eyewishuheaven said:

Thank you for your memories, Chronic. I still have saved the 'Q&A' that you did here some years ago! I wish you and all the other Paisley Park veterans the best in this difficult time.

hey thanks! I have a small favor. If theres any way you could pm me that QandA if its not to much trouble I would love to have a copy of it and read thru it again. I have a couple close friends Id love to get it to as well who would get a kick out of it. If not no worries and thanks for saving it. I was hoping someone would.

BanishedBrian said:

Thanks for sharing - I remember your name on the credits from that era.

For me personally, that 1992-1995 NPG era was the most special as a Prince fan, probably in part because it's when I first saw him perform, but also because the whole band had an amazing energy, and his live performances seemed totally free to play whatever he wanted. There was no need to be tied to the hits, so the setlists were constantly changing, and that band seemed to be able to take any song and re-arrange it on a moment's notice. From a musical perspective, his chemistry with Sonny was on another level at times.

Out of curiousity, do you know if he kept soundboard masters from all the one-off shows, like the summer 1995 shows at Paisley Park? I've always held out hope all the shows from summer would get a proper release someday beyond the release of Days of Wild from Crystal Ball (which I always thought was one of the weaker performances of that song too).

Wish I could help ya Brian but I have no idea. I do know that most live sound guys record board mixes and give them to the artists so they can critique their performances so one could only hope!

chronicfreeze said:

eyewishuheaven said:

Thank you for your memories, Chronic. I still have saved the 'Q&A' that you did here some years ago! I wish you and all the other Paisley Park veterans the best in this difficult time.

hey thanks! I have a small favor. If theres any way you could pm me that QandA if its not to much trouble I would love to have a copy of it and read thru it again. I have a couple close friends Id love to get it to as well who would get a kick out of it. If not no worries and thanks for saving it. I was hoping someone would.

I'll have it over to you pretty quick. It sure is nice to see you back around!

Nice.

I still think Come is one of the best Prince albums. Definatey his most honest IMO. Sounds FANTASTIC BTW. Great job on that.

chronicfreeze said:

Thanks so much for the virtual hugs!!! it means so much. Ive read every reply with tears in my eyes. I had no idea it was going to be so hard to say goodbye but alas it is. Feel free to post your memories as well cause reading everyones memories has really gotten me thru so far. Its been great to read all my old co workers memories as well. Theres so many things I almost forgot and just got to remember all over again.

You folks are wonderful and Im going to try and urge some other old employees to come over here and share some of their memories with all of you.

stay strong peeps.

It would be wonderful. Thank u so much!

I've just remembered this story, I'm pretty sure it was from u back when u first came, about Prince wanting to record a guitar underwater and u and the other engineers getting away with it by doing some tricks with condoms to keep the cables out of water and keep it safe and putting some computer effect instead and having Prince believe you had managed to do what he asked while keeping it safe for him. It was so hilarious

Much love from us to u , I feel as u do, I guess most of us do: reading other people's feelings and memories, feeling that I am part of a community who shares my sadness has helped me a great deal for the last 2 days.

Thanks for sharing your stories, chronic! Every memory is precious at the moment, and it's great to hear some from someone who worked with him directly for so long. I can't imagine how it must feel from your perspective.

Thank you!

chronicfreeze said:

...

CF

Dave, it's been a long time! I was just talking to Tom Garneau about the crazy days of the three of us doing almost all of the studio work at Paisley Park. We pushed each other just as hard as Prince did. There was a lot of cool stuff going on at Paisley Park at that time. I too am grateful to have been a part of it. Prince was a major influence in my life. We lost an indominitable icon and I think it hurts everyone more than we would have thought.

I hope everyone can tell their stories now and share their bootlegs!

M.

lolife said:

chronicfreeze said:

...

CF

Dave, it's been a long time! I was just talking to Tom Garneau about the crazy days of the three of us doing almost all of the studio work at Paisley Park. We pushed each other just as hard as Prince did. There was a lot of cool stuff going on at Paisley Park at that time. I too am grateful to have been a part of it. Prince was a major influence in my life. We lost an indominitable icon and I think it hurts everyone more than we would have thought.

I hope everyone can tell their stories now and share their bootlegs!

M.

Welcome back Michael! It's nice to have you here, I keep such fond memories of your podcasts and the work u did with Ingrid remains among my favorite ever.

.

I hope you and David will stay around and share more stories. And yes, I found myself surprised at how this hurt me as well as everyone else I know who loved Prince's music. You guys knew him in person, but all of us feel just as devastated as if we'd lost someone close to us even though we'd never met him

.

databank said:

lolife said:

Dave, it's been a long time! I was just talking to Tom Garneau about the crazy days of the three of us doing almost all of the studio work at Paisley Park. We pushed each other just as hard as Prince did. There was a lot of cool stuff going on at Paisley Park at that time. I too am grateful to have been a part of it. Prince was a major influence in my life. We lost an indominitable icon and I think it hurts everyone more than we would have thought.

I hope everyone can tell their stories now and share their bootlegs!

M.

Welcome back Michael! It's nice to have you here, I keep such fond memories of your podcasts and the work u did with Ingrid remains among my favorite ever.

.

I hope you and David will stay around and share more stories. And yes, I found myself surprised at how this hurt me as well as everyone else I know who loved Prince's music. You guys knew him in person, but all of us feel just as devastated as if we'd lost someone close to us even though we'd never met him

.

lolife said:

chronicfreeze said:

...

CF

Dave, it's been a long time! I was just talking to Tom Garneau about the crazy days of the three of us doing almost all of the studio work at Paisley Park. We pushed each other just as hard as Prince did. There was a lot of cool stuff going on at Paisley Park at that time. I too am grateful to have been a part of it. Prince was a major influence in my life. We lost an indominitable icon and I think it hurts everyone more than we would have thought.

I hope everyone can tell their stories now and share their bootlegs!

M.

I dont own any bootlegs. I dont have a copy of anything I did there. I got my ass kicked out of there after 9 years of loyal service because I followed Paisley Park records orders and gave away cds that were given to me by Julie Knapp (office manager of paisley park records) of the 1800newfunk record to people that worked at the studio we booked in Paris. It was common for the record company to give us gifts to pass out when we went traveling to work. The record company had asked me to give them out as gifts as they were just released but Prince caught wind that I had given out cds, didnt ask what they were and just plain dumped me. Funny thing was no one even came to my defense. Hans told me years later that I was investigated but guess what. They didnt find anything because there wasnt anything. Im not a bootlegger, never have been, never will be. My biggest regret in life is that I was accused for something I would never ever do to my favorite artist in the universe and its the most painful thing thats ever happened to me. I always dreamed that Id get a chance to finally defend myself to him but alas that dream will never come now. Nice to hear from you Mike and congrats on all your successes in Mpls!!

chronicfreeze said:

lolife said:

Dave, it's been a long time! I was just talking to Tom Garneau about the crazy days of the three of us doing almost all of the studio work at Paisley Park. We pushed each other just as hard as Prince did. There was a lot of cool stuff going on at Paisley Park at that time. I too am grateful to have been a part of it. Prince was a major influence in my life. We lost an indominitable icon and I think it hurts everyone more than we would have thought.

I hope everyone can tell their stories now and share their bootlegs!

M.

I dont own any bootlegs. I dont have a copy of anything I did there. I got my ass kicked out of there after 9 years of loyal service because I followed Paisley Park records orders and gave away cds that were given to me by Julie Knapp (office manager of paisley park records) of the 1800newfunk record to people that worked at the studio we booked in Paris. It was common for the record company to give us gifts to pass out when we went traveling to work. The record company had asked me to give them out as gifts as they were just released but Prince caught wind that I had given out cds, didnt ask what they were and just plain dumped me. Funny thing was no one even came to my defense. Hans told me years later that I was investigated but guess what. They didnt find anything because there wasnt anything. Im not a bootlegger, never have been, never will be. My biggest regret in life is that I was accused for something I would never ever do to my favorite artist in the universe and its the most painful thing thats ever happened to me. I always dreamed that Id get a chance to finally defend myself to him but alas that dream will never come now. Nice to hear from you Mike and congrats on all your successes in Mpls!!

Damn...

Thank u Chronic Freeze.

chronicfreeze said:

chronicfreeze said:

lolife said:

Dave, it's been a long time! I was just talking to Tom Garneau about the crazy days of the three of us doing almost all of the studio work at Paisley Park. We pushed each other just as hard as Prince did. There was a lot of cool stuff going on at Paisley Park at that time. I too am grateful to have been a part of it. Prince was a major influence in my life. We lost an indominitable icon and I think it hurts everyone more than we would have thought.

I hope everyone can tell their stories now and share their bootlegs!

M.

I dont own any bootlegs. I dont have a copy of anything I did there. I got my ass kicked out of there after 9 years of loyal service because I followed Paisley Park records orders and gave away cds that were given to me by Julie Knapp (office manager of paisley park records) of the 1800newfunk record to people that worked at the studio we booked in Paris. It was common for the record company to give us gifts to pass out when we went traveling to work. The record company had asked me to give them out as gifts as they were just released but Prince caught wind that I had given out cds, didnt ask what they were and just plain dumped me. Funny thing was no one even came to my defense. Hans told me years later that I was investigated but guess what. They didnt find anything because there wasnt anything. Im not a bootlegger, never have been, never will be. My biggest regret in life is that I was accused for something I would never ever do to my favorite artist in the universe and its the most painful thing thats ever happened to me. I always dreamed that Id get a chance to finally defend myself to him but alas that dream will never come now. Nice to hear from you Mike and congrats on all your successes in Mpls!!

Sounds like somebody snitched to Prince causing trouble.

keenly said:

chronicfreeze said:

I dont own any bootlegs. I dont have a copy of anything I did there. I got my ass kicked out of there after 9 years of loyal service because I followed Paisley Park records orders and gave away cds that were given to me by Julie Knapp (office manager of paisley park records) of the 1800newfunk record to people that worked at the studio we booked in Paris. It was common for the record company to give us gifts to pass out when we went traveling to work. The record company had asked me to give them out as gifts as they were just released but Prince caught wind that I had given out cds, didnt ask what they were and just plain dumped me. Funny thing was no one even came to my defense. Hans told me years later that I was investigated but guess what. They didnt find anything because there wasnt anything. Im not a bootlegger, never have been, never will be. My biggest regret in life is that I was accused for something I would never ever do to my favorite artist in the universe and its the most painful thing thats ever happened to me. I always dreamed that Id get a chance to finally defend myself to him but alas that dream will never come now. Nice to hear from you Mike and congrats on all your successes in Mpls!!

Sounds like somebody snitched to Prince causing trouble.

What happened to chronicfreeze isn't much different than what's happened to dozens of Prince band members and other employees. The buck stops with Prince. He was the only consistent variable in all these types of incidents.

chronicfreeze said:

BanishedBrian said:

keenly said:

Sounds like somebody snitched to Prince causing trouble.

What happened to chronicfreeze isn't much different than what's happened to dozens of Prince band members and other employees. The buck stops with Prince. He was the only consistent variable in all these types of incidents.

I know Prince was a horrible selfish man most his life. You do not have to tell me. I hate the way he acted, ripped off people, sacked people, pushed away real friends, withheld credit, was rude, hogged all the money.

The people around him knew this, thus the person who told him freeze did with the CDS(as asked)that must have KNOWN he would be sacked.

keenly said:

BanishedBrian said:

What happened to chronicfreeze isn't much different than what's happened to dozens of Prince band members and other employees. The buck stops with Prince. He was the only consistent variable in all these types of incidents.

I know Prince was a horrible selfish man most his life. You do not have to tell me. I hate the way he acted, ripped off people, sacked people, pushed away real friends, withheld credit, was rude, hogged all the money.

The people around him knew this, thus the person who told him freeze did with the CDS(as asked)that must have KNOWN he would be sacked.

Yes, that's definitely possible.

Another possibility is that one of his employees made an innocuous statement and Prince, in a state of hyper-sensitivity, reacted without caring to hear the details. The reason nobody defended cf might be because Prince didn't allow employees to question anything he did. Just sayin...

BanishedBrian said:

keenly said:

I know Prince was a horrible selfish man most his life. You do not have to tell me. I hate the way he acted, ripped off people, sacked people, pushed away real friends, withheld credit, was rude, hogged all the money.

The people around him knew this, thus the person who told him freeze did with the CDS(as asked)that must have KNOWN he would be sacked.

Yes, that's definitely possible.

Another possibility is that one of his employees made an innocuous statement and Prince, in a state of hyper-sensitivity, reacted without caring to hear the details. The reason nobody defended cf might be because Prince didn't allow employees to question anything he did. Just sayin...

I have touched on the YES MAN issue on other threads. SO TRUE.

I'm pretty sure Chronic did not intend for us to descend into bitching about the negative aspects of Prince. Can we not go into any of that for a couple weeks, please? Just sayin'...

Thanks for sharing Chronic! Sorry about how it all ended. It seems bitterness has not overcome the positivity for you. Very cool!

[Edited 4/24/16 15:54pm]

Thank you Chronic Freeze for sharing your memories and condolences with us. Prince will forever be remembered and loved. I'm trying my hardest not to cry as I write this...trying.