someone asked about whether he might do a children's album, to which he politely said "that's a good idea." He also mentioned that it was OK for kids to listen to TRC. Someone asked him to play Power Fantastic, and he said (rather genuinely), "Hey, we really should play that one." Someone also asked if he would release a live album and he said he was working on it. He then alluded to the bootleg of the Chicago show and mentioned how that had already come out. He answered all these questions even though his bodyguard had been motioning for minutes for him to get off the stage, as it was 7:10 and the Warner had asked him to end the soundcheck by 7:00.

Larry G was also really cool. Someone mentioned to him how he grew up on one of his songs. Larry G then mentioned how it had been the first #1 single by a black artist on some billboard chart, and Prince yelled out "You're black Larry?" Larry started laughing, and then he says... Do you know how I learned I was black? I looked in the mirrow and saw this... Larry G then proceeds to do the most gangsta "walk" you have ever seen. Everybody was rolling laughing their ass off.

I brought my fiance to the show; and she is not even a Prince fan. She even commented about how nice he seemed during the soundcheck. She also thought he was really funny with all the joking around he was doing.

So there you have it, this is the real Prince! Come to the soundcheck and chill, you will like the man! Heck, I even have to admit that I liked Larry G as well! It pains me that people are coming on here and slandering him.

ahhhh, some sanity returns to the org...

thanks Brian...

Good man

Minus the incident at the beginning I'm glad you enjoyed the sound check Brian. I'm looking forward to Prince coming to NYC next week.

I have to really get off my butt and get a credit card so that i can join the club. come to think of it, i also need one to buy the tickets for the concert! i think i will get it 1st thing 2morrow.

BanishedBrian said:

I've read this referenced somewhere else. What's the story about "the girl on the airplane"? Can you elaborate?

Oops, I forgot to mention the best part!

While Prince was talking to the elementary school teacher about her kids, Prince saw a girl (probably about 8 years old?) sitting nearby. Prince started talking to her and asking how many CDs she owned. She said "zero" and her dad then explained that she did not own any CDs herself, but that he played for her music by real musicians, and he brought her that night because he wanted her to see what live music by real musicians sounded like.

Prince told him that he had come to the right place. He then asked the girl if she would like to come up on stage and dance with him that night, and he made us promise that we would bring her up on stage.

So later in the evening during the show, Prince starts looking for people to bring up on stage. A guy nearby me grabs the girl and walks her up the aisle and waives to Prince. As soon as Prince sees her, he get's a big grin and says "Yes, DEFINITELY YOU!" She then gets up on stage with about five other people and danced during the song. I was watching this girl during the show, and I could tell she was having a really good time. I think it was pretty cool that Prince made an effort to give her a memorable experience.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 1 21:49:12 PST 2002 by BanishedBrian]

I loved the show Saturday with Larry G....it was great!
[This message was edited Mon Apr 1 21:46:25 PST 2002 by gatorgirl]

NuPwrSoul said:

I forget exactly, but it was something to the effect about some lady saying "Hey, aren't you?" Larry G says, "Why yes." The lady then says whoever it was she was referring to (obviously not Larry G), but I didn't make out what he was saying at that point. Anyone else hear that part?

BanishedBrian said:

Awwwww that's so sweet.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 1 21:59:42 PST 2002 by revelationsunshine]

I was at the soundcheck on Saturday, and Prince was extremely nice 2 all of us. He was laid back, funny, and talkative. I find U're version of the Sunday soundcheck much easier to believe Brian. Thanks for putting an objective perspective out there.

R ALL YA'LL READY 4 ONE NITE ALONE...?

The only people hating on Prince are people that have personal issues. Anyone that's been to a soundcheck or have been around him in other more relaxed atmospheres like at the Celebrations know that Prince is genuinely a nice guy. His kindness is very sincere.

abucah said:

I agree, it's only them assholes that manage to piss him off with the off the wall bullshit, Thanks again for this report.....

yes Brian, i heard it...some woman saw Larry on a plane and kept looking at him like she recognized him...after a while she says "hey i know u, don't i?" Larry says "yep u do!"...she says "i knew it!! u're Famous Amos, i LOVE your cookies!!"...

another memorable moment (Brian, see if you remember this)

As we sat down to get settled, we heard Prince's voice say: "Did you all come last night"?

:VERY LONG PAUSE:


....."to the concert?" LMAO

VERY clever! Prince is still a "little" naughty

butterscotchcurlyhair said:

LOL now that's funny!

LadyCabDriver said:

Ooooo that's the very naughty Prince peeking through there.

Good report man, thanks!

Cool Purple Beans!

peace!

Whenever someone has had a bad experience with Prince, one of the first things they bring up is his religion and how he must be a fraud because he didn't act the way they expected him to.
First of all, religious people can have bad days and can get mad at people. Prince is not a saint and he can get angry just like the rest of us. It doesn't make him a bad person.
And judging from the majority of the stories, including this one, people have remarked on how friendly and funny Prince is. Even if Divinity's story happened the way she claimed it did, it would be the exception and not the rule during this tour.

Oh Man I can't wait to attend one of these soundchecks - I live in the UK.

Thanks BanishedBrian for the run down and The Truth.

Also thanks for being another person who had reported Prince saying that he wants to go to Europe.

Great review Brian. Can anyone tell me how his hair looks? I notice his hair and dress attire is not mentioned in the reviews. I maybe remember someone mentioning hats or caps. I'm just curious.

I have made up my mind. I am going to another show. I was at the first Chicago show and only saw a few minutes of the soundcheck. My wife and brother were waiting at a nearby restaurant. The St. Louis show seems like the most obvious one to attend. Now, I need to think up a good way to go to the show and get back without my wife finding out. I know she wouldn't want to go.

I hope now this will put to end the speculation over whether or not Prince is a JW - - I don't know how much more "proof" people need when he says he's worshipping at the Kingdom Hall. Nevermind the JW lyrics over the years. . . . .finally, closure to the most overrated rumor

Rhapsody said:

Thanks Brian for telling the real story. Saturday's sound check was much better. Not that we should expect anything.

His hair is not scraggly anymore! It looks like the Emancipation doo with out the light highlights.

And another thing, he wore the same outfit every night in D.C. I guess it is just about the music now. The outfit I'm referring to is, black pants long white shirt and gray vest. He wore two outfits each night one for the main show and one for the encore. Sunday he wore the boots from the video “Rock'n'Rolls alive...” I thought that was interesting.

Are there any bootleggs of shows from this tour on the market yet? I noticed they mentioned something about the chicago concert being recorded. I was at one of those shows and so am particularly intrested. Anyone??

Thanks for your story, Brian. At the Oakland sound check, everyone was very nervous walking single file in the arena and it was mainly due to the army-like way they ushered us in, but Prince made light of it saying to one of the techs, "Those are all my cousins....actually, they're Sheila's cousins" He was very laid back, gracious, and open to answer everyone's questions. He even let Bill get on stage and play *his* guitar!!!

I can't speak for anyone else's experiences, but I extremely appreciate being able to go to Sound Check cuz let's face it, we've NEVER heard of other artists/musicians allowing their fans that close!

Great recollection Brian! I appreciate the details.

I'm jsut wondering, what was he wearing and what was his hair like?

Thank you so much Brian! This feels much better!!

Thank you Brian. There's always two sides to every story.
Thanks also for describing the other events of your evening. I love reading what went on.