Great thread!

I was 14 in '84. Just a year or two prior, a friend of the family introducted me to Prince with the 1999 album. It was the coolest music I had ever hear. And I felt really hip because no one else I knew were familiar with him, so it was a kind of an insider thing. At my age, that was a big deal! I had the album sleeve up on the wall. The one where he's on the bed with the sheet barely covering his ass and he's got his fingers in watercolors. Yum. I don't know why my mother didn't make me take that down.

Anyway, I was more than ready when I heard about the movie. Me and Andrea went to see the movie the minute it opened. And we stayed in our seats for three shows (that was back when the theaters were independently owned and used to permit that). I was in awe of what I was seeing. The music was just too "perfect" to be believed.

After that, I was in full-on Price mode. I had the lace gloves, the jacket pins. I had purple hair barrets and earrings and shoe laces.. it was crazy. When we heard When Doves Cry on the radio, I got a chance to finally say "I told you so" to friends and family who couldn't understand what my obsession was all about.

Plus, back then, not everyone had cable (I didn't) so we couldn't readily see his videos. But that just made it more of an event, when I'd go over to a friend's house and stare until the video came on. Goodness, and I remember that this was back in the day when VCRs weren't that common, so you couldn't readily record stuff. When I could, I wore those tapes out. Plus, on regular TV, video shows used to come on mad late (like 1am or so) and often would not be listed in the TV guide. So you always felt like you were missing an opportunity to check out the latest and greatest thing. But when you did manage to stumble on something (usually with 5 minutes left ) it was like a miracle.

I have to tell you, the harder you have to work at something, the more exciting/rewarding it all is.

And I am happy to report that the PR concert was the first one I ever went to, at Nassau Coliseum in NY. I don't think I stopped staring and screaming from the moment I entered the arena. As we all know, it was something to behold. Naturally, I bought the Tshirts, pins, everything. Sadly, I didn't keep any of this. It was impossible for me to recognize at that age how special and one-in-a-lifetime most things Prince are.

I wish you newbies had a chance to experience some of this. I've never again in my life had the joy of waiting for an artist to come out with a new song, because you knew it was going to be different than anything you've ever heard and it was going to change the direction of music.

I actually wish that I was a little older in the 80s, then I could have been more into his headier club, afterparty stuff. But I ain't complaining. I've got great teenage memories.

One more thing, that interracial piece was pretty deep back then. I know it's hard for some of y'all to appreciate this, but things were really very segregated back then and the fact that he was integrating things (esp. music) was something that people noticed. In particular, people noticed that he was bringing non-Black women in to the mix. This fact was constantly brought up to me when I was younger, now that I think about it. People would say,"How can you like someone like that who doesn't even like Black women -- you never see them, where are they... he wouldn't like you... cuz you're not mixed." Something ignorant like that. (BTW, Chick Huntsberry said that P recieved a lot of mail criticizing him for it.) It was a blow to the self-esteem at that age, but what are you gonna do. I know that this particular topic aggravates some orgers, but I think experiences like the ones I have had are the source of it. You had to be there to understand.

What can I say...Prince in the 80s was a genius in his prime and on a roll. It was a trip and a half -- and I don't think it'll ever happen again like that. The music industry and media have changed too much.

Thanks for the memories!

sosgemini said:

you're right. I guess I am talking from my experience, because in the summer of 1984, I was obsessed with MJ until Purple Rain came out. My point is, though...I'm not the only one who went through that.

Now I been deeply in love with a non-Prince related celebrity for almost eight years, and still going strong.

I dyed my hair Purple on one side. Sweeping Bangs like Wendy's. Talked to this one girl in my class about him all the time. She was a Big fan also. Would go to clubs and request the DJ to play his songs which they did. Dress in Velvet and Pants with Buttons and lace gloves and scarves. Rearranged his albums at record stores putting his albums in front and planting Kisses with my RED LIPSTICK on his Face. Ran to the Village after the Concert Never heard How Come U Don't Call Me Before. Had to have that song....Found it on a Japan 7" flip, bought a book and found out he had POSTER SLEEVE and Calender Sleeves. Went Crazy...Put the CONTROVERSY POSTER on my Wall. Dreamed about being in The SHOWER With HIM...Saw the Movie Over and Over again that Summer....Played Purple Rain Over and Over when it Came out my Neighbors went Ballistic. Made a Big Banner for the LONG ISLAND SHOW.... Everybody was Dressed to the 9's and with Great Clothes and Hair and Makeup. The Fashion BRIGADE. All OPULENCE.... Outside Nassau Coliseum somebody was playing WHOODINI'S FREAKS COME OUT AT NIGHT. It was SURREAL an EXPERIENCE...Watching him Onstage with Black Lace Ass See Through Pants was STUNNING. Seeing him STRUT. Seeing him Play Guitar and Shoot the Water Out. He Made Ya SCREAM a BANSHEE.....He Made me FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM 4 REAL. I Was Taken and ENTRANCED BY HIM EVER SINCE. Still a Girl who CRIES and SCREAMS When I See Him..He Makes ME FEEL SO HAPPY....SO CONSUMED....The BEST ORGASM WITHOUT ACTUALLY TOUCHINg..Yet Touching the HEART...Te AMO PRINCE.....