Mine? Syracuse 1985.

Nearly 20minutes of thunderous, heavenly bliss. When i want to get my Purple Rain on this is the version i go for, I have to have spare time because in all the times i've played it, i've never paused it or switched it off. Ever.

I've always loved it from the moment i got it on VHS years ago. Everything about this performance was super cool. The long intro, what he was wearing, the spotlight on the white cloud, his guitar work throughout, the way he gets out of himself on that thing still gives me goosebumps. At this point, he wasn't bored of PR and it really shows in his performance.

"Everybody in the world sing it! YEOOOW!"

I know how you feel Marrk. P's Syracuse performance brought me to tears back then just like his Superbowl performance did in 2007, except I cried for a different reason. I can't decide between the two.

I'd have to agree. Syracuse 1985.

I remember watching it on VHS tape and rewinding it over and over, ha! So dramatic and long and passionate and the guitar work, oh goodness, that guitar....

American music awards 85

I have to agree with Dance4me... The '85 American Music Awards!! He was at the height of PR's popularity, he came out w/ the cool looking set, & the clothes he wore 4 the performance!

I also LOVED when he kicked the microphone over, & the paint as it streamed down in the background. Very cool effect...

you know there was this award show i found in which prince had his white cloud guitar and was dressed in this sexy shiny long green coat what ever award show it was that verison on Purple Rain was amazing

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

yep. that was AMA 85

I'd have to go with one of the soundboard recordings from the Purple Rain tour, Atlanta, Syracuse, or Miami. All 3 around 20 minutes of Heaven. Although, there was a version he did at one of the Rio shows in 91 where he stops in the middle of the song and makes a speech and keeps saying "maybe you better close it" over and over. Love that version too.

American music awards 85!!!!

Original version, First Ave 1983..

Rinluv said:

Yeah, I hate to be so boring, but I agree with this 100%. What a perfect moment in time, captured for all to hear.

Marrk said:

Mine too! I love it for it's sheer length...








































Calm down, zaza. I'm talking about THE PERFORMANCE.

bluefish said:

Now that's funny bluefish!!

Superbowl

The one I never have to hear again.

I would argue that that When doves cry or Kiss is his most famous song.

The rawest early performances (83'-85') of that song were straight up magical.
Like at the American Music Awards in 1985.. where he completely went ballistic and tore the stage up in fury and power declaring who he was and what he's here to do

The song live has also aged like fine wine.. the Rave version reigns as my favorite just because of the solo and dripping emotion on every line of his face

it's hard picking a favorite when that song is touching every single time it's performed by the 1 and only

Marrk said:

Super Bowl Performance of Purple Rain ....SMDH, best version I've heard of this song.

Rinluv said:

I'll never 4get the 1st time I heard...."Honey I don't want ur money...no no no no....."

My jaw hit the freakin' floor.