Fleshofmyflesh said:

Yeah I know... I was Prince

I wasn't in PR, but a coworker of mine was. Her older sister was in the same PR scene, and she has told me stories about taking classes in high school with Roger Nelson, as he was known then.

Averett said:

I was Jill Jones' fluffer. Deliciously satisfying job.

Appolonia was MY fluffer.

She's a method actor, and needed to 'use me' in order to get into character.

thekidsgirl said:

No, I'm dead serious.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Yup. Give me a couple of days and I'll tell it.

papabeat said:

But he was born "Prince". Rogers Nelson are his middle and last names.

squirrelgrease said:

squirrelgrease said:

Fleshofmyflesh said:

I was the security guy to the room where Prince was casting the ladies for the Apolonia group. Of course I did my own pre-selection routine... Those were the days

I was P¨rince's index finger

MrSquiggle said:

nah, he was born Roger.

Roger Nelson.

TheFrog said:

Bullcrap.
I have his birth certificate.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Yes, he was born Prince Roger Nelson and its pretty common for people to go by their middle names.

You used to be able to get a copy of his birth certificate if you went to the Health Department and paid for it. There were too many requests though and they wont let anybody get it anymore. Same with Bob Dylan.

I played Billy Sparks, but then I went and got all high yella, six inches taller, and 10 years younger, so you probably wouldn't recognize me today.

ThePurplePeopleEater said:

squirrelgrease said:

Still waiting.....

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Once upon a time...

Well back in early fall 1983 I was in high school and a major Prince fan. I knew that Prince was making a movie as there was some buzz about it in the alternative press. Anyhoo, a friend of mine gets a letter in the mail telling his family and everyone on his street that a production company will be shooting some film sequences in the next couple of weeks. They need to leave any outside lights on and keep certain areas clear of vehicles, etc.

Now I get wind of this tidbit of info and immediately put dos and dos together. I had to be there just to see if I can catch a glimpse of the Purple Dude.

Previous to the letter, there was a major casting call that asked for “actors” to try out as extras for Purple Rain (the movie always had this title). Lots of my friends from school ended up in the First Avenue scenes. I didn’t go to the casting call, because: 1) I couldn’t act (little did I know how loose the term “act” was), 2) I didn’t wanna miss classes, 3) I never thought I would get a part, and 4) I seem to always miss historic opportunities.

So, after school one fall day I find out that the semi-trucks are pulling into my neighborhood, about three blocks from my house. Sweet! I talk to some friends and my girlfriend (also a huge Prince fan… and now my wife) and we head over to the shooting location.

The place is crawling with gawks and crew and excitement was in the air. We saw a larger trailer that we somehow knew it had to house Purps. There was a dolly track and film camera set up in the front yard of what would become “The Kid’s” home. A soon to be infamous yellow Cadillac was parked up the street. Several police vehicles and an ambulance were also on site. We were all wondering the significance of the rescue vehicle… was there going to be some crazy-ass stunt work that might require medical attention?

Alright, it’s now dark out ‘cause movie making is some slow-ass shit. Magnoli gets on the megaphone and calls for the crowd’s attention. “We would like to start shooting and need some of you to be in the scene…” I dart forward like a shot, not pushing my girlfriend out my way no matter what she says to the contrary. Magnoli points to me and directs me where to stand. He does this to several people who were picked out of the group. Then he sort of explains to us what is going to happen when the film begins to roll. A police cruiser will come down the street with lights and siren on, go up the curb, ending up in the front yard of the house. Officers will run up the yard and enter the house.

Cool. Very cool.

The scene is shot twice. Two different siren sounds are used. They ended up using the first one shot.

We then waited around for the next scene to be shot. We watched as Morris Day and a woman that we were sure was not Vanity seemed to argue and then run around the side of the house ‘til the director yelled “cut”. This turned out to be a scene that never made the movie, but you can see in the trailer.

The night wasn’t over yet, though. We were all kind of gathered around the “Prince” trailer, waiting for him to show his mug, when finally the door opens. Everyone starts to get that “giraffe neck” thing going as a familiar purple trench coat and frills adorned male walks toward us. Awesome! Prince finally comes out of that damn trailer to say ‘whatup’ to his fans. But… something’s wrong with this picture. We had to look up to see his face.

“That aint Prince” says my girlfriend.

Hell no, it wasn’t. It was P’s stand-in. A tall-ass Prince stand-in. I think his name was Brad.

But the night wasn’t a waste, ‘cause seeing me on the silver screen was as exciting as seeing P on the silver screen.

The End

Nice story squirrelgrease thanks for telling

here's my story...When visting the USA, I went to the Grand Canyon and went on a rafting trip the leader of the trip was a extra in Purple Rain...

Techicaly, I wasn't in the movie, but I had the hardest job on the set. I had to distribute jheri curl activator.

Thanks Squirrel.
That's cool.
So your wife didn't make the cut?

Fleshofmyflesh said:

No. She was right next to a friend in the crowd that did get in the shot, so she was pissed. I still give her shit about it every time we watch it.

But, she did get to see Prince play at First Avenue (the "For Those Of You On Valium" show), when I passed on it 'cause I had to work that night. I still get ribbed about that one... oh well, I got it on DVD.