http://twincities.com/ent.../68364.htm

Published: Saturday, June 16, 2001

Prince fans wait (and wait)
JOHN NEMO SPECIAL TO PIONEER PRESS

Deanglo Taylor stood among the sea of human bodies inside the Xcel Energy Center lobby Friday, his bright red fedora standing out like a fishing bobber among the waves of black, blond and brown hair.

Evans was among the 14,000 fans who showed up Friday to see Prince's first hometown arena show since a 1997 performance at Target Center.

Friday's show started with — what else? — some strange behavior by Prince. The singer did not allow ticket holders to even sit inside the arena until 8:20 p.m., 20 minutes after the show was supposed to start.

The delay left thousands of fans crammed inside the arena concourses while Prince and his band conducted their sound check.

While most sound checks are done several hours before a show, Prince didn't start his until about 6 p.m., according to an Xcel Energy Center official.

So while thousands of people stood sweating in the cramped entry areas and beyond, Taylor and a few other VIPs from Prince's online NPG Club were allowed to watch the Purple One meander through the motions of getting the sound system to his liking.

"I've seen him over 200 times," Taylor said as he made his way through the crowd. "I'm just a die-hard. I've been with him since 1980."

Some fans felt as if a decade might pass before they would be allowed to sit down.

"These tickets weren't cheap," said Renee Hammes, 33, of Bloomington, standing near an elevator. "They got us packed in here like cattle."

Hammes' husband, Ed, 31, cradled a small pizza box and a beer while standing next to her.

"Even if it's a (great) show, I don't think we'll be seeing another Prince show for a long time," he said. "He's losing fans."

Some onlookers didn't mind the delay one bit, saying they'd expect nothing less from Prince, who is known for his late-night jams and post-show parties at his Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen. Prince has been holding shows with guest performers like Erykah Badu, listening sessions for his new CD and other events there all week as part of what he calls "A Celebration."

"I've heard this kind of thing happens," said Dan Greene, 35, of Elk River, while waiting inside the arena. "He's a showman and a perfectionist — he wants to make sure everything is just right. Now, if I have to wait an extended period of time and the show (stinks), then I'll be angry."

Prince finally started the evening at 9:15 p.m. to thunderous applause.

He will play a second show tonight at the Xcel Energy Center. Tickets say the concert will begin at 8 p.m., but some members of Friday's crowd might argue otherwise.

John Nemo can be reached at johnnemo@mediaone.net.

Copyright (C) 2001 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com - All Rights Reserved