Billboard.com article on scrapping of tour is updated - Prince spokesperson says summer tour still a possibility:

http://www.billboard.com/..._id=950909

Edited by Jonathan Cohen / July 11, 2001, 5:35 PM

Update: Prince Scraps Summer Tour

Prince has scrapped the remaining dates on a summer North American tour that was scheduled to run through early August. No reason has been given for the cancellation, but a Prince spokesperson says the artist may still return to the road later this summer.

A typically veiled message posted on Prince's official Web site seems to support that possibility. "Costumes, and set pieces r still ordered 4 The World Tour, as well as a physical therapist, cook and tutors 4 'studying' band members," the post says. "All r hopeful that b4 the summer is out, PRINCE and the NPG will b coming ur way soon!"

Meanwhile, Prince, who reclaimed his name last year after seven years as an unpronounceable symbol, will see the first 15 years of his career celebrated with the Warner Catalog Group compilation "The Very Best of Prince," due July 31. The set comprises 17 tracks recorded by Prince between 1978 and 1993, three of which ("When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," and "Kiss") hit No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100.

The album also includes tracks recorded with his bands the Revolution and the New Power Generation, as well as material performed entirely by the artist himself, including his first chart hit, 1979's "I Wanna Be Your Lover."

Following Prince's acrimonious split from Warner Bros. in 1993, the label released the triple-disc, 56-track collection "The Hits/The B-sides," which debuted at No. 19 on The Billboard 200 and No. 6 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Prince's latest single, "U Make My Sun Shine," a duet with Angie Stone, peaked at No. 26 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart last month.

-- Jonathan Cohen & Troy Carpenter, N.Y.