your post made me smile, lots. thanks for sharing. reminds me of times talking with Prince and seeing him talk with others during this same time, 2001-2002. not sure why others haven't responded yet. those were some great moments you shared. +

great stories, thanks for sharing

Adam411 said:

Probably wrong area. Forgive me. Meeting Prince... Twice. Searching 4 new friends: So I'm not a stranger to the org... But not at all an obvious member or poster. I wrote this in advance- so I may appear as a just created new account. I can't remember whether I posted as "gasm, gasmband, or Adam411." Anyways... I'm back- seeking to re-connect with others who were there with me- which seems impossible. The following is in extreme detail as I journal entried immediately and more. A recount of the NPGMC Soundcheck Access. March 5th, 2002- Columbus Nite- Ohio Theatre- Tuesday: At 5:45 Jason and I were let into soundcheck. We sat front row. As Prince was finishing he asked "What time is it?" To which I excitedly yelled "Time is a trick." Prince said "yeah but if we go over it costs money." We yelled "we got your back." I said "Who needs college?" Prince responded with "?"... And he comes over and sits down directly in front of us- "I couldn't hear you" he says. And then it was on. He started a discussion with the group of us. I asked him about- Paisley Jams, last show." "This is the best." Which guitar was his favorite. He had his Ibanez brought over and showed it to me. George Benson had signed it and written something on the back of it to him. As he was showing us the guitar I gave my purple guitar pick to him- he gave it back to me and said "Kryptonite." I asked what type of pick do you use- he said "My own." Everyone laughed. I asked how long the recording process took for TRC? He said "2 days." I asked about how I always see people taping him- including at this moment- he said yeah- theyre his people watching how the lights look. September 11th and not being scared. God. I said- "When I have my concert, you can come and we'll do this." Prince laughed. Some guy said he only believed in himself- "Bobism." Prince laughed and asked about it. I asked "Do you check the site?" "All the time." He replied. Any time there was a moment of silence that I thought Prince might leave or noboby was saying anything- I asked a question. Oh well. It paid off later. I asked about whether theyd be back to Ohio after the next show and he said "We have 2 do Europe." I told Prince he should have contest jam and he invited us to camp out at Paisley. How is Larry Graham? Prince said "He's here in spirit." Also when Prince said it costed money I yelled out about needing to save a little for t-shirts. Before the show- after soundcheck- I looked over and Mani was walking by- I yelled to her, and she came over like an angel and met us and was the sweetest ever. She gave us both a hug and thanked us for coming out. She smelled amazing- best perfume ever. I think she had a red dress on. I think. Jason gave Mani an invitation to our "After, After, Party." (Mellow, Mellow) She took it and said she'd show P. Also during soundcheck- Prince asked about my fur coat- if it was real. (It wasn't) The incredible fan guitar player who tore up When You Were Mine as Prince sat in the audience. Prince said he'd meet with him after the show to give him a guitar lesson. As we were beginning to be lead out of soundcheck- I stood up and saw Prince's white and purple guitar pick- He was back on stage- I said "Hey your pick- I don't want to steal it." He said "Keep it." Like obviously he left it because of mine I tried to give him that he gave back. (I still have both) After the full concert- I hung out with John Blackwell for awhile. Got his autograph. Met Maceo Parker and talked with him. Got his autograph. Saw Rhonda but she was on a mission and we did'nt get to talk with her. And I'm writing this at 1:11am in The Brickyard Parking Lot where I'm waiting for Prince to get here. The official after party spot. I didn't get in because I wasnt 21 but did tape P arriving. Prince also asked me if we were coming to Columbus in a few days- obviously I said yes- even though I didn't have a ticket at the time. March 10th, 2002- Cleaveland Nite- Palace Theatre- Sunday: Once again... it was on. We were let into soundcheck and sat in front. Najee had just joined so they were foolin' around, not like the last soundcheck. P saw Jason and I and me in my fur coat again- and came over to us- again. Someone asked where Prince got the mercedes grill from. He replied- "Your Mom." It was fun. Dude next to me asked which superhero was Prince's favorite? "I don't believe in superhero's." Prince said. Prince and Michael Jackson were originally supposed to work on the Batman album together. Half and half. Jason replied "Bad idea." So there we were- chillin' with Prince- again- 4ft away. Jason asked if this show would be better than Columbus? Prince said "Way better." Jason said "Hard to do." Prince said "Wanna bet?!" When Najee did a quick little number- we said "He's hired." Prince later asked during the show- "Am I hired?" I asked Prince if they were going to be selling the symbol guitar- like they did the cloud. He said "No. When people learn to play better." Someone asked about the new, new album- when we'd get it. Prince said "they'd just finished up the packaging- so- soon." I talked to Billy Sparks again. Before the show I met Takumi and introduced myself. I talked with him about how he got his job. He doesnt play any instruments at all. The show was so better than Columbus- which was so freaking awesome. After the show I met Renato Neto. We talked with him for awhile. He's from Brazil. He had a 3pc jass band in L.A. before this. Jason and I met 2 beautiful girls who ended up meeting everyone with us. Rachel and Tia. I gave Renato a picture of myself with my blue cloud guitar and on the back was a thank you message to Prince and everyone for the Columbus events. He said thanks and that he would show it to everyone for me. Talked with Prince's D.J. Dustin a.k.a. D.J. Dudley. He made Ahdio Show 10. After the show we met Najee and Rhonda. We were in this basement corridor with a funky cage at the end of it- anyone remember that? Prince asked if Jason and I would be at The Celebration? Invited us to come. He asked the audience who else should be at The Celebration? I suggested "Al Jarreau." Last thing- Jason and I both said we'd be at The Celebration. I thanked Prince for coming over to us again. He said "Your'e welcome." So- I write this in hopes that anyone else who remembers this or more- or is in pictures with me outside of the venue- I remember taking pictures with other fans outside prior and thinking how are you going to get these cameras inside? Youre gonna have to put them in the car. Anyways- best concert nights of my life. And I had attended other Prince shows prior. Last thing about me. Im 35 now. I really got into Prince in the late 90's - when I desparately wanted the song I saw in Showgirls. "Ripopgodazippa." Which lead me to Crystal Ball. A short year later- I had everything that could be purchased- an insane collection of the rarest things etc. I just fell in love with his whole catalog. Npg Member 4 Life. Etc. I remember how exciting those days were in the early 2000's with the club. And new tracks. This sucks so much that he is gone. And just once I'd like to turn on any news blibb about his passing and hear something other than the obvious- In my mind I hear "Madrid 2 Chicago" or "Joy In Repetition" from Emancipation Celebration- the list goes on. Hope to make new friends- again. Adam S. Oh and someone asking about glass in front of John- what it was for? P saying he had funky breath! It's really for sound.

Thank You for The Story....

Adam411 said: