I'm not sure exactly how long I've been a lurker on the org, but it feels like twenty years. I believe I stumbled across the site around the same time I was trying to download Prince and Mayte's wedding program on a 486 with a dial up modem. I've really enjoyed the various threads, discussons and even disagreements about the music and the artist that helped shape my life. My gratitude to Ben and all of those who have helped make this community what it is. Prince was the kind of artist that not everyone fully appreciated and the web has helped bring us together.

On the morning of April 21st, my son and I made lunch and turned on the news. Just as we were sitting down, we heard a lady say as she was sorry to hear about Prince and that her prayers were being offered.

We looked at each other in a bt of disbelief, not quite understanding and hoping that we had heard wrong. Within moments, our suspicions had been confirmed and we saw the images of emergency vehicles parked inside the gates of Paisley Park. Every plan that I had that day suddenly went out the window as we stayed glued to the tv and the news unfolded. Every time those opening chords of Purple Rain were strummed, it took effort to keep the emotions from coming out in a deluge.

As a family, we had only a few months prior seen him in Toronto. Before that, in Detroit. In between, we found the gates and front door of Paisley Park open and wandered into the soundstage area while 3rdeyegirl were rehearsing. Prince was at the board and noticed our presence. He simply nodded and two of his staff quickly ushered us out.

I'm thinking I may join the converstaion now and maybe talk about the man and the music. How it came to me and how it influenced me.

Welcome! LOL even though you got ushered out which sucks but also pretty exciting too!

Just walked right in to Paisley Park and back to the soundstage area, I wish I could have joined you that day!

LOL, thank you for the welcomes.

For my daughter's 16th birthday, she wanted to do the "Prince tour" in Minneapolis. We went to First Avenue and by the Purple Rain house and then headed to Chanhassen for Paisley Park. My intention was to just drive by, but the kids saw the gate open and wanted to pull into the parking lot so we did.

I parked in a spot facing the building and the front door was propped wide open. My daughter asked me to go in, but I wasn't budging. She asked if she could go and I told her she could try but would probably get thrown out right away. She disappeared inside and came running back out. I figured she had been thrown out by someone, but she was telling us that the coast was clear and no one was anywhere to be found.

So my son and I join her. We get through the doorway and it seemed as though the place was empty. It was extremely clean and there were candles burning everywhere. We just started slowly walking down the hallway that was straight ahead. It had a staircase on the right side and the wall with the career timeline murals on the left.

At any moment, we were waiting for someone to come out of the shadows. My stomach was in knots and I can't remember being so nervous. When we got to the influences mural the band started playing. We kept creeping down the hall toward the black piano that sits outside the soundstage entrance. When we got there, that door was wide open too. We just stepped inside the doorway. 3rdeyegirl were on the stage playing Plectrumelectrum and Prince was behind the board with two of the staff. The lighting was very poor at the board, so we could only make out silhouettes, but Prince was obvious, short and with a nice sized afro.

After listening for a few minutes, Prince looked over at us, nodded to his guys and they moved quickly over to us. They asked how we got in and we told them the door was wide open. We explained that it was my daughter's birthday hoping to get some sympathy, but they weren't hearing it. They were kind, but insistent we leave. They asked if we took any pictures and we hadn't. Once outside, the door was closed and locked, lol.

It was certainly an adventure and if my daughter hadn't insisted we go in, I wouldn't have.

that is CLASSIC!

PPResident said:

I'm not sure exactly how long I've been a lurker on the org, but it feels like twenty years. I believe I stumbled across the site around the same time I was trying to download Prince and Mayte's wedding program on a 486 with a dial up modem. I've really enjoyed the various threads, discussons and even disagreements about the music and the artist that helped shape my life. My gratitude to Ben and all of those who have helped make this community what it is. Prince was the kind of artist that not everyone fully appreciated and the web has helped bring us together.

On the morning of April 21st, my son and I made lunch and turned on the news. Just as we were sitting down, we heard a lady say as she was sorry to hear about Prince and that her prayers were being offered.

We looked at each other in a bt of disbelief, not quite understanding and hoping that we had heard wrong. Within moments, our suspicions had been confirmed and we saw the images of emergency vehicles parked inside the gates of Paisley Park. Every plan that I had that day suddenly went out the window as we stayed glued to the tv and the news unfolded. Every time those opening chords of Purple Rain were strummed, it took effort to keep the emotions from coming out in a deluge.

As a family, we had only a few months prior seen him in Toronto. Before that, in Detroit. In between, we found the gates and front door of Paisley Park open and wandered into the soundstage area while 3rdeyegirl were rehearsing. Prince was at the board and noticed our presence. He simply nodded and two of his staff quickly ushered us out.

I'm thinking I may join the converstaion now and maybe talk about the man and the music. How it came to me and how it influenced me.

Welcome. Love those types of stories, I had something very similar back in the 90's.

Welcome

And thanks for sharing

PPResident said:

LOL, thank you for the welcomes.

For my daughter's 16th birthday, she wanted to do the "Prince tour" in Minneapolis. We went to First Avenue and by the Purple Rain house and then headed to Chanhassen for Paisley Park. My intention was to just drive by, but the kids saw the gate open and wanted to pull into the parking lot so we did.

I parked in a spot facing the building and the front door was propped wide open. My daughter asked me to go in, but I wasn't budging. She asked if she could go and I told her she could try but would probably get thrown out right away. She disappeared inside and came running back out. I figured she had been thrown out by someone, but she was telling us that the coast was clear and no one was anywhere to be found.

So my son and I join her. We get through the doorway and it seemed as though the place was empty. It was extremely clean and there were candles burning everywhere. We just started slowly walking down the hallway that was straight ahead. It had a staircase on the right side and the wall with the career timeline murals on the left.

At any moment, we were waiting for someone to come out of the shadows. My stomach was in knots and I can't remember being so nervous. When we got to the influences mural the band started playing. We kept creeping down the hall toward the black piano that sits outside the soundstage entrance. When we got there, that door was wide open too. We just stepped inside the doorway. 3rdeyegirl were on the stage playing Plectrumelectrum and Prince was behind the board with two of the staff. The lighting was very poor at the board, so we could only make out silhouettes, but Prince was obvious, short and with a nice sized afro.

After listening for a few minutes, Prince looked over at us, nodded to his guys and they moved quickly over to us. They asked how we got in and we told them the door was wide open. We explained that it was my daughter's birthday hoping to get some sympathy, but they weren't hearing it. They were kind, but insistent we leave. They asked if we took any pictures and we hadn't. Once outside, the door was closed and locked, lol.

It was certainly an adventure and if my daughter hadn't insisted we go in, I wouldn't have.

You all live in the Minneapolis area or you all drove up from out of town? Either way Lucky timing!

SquirrelMeat said:

PPResident said:

I'm not sure exactly how long I've been a lurker on the org, but it feels like twenty years. I believe I stumbled across the site around the same time I was trying to download Prince and Mayte's wedding program on a 486 with a dial up modem. I've really enjoyed the various threads, discussons and even disagreements about the music and the artist that helped shape my life. My gratitude to Ben and all of those who have helped make this community what it is. Prince was the kind of artist that not everyone fully appreciated and the web has helped bring us together.

On the morning of April 21st, my son and I made lunch and turned on the news. Just as we were sitting down, we heard a lady say as she was sorry to hear about Prince and that her prayers were being offered.

We looked at each other in a bt of disbelief, not quite understanding and hoping that we had heard wrong. Within moments, our suspicions had been confirmed and we saw the images of emergency vehicles parked inside the gates of Paisley Park. Every plan that I had that day suddenly went out the window as we stayed glued to the tv and the news unfolded. Every time those opening chords of Purple Rain were strummed, it took effort to keep the emotions from coming out in a deluge.

As a family, we had only a few months prior seen him in Toronto. Before that, in Detroit. In between, we found the gates and front door of Paisley Park open and wandered into the soundstage area while 3rdeyegirl were rehearsing. Prince was at the board and noticed our presence. He simply nodded and two of his staff quickly ushered us out.

I'm thinking I may join the converstaion now and maybe talk about the man and the music. How it came to me and how it influenced me.

Wow, you had guts to walk so boldly into Paisley Park. I don't think I would have had the nerve.

LBrent said:

SquirrelMeat said:

Welcome. Love those types of stories, I had something very similar back in the 90's.

Care to shake?

I've written about it before, don't want to bore people.

I made my first visit to the Park in 93. I went with a friend who was a casual fan. He took some obvious pics on me outside, but I noticed the gate was open, so I thought, 3000 miles, might as well try and take a peak.

So I strolled through the front door like I owned the place and to my suprise, there was no one on front, so I headed across the floor only to find Prince and NPG in the atruim talking. The shock caused me to drop the cool smile and stride.

Prince looked around (I assume for security) but came over (full typhoon and green silk PJs) and politely asked if I could leave as they were in rehearsal. He was obviously a expert at door control, he nicely ushered me along with a hand in my back. We had a bit of a chat (I'm met him in 87 and 88) but before I knew it, he had me outside and locked the door smiling.

What a pro.

PPResident said:

I'm not sure exactly how long I've been a lurker on the org, but it feels like twenty years. I believe I stumbled across the site around the same time I was trying to download Prince and Mayte's wedding program on a 486 with a dial up modem. I've really enjoyed the various threads, discussons and even disagreements about the music and the artist that helped shape my life. My gratitude to Ben and all of those who have helped make this community what it is. Prince was the kind of artist that not everyone fully appreciated and the web has helped bring us together.

On the morning of April 21st, my son and I made lunch and turned on the news. Just as we were sitting down, we heard a lady say as she was sorry to hear about Prince and that her prayers were being offered.

We looked at each other in a bt of disbelief, not quite understanding and hoping that we had heard wrong. Within moments, our suspicions had been confirmed and we saw the images of emergency vehicles parked inside the gates of Paisley Park. Every plan that I had that day suddenly went out the window as we stayed glued to the tv and the news unfolded. Every time those opening chords of Purple Rain were strummed, it took effort to keep the emotions from coming out in a deluge.

As a family, we had only a few months prior seen him in Toronto. Before that, in Detroit. In between, we found the gates and front door of Paisley Park open and wandered into the soundstage area while 3rdeyegirl were rehearsing. Prince was at the board and noticed our presence. He simply nodded and two of his staff quickly ushered us out.

I'm thinking I may join the converstaion now and maybe talk about the man and the music. How it came to me and how it influenced me.

Hello there & welcome! Like you I'm a Prince fam who is long time lurker on the Org & recently signed up. Thank you for that wonderful story! Very cool

SquirrelMeat said:

LBrent said:

SquirrelMeat said: Care to shake?

I've written about it before, don't want to bore people.

I made my first visit to the Park in 93. I went with a friend who was a casual fan. He took some obvious pics on me outside, but I noticed the gate was open, so I thought, 3000 miles, might as well try and take a peak.

So I strolled through the front door like I owned the place and to my suprise, there was no one on front, so I headed across the floor only to find Prince and NPG in the atruim talking. The shock caused me to drop the cool smile and stride.

Prince looked around (I assume for security) but came over (full typhoon and green silk PJs) and politely asked if I could leave as they were in rehearsal. He was obviously a expert at door control, he nicely ushered me along with a hand in my back. We had a bit of a chat (I'm met him in 87 and 88) but before I knew it, he had me outside and locked the door smiling.

What a pro.

He knew how to handle 'em. Lots of practice...

SquirrelMeat said:

LBrent said:

SquirrelMeat said: Care to shake?

I've written about it before, don't want to bore people.

I made my first visit to the Park in 93. I went with a friend who was a casual fan. He took some obvious pics on me outside, but I noticed the gate was open, so I thought, 3000 miles, might as well try and take a peak.

So I strolled through the front door like I owned the place and to my suprise, there was no one on front, so I headed across the floor only to find Prince and NPG in the atruim talking. The shock caused me to drop the cool smile and stride.

Prince looked around (I assume for security) but came over (full typhoon and green silk PJs) and politely asked if I could leave as they were in rehearsal. He was obviously a expert at door control, he nicely ushered me along with a hand in my back. We had a bit of a chat (I'm met him in 87 and 88) but before I knew it, he had me outside and locked the door smiling.

What a pro.

3000 miles Wow! Another cool story. U should have told him how far you came, smile, And then asked for a photo.

SquirrelMeat said:

LBrent said:

SquirrelMeat said: Care to shake?

I've written about it before, don't want to bore people.

I made my first visit to the Park in 93. I went with a friend who was a casual fan. He took some obvious pics on me outside, but I noticed the gate was open, so I thought, 3000 miles, might as well try and take a peak.

So I strolled through the front door like I owned the place and to my suprise, there was no one on front, so I headed across the floor only to find Prince and NPG in the atruim talking. The shock caused me to drop the cool smile and stride.

Prince looked around (I assume for security) but came over (full typhoon and green silk PJs) and politely asked if I could leave as they were in rehearsal. He was obviously a expert at door control, he nicely ushered me along with a hand in my back. We had a bit of a chat (I'm met him in 87 and 88) but before I knew it, he had me outside and locked the door smiling.

What a pro.

Thank you! I don't recall reading your story yet so I'm glad you decided to share

at "expert at door control". Very smooth! He managed to be chill & polite while also getting the job done.

Wow

Apparently folks just be walkin up in PP on th regular.

I knew I was right not go anywhere near PP . They're leaving doors wide open and I'm incredibly nosey concerning P so I'd likely have ended up finding an unlocked door, mosey inside, get caught rummaging in a closet in some remote office, get arrested, TMZ tryna find out what I found, I'm runnin away from TMZ sayin, "Nothing! Leave me alone!" as I hightail it back to NY.

Nope.

Gadotou said:

SquirrelMeat said:

I've written about it before, don't want to bore people.

I made my first visit to the Park in 93. I went with a friend who was a casual fan. He took some obvious pics on me outside, but I noticed the gate was open, so I thought, 3000 miles, might as well try and take a peak.

So I strolled through the front door like I owned the place and to my suprise, there was no one on front, so I headed across the floor only to find Prince and NPG in the atruim talking. The shock caused me to drop the cool smile and stride.

Prince looked around (I assume for security) but came over (full typhoon and green silk PJs) and politely asked if I could leave as they were in rehearsal. He was obviously a expert at door control, he nicely ushered me along with a hand in my back. We had a bit of a chat (I'm met him in 87 and 88) but before I knew it, he had me outside and locked the door smiling.

What a pro.

Thank you! I don't recall reading your story yet so I'm glad you decided to share

at "expert at door control". Very smooth! He managed to be chill & polite while also getting the job done.

He was always very polite. I could never quite square the circle that this polite gentleman was the one who sung "I sincerely wanna fuck that taste out of your mouth".

SquirrelMeat said:

LBrent said:

Wow

Apparently folks just be walkin up in PP on th regular.

I knew I was right not go anywhere near PP . They're leaving doors wide open and I'm incredibly nosey concerning P so I'd likely have ended up finding an unlocked door, mosey inside, get caught rummaging in a closet in some remote office, get arrested, TMZ tryna find out what I found, I'm runnin away from TMZ sayin, "Nothing! Leave me alone!" as I hightail it back to NY.

Nope.

With P hoofing it in heels like a marathon runner to tackle ya at the airport before you get on that plane to retreive whatever souvinier you got aways with!

SquirrelMeat said:

laurarichardson said:

purplethunder3121 said:

SquirrelMeat said:

Gadotou said:

Thank you! I don't recall reading your story yet so I'm glad you decided to share

at "expert at door control". Very smooth! He managed to be chill & polite while also getting the job done.

He was always very polite. I could never quite square the circle that this polite gentleman was the one who sung "I sincerely wanna fuck that taste out of your mouth".

Sincerity earns extra points with me

I hope I run into more stories from you when I'm digging around the Org.

Edited to add: Your story is the opposite of boring!

[Edited 9/15/16 20:14pm]

[Edited 9/15/16 20:14pm]

PPResident said:

SquirrelMeat said:

Gadotou said:

Thank you! I don't recall reading your story yet so I'm glad you decided to share

at "expert at door control". Very smooth! He managed to be chill & polite while also getting the job done.

He was always very polite. I could never quite square the circle that this polite gentleman was the one who sung "I sincerely wanna fuck that taste out of your mouth".

Hahahahahaha, can't believe you said that, it's currently my "welcome to the org" tagline!

PPResident said:

LOL, thank you for the welcomes.

For my daughter's 16th birthday, she wanted to do the "Prince tour" in Minneapolis. We went to First Avenue and by the Purple Rain house and then headed to Chanhassen for Paisley Park. My intention was to just drive by, but the kids saw the gate open and wanted to pull into the parking lot so we did.

I parked in a spot facing the building and the front door was propped wide open. My daughter asked me to go in, but I wasn't budging. She asked if she could go and I told her she could try but would probably get thrown out right away. She disappeared inside and came running back out. I figured she had been thrown out by someone, but she was telling us that the coast was clear and no one was anywhere to be found.

So my son and I join her. We get through the doorway and it seemed as though the place was empty. It was extremely clean and there were candles burning everywhere. We just started slowly walking down the hallway that was straight ahead. It had a staircase on the right side and the wall with the career timeline murals on the left.

At any moment, we were waiting for someone to come out of the shadows. My stomach was in knots and I can't remember being so nervous. When we got to the influences mural the band started playing. We kept creeping down the hall toward the black piano that sits outside the soundstage entrance. When we got there, that door was wide open too. We just stepped inside the doorway. 3rdeyegirl were on the stage playing Plectrumelectrum and Prince was behind the board with two of the staff. The lighting was very poor at the board, so we could only make out silhouettes, but Prince was obvious, short and with a nice sized afro.

After listening for a few minutes, Prince looked over at us, nodded to his guys and they moved quickly over to us. They asked how we got in and we told them the door was wide open. We explained that it was my daughter's birthday hoping to get some sympathy, but they weren't hearing it. They were kind, but insistent we leave. They asked if we took any pictures and we hadn't. Once outside, the door was closed and locked, lol.

It was certainly an adventure and if my daughter hadn't insisted we go in, I wouldn't have.

Great story, thanks for sharing it and welcome!

Welcome PPResident. Good to have you here with us