Dear all,

Some thoughts:

I’m the Asian guy with the big loop earring in my left ear. Some people told me I look like Jesus, others said I look like Prince from the ‘I wanna be your lover; video…Remember me?

Anyway,

I did 13 main shows and 14 after shows in total so I’m sure I must have bumped into a fair few of you…

Thank you Prince for a wonderful Summer. I will never forget: (in no particular order)

Leaving work and driving to the 02 before each show listening to Planet Earth on the way.

Waiting for friends at Greenwhich Tube station and seeing all the fans poor out, looking at the Prince posters on the walls

Waiting for Khabir and nearly killing him when he almost made me miss the start of the show on the opening night. Introducing Amara to Bobby Friction.

Being approached by Amber, the photographer who wanted to take my picture for an exhibition she is working on.

Going to each show with 1, 2 or 3 friends that I’ve been talking to Prince about for years. More so, seeing them blown away.

Singing the ‘Aaaaaright’ from ‘Forever in my Life’ till my head nearly exploded with joy as Prince walked around the stage. (on the 14th I think)

Prince saying ‘give my brother some room’ and the spot lights, as some big old(er) guy busted dance moves centre stage on the 9th.

Listening to Joy in Repetition (on the 3rd I think) and feeling Princes guitar playing in my bones.

Looking at Princes face from the floor as he started to sing ‘Something in the Water’ at his piano

The best aftershow ever (I think) when Prince sang ‘Around the world in a day,’ and I jumped around with Joy. Paisley Park, Party Up, Whole Lotta Love…

Listening to Prince sing the first verse/chorus of ‘Love is a Loosing Game’

Seeing the curtains go back to find Amy and Prince standing together (the 21st)

Shhhh (every damn time it killed me)

The after show when Prince did Planet Earth, Guitar, Somewhere here on Earth and the 1 u Wanna C and also the debut of Chelsea Rodgers.

All the Critics love you in London

Money don’t matter tonight at his piano, and singing along to this as a tear rolled down my cheek.

Holding Amara as Prince sang ‘All good things they say-never last’

Holding Tim as Prince played guitar on ‘Love is a Loosing game’ and Shelby sang (the first time I saw this.)

A love Bizaar with the lights on, the Elton John thing (even though I don’t like him) jumping with Sulaima, Zavit and Moppy (all on the 13th) Meeting Skin

Dr John (just because I was so pissed off)

The night of the 4th/08 dancing with Imran, Mutty and Khabir to ‘Poison’ and other 90s swing classics spun by the DJ and then seeing Nika Costa tear it up. After the main show Imran said’ I like that song Purple Rain. That’s the first time I’ve heard it’

Tim and Riad always getting drunk on JD and Coke at the Afttershows. Riad pointing at Shelby and saying ‘that’s not Prince!’ Tim going for cig breaks and winding me up because he missed Empty Room!

Waqar and Nisa being scared of drunk Tim and especially drunk Riad.

Seeing Fatima and Sandy whilst waiting for Mutty on the wall.

Parking in the cheap car park and running across.

Eating Margherita and tuna fish salad in Frankie and Bennys after each show. Staff: ‘You again!’

The 17th aftershow (going to Riads place after and watching Prince Videos till the dawn whilst eating tuna fish on the roof)

The Morning Papers at his piano-sitting with Kandy (6th/ 09 I think)

Vula singing ‘Loving you is easy cos your beautiful’ (on the 12th/09)

Getting last minute after show tickets for the 18th and arriving just as a couple left ‘This is shit-he’s not even there’. Tim and I took our seats to see Prince with the feathered red hat play beautiful soulful music…he debut of ’toilet seat’

Reading about Prince in the Metro etc on the tube

Driving back to Kingston with Tim and putting another PE CD on the table. My loop earing placed on top.

The glow sticks

Love

Every damn night someone saying are you trying to look like Prince/Jesus?

Getting back to Chingford, eating toaste before dawn to start a new days fasting.

I will never forget, InshaAllah.

Most of this won’t mean a thing to most of you, but I just had to get this out.

Prince, I thank you.

Please share your thoughts…

Wow.....so many great moments and memories.
I feel so annoyed with myself that I didn't make more of an effort to get to more concerts....I'm ashamed to say I only managed 1, but what an amazing night....I can't even begin to say how great it was for fear of not stopping with the amazing-ness of it all.
I really wish I knew more fans personally so I could have gone with like-minded people...my husband could have stayed at home and watched the kids....this was the main reason for not attending more shows, since my 6 month old was inconsolable on the night we went and now is blacklisted by my family for baby-sitting.
Anyway....I just feel gutted that I didn't go to more shows.
Sorry to hi-jack your thread. But it's good to know there are other muslims who appreciate Prince ....kinda felt like I was the only one and no-one understands.
I need to post on here more.
Oh, and THANK YOU to everyone on here and especially to Prince....loving the PE threads!

I feel you - even though I only went to 3 shows. The fantastic thing about Prince's music is that he has been around for so long that every song reminds you of some point, some time in your life. Being at his concerts and hearing him playing all his hits is like travelling in time. The way you describe all the big and small things you experienced with you, your friends and everyone else you met at/on your way to o2 somehow evokes that time travelling feeling in me - it's not only the big moments that count but indeed the small ones too. Thanks for sharing!

Nice read Mobeen

Very good read I enjoyed reading all about your wonderful summer!! I only managed the one show (13th) and it blew me away

p.s. How is sunny Chingford today? I am from Walthamstow originally.

Thanks for sharing Mobeen, I went to a few shows, not enough of course!! I have been listening to Prince since 1981 and he has inspired every painting i have ever made.
TOP MAGIC MOMENT was: the 21st - walking into the purple-lit arena during princes piano solo, feeling the electric joy in the air, spinning out, then feeling a tap on my shoulder, turing around and seeing the elated face of a beloved school friend i havent seen in 20 years!!!! then bouncing up and down together to 1999, same as 25 years ago!!
"all thanks be to god!"

ah no, just remembered, it was 'the beautiful ones' on the piano when i entered the arena and found my school friend, ah, even better, what a delicious memory!!!
loving this thread, cummon and share folks!

hi mobeen, you had my aftershow tickets for 14th-remember? I have to say, you do look like Prince circa 1979. When the video intro came on the 14th and it showed the I Wanna Be your lover clip me and my brother (he was with me when we met you with the tickets) both pointed at the screen and said...it's mobeen! It's no bad thing, we thought you looked great.

Sounds like you had a great time. I made 4 mainshows but wish I'd it to more. The 21st was easily the best for me followed by the 14th.

I was a bit jinxed with the aftershows though. Couldn't make the 14th which sounded great (I think your words were phenomenal), made it to the 31st and 20th but unfortunately he didn't. Nevermind...suppose it wasn't to be. Had a great time at the mainshows though.

My highlights... When you were mine on 21st and opening with 1999 on 14th - both a complete surprise

dang! I miss the "getting-ready" part..playing Prince, changing into the cool gear..excitement pumping around me..then bounce to the 02!!
Hopping on the tube, being surrounded by the concert goers..good atmosphere!