January 26. 1980
American Bandstand w/ Dick Clark:
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?

". These two R&B successes were performed on January 26, 1980, on American BandstandAmerican BandstandAmerican Bandstand was a television show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989, hosted from 1957 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...

with this first backing band. Legend has it that Prince became annoyed when, during the interview segment, host Dick Clark expressed surprise that Prince and his bandmates were from Minneapolis "of all places". Prince refused to speak, instead answering a question by gesturing with his hand. It was later admitted by Dez Dickerson that it was planned from the beginning as a way to disconcert Clark. Dickerson was quoted as saying, "Great. We're illiterate, but we play well."

He looked nervous.

Why didn't he ever appear on Soul Train?

This was Prince at his most Flamboyant, (hands on the hips..the voice during the interview). When he say's "They would let me produce myself," I was like ! I wonder what was a reasoning behind it? He never acted this whimsical again...why Prince WHY??

Sexy mf shakin that ass, shakin that ass, shakin that ass

4 fingers

Billmenever said:

He looked nervous.

Why didn't he ever appear on Soul Train?

it was an act...

I thought he did years later during 1999 era... or was that Solid Gold

Clark long remembered his tough interview with a quiet Prince

Dick Clark picked up the phone and cut to the chase. "What is this interview for?" said the man who was involved with too many TV projects for a reporter to keep track of. He wanted to know the subject and the media in which this interview was to be presented.

When he learned it was "The American Music Awards" for a newspaper, he said to fire away and, in his answers, he proceeded to drop more expletives than Axl Rose at a Guns N' Roses concert.

That interview took place in 1995. I asked one of popular music's all-time most important tastemakers to revisit his infamous 1980 interview with Prince, our local hero, on "American Bandstand." Prince was just starting out. While he was exciting when he performed, he was shy and standoffish when trying to talk.

Clark asked the musician how many instruments he played. Prince answered, "Thousands."

OldFriends4Sale said:

Billmenever said:

He looked nervous.

Why didn't he ever appear on Soul Train?

it was an act...

I thought he did years later during 1999 era... or was that Solid Gold

soild gold twice IIRC (and he was on Midnight Special too Jan 8 1980)

and then in the 90s Soul Train (he did Now and Acknowledge me and maybe Love Sign?)

Midnight Special Jan 8 1980 Why you wanna.... I wanna be...


Solid Gold Dec 14 1992: 1999

Solid Gold Apri 4 1993 LRC

Soul Train April 9th? 1994 "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" "Now" "Acknowledge Me" "Love Sign"

[Edited 10/25/13 9:13am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

with this first backing band. Legend has it that Prince became annoyed when, during the interview segment, host Dick Clark expressed surprise that Prince and his bandmates were from Minneapolis "of all places". Prince refused to speak, instead answering a question by gesturing with his hand. It was later admitted by Dez Dickerson that it was planned from the beginning as a way to disconcert Clark. Dickerson was quoted as saying, "Great. We're illiterate, but we play well."

Yet if you believe Pepe Willie (which I don't) Prince was genuinely shy at that time. He said so in that rubbish documentary aired on BBC Three a couple of years ago.

G3000 said:

This was Prince at his most Flamboyant, (hands on the hips..the voice during the interview). When he say's "They would let me produce myself," I was like ! I wonder what was a reasoning behind it? He never acted this whimsical again...why Prince WHY??

It was a calculated publicity stunt and rebellious prank concocted by Prince. He was using the American Bandstand apperance to trying to create some shock and outrage to get people talking about him and create a sense of mystery about himself with silence and create a provocatively androgynous image. Prince had no personal dislike for Dick Clark. Prince admitted years later, "Not sure why but Mr Clark seemed 2 genuinely like me, and I liked him also."

From David Hill's book A Pop Life:

[Edited 11/11/13 17:13pm]

This says he was 19 in 1980. NOT! He was 21!

OldFriends4Sale said:

American Bandstand's Top 10 Moments

By Jorge Gomez, 4/18/2012

With the passing away of Dick Clark, we look back to look at some of the best moments that Clark and 'American Bandstand' have brought us.

American Bandstand began its run in 1952, with Dick Clark taking over as host in 1956. He remained the show’s host until the end of its run, which came in 1989. The show consisted of teenagers dancing to the current hits of the time. It also included musical guests, which varied from Janet Jackson to The Doors.

Bandstand helped Dick Clark become a television icon and it inspired other musical shows, like Soul Train and the UK’s Top of the Pops.

With Clark’s recent passing, we take a look back at some of the best moments that Clark brought us with American Bandstand.

10. Prince makes his national TV debut

Read more at http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/04/american-bandstands-top-10-moments#ZwvWmR4IUr5g2dUu.99

In 1980, Prince made his national television debut on American Bandstand. At the age of 19, the Purple One performed “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad.” In the interview with Clark, he revealed that he did not accept anyone’s record deals, despite people wanting to sign him because he would not be allowed to produce. This appearance by Prince was at the beginning of what would become a successful career. Throughout his career, Prince would go on to win seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Academy Awards, and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Read more at http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/04/american-bandstands-top-10-moments#ZwvWmR4IUr5g2dUu.99

MadamGoodnight said:

I actually think that P was telling Dick 2 talk 2 the hand upon his coming on the show..

That all sounded so wrong