Aaaah Wembley Stadium '93

This brings back great memories! 'twas my first ever Prince gig and I didn't have a ticket, so me and a fellow friend took a gamble and went up to the stadium to try and get a couple of tickets from touts (that's scalpers to our American friends .)
On the tube platform on the way to the stadium, the station announcer got on the microphone and repeated these imortal words... "Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to go to Wembley to go and see Prince and The New Power Generation! Electric word Prince it means "small!" Needless to say we (everyone on the platform) cracked up no end!

When we got to Wembley, we found a guy who had a pair of tickets that were going for £7;50 each because his daughter couldn't make it cuz of some kind of hospital drama. Needless to say we took these tickets that were worth approx £25 and made our way up to the stadium! After paying nearly the same price that we had paid for the tickets for a hot dog and Coke, we went inside the stadium.
Having been there several times that year as an Arsenal fan (FA Cup semi final, Coca Cola cup final, FA Cup final and FA Cup final replay and I think an England game against the USA) I was very familiar with the place!

Unlike at the football matches, the pitch area was completely covered up with a surface for all the fans to party on! We got a real kick from standing on the hallowed turf and knew that where we were standing was a place full of memories, both sporting and musical. I believe that U2 had either just done their Zoo TV tour at the stadium or were just about to. But the real big news on that July 31st afternoon was that the most prolific live performer of the time was about to perform!

D Influence were the support act and they got the crowd going and littered their performance with comments such as "There's a guy backstage about this high [holds hand up to chest level] and he's itching to get out here and perform for you guys!" The anticipation for seeing the guy that we had spent many a weekend watching on videos such as Lovesexy Live and Purple Rain was rising!

We couldn't see a damn thing from the floor area and so we used cunning tactics that I'm not too proud of now, but at the time it was awesome! Yes, we decided that the people in the wheelchair area had a much better perspective than us and so with camera in hand, we climbed up to that area and was unbothered for the rest of the show! (In our defence, there was room for about 50 wheelchairs there and there were only about 6, so we reasoned that it was OK and we weren't blocking the guys in the wheelchairs view!)

So it gets around to Prince time and The familiar sound of the start of "My name is Prince" blasts out from the HUGE speaker system! the NPG take the stage and there are huge video screens following the action! But no Prince! We start to hear him rapping the first part of the song and then one of the loudest roars I have heard errupts! I couldn't see what they were screaming about until I looked up and there is our man on a swing chair, being lowered from the ceiling with his Gold Chain hat from the My Name Is Prince Video! Then we get into Sexy MF and for a teenage London male, seeing an 80,000 capacity crowd chanting "YOU SEXY MOTHERFUCKER!" was one of the bigest highlights!! I still grin when I look back at that! Purple Rain was an awesome spectacle, with huge Purple Floodlights sweeping over the Wembley skyline as the guitar solo blasted out! "One time for the sky! We're gonna sing one time for the sky!" Our man yelled! I'm sure it started raining gently at that point too?
The Hornheadz were on top form that night and Prince was lively, jumping on and off his piano and busting out splits left, right and centre!

Some other highlights were She's Always in my hair, Irresistable Bitch, Sometimes It Snows and the guitar in Let's Go Crazy.

He made a couple of encores and a surprise encore, when about 20% of the people had started to make their way out, he comes out to play "Johnny" and then all those who had thought it was all over rushed back in! Amazing show, great atmosphere, very upbeat positive vibe in the air and a day I will never forget!

That was my purple baptism. How did you lose yours?

Well I guess I go WAAYYYY Back... I was probably around 15. It was at the Oakland Coliseum (now called Arena). We camped out all night for the tickets myself a bunch of friends of mine. But the only way I was allowed to go at the time was if my Dad took me and all my friends. So here comes Vanity 6 in their baby dolls singing Sex shooter.. then The Time and we are pumped.. but my Dad is cool.. we are all screaming .. then out come his Purpleness.. This was I believe the Controversy Tour.. SO he came out in his black lil', I dunno g string thing bathing suit.....lol... and his trench coat and preceeded to get nasty. I was at first a bit embarssed because my Mom had already got mad at me for having the poster of him in the shower with that lil black thing on and nothing else .. but my Dad was cool my friends were oblivious to my Dad and soon so was I . The next day I could not talk and the memory of the concert is forever etched in my mind. I do believe those where the days where the tickets where like $25.00. we would camp out all night with other Prince fams listening to Prince songs, and just having fun and getting to see three acts. It was the beginning of my many Prince concerts to follow and he always seemed to come to the Bay Area around my Birthday so Luckily as the Prices went up and my money went down someone awould always get me a ticket. Then of course the Highlight was the soundcheck and chat with Prince a few years back.I think in all I have missed 3 concerts including the aftershows so 1 major concert actually since the controversy tour way back when. Damn..... But gotta Love the man.. He is a Genius.....

p.s.....u know thinking back maybe I am blurring things it was so long ago at the controversy tour on thing that stands out the most was my dad beign their and Prince coming out in that lil black thing and trench coat.... but maybe I am blurring the controversy tour and the purple Rain tour cause I don't think Vanity 6 and the Time where at the controversy tour....sorry.. Just was thinking about that it been like 23 years..... my mind is going...getting old ya know

funkydiva, that was very cool to read! I'm jealous that I wasn't there. Sounds like a great laugh all listening to Prince music beforehand and camping out. I've been on a train where we were all singing Prince songs but that's the closest I've got to that kind of experience.


What was your favourite tour overall?

That's funny - my dad was also an integral part of my first live Prince experience. It was Fall 84 and 6 shows went on sale in San Francisco, all at the Cow Palace. The lines were craaaaazy around the city. My sweet Dad gets up with me at 6am to wait in line, all for nothing. Everything was sold out. I was so bummed! So my Dad takes us down to the St. Francis hotel where they have a box office and gets two tickets for us to the matinee show on a Sunday. I think they were like $60 each which was a lot back then (ha ha - I just paid $99 to see him without blinking!) since the tickets were like $15. Anyway, the big day arrives and my Dad escorted me to the show. I remember Sheila playing (and singing to some lucky guy in the audience's crotch on stage). I don't remember too much about the Prince part of the show itself except my heart beating like crazy and constantly yanking the binoculars away from my Dad so I could see all of P's gyrations. I especially remember the Darling Nikki hump on the speakers and the white jizz from the guitar. Oh yeah and the carnations falling from the rafters at the end of the show. I also remember Prince changing his clothes every song it seemed! Somewhere I have a diary from that year with an entry about the show. I do remember telling my Dad afterwards that Prince was no longer just a Prince - he was a King! Ah, my cheesy youthful humor. All in all, an awesome experience. I keep meaning to share this story with my Dad as a special thanks. I'm sure he had no idea that I would be a fan for so long. It's all my Dad's fault!!!!!

Hmmmm, well I got in2 Prince when I saw Purple Rain on the big screen back in 1984. When I heard about Prince playing in Los Angeles, at the Forum I went crazy!! I was only 13 at the time and didn't even make my own money. I had 2 beg and plead with my parents 2 let me go 2 the concert. I tried 2 win tickets from the radio station, but couldn't even get through the line. My mom knew I was deeply digging the Man, so she eventually convinced my dad I should go. I mean, c'mon....I was a straight A student, ya'know...I did deserve some type of reward! But I couldn't go alone or with friends...I had 2 go with my sister and my brother's gf. The night of the concert I was so excited I couldn't eat dinner be4 we left...neither could my sister. We had nosebleed seats, but enjoyed the view. The concert was awesome....so much energy and so many beautiful women walking around hald naked! Very many ladies wearing lingerie....WOW! Well, 2wards the end of the show, my sister was getting a MAD migraine....she really wanted 2 leave, but my bro's gf and I were so in2 the concert...we didn't want 2 leave....I was so sad. We waited until he finished "Purple Rain". As we walked out of the concert, we could hear Prince coming back on stage 2 do "I Would Die 4 U"....the evening, although shortlived, was still great. I did get 2 see him again when he came 2 Long Beach. It was awesome!! I knew I was hooked even at that early age. So, now...when I see him live, nosebleed seats won't do it 4 me....AND I don't leave until the show is completely over.

first experience was bad, as the show was cancelled! It was Turin, 1990. But my parents were so kind to buy me a ticket for a French show, in Nice, and my parents brought me by car....Houndreds of chilometres were well worth the show. In the afternoon there's was a small crowd outside and we heard Prince rehearsing: Thieves in the temple, Take me with you, even Sign of the times as an instrumental (a rare performance those days, even if Uptown doesn't report it!). The show was so energetic, I was really thriled and I wasquite close got a great view of the whole show. Baby I'm a star was the highlight. Nice memories in Nice

LOL.... reading these experiences are so refreshing. I don't really know if I have a favorite tour. Maybe the Purple Rain or whatever one had Morris Day and the Time and Vanity 6 and Prince. OMG!!! That show was just Awesome. All thee of them!!! But after my first year yeah we camped out for tickets pretty much every year until he changed his name I think. My memory isn't the best. But my other that stands out, I just about died at, is when I saw he was starting this NPGMC online club so of course I join, cool idea but $100???(at that time) . Then here he comes to Oak. I scramble for concert money. Then they tell us that the club members will get to see the soundcheck and get seated before everyone else..... .....heart pounding.....then after the sound check Prince sits his fine ass on the edge of the stage and has a converstation with us. I just about died. SPEECHLESS!!!!! People who where not stuck like me asked questions , reguested songs, one even gave him a gift.. it was the most beautiful thing in the world. My not so into Prince friends must have thought I was crazy but they were happy for me and my friend I had with me couldn't believe it either. That's one for the books as well. But every tour has it's one experience and everysingle one is worth it .ALWAYS!!!!

Funkydiva - that Oakland gig was historic. First ever soundcheck for fans and a trifecta night with soundcheck, show and aftershow at the Fillmore. Woah! P. gave me a Tootsie Pop at that soundcheck. It's still gathering mold on my bookshelf! LOL Unforgettable night...

OH yeah.. shame on me how could I hvae forgotten about the Fillmore..... yeah.. that was one historic event....alright .. Trifecta for real

OH yeah.. shame on me how could I have forgotten about the Fillmore..... yeah.. that was one historic event....alright .. Trifecta for real

Wow, you guys go way back....I wish I could've been there. My first Prince Live Experience was Opening night of One Nite Alone in Saginaw, Michigan. My Aunt...(a serious fan, and NPGMC member) got early sales on tickets and I enjoyed my first ever live Prince experience from the second row of the theater. Prince was in the same room as me....WE WERE BREATHING THE SAME AIR!!! I still don't think I completely believe I was there. I was truly in the presence of greatness. It was one of the single most thrilling experiences of my life....I certainly hope there will be more. It was the first time I'd ever gotten to be around so many people that were as excited about music as I was....I hope to get the same kind of experience (though probably with not as good seats) at the Musicology tour this year.

shockadelica869 said:

Solidarity!

I'll tell you on May 31st!!!!!
I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show, I'm going to the vegas show

JimmyNothing said:

As far as i remember...but i did see this show in Holland....it wasnt Prince on the chair with the Gold Chain hat...but Cat preteding to be Prince...everyone thought it was Prince but when she arrived at the stage she started stripping!!

What's most memoriable about this album is the great sex that came with it, to be totally honest. Summer of 93, I think it was, in the back seat of an slick black 81 trans-am. Almost every day/night for like 3 months.

All that 17 year old sex energy just KABAMM exploaded as I found all sorts of new sexual territory with the help of this album.

This was also my first Prince concert.

My co-worker at the time was a big fan. I was working at a dinner in the kitchen. He was also a musician and I was helping him with his promotional photographs as I was learning photography. As I came into work that evening after school, he was screaming at me "Take this money and go next door and buy me prince tickets NOW!!!" Ok, no problem. Someone, had to stay in the kitchen.

When I went to get the tickets, they were all sold out. As I was leaving, the lady at the counter was screaming at me to come back! Supposedly, someone's credit card got rejected and 4 more tickets came back up as available. Not just any seats. 3rd row center! I bought all 4 and gave the two to my co-worker who told me to run over there and get them to begin with. He was the fan. I wasn't. But I did know that girls had a thing for Prince right?

Act I, was it called? I asked several girls to come with me. All of them said heck no. I guess they were more interested in U2 that year and that lollapolooza crap. Then came Mary. You know the movie. "Something about Mary"? yep, that was type of girl. She screamed like a little kid. Apparently she was a big fan. She said she hadn't listened to him since Lovesexy. I had no idea what she was talking about. Love-who? I told her I wasn't much into gay artists, but Prince sure could play a mean guitar, and those james brown dance moves were pretty slick. (remembering the get-off video)

I'm thinking to myself, wow this girl has huge boobs! I sure hope she decides to flash them at the show! (I read that zelous girls do that at concerts) I'm thinking I'm going to get a peep at MOST. maybe. ok, probably not. This girl was older than me. She just wants my ticket, not my stick-it. (ok, that was dumb but hey! I'm 17 now) That's ok, at least I'll get to ride in her BAD ASS car. That trans-am was so slick. (at that time) I loved batman. That thing reminded me of the batmobile. Who would have thought Prince would have been conected there too!

The show kicked my ass. period. No need for details, because this review is about the ride.

This was also my first concert of ANYONE, so I bought everything. The hat, two shirts, the tour book, the CD and the tape. such a tourist.

ahh, the opera...
(this review is about the show in the back of the trans-am that we made almost every day for months after the concert)

My name is prince - the playful alpha male dance "look at me, look at me!"

Sexy M.F. - the come here give me that kiss

Love 2 the 9's - The foreplay

The Morning Papers - more foreplay but more of an emotional response both

The Max - ok, that's enough. Let's get busy already

Blue Light - not too fast NOW!, let's slow it down before I loose it. And ya dern right I got nothin' but a smile on!

I wanna melt with U - wait. I'm 17, I can go all night at this age!

Sweet Baby - I don't care who you are, all girls like a little cuttle time. Besides, it helps the momentum!

The Continental - alright cut. Grind time. Hey, I'm the 17 year old energizer bunny!

Damn U - Break time. NEED WATER! I'm thinkin, I'm going to get hurt by this girl, I just know it.

Arrogance - Mean sex. Just dirty. Submit Woman! kinda sex. And she liked it.

The Flow - Still in the previous mind

7 - Good spiritual, redemption sex. I'm gonna marry you type (tear in eye)

And God Created Woman - Yes he did.

3 Chains O' Gold - Questionable sex. Are we like "an item" or just two people escaping reality for the summer?

The Sacrifice Of Victor - cloths back on, cigerette lit, water guzzlin' "Let's go eat!" And I'm thinking, hey, this prince guy is still pretty good. I wonder what other albums he has out there besides purple rain and 1999?

After that summer on every pay day, I bought another album. My older brother had everything he ever did so I found it funny that I knew the words to almost every song as I started collecting the albums. He must have blasted prince out of his bedroom every morning as we were getting ready for school. Even the black album. I remember him having this beat up cassette with his ear up to the speakers trying to make it out because it was such a poor quality boot.

Yep, I got dumped once her and her ex-boyfriend wanted to give it "another go". Oh, well. At least I met Prince. We'd get together for a night or three with every new release up to Crystal Ball. (I know, what a sucker!)

And that ladies and gentelmen is how I got here...
Good night.