PennyPurple said:

anangellooksdown said:

PennyPurple said:

Hahn's book for 1. Those he interviews told him (hahn). Prince said many times how strict his dad was with him. His dad kicked him out at the age of 12, his step dad locked him in a closet. Do you think it was all peachy and he just moved in with Andre's family for the heck of it?

I don’t know if I believe the closet story. I’d have to read Hahn’s book, if that’s where it is, and see who said it. We know P fabricated a lot of stuff when he was younger, he lied constantly about his age, and being Italian etc... Maybe those were the results of abuse or abandonment. Was his father a drinker? I think he came from dysfunction like most of us. Some have it worse than others in that regard, but I do not think he was “poor” like so many people like to tell of an “underdog” story, I had no money as a teenager either! I know he was affected growing up, I just have come to feel it may not have been as horrible as some people say. After all, he did get out of there, and he was able to do what he did.

From what I remember the closet thing with his Step Dad(Matties 2nd husband)

Lisa just confirmed in a recent interview about the Revolution coming to Louisiana that she had been happy that both she and Prince were into Joni Mitchell. So, yes, it sounds like he already liked Joni.

OldFriends4Sale said:

theplejades said:

Very interesting interview. Thanks for posting.

Two things I noticed:

Sometimes it snows in April was written 21 April 1985 and not on 21 April 1986 like she said.

How could Prince be introduced to Joni Mitchells Music by the Melvoins when he already wrote "Joni" on the cover of the Controversy Album? He already knew about Joni long before he met them.

Actually I thought it was Lisa Coleman and Prince that first got into Joni's music early on. Prince touched on it in a 1998 interview.

Just listened to this interview. Wow. Found the last 15 minutes or so extrememly emotional, especially the part about Lisa being the one who Prince would have listened to and him missing her. I lalways enjoy listening to Susannah (and Wendy & Lisa's) recollections as I they strike me as being close to Prince 'the person' as opposed to 'the superstar' and it feels more real. I hope she does write a book some day.

I believe the discussion with Susannah. While it has been well known that Prince was not monogamous during any of his relationships, it seems - through songs written for and about her, and information from his inner circle, that they had a deeper connection. He loved her - well, his version of love - and I'm sure he did not want to lose her. I would say also that Prince was a typical 20-something man during that time, and could not resist the temptation of beautiful women lining up to spend time with him. He wanted to have his cake and eat it too - not a shocker. I think the lyrics to the songs he wrote about her tell the story - Forever In My Life, which he stated was written for her (Prince Vault/Interviews/AOL 1997), Nothing Compares 2 U, Adore (people will debate this one, but it was written while they were living together), Wally, Big Tall Wall, If I was Your Girlfriend, and many more. I think she is the subject of several of his later songs as well, but that is just my opinion. As far as the ring - whether it was technically an engagement ring or not, he bought it for her. I think she is wearing it during the 1st Ave concert for The Family - could be wrong, but there is a giant sparkling rock on her left ring finger. I don't recall reading about any other women receiving a diamond ring - Jill Jones, Sheila, Devin, etc?

Regarding his childhood, it has also been documented that he kept many things about his past to himself. He was on better terms with his Dad when Susannah was with him. If he suffered more serious abuse she may not have known about it. Later, he wrote the song Papa, which is said to be about his Father, but not confirmed. Also, Prince was said to have felt abandoned by his Mother, which is a tough thing for a young boy. Emotional abuse has as much of a negative affect as physical. Then there's the song Sister - if you consider that to be autobiographical, well, then you've got more issues to consider. No doubt he was affected by events during his childhood, but he also had his own unique personality, which made it hard for him to communicate.

Regarding the comments about Joni, she stated in Matt Thorn's book that she spotted Prince at one of her concerts. She described his eyes as "those dark egyptian eyes" staring up at her. This may have been during the time that Lisa began working with him. Both Lisa and Wendy introduced him to music he was not familiar with. If he did know about Joni prior to meeting Lisa, it is possible that Lisa shared more of her music with him. Wendy also told the story of Prince surprising her and Susannah on their birthday by flying them out to meet Joni in person. He clearly valued their musical ability and knowledge. I recommend listening to Questlove's extensive interview with Wendy and Lisa on his "Questlove Supreme" podcast - very informative and touching. He also interviews Susannah.

Anyone who doubts the connection Prince had with Wendy, Lisa and Susannah should listen to "In This Bed I Scream", which says a lot. Prince was not always honest with journalists, but he was very honest with his music/lyrics. They were also the first 3 people he thanked at the 1995 AMA's, when he wanted to acknowldege those that attributed to his success.

rlittler81 said:

Just listened to this interview. Wow. Found the last 15 minutes or so extrememly emotional, especially the part about Lisa being the one who Prince would have listened to and him missing her. I lalways enjoy listening to Susannah (and Wendy & Lisa's) recollections as I they strike me as being close to Prince 'the person' as opposed to 'the superstar' and it feels more real. I hope she does write a book some day.

I completely agree. Smart and talented women who he valued as friends and collaborators. They don't always get the respect and recognition for that.

OldFriends4Sale said:

theplejades said:

Very interesting interview. Thanks for posting.

Two things I noticed:

Sometimes it snows in April was written 21 April 1985 and not on 21 April 1986 like she said.

How could Prince be introduced to Joni Mitchells Music by the Melvoins when he already wrote "Joni" on the cover of the Controversy Album? He already knew about Joni long before he met them.

Sheila E also quoted some dates of recordings a year earlier and another a year or two later. I guess it is a slip.

People, these events occurred more than 30 years ago. Memories fade. So Susannah is not necessarily lying about dates - she just don't remember.

anangellooksdown said:

I think he was afraid of being alone. Also I have gotten the feeling that there wasn’t huge trauma in his childhood either. He said himself, “Power to the ones who could raise a child like me...” He simple chose to live at Andre Simone’s, so he did it. Damn. Good on him!!! [Edited 2/17/18 10:56am]

I think that is why he juggled so many women. Therapists will tell you that when a man is a womanizer, it's because of some form of insecurity.

80tomato said:

That marriage proposal seemed like a consolation prize for not being in the film ...regardless of how big the ring was...almost like he never really meant it especially since there was no discussion of a marriage ...just how it came across to me.

Igot the same feeling about the Sheila E proposal...in the spur of the moment

It came across that way to me too.

purplerabbithole said:

I dont think a family that lets their 12 year old move in with his best friend is without trauma. It just might not be the violence and trauma associated with the Purple Rain movie. He might have been a difficult child, but he was never in the principal's office or jail, so how bad could he have been, and if the family didn't want to accomodate him a bit on his music dreams and would rather let him move out at 12, then I have a tough time believing there weren't some serious issues there. Maybe, she just means he wasn't beaten or deprived of basic needs. But I have a feeling his mother was constantly working and away from home, , his dad was selfish and his stepfather was a bit of a strict and dickish disciplinarian who thought if he threw money at his stepson, everything would be cool. None of them were abusive in the strictest definition but it doesn't sound like his family life was particularly warm or constant. Plus, other people noticed at the time that his family life was eratic and Andre once stated that Prince told him that he "could take this shit anymore". But no family life is perfect and maybe that is all she meant.

anangellooksdown said:

I think he was afraid of being alone. Also I have gotten the feeling that there wasn’t huge trauma in his childhood either. He said himself, “Power to the ones who could raise a child like me...” He simple chose to live at Andre Simone’s, so he did it. Damn. Good on him!!! [Edited 2/17/18 10:56am]

[Edited 2/17/18 13:20pm]

There has been a story going around for a long time and I don't know if Prince ever confirmed or denied it. Prince went to live with his father at one point and when Price was about 12 years old his father came home and Prince had a girl in his room (I don't think that they were doing anything) and his father kicked him out for that. The story goes that Prince had no where to go and he temporarily lived with various family members until Andre's mom agreed to let him with them. So aparently he either left or was kicked out of his mom's house at an early age. Kicking a 12 year old out for any reason other than they are a danger to the rest of the family is totally unacceptable to me. So, yes, something had to be wrong within that family.

I read an article that came out no long after Prince died where Andre Cymone mentioned that at one time Tyka was placed in foster care. Not sure if that's true, but it was in the article. He did not elaborate on what happened, but said that you know that some craziness was going on.

Maybe Susannah knows more than what she's telling out of respect for Prince and his family.

purplerabbithole said:

tmo1965 said:

laurarichardson said:

The story about the girl in his room came from Prince himself. Never heard Tyka was in foster care but she wrote a book a few years ago and said they both ran away from home and no one came looking for them.

Yes, it has also been said that Prince used a payphone to call his dad and beg to come back home, and his dad wouldn't let him.

tmo1965 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Sheila E also quoted some dates of recordings a year earlier and another a year or two later. I guess it is a slip.

People, these events occurred more than 30 years ago. Memories fade. So Susannah is not necessarily lying about dates - she just don't remember.

That is what I'm saying. Slips. I thought I was turning 47 this year. I'm only 45

People expect these associates to remember every detail from 30 yrs ago.

tmo1965 said:

laurarichardson said:

purplerabbithole said:

Mayte told the closet story because prince told it to her privately supposedly. Steve Parke stated that prince implied that he had been forced to watch psycho in the theater at 5 years old and it scared the shit out of him. When he was kicking with Susannah, I think he might have been on good terms with his parents. Prince never really overplayed the abuse angle other than purple rain which he eventually disputed. The truth is probably in the gray area. I think maybe his dad got violent one time with his mom but was not a chronic batterer. I think maybe his stepdad did some Dickson things like the closet and dandelion picking. I think it was more like emotional neglect than abuse. André did say they would not let prince out to play hardly and prince did state that he spent 6 weeks cooped up in the house. It sounded strict, oppressive and lonely with a mother with three jobs. His family might have started poor when his mom and dad were married and Mattie just married up financially with Mr. Baker and got a job herself. Remember John was a struggling musician/factory worker with a non- working wife at the time and a previous family to support—when Prince was a young child. It takes a while to be upwardly mobile sometimes. [Edited 2/19/18 11:39am]

Prince told the closet story in early interviews along with the dandelion nonsense. His step dad comes off like a dick head.

Makes you wonder what kind of abuse Omarr suffered.

OldFriends4Sale said:

laurarichardson said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

That is what I'm saying. Slips. I thought I was turning 47 this year. I'm only 45

People expect these associates to remember every detail from 30 yrs ago.

We do not expect them to lie or leave stuff out. Like that promissory note.

Yep, she needs to pay back the $$

OldFriends4Sale said:

From what I remember the closet thing with his Step Dad(Matties 2nd husband)

That is Hayward Baker, Omarr's dad and Matties 3rd husband.

PennyPurple said:

laurarichardson said:

purplerabbithole said: Prince told the closet story in early interviews along with the dandelion nonsense. His step dad comes off like a dick head.

Makes you wonder what kind of abuse Omarr suffered.

I don't know what Omarr went through with his dad, but it's not unusual for a step parent to treat their step children poorly while treating his own kids well.

Promissory note??..do explain.

laurarichardson said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

That is what I'm saying. Slips. I thought I was turning 47 this year. I'm only 45

People expect these associates to remember every detail from 30 yrs ago.

We do not expect them to lie or leave stuff out. Like that promissory note.

OldFriends4Sale said:

tmo1965 said:

People, these events occurred more than 30 years ago. Memories fade. So Susannah is not necessarily lying about dates - she just don't remember.

That is what I'm saying. Slips. I thought I was turning 47 this year. I'm only 45

People expect these associates to remember every detail from 30 yrs ago.

When I mentioned that she got the date wrong I did not mean she was lying. Of course I don´t expect her to remember everything that happens that long ago.
But Susannah herself made it sound that it was a very important song and a very important date because he died on the same date 21 April.
1986 would have been exactly 30 years later when it fact is it 31 years. I did not want to accuse her of anything. I just found it strange.

anangellooksdown said:

This is an incredibly important and revealing interview, IMO, regarding “who Prince was”. Or, “what he was like”. And that’s what I always listen for. The music parts were important too.

I agree. It was a good interview, beautiful to listen to.

anangellooksdown said:

What stood out to me the most: I think Prince did kind of keep people hidden away for himself. Susannah says Jerome Benton told her prince loved her so much that he couldn’t stand the thought of losing her. I don’t think this changed. I think it’s why a lot of women left except for Mayte and Bria who wanted that.

He always did that - telling others what someone else meant to him. He could (almost) never say it to you directly, always just to others (hoping you'd get it from them somehow). I've always found it an interesting pattern, it's endearing, the abandoned child again.

laurarichardson said:

purplerabbithole said:

Mayte told the closet story because prince told it to her privately supposedly. Steve Parke stated that prince implied that he had been forced to watch psycho in the theater at 5 years old and it scared the shit out of him. When he was kicking with Susannah, I think he might have been on good terms with his parents. Prince never really overplayed the abuse angle other than purple rain which he eventually disputed. The truth is probably in the gray area. I think maybe his dad got violent one time with his mom but was not a chronic batterer. I think maybe his stepdad did some Dickson things like the closet and dandelion picking. I think it was more like emotional neglect than abuse. André did say they would not let prince out to play hardly and prince did state that he spent 6 weeks cooped up in the house. It sounded strict, oppressive and lonely with a mother with three jobs. His family might have started poor when his mom and dad were married and Mattie just married up financially with Mr. Baker and got a job herself. Remember John was a struggling musician/factory worker with a non- working wife at the time and a previous family to support—when Prince was a young child. It takes a while to be upwardly mobile sometimes. [Edited 2/19/18 11:39am]

Prince told the closet story in early interviews along with the dandelion nonsense. His step dad comes off like a dick head.

Yes, this story was told by Prince long before Mayte was in his life. He first told this story years ago to Jon Bream, the MN journalist who had been interviewing him since his start in the business. He felt comfortable with Jon, and talked more to him in the beginning than any other journalist. He told him his step father forced him to stay in his room - not a closet - for a period of several months. He said this was when he focused on learning to play instruments - although, it could have only been the guitar, because he would not have had a piano or drums there. Much later, Jon Bream asked Prince again about that story, and Prince told him it was true.

However, in his song Papa, the lyrics refer to him being forced into a closet by his Father as a young child as punishment for throwing rocks outside - in addition to being smacked several times while he begs him to stop.

laurarichardson said:

Strawberrylova123 said:

80tomato said: Nahh she was aware of jill jones, I'm going to guess devin. Devasquez

Or Sheila E. According to Alan Leeds he took Susannah home to Minn from Paris. He returned to Paris and Sheila E was on the scene.

Susannah was discussing her early connection with Prince (1983) when she mentioned the woman who was upset about it, so it is most likely Jill Jones. She was sleeping with Prince - apparently along with Vanity and Susan Moonsie - during the 1999 tour. Prince had added her to the shows and she was a backup singer. Sheila was not in the mix at this point. In an extensive interview with JJ (Prince Podcast, I believe) she talks about the women (her, Vanity, Susan M) knowing about each other - "if one of us was missing on the tour bus we knew who Prince was with, but if we were all there then it was like, okay who is he with now?" She also referred to Wendy, Lisa and Susannah as the "plantation mistresses" who came in and took over. She did not state their names, but it was obvious she was referring to them.

violetcrush said:

violetcrush said:

laurarichardson said:

Or Sheila E. According to Alan Leeds he took Susannah home to Minn from Paris. He returned to Paris and Sheila E was on the scene.

Susannah was discussing her early connection with Prince (1983) when she mentioned the woman who was upset about it, so it is most likely Jill Jones. She was sleeping with Prince - apparently along with Vanity and Susan Moonsie - during the 1999 tour. Prince had added her to the shows and she was a backup singer. Sheila was not in the mix at this point. In an extensive interview with JJ (Prince Podcast, I believe) she talks about the women (her, Vanity, Susan M) knowing about each other - "if one of us was missing on the tour bus we knew who Prince was with, but if we were all there then it was like, okay who is he with now?" She also referred to Wendy, Lisa and Susannah as the "plantation mistresses" who came in and took over. She did not state their names, but it was obvious she was referring to them.

that had to be a yucky feeling. 'taking turns' Susan Moonsie didn't stay with it, once she realized what was up she removed herself from that triangle. ...When Doves Cry.

.

Lisa was technically there in the camp before Jill Jones and Vanity (she came on in late 79) during the Dirty Mind sessions. Even JJ said Lisa & Wendy were good for Prince because they had very nurturing spirits.

.

Wendy & Lisa especially were more directly connected to the music, and not sexual.

theplejades said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

That is what I'm saying. Slips. I thought I was turning 47 this year. I'm only 45

People expect these associates to remember every detail from 30 yrs ago.

When I mentioned that she got the date wrong I did not mean she was lying. Of course I don´t expect her to remember everything that happens that long ago.
But Susannah herself made it sound that it was a very important song and a very important date because he died on the same date 21 April.
1986 would have been exactly 30 years later when it fact is it 31 years. I did not want to accuse her of anything. I just found it strange.

It could easily be the 6 that mixed it up 1986/2016

.

Sheila E said Prince was troubled about some kind of war in Africa or something which is why they wrote the song America. But America has nothing to do with Africa. And she said she remembered recording the song, but that was Prince & the Revolution. She might have mixed up the live performance of America on the Purple Rain tour. I hope.

OldFriends4Sale said:

violetcrush said:

Susannah was discussing her early connection with Prince (1983) when she mentioned the woman who was upset about it, so it is most likely Jill Jones. She was sleeping with Prince - apparently along with Vanity and Susan Moonsie - during the 1999 tour. Prince had added her to the shows and she was a backup singer. Sheila was not in the mix at this point. In an extensive interview with JJ (Prince Podcast, I believe) she talks about the women (her, Vanity, Susan M) knowing about each other - "if one of us was missing on the tour bus we knew who Prince was with, but if we were all there then it was like, okay who is he with now?" She also referred to Wendy, Lisa and Susannah as the "plantation mistresses" who came in and took over. She did not state their names, but it was obvious she was referring to them.

that had to be a yucky feeling. 'taking turns' Susan Moonsie didn't stay with it, once she realized what was up she removed herself from that triangle. ...When Doves Cry.

.

Lisa was technically there in the camp before Jill Jones and Vanity (she came on in late 79) during the Dirty Mind sessions. Even JJ said Lisa & Wendy were good for Prince because they had very nurturing spirits.

.

Wendy & Lisa especially were more directly connected to the music, and not sexual.

Yes, I did read that Susan stepped out of the "harem" at a certain point. I read that she was dating Prince prior to when he first met Vanity, and Vanity was with Rick James at the time (1980). Prince and Vanity agreed to wait until they ended those attachments before becoming a "couple" - although, it seems Prince wanted to continue his relationship with Susan while dating Vanity.

Per Matt Thorne's book, and also Jill's statements - she met Prince while singing backup for Teena Marie. They were opening for Rick James along with Prince back in 79/80. When Prince left the Rick James tour he invited Jill to work for him at some point, and she left Teena Marie's camp. So that would have been just prior to, or at around the same time Lisa came into the fold.

If you listen to the lyrics of "Forever In My Life" Prince acknowledges juggling many women at one time - "juggling hearts in a three-ring circus, someday drive a body down to the ground". I think his actions spoke more than his lyrics as it seems he never stopped juggling for too long

violetcrush said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

that had to be a yucky feeling. 'taking turns' Susan Moonsie didn't stay with it, once she realized what was up she removed herself from that triangle. ...When Doves Cry.

.

Lisa was technically there in the camp before Jill Jones and Vanity (she came on in late 79) during the Dirty Mind sessions. Even JJ said Lisa & Wendy were good for Prince because they had very nurturing spirits.

.

Wendy & Lisa especially were more directly connected to the music, and not sexual.

Yes, I did read that Susan stepped out of the "harem" at a certain point. I read that she was dating Prince prior to when he first met Vanity, and Vanity was with Rick James at the time (1980). Prince and Vanity agreed to wait until they ended those attachments before becoming a "couple" - although, it seems Prince wanted to continue his relationship with Susan while dating Vanity.

Per Matt Thorne's book, and also Jill's statements - she met Prince while singing backup for Teena Marie. They were opening for Rick James along with Prince back in 79/80. When Prince left the Rick James tour he invited Jill to work for him at some point, and she left Teena Marie's camp. So that would have been just prior to, or at around the same time Lisa came into the fold.

If you listen to the lyrics of "Forever In My Life" Prince acknowledges juggling many women at one time - "juggling hearts in a three-ring circus, someday drive a body down to the ground". I think his actions spoke more than his lyrics as it seems he never stopped juggling for too long

Yep, Susan out of Vanity & Jill came from a more solid family background. I think that had a lot to do with her being able to remove herself from the Uptown harem and then go get a college education and start a family afterwards.

.

Yep Jill met him on the Fire It Up tour. But she didn't come into the camp until sometime in 81. Then started doing session work for Prince on the What Time Is It? Hookers(Vanity 6) 1999 music.

She wasn't on the Controversy or the Time album music.

.

Yep 'juggling hearts in a 3 ring circus'. That is such a great line though lol