First post here... I signed up a while a go when Prince was here in Melbourne, but couldn't post straight away and forgot I created an account. I wanted to share this story with other Prince fans...

I'm studying music at uni at the moment, and on the 28th of May I had my end of semester recital at Bennett's Lane. I play in a funk group so I needed a keyboard. My uni wouldn't let me borrow theirs, so I had to bring my own in which I wasn't too keen on as it's so big and heavy. Anyway, my group was the last to play at about 23:30, and we were all packing up getting ready to go home. I hung around for a bit afterwards having a chat with others. A lot of people had left by this stage. A mate came up to me and told me Prince was on his way, I dismissed it straight away, thinking he wasn't even in Melbourne yet as his last show was on the 30th.

I was in no hurry to leave, so I decided to stick around on the off chance that the rumour might be true. Later the owner of the venue approached me, "is that your keyboard?". It was all packed up I was ready to leave and load it in my car. I answered yes and then she said "do you want them to play it?". I got a bit excited and set up my keyboard on stage again. I asked the owner if this was a joke, trying not to get my hopes up in case. She said "I wouldn't joke about Prince".

So anyway about an hour passed and two Police officers arrived, followed by Prince's posse. They started doing a very long and meticulous sound check. Once the stage was all set up a woman got up and warned us all to turn off our mobile phones and cameras, and if we were caught using either we would be kicked out of the venue. This is when I got really excited, cos I knew it was actually happening.

The NPG arrived and started jamming. Elisa sung Autumn Leaves and Corcovado, followed by Liv Warfield doing Brown Skin, which is when Prince walked in. He just sat there for a bit, listening and adjusting the sound to his liking. Then he got up on stage with his back to the audience soloing over the groove they set up for Brown Skin.

They had some issues with the sound, which Prince was getting frustrated with. He kept getting some feedback... At one point he said 'Hi, my name is Prince, and I make feedback for a living', while glaring at the sound guy. Was pretty funny. Then he walked over to my keyboard and went to play, but the guys at the mixer couldn't get a sound. He shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head waiting for them to fix it... In the meantime he got on the piano for a bit. Once they sorted the problem out he got on my keyboard and totally went to town on it. I loved it. I couldn't believe a living legend was performing on my keyboard.

The next 2.5 hours were absolutely insane. It was so funky. At the end of the gig, after his three encores, everyone was asking themselves 'did that just happen?'. It was incredibly fun, and the best gig I've ever been to. I couldn't believe my luck. At the end when I went to pack up my keyboard there was a W2A guitar pick on it. I like to think he used it that night. I've got it now as a keepsake. Does anyone know is this just merch? Or was it a personalised pick?

Family and friends couldn't believe it either... And worse for them, they wanted to come along to my recital, but I downplayed it a bit, kind of talking them out of it. If I didn't they might have been able to see Prince too, I felt a bit guilty! It also sucks even more for the people that left just after the recital or left early. A few of my mates did and they were absolutely devastated.

I got to see his first Melbourne show, and was hoping to see an after show. This turned out to be his only one, and it really was a secret show. Prince came to me, I didn't have to chase him! I like telling people that we opened for Prince too :p.

If you haven't seen it yet, here is a better recount of what happened that night:

http://www.thevine.com.au/music/live-reviews/prince-secret-show-melbourne-2012---live-review/

cool story. post a photo of the plectrum, both sides and we can tell if it's one that was sold, or a different style. there were w2a plectrums on sale, and the same with other tours, but sometimes you find a colour thats not seen before. the retail ones were black and white

Nice! I've bought and sold keyboards over the years, but I'd never sell that one if it was mine.
Must be cool to say Prince played your instrument .

Thanks for sharing that! You wouldn't find a more captive audience for such a story.

I love true stories of Prince encounters, also the concert experiences. Glimpses of the artist that you can't get from magazines, books or interviews. Only on the org.

Question:

As a keyboardist yourself, how would you rate his playing that night?

Amazing story! Thanks for sharing!

Amazing, was the gig to be at! you are very lucky!

which one was it? What brand? Roland, Yamaha??

great story, thanks for sharing!

Awesome................

wow, now that's what I call a story. Lucky u.

I will never wash this keyboard again.

Yeah it was amazing. The venue itself is tiny, there were probably about 40 people at the start, until later there would have been no more than 80 people I reckon. I managed to let a couple of mates know before I switched off my phone, and they got there really quick and got in just before Prince's sound guys etc rocked up. Anyone who turned up after had to pay $200 at the door, which I found out later went to charity apparently. There were some people there wearing t-shirts/jumpers with the Prince symbol on it that paid the $200. I guess these are the fans 'in the know'. I think it was pretty hard to find out about the gig, since it was so spontaneous and late notice.

Prince just must have been in his hotel room, bored, and wanted to play? Hahaha... It was a Monday night too. Also, during sound check on one of the mics they were testing with 'Prince vocal.... prince vocal' and they did the signature Prince high pitched holler... not sure what you'd call it. I thought that was pretty cool. When they said 'prince vocal' it just sounded surreal lol.

My keyboard is a Roland RD-700NX. Big and heavy thing... I was gonna sell it for something more portable, but now I'm not sure I can. I did rate his playing... just really funky and I remember thinking how good his ears must be. Doesn't matter what he plays, he sits in the pocket and plays off whatever's going on around him. And he has got heaps of ideas... True genius at work.

I'm also especially grateful I witnessed the show because there were no other Melbourne secret/after shows. There was an after party on the 30th, his final show, but apparently the crowd got out of control and it wasn't actually a show, just an after party with a DJ, local funk band etc... It did say on the venue's site 'who know's, maybe Prince might play himself' or something like that, so people were hopeful. Apparently he was there, got heckled by some drunk bogans, cracked the shits and left.

Oh, and the pick has W2A on one side and the symbol on the other in purple. The background is like a silver hologram kind of thing... I'll try and get a picture.

[img:$uid]http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/dec10/images/RolandRD700NX_01.jpg[/img:$uid]

thats the keyboard

[img:$uid]http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Prince-guitar-pick-setlist-drumstick-pass-concert-memorabilia-his-notes-/00/s/OTk1WDExNDQ=/$(KGrHqZHJCgE-edmB9lLBP)wC-vDhg~~60_57.JPG[/img:$uid]

that's the plectrum

Genesia said:

I will never wash this keyboard again.

Think of the DNA..the dna!

Amazing!!! Something you will never forget. Thank you for sharing.

Cool story!!!

dan7y said:

Yeah it was amazing. The venue itself is tiny, there were probably about 40 people at the start, until later there would have been no more than 80 people I reckon. I managed to let a couple of mates know before I switched off my phone, and they got there really quick and got in just before Prince's sound guys etc rocked up. Anyone who turned up after had to pay $200 at the door, which I found out later went to charity apparently. There were some people there wearing t-shirts/jumpers with the Prince symbol on it that paid the $200. I guess these are the fans 'in the know'. I think it was pretty hard to find out about the gig, since it was so spontaneous and late notice.

Prince just must have been in his hotel room, bored, and wanted to play? Hahaha... It was a Monday night too. Also, during sound check on one of the mics they were testing with 'Prince vocal.... prince vocal' and they did the signature Prince high pitched holler... not sure what you'd call it. I thought that was pretty cool. When they said 'prince vocal' it just sounded surreal lol.

My keyboard is a Roland RD-700NX. Big and heavy thing... I was gonna sell it for something more portable, but now I'm not sure I can. I did rate his playing... just really funky and I remember thinking how good his ears must be. Doesn't matter what he plays, he sits in the pocket and plays off whatever's going on around him. And he has got heaps of ideas... True genius at work.

I'm also especially grateful I witnessed the show because there were no other Melbourne secret/after shows. There was an after party on the 30th, his final show, but apparently the crowd got out of control and it wasn't actually a show, just an after party with a DJ, local funk band etc... It did say on the venue's site 'who know's, maybe Prince might play himself' or something like that, so people were hopeful. Apparently he was there, got heckled by some drunk bogans, cracked the shits and left.

Oh, and the pick has W2A on one side and the symbol on the other in purple. The background is like a silver hologram kind of thing... I'll try and get a picture.

I had a RD-600 4 years............2 big and bulky and u can get more bang 4 your buck elsewhere.

Wow! U should never touch it again...

Thank you for sharing your experience! Sounds like it was beyond incredible!

I could N.E.V.E.R. sell that keyboard. Never, ever, EVER!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Wow! U should never touch it again...

The idea of never touching a $2700.00 keyboard again is insanity. I don't care who played.

Love this story-need more like em on the Org

Wow! Awesome story! Thanks for posting it.

Great story, thanks for sharing. Don't sell it , keep it for memories sake

nursev said:

Love this story-need more like em on the Org

I agree, where the other 80 reports?

Such an amazing story!!

I remember hearing on The Peach & Black about this, and it's nice to hear it confirmed with additional details!

Prince really demonstrated his love there!

I would keep the pic, and keep the piano too!!

It's an amazing act you've witnessed!

Totally awesome!

EyeJester7 said:

Such an amazing story!!

I remember hearing on The Peach & Black about this, and it's nice to hear it confirmed with additional details!

Prince really demonstrated his love there!

I would keep the pic, and keep the piano too!!

It's an amazing act you've witnessed!

Totally awesome!

Prince turned his keyboards in2 a "MasterPiece"!!!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

EyeJester7 said:

Such an amazing story!!

I remember hearing on The Peach & Black about this, and it's nice to hear it confirmed with additional details!

Prince really demonstrated his love there!

I would keep the pic, and keep the piano too!!

It's an amazing act you've witnessed!

Totally awesome!

Prince turned his keyboards in2 a "MasterPiece"!!!

Hahahahahahhahaha..That never gets old for me. LOL

"Masterpiece" Hahahahaha