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In 2003, Nine’s entertainment editor Richard Wilkins was granted a rare interview with Prince.

The interview got off to a difficult start, with Prince and his band members evading even the most simple questions. But what transpired next revealed a completely different side of the superstar singer’s personality, one that was sharply at odds with his enigmatic public persona.

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Prince very rarely made himself available for interviews, which made me want him even more. I’d tried many times over the years when he was due to tour or release a new album, without any joy. Then, in 2003, promoter Paul Dainty secured a Prince and the New Power Generation tour that was due to arrive in Australia in just four weeks. It was quite weird—suddenly Prince was going to be in the country.

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I rang Paul: ‘Mate, what’s the chance of an interview? You’ve obviously got tickets to sell in a short space of time. Can we get something up?’

Paul called back a few days later. ‘He hasn’t said no,’ he said optimistically.

We kept in touch and obviously Dainty was doing his thing and pushing hard because the day before the first concert he called back: ‘He’s going to do an interview with you tomorrow afternoon before the show.’

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This was the best news I’d had in a long time. But, according to Paul, there was one stipulation. ‘He wants to do it with the whole band,’ he told me. ‘How many in the band?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘Oh, stop it,’ I said, thinking he was winding me up. ‘No, he wants to do it with the whole band. It’s Prince and the whole band. I dunno, do you want to do it or not?’

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Of course I did, and it was all organised. The crew was to arrive at Rod Laver Arena to set up in the afternoon, and Steve Burling, my producer, and I would fly down to Melbourne to catch a bit of the soundcheck, record the interview, then head off to an edit suite to put together our big interview, which would air the following morning.

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This was the first night in a hastily convened tour, so understandably there were plenty of nerves on display. When we arrived, Prince and his band were on stage and were sounding red-hot. It was obvious they were going to be playing all the hits. Bring it on!

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A half-hour post-mortem followed the soundcheck, then it was my turn for an exclusive interview with one of the world’s most successful and influential musicians, singers and songwriters. Finally, there we were: Prince, the members of his band (not one of them a small guy like him), myself, the long-suffering Burlo, a cameraman and our sound guy, all crammed into a tiny room. It wasn’t even a dressing room—it was more like a cupboard—but we were assured it was the only available space.

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‘Why not do it on the stage?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Burlo. ‘This is where they want to do it.’

That’s producer code for ‘shut up, Richard’.

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It seemed to take forever for them all to get settled. No one could make a decision about how to arrange themselves. Prince hadn’t opened his mouth, but he was already eyeing me suspiciously. Finally they were all miked up and we were set to go.

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When I say, ‘We were set to go,’ I mean that my crew and I were set to go: Prince and his cronies weren’t quite so enthusiastic.

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I’d decided to throw a few patsy questions at the guys in the band first, just to loosen things up and make everybody comfortable. Prince had insisted they be there, and I thought it would get the reclusive pop star on side if I buttered up his band first. How wrong could I be?

‘Do you enjoy singing these great songs, knowing the whole audience is singing along?’ I was starting to get a little desperate by this stage.

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‘It’s really good,’ one of the backing singers replied.

‘Do you have a favourite? “Purple Rain?” “Little Red Corvette?” “When Doves Cry?” ’

‘They’re all good,’ someone proffered.

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Holy bloody hell! Now the beads of sweat were running down the back of my neck. Of course, we’d been running promos on Channel Nine on high rotation.

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‘Tune in to the Today Show tomorrow morning for a world-exclusive interview with Prince. His Royal Purpleness reveals all about his amazing career. Nothing compares to Prince. Tomorrow on Today.’ Those promos were all over the network.

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So far I had nothing I could use from the drummer or backing singers, so I decided it was time to go straight to the man.

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‘Prince, it’s great to have you back in Australia. It all happened pretty quickly.’

‘Yeah, yeah, I guess it did.’

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Aaaaahhhhhhhh!

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This was going to be an unmitigated disaster and a total embarrassment. I asked him a couple more questions.

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‘What is your inspiration?’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘Who do you most admire?’

‘That’s difficult.’

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I asked the guys in the band some more questions.

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Nothing. It was obvious nobody wanted to say anything in front of Prince, and he wasn’t going to do the interview without the security of having them around him.

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‘Can we just pause for a minute?’ he suddenly asked.

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Prince won an Oscar for Best Original Song Score for his 1984 film Purple Rain.

‘Sure,’ I said. At this point, anything to break the tension seemed like a brilliant idea.

Prince indicated for me to follow him, and with a nervous glance at Burlo, who was looking decidedly anxious, Prince and I left the others and went into his dressing room.

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It was huge, the size of, well, a proper dressing room, and it was obviously where we should have done the interview. It was amazingly decked out with mood lighting, sensual aromas and groovy furniture, and all his clothes were laid out on racks and hanging in portable wardrobes.

‘Oh, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,’ he blurted out, closing the door behind us. ‘I feel so sorry for you. I am such a bad interview—I just don’t want to say something stupid. I’m so nervous, I’m so shy and everyone else is in there. You seem like a nice guy and you’re trying so hard. Sit down. Again, I’m so sorry.’

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That was more than he’d said since I’d arrived!

He got us a drink—a non-alcoholic one—and we sat down.

‘It’s OK,’ I told him. ‘We’ll get there.’

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Then, much to my amazement, Prince just started chatting away. He revealed that he rarely gave interviews because he was just so nervous.

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‘I always thought you didn’t do stuff because you wanted to cultivate that mysterious, aloof, enigmatic image,’ I said.

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‘Nah,’ he replied. ‘I’m just shy. I know the mystery thing is kinda cool and it’s worked for me, but that’s not the reason.’

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He then proceeded to tell me about the origins of his insecurities: the epilepsy he suffered from an early age; the stigma of being, well, short despite being a basketball player; the fear of being ridiculed; his conversion to the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Then he opened up about his career.

‘What about when you changed your name? That was all a bit weird. What was that all about?’

‘I was both having fun and was at war with the record label. They said to me, “Prince is contracted to us. You can’t change your name and just be somebody else.” They owned me. That’s when I came up with the symbol thing.’

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‘We used to call you Mr Squiggle,’ I told him.

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‘That’s funny,’ he said generously and half-heartedly. He probably didn’t get the connection, since Mr Squiggle was only on TV in Australia.

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He was so charming and talkative. Prince told me more about his wrangles with the record label, and how he’d shaved the word ‘slave’ into his hair at one stage. He asked whether I’d seen any of his shows. I told him how I still get chills when I think about him singing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ at Wembley Arena in London, and that I loved the Diamonds and Pearls show. He seemed quite chuffed that I remembered his big entrance on top of the piano.

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For a long time, we just sat and chatted about his life, and he seemed mildly interested in mine. Finally I said, ‘Come on, we need to finish this interview. Can’t we shoot it in here?’

‘Nah, man, I don’t even let the band in here,’ he said. ‘Do we really have to do this?’

Very calmly I explained to him that we’d promoted the hell out the interview and that I needed to take something, anything, away with me.

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‘Really?’ he asked.

‘Yes, really.’ ‘Can we make it short?’

‘Sure. Just give me one percent of what you’ve told me in here.’

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It was plain to see that he wasn’t that happy, but we went back into the miniscule, bland room where the New Power Generation and my crew were anxiously waiting. Burlo was muttering into his mobile. As we went into the room, I glanced at the sound recordist—he had his headphones on and his eyes were bulging. There was a look of total amazement on his face.

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I realised that sitting proudly on the lapel of my leather jacket was the microphone I’d been wearing since arriving at the venue, and that the recordist had been ‘rolling’ the whole time! ‘That was fucking amazing,’ he said to me later. To this day, there is an audiotape in my desk of the greatest interview with Prince that has never been heard.

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When we all sat down again, though, shy Prince returned.

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‘Prince, you spent all those years fighting with the record label. It must be great to be doing things on your own terms again.’

‘Yeah, it’s really good.’

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Jeepers creepers!

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‘Mate, you’re going to earn your keep today,’ I said to Burlo as we limped out the stage door of Rod Laver Arena.

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We cobbled together a couple of grabs with heaps of music and voiceover, and what we actually put to air was the story of what had happened that day—the drama of it all was infinitely more interesting than anything anyone had said on camera. It wasn’t exactly what we’d promised in the promos, and seemed unlikely to be swooped on by ET or nominated for a Logie, but it was something. It was one to tick off the list: the interview I’d been wanting for years. I also got to meet a bloke I regard as an inspiration and a genius.

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The Prince I met privately wasn’t the hybrid of reclusive mystery man and flamboyant performer I’d expected. He was genuinely lovely, albeit saddled with crippling shyness as soon as anyone else appeared.

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My personal code of ethics means the tape from that day will always remain in the drawer of my desk. It’s Prince, very much off the record.

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© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2016

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http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/04/22/13/58/how-prince-opened-up-to-richard-wilkins-when-the-cameras-stopped-rolling

Fascinating interview! I hope the reporter re-thinks his decision not to release the full tape -- that would be incredible to hear.

Given that both parties must consent to being recorded in the state of Victoria, I wonder what the legalities behind this apparent tape would be?

PurpleDiamonds1 said:

Loved reading that article. Greatful that he did not let his shyness hold him back from doing what he loved.

disch said:

NorthC said:

PurpleDiamonds1 said:

Loved reading that article. Greatful that he did not let his shyness hold him back from doing what he loved.

The thing with musicians is that the shyness often disappears when they're playing music. Then the music just takes over and everything's well. But when they have to talk...that's different.

That's fascinating! As much as I want that tape, it's the interviewers memory and I couldn't listen to it knowing that Prince was being as open, apologetic and trusting as he could be because he wasn't being recorded. He didn't even let the band in his dressing room!

Thanks for sharing! I'm gonna search for the interview on Youtube.

FUNKNROLL said:

Sick of every thread being ruined by someone dragging some drug, illness talk into it. Everything's going to be about that from now on with some people, I guess. Such a shame.

Great article, btw.

luvgirl said:

luvgirl said:

Thank you for this. I was one of the first persons to bring up the fact that I believed Prince was shy and nearly got my head bit off in the process.
I based my opinion on his body language, small things he would do at interviews that were such a reflection of shyness that they seemed childlike even. Of course, once he was on stage none of that was an issue, he become Prince the performer. But in real life things are much different; the same applies to many actors, for instance. In Prince you can see it in some awards shows even. If he's surrounded by other people he's fine, but if he's all alone and needing to speak publically his body gives out this unconfortable vibe. All you got to do is pay attention to his body language.
Perhaps I'm more sensitive to it and rcognize some signs because I myself suffer from crippling shyness, I dread the tought of speaking up in public, always have. I compensate this by craking jokes all the time, for instance.

Anyway, this has always been my opinion and I'm sticking with it. There were clearly two seperate people: the artist and the man. The artist allowed the man the freedom to be himself.

[Edited 9/27/16 7:02am]

Is there really a debate as to whether Prince was shy or not? I knew he was shy when I saw him on American Bandstand, the interview, the beginning of his career. His interviews, he always seemed shy/nervous, especially early on. His awards acceptance speeches, he was shy.

endiadj said:

laurarichardson said:

endiadj said:

Is there really a debate as to whether Prince was shy or not? I knew he was shy when I saw him on American Bandstand, the interview, the beginning of his career. His interviews, he always seemed shy/nervous, especially early on. His awards acceptance speeches, he was shy.

/-- There was never any debate about him being shy just debate on the idea that drugs would help him cope with it and still actually perform well.

This is a guy performing in his underwear and heels early on. It's hard to see him having performance anxiety. Some shy entertainers are able to channel a different persona when performing. When they're not performing, that different character disappears and the shyness re-emerges. Everything is not about drugs. Sadly this ending is tainting his entire career for some it seems.

luvgirl said:

Great interview. It sounded as if he was being extremely honest when he was off the record and it was sweet of him to feel sorry for the interviewer and wanted to help him out a little, but Prince has also told other interviewers that he was NOT shy so therein lies the problem, lol. [Edited 9/27/16 5:53am]

He told Barbara Walters he wasn't shy, but this was in 2013, 10 years later. He might have worked on it. He didn't seem so shy in his later years but he was before.

MMJas said:

laurarichardson said:

luvgirl said:

Great interview. It sounded as if he was being extremely honest when he was off the record and it was sweet of him to feel sorry for the interviewer and wanted to help him out a little, but Prince has also told other interviewers that he was NOT shy so therein lies the problem, lol. [Edited 9/27/16 5:53am]

--/ Maybe he was working on it. He got off to a bad start but got better as he went along.

Take a look at the interview when Wilkins asked, "You don't read music, do you?" No wonder he clammed up! To me, the question inferred that he was somehow less than or that how could he claim that he was a real musician if he didn't read music, therefore insinuating a lack of education. But Prince took the high road and shut down the interview because of his discomfort and actually reached out to Wilkins.

Bottom line--how many musicians who DO read music could accomplish as much as Prince?

LadyLayla said:

laurarichardson said:

luvgirl said: --/ Maybe he was working on it. He got off to a bad start but got better as he went along.

Take a look at the interview when Wilkins asked, "You don't read music, do you?" No wonder he clammed up! To me, the question inferred that he was somehow less than or that how could he claim that he was a real musician if he didn't read music, therefore insinuating a lack of education. But Prince took the high road and shut down the interview because of his discomfort and actually reached out to Wilkins.

Bottom line--how many musicians who DO read music could accomplish as much as Prince?

It's interesting that you see it that way. I believe when the interviewer asked Prince about not being able to read music, he was implying that Prince was a genius...to have the ability to play anything yet not read music. After the interviewer asks that question and Prince answers, Maceo chimes in and agrees that Prince's ability to play without reading music is genius.

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It's not until the interviewer asks about Prince's past music that he clams up and wants to take a break. In most interviews and articles Prince says he doesn't like to talk about his past music and rarely discusses it. I remember one interview when asked about past music he just said "next question" without addressing it. In this interview his humility and shyness is obvious unlike some of his other interviews.

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I'm editing this to add the full interview from YT (I hope it's ok to do this...if not forgive me for breaking the rules): https://www.youtube.com/w...jDd4z4Rc2E

[Edited 9/27/16 9:48am]

wisdom7 said:

LadyLayla said:

Take a look at the interview when Wilkins asked, "You don't read music, do you?" No wonder he clammed up! To me, the question inferred that he was somehow less than or that how could he claim that he was a real musician if he didn't read music, therefore insinuating a lack of education. But Prince took the high road and shut down the interview because of his discomfort and actually reached out to Wilkins.

Bottom line--how many musicians who DO read music could accomplish as much as Prince?

It's interesting that you see it that way. I believe when the interviewer asked Prince about not being able to read music, he was implying that Prince was a genius...to have the ability to play anything yet not read music. After the interviewer asks that question and Prince answers, Maceo chimes in and agrees that Prince's ability to play without reading music is genius.

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It's not until the interviewer asks about Prince's past music that he clams up and wants to take a break. In most interviews and articles Prince says he doesn't like to talk about his past music and rarely discusses it. I remember one interview when asked about past music he just said "next question" without addressing it. In this interview his humility and shyness is obvious unlike some of his other interviews.

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I'm editing this to add the full interview from YT (I hope it's ok to do this...if not forgive me for breaking the rules): https://www.youtube.com/w...jDd4z4Rc2E

[Edited 9/27/16 9:48am]

Like most introverts, he only felt comfortable in certain settings. He was also very shy with Oprah. Not so much with Tavis Smiley or Larry King.

endiadj said:

laurarichardson said:

endiadj said: /-- There was never any debate about him being shy just debate on the idea that drugs would help him cope with it and still actually perform well.

This is a guy performing in his underwear and heels early on. It's hard to see him having performance anxiety. Some shy entertainers are able to channel a different persona when performing. When they're not performing, that different character disappears and the shyness re-emerges. Everything is not about drugs. Sadly this ending is tainting his entire career for some it seems.

This exactly. Performance is a totally different thing... I have absolutely no problem believing that P was both socially anxious and also that he was a natural performer who was (more than) quite comfortable doing his thing in front of how many thousands.

wisdom7 said:

LadyLayla said:

Take a look at the interview when Wilkins asked, "You don't read music, do you?" No wonder he clammed up! To me, the question inferred that he was somehow less than or that how could he claim that he was a real musician if he didn't read music, therefore insinuating a lack of education. But Prince took the high road and shut down the interview because of his discomfort and actually reached out to Wilkins.

Bottom line--how many musicians who DO read music could accomplish as much as Prince?

It's interesting that you see it that way. I believe when the interviewer asked Prince about not being able to read music, he was implying that Prince was a genius...to have the ability to play anything yet not read music. After the interviewer asks that question and Prince answers, Maceo chimes in and agrees that Prince's ability to play without reading music is genius.

.

It's not until the interviewer asks about Prince's past music that he clams up and wants to take a break. In most interviews and articles Prince says he doesn't like to talk about his past music and rarely discusses it. I remember one interview when asked about past music he just said "next question" without addressing it. In this interview his humility and shyness is obvious unlike some of his other interviews.

.

I'm editing this to add the full interview from YT (I hope it's ok to do this...if not forgive me for breaking the rules): https://www.youtube.com/w...jDd4z4Rc2E

[Edited 9/27/16 9:48am]

Point taken wisdom 7!

MMJas said:

Thank you for this. I was one of the first persons to bring up the fact that I believed Prince was shy and nearly got my head bit off in the process.
I based my opinion on his body language, small things he would do at interviews that were such a reflection of shyness that they seemed childlike even. Of course, once he was on stage none of that was an issue, he become Prince the performer. But in real life things are much different; the same applies to many actors, for instance. In Prince you can see it in some awards shows even. If he's surrounded by other people he's fine, but if he's all alone and needing to speak publically his body gives out this unconfortable vibe. All you got to do is pay attention to his body language.
Perhaps I'm more sensitive to it and rcognize some signs because I myself suffer from crippling shyness, I dread the tought of speaking up in public, always have. I compensate this by craking jokes all the time, for instance.

Anyway, this has always been my opinion and I'm sticking with it. There were clearly two seperate people: the artist and the man. The artist allowed the man the freedom to be himself.

[Edited 9/27/16 7:02am]

Yes, his body language gives it away I recall a moment when he was being interviewed on the Arsenio Hall show - he appeared very calm on the surface, but if you look closely his hand was fidgeting and rubbing the arm rest. There were other signs on other occasions.

A childlike shyness, that's a great way to put it I found that vulnerability, along with his being softspoken, very endearing.