Well I for one had the experience to make NPGMC worth the money for the next ten years.



Went to the Oakland and Fillmore shows. Due to a mix up between my wife and her friends who were to watch our kids, I never got to the soundcheck, and barely got in our seats before Prince started. But Fillmore more than made up for it.



Got there about 2am and after milling about on the floor, saw there were booths upstairs. Headed up, and managed to get a great view of the stage standing in the first booth, when my wife, who was seated across the room, started screaming my name. Turned around, and the most of the NPG was chilling in a corner, waiting for the stage setup.



Turns out the Fillmore doesn't have much of a backstage, and the band was waiting no more than 5 feet from me.



Didn't see Prince or Sheila E., figured they were already down close to the stage. About 2:45, the bandmembers filed out, and a couple of minutes later, Najee, then Larry
Graham walked past, smiling and and nodding to the folks.



Kip and Blackwell took the stage and I took
up my post at the booth, when my wife started yelling again. Turned around and damned if the Man himself didn't past right by, heading for the doorway and the stairs down to the stage. Couldn't even get a word out - just marveled and stared.



Few minutes later, I saw Kip and Blackwell leave the stage, and then Prince and his security literally ran back out past me. My first thought was that someone or something ticked him off and the show was canceled!!! The bunch of us there got a little nervous - the club was already packed, and we made jokes about how to get out once the riot started.



At 3am, the NPG filed out on stage and started jamming Daisy Chain, with Prince singin from the upstairs sound booth. After about 15 minutes, here comes Prince dashing back to join the band on stage. Three near-Prince experiences in 30 minutes.



I'm just too too through!!!