Dear Alan,
Can u remember the most poignant story from ur time 2gether with Prince, which made u think something along the lines of, 'he is human, after all', and can u please share this little-known emotional story with us?
love,
Anji

I can think of several. Believe it or not, like most people whose outward extremes contradict their opposite inner extremes, Prince is a genuinely sensitive man. Playing amateur shrink for a moment, I suppose his rejections as a youngster inspired a stony surface as a protective device - actually, not a bad thing to have in the music business.

One story that comes to mind took place in a limo en route to the Hollywood premiere of PURPLE RAIN. Big Chick was riding up front with the driver and I was in the back with Prince who was holding a single flower he had impulsively plucked from a garden in front of our hotel. The ride was tensely quiet. Remember this was a movie nobody thought would ever get made. "Who is this singer Prince who thinks he's all that to make a movie", said most in the industry and much of the media. We all knew this was either going to turn Prince into a major star or be one of the most embarrassing flops of all time.

We had carefully plotted a caravan of limos so as to orchestrate the arrivals of the various figures in the movie. One by one, limos deposited Billy Sparks, Morris Day and Jerome, The Time, Apollonia 6, Wendy & Lisa, Bobby Z, Dr. Fink and Brownmark. And they each worked their way up the red carpet, stopping for waves to fans, quick TV interviews and hundreds of photographers. The idea was, of course, that Prince would be the last to arrive and be met at curbside by a group of our security guys with whom we were in touch via walkie talkies (remember, this was before everyone had cell phones).

We had pre-arranged a spot a block behind the theatre where we would temporarily park and wait for the cue to pull around and make the "grand entrance". At that point I would also jump out of the car and run ahead to make certain everything at curbside was just the way we wanted and then give the driver the final "go". When we reached the appointed spot and parked, Chick turned on the walkie-talkie as Prince anxiously asked him, "What's going on there? Can we go yet?"

Chick turned around toward us and reported, "the guys say there's a traffic jam 2 blocks long, more fans than the police can handle and more cameras than a photography store!"

At that point Prince suddenly lost it. Just for a flash, but like any mortal human being, he lost it. He suddenly gripped my hand in a desperate vice and his voice broke as he strained to whisper in a tone that sounded like a petrified ten year old, "Whhh..aa..tttt d-diid he saayy?"

I was stunned too, but instinct took over and I hung onto his hand firmly and said calmly, "He said we're gonna have a day to be proud of and it's gonna be fun. Now let me get to theatre and I'll meet you there."

It was touching and revealing - probably the only moment through the whole, tedious making of the movie that he showed any doubt or vulnerability. And just as quickly, he caught himself....probably frustrated that he had let his guard down....and said, "Yeah, hurry up over there. And don't let them mess this up!"

http://prince.org/msg/7/171968

So, anyone want to see some more pics of Blackguitaristz?!! Here's some I took from the dvd he sent me, playing his guitar they're not great quality but you get the idea! And, some from Jay Leno, well now you can all see his face!! Gifts, flowers, anything Prince related is good! Actually, I think these might deserve a thread of their own ....











Jay Leno..














[Edited 7/25/08 6:52am]

That's so cool ^_^
Blackguitaristz seems to be a cool cat.

Jeffiner said:

DAMN Jen...uh, well....cool. You're a trip, u know that?

Dope story man ! Thanks..
Reminded me of my 1st time seeing the movie in green Acres mall in queens NY...
Women were Screaming like crazy at the screen...
By the time he finished lets go Crazy on top of the piano that was it for me !!!
Michael jackson was history and i had my first guitar within a week !
right on man ! Thanks for the flash back .

RUHip2TheJive said:

Thanx...I guess I have my moments.

CosmicDancer said:

Glad u dug it.

Anji said:

thanks 4 the link & yes, nice story!

Jeffiner said:

hey jen! you're not just a pretty face & blackguitaristz, u r what u say on the tin! rock&roll

^Shoot, The hair! I love your hair! I love long hair on guys, especially brothers, because, you know they cut their hair short, almost bald, alot.
Verrrrry Cool pics. Esp, the band pics, I love that guitar.

RUHip2TheJive said:

Cool story...I know you don't look exactly like him...although you remind me of Verdine White.

ToraToraDreams said:

Thank you Tora...Yeah, well I'm one of them bruthas that stayed true and was never afraid to let my hair grow. And I was never a victim to always wearing it in a ponytail either. I've always had long hair, even when it wasn't "fashionable" you know. That's just who I am. Glad u dig my white axe. A 1976 Dean Flying V. Same guitar that u heard on those tracks.

Damn...this thread is only two days old and it already has over 2,000 views....And it's NOT even about what type of food Prince eats...imagine that.

2k is a lot, even for the ones about P's eating habits

RUHip2TheJive said:

U think so huh?

What a cool story!! Thanks for sharing blackguitaristz
I soo wish I could have had an experience like this

and it really cool that you ended up on the dvd too

your hair is classic

TheKid3121 said:

Not even close bro, I've seen some 13 year olds around here

Cool story, z, and cool pictures

blackguitaristz said:

That's quite an image. Great story, z! What are the Leno pics from? And, of course, you had a KISS shirt on! I love that.
[Edited 7/25/08 6:06am]

Sorry didnt get to see the pics till now BG but I was working last night and the big wigs were around which meant NO internet play or I would of been canned. Anywho, great pics BG glad you got to meet Leno.

At that point Prince suddenly lost it. Just for a flash, but like any mortal human being, he lost it. He suddenly gripped my hand in a desperate vice and his voice broke as he strained to whisper in a tone that sounded like a petrified ten year old, "Whhh..aa..tttt d-diid he saayy?"

Brilliant story, thanks Anji!

blackguitaristz said:

Your moments are many, my brotha.

wow what a great childhood memory, and to top it off you got picked up by the camera! I'm stating the obvious but just wanted to show some love
[Edited 7/25/08 9:56am]

thekidsgirl said:

Thank you.....

FuNkeNsteiN said:

Thank you..

RipHer2Shreds said:

I was at a KISS concert out here in L.A. and Leno's people picked me out of the crowd so he could ask me KISS related questions. So that's where we are, in the hallways of the Forum.

BlaqueKnight said:

Haha...Cool phrase.

Meloh9 said:

Hey...what it is Meloh? Thanx player.

Very cool story and pics. I'm glad I FINALLY got to see them!