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Prince's manic Monday
From The Eye
October 22, 2003

IT was the worst-kept secret in town . . . What was supposed to be an intimate warm-up gig for visiting pop superstar Prince at a Melbourne club turned into a major event on Monday night.
As word spread on the Melbourne music grapevine, a massive crowd formed outside jazz club Bennett's Lane.

Some thought they were on the guest list, only to be knocked back, but most turned up just hoping to get in or catch a glimpse of the Purple One.

Club owner Michael Tortoni said around 60 lucky punters witnessed the hour-long jazz instrumental set from Prince and his eight-piece band.

The man himself didn't sing – and reportedly said about four words during the entire set.

"It was fantastic – a perfect gig," Tortoni told The Eye.
"I spoke to Prince on his way out and he was ecstatic about it."

The singer popped into Bennett's Lane on Sunday night to check out the venue ahead of the "secret" show.

But Tortoni said he had no idea how word spread so quickly.

"I'm still trying to work it out," he said. "I've got no idea how we got the situation we saw."

Fans went to elaborate lengths to get into the tiny venue. }}}

The Eye spoke to one Prince nut who followed a car as it pulled into the venue's underground car park.

She sneaked her way into the venue, only to be nabbed by security at the last minute.

Slightly crazier fans tried to clamber in through the roof.

When it was clear the house was full, fans started chanting outside the entrance, only to see the front roller doors pulled down.

Some astute folk who turned up early and paid the cover charge said they were cleared out to make way for the chosen Prince few.

"It was a packed house in there and they kicked everyone out," said angry Mentone fan Chris Takouridis. "They came around and told us we had 10 minutes to finish our drink and get out."

West Footscray's Stephen Fredricks listened to the whole set outside on the street.

"We were right at the front door, so we could hear it. It was basically a jazzy set, no vocals," he said.

"But it would have been better in there watching it."

Among the chosen few inside was singer Kate Ceberano and her brother Phil.

"It was the most intense musical experience of my life," she said.

"I feel like I've just won the lottery."

George lead singer Katie Noonan and jazz favourite Paul Grabowsky were also in the audience.

Prince plays his final Melbourne show at Rod Laver Arena tonight.

Herald Sun

WOW THIS SOUNDS SO COOL.Reminds me of the prince mania back in the 80's
would have paid good money just 2 c the crowd

Sounds like he played NEWS from start to finish.

"Some astute folk who turned up early and paid the cover charge said they were cleared out to make way for the chosen Prince few.

"It was a packed house in there and they kicked everyone out," said angry Mentone fan Chris Takouridis. "They came around and told us we had 10 minutes to finish our drink and get out."

Among the chosen few inside was singer Kate Ceberano and her brother Phil.

"It was the most intense musical experience of my life," she said.

"I feel like I've just won the lottery."

George lead singer Katie Noonan and jazz favourite Paul Grabowsky were also in the audience"





So they told people 2 get out, but these guys above were cool 2 stay 2 make way for.

Thirdeye said:

hehehe...sounds kinda fun

Phil should have been allowed to stay in there, he is a HUGE Prince fan, as for Paul Grabowsky - he can buggar off !

FunkyStrange said:

Yeah, i remember Phil on TV years ago wearing the logo from Lovesexy on a t-shirt. He's down 4 Prince

FunkyStrange said:

Phil did stay in there. You just read that wrong.

bananacologne said:

I like your by-line bananac. Remember what the martial arts expert said to the drug-dealing baron in "Enter the Dragon" when the baron wanted him to work for him:

"Suddenly, I don't like your island...I can't work for you, 'cos I'm too busy LOOKING GOOD".

I paraphrase btw.

Prince was estatic? Sounds like an imposter to me...hehhehehehee...B