Many of you will know the feeling: You make your way to the concert; have a look around the venue; check out the merchandise; wonder how other people managed to get better seats; listen to the PA; and then the house-lights go out. The music kicks in. You think you're going to explode until the moment Prince finally appears on stage and you're overcome with this amazing rush that brings tears to your eyes. Nothing else has ever matched that build up of tension, the release and overwhelming feeling of sheer joy.

It first happened in 1986 at Wembley, London. The first part of Around The World In A Day was performed behind a black curtain. I honestly felt like I was going to pass out waiting for him to finally make an appearance. The curtain dropped and he leapt into view. I couldn't breathe.

He did it again in 1988 at The Bercy, Paris. I couldn't believe there was a white Thunderbird driving around the stage. I was half expecting George Clinton to step out. Instead, of course, Prince casually tugs on his sleeves and strides across the stage directly in front of me. I completely lost it.

I'm actually glad I never met him. I always said to myself I'd be totally cool, but in my heart I know I would have gone weak at the knees and started blubbering. That's what an unhealthy amount of idol worship does to you.

It was listening to the audience recording of the Feb 22, 2014 Manchester Academy gig that made this all come back to me. The sound the crowd makes as he powers into Let's Go Crazy brought tears to my eyes again. I felt so happy for the people who were there that night. And I felt so terribly sad that something irreplaceable has gone from this world.

He's no longer here, but those moments will be with me forever. Tell me about the times when you saw him appear and experienced that delicious feeling.

Yes! I will never forget the anticipation in the queue, the deep excitement as we all ran up to the front of the stage and the exhiliration - similar to finally seeing a long-lost friend after many years or even being in love - every time he appeared at an aftershow, and what made it even more exciting was the fact that no one really knew if he was coming or not. I was lucky that he did every time I was there, and those moments were truly memorable. Somehow, I don't know how, I managed to keep "my cool" when he pulled me up onstage, but I still felt very weak at the knees (at least until I got onstage, there was a mixture of stage fright in there too), and had butterflies in my stomach... He had also played around the world in a day that memorable night and also gave his tamborine to a girl in the audience. Prince's natural charisma was evident and he was very unique in creating this sense of anticipation and excitement in people. Memories to cherish forever.

CherryMoon57 said:

Yes! I will never forget the anticipation in the queue, the deep excitement as we all ran up to the front of the stage and the exhiliration - similar to finally seeing a long-lost friend after many years or even being in love - every time he appeared at an aftershow, and what made it even more exciting was the fact that no one really knew if he was coming or not. I was lucky that he did every time I was there, and those moments were truly memorable. Somehow, I don't know how, I managed to keep "my cool" when he pulled me up onstage, but I still felt very weak at the knees (at least until I got onstage, there was a mixture of stage fright in there too), and had butterflies in my stomach... He had also played around the world in a day that memorable night and also gave his tamborine to a girl in the audience. Prince's natural charisma was evident and he was very unique in creating this sense of anticipation and excitement in people. Memories to cherish forever.

That's fantastic, CherryMoon! He knew how to create a sense of anticipation. And in your case, that anticipation paid off bigtime. I can't imagine what it must have been like to get up there on stage with him. I'm delighted that he was able to give these kinds of experiences to so many people.

Your story reminds me of the crushing disappointment after thinking I was going to get to see an aftershow during the Nude tour. The band members were all there, but Prince stayed in an upstairs room and never came down to play. It's actually turned into a kind of happy memory over the years, though.

My first time went a little something like this:

There was a dark smoky stage, people in the audience were laughing, talking and whatnot. When suddenly, out of the darkness there came an incredibly deep and sexy voice that said...

"Hello Detroit. My name is Prince and I've come to play with you."

Me:

To fully appreciate my level of joy and excitement, you have picture me doing all of that simultaneously.

[Edited 10/13/16 6:45am]

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

My first time went a little something like this:

There was a dark smoky stage, people in the audience were laughing, talking and whatnot. When suddenly, out of the darkness there came an incredibly deep and sexy voice that said...

"Hello Detroit. My name is Prince and I've come to play with you."

Me:

To fully appreciate my level of joy and excitement, you have picture me doing all of that simultaneously.

[Edited 10/13/16 6:45am]

Ha ha ha! I can imagine exactly how you felt. What a great way for him to start a concert. I remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV when out from the darkness came, "Hello Syracuse and the world. My name is Prince, and I've come to play with you." No one else in my family could understand the reason for my levels of excitement. How incredible it must have been for you to have stood there in Detroit that day.

airth said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

My first time went a little something like this:

There was a dark smoky stage, people in the audience were laughing, talking and whatnot. When suddenly, out of the darkness there came an incredibly deep and sexy voice that said...

"Hello Detroit. My name is Prince and I've come to play with you."

Me:

To fully appreciate my level of joy and excitement, you have picture me doing all of that simultaneously.

[Edited 10/13/16 6:45am]

Ha ha ha! I can imagine exactly how you felt. What a great way for him to start a concert. I remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV when out from the darkness came, "Hello Syracuse and the world. My name is Prince, and I've come to play with you." No one else in my family could understand the reason for my levels of excitement. How incredible it must have been for you to have stood there in Detroit that day.

I absolutely LOVED seeing Prince in concert. He would play his audiences just as well as he would play his instruments. A TRUE MAESTRO!

airth said:

Many of you will know the feeling: You make your way to the concert; have a look around the venue; check out the merchandise; wonder how other people managed to get better seats; listen to the PA; and then the house-lights go out. The music kicks in. You think you're going to explode until the moment Prince finally appears on stage and you're overcome with this amazing rush that brings tears to your eyes. Nothing else has ever matched that build up of tension, the release and overwhelming feeling of sheer joy.

It first happened in 1986 at Wembley, London. The first part of Around The World In A Day was performed behind a black curtain. I honestly felt like I was going to pass out waiting for him to finally make an appearance. The curtain dropped and he leapt into view. I couldn't breathe.

He did it again in 1988 at The Bercy, Paris. I couldn't believe there was a white Thunderbird driving around the stage. I was half expecting George Clinton to step out. Instead, of course, Prince casually tugs on his sleeves and strides across the stage directly in front of me. I completely lost it.

I'm actually glad I never met him. I always said to myself I'd be totally cool, but in my heart I know I would have gone weak at the knees and started blubbering. That's what an unhealthy amount of idol worship does to you.

It was listening to the audience recording of the Feb 22, 2014 Manchester Academy gig that made this all come back to me. The sound the crowd makes as he powers into Let's Go Crazy brought tears to my eyes again. I felt so happy for the people who were there that night. And I felt so terribly sad that something irreplaceable has gone from this world.

He's no longer here, but those moments will be with me forever. Tell me about the times when you saw him appear and experienced that delicious feeling.

We were told two days prior by a casting company that Prince needed dancers for the "Raspberry Beret" back in 1985. My friends and I were movie extras and aspiring singers and we jumped at every audition and dance opportunity including Soul Train. We showed up at Prince's rehearsal studio and everyone was lined up against the wall. Approximately 50 people had been invited. The Revolution was also there prepping the stage. I saw Wendy and Lisa.

Soon we were ready to begin taping and Prince stepped into our hallway and pointed out the dancers he wanted to circle around the front of the stage. He was wearing a blue and white suit with clouds on it, and he appeared very calm and relaxed; he was simply gorgeous.

We took our places around the stage and we danced a specific little finger snap routine he wanted us to do. Finally, when Prince walked up on the stage, he started coughing. He didn't tell them to cut, as he kept on going and proceeded wiith playing his guitar. We were there for most of the day, and we took a break for about 10 minutes.

During that break, I needed to go find a restroom, so I quietly walked into a nearby hallway to find one. I noticed one person standing and leaning against the wall. I looked up and it was PRINCE! all by himself in the hallway. He stood there quietly. I stopped in my tracks and stood against the opposite wall nearby while waiting for the restroom. I was calm, though I literally wanted to scream out loud and hug him! LOL! I so wanted to approach him but we had been told to not talk to or bother him or the Revolution (that's what they tell you when you're an extra). I was standing there thinking, OMG! What do I do? Shoud I speak? How can I break the ice? I kept my cool.

I didn't want to act flirtatious or seem like an overzealous groupie, nor did I want to violate the rule & get kicked out of the audition. I sensed that he didn't like to be idolized. But I said, at least I'm going to speak to him and I hope he notices me. LOL! I spoke and said "hi" to him and told him my name, & then he said "hi" in return and called out my name with such warmth and kindness. It was as if we were acquainted, his warmth was incredible. I was so impressed. I tried not to push the envelope and I think he respected me for that. I don't think Prince forgot me at all and I can be seen very clearly in that video.

His voice remains in my memory bank, that sweet, deep voice. I remember thinking, Wow, Prince is so short, so tiny. I was taller than him. He had on blue heels. He was cool beyond belief. I so wanted the conversation to go to the next level, but unfortunately it did not. Time ran out and I returned to the stage area. My legs were sore for 2 days and I could hardly walk after dancing all day long. It was one of the BEST experiences of my entire life!!

This happened to me at MSG nyc same tour.. august 1986..

One of my most cherished memories!

PRICELESS!!!!!!

airth said:

It first happened in 1986 at Wembley, London. The first part of Around The World In A Day was performed behind a black curtain. I honestly felt like I was going to pass out waiting for him to finally make an appearance. The curtain dropped and he leapt into view. I couldn't breathe.

PRNluv2 said:

We were told two days prior by a casting company that Prince needed dancers for the "Raspberry Beret" back in 1985. My friends and I were movie extras and aspiring singers and we jumped at every audition and dance opportunity including Soul Train. We showed up at Prince's rehearsal studio and everyone was lined up against the wall. Approximately 50 people had been invited. The Revolution was also there prepping the stage. I saw Wendy and Lisa.

Soon we were ready to begin taping and Prince stepped into our hallway and pointed out the dancers he wanted to circle around the front of the stage. He was wearing a blue and white suit with clouds on it, and he appeared very calm and relaxed; he was simply gorgeous.

We took our places around the stage and we danced a specific little finger snap routine he wanted us to do. Finally, when Prince walked up on the stage, he started coughing. He didn't tell them to cut, as he kept on going and proceeded wiith playing his guitar. We were there for most of the day, and we took a break for about 10 minutes.

During that break, I needed to go find a restroom, so I quietly walked into a nearby hallway to find one. I noticed one person standing and leaning against the wall. I looked up and it was PRINCE! all by himself in the hallway. He stood there quietly. I stopped in my tracks and stood against the opposite wall nearby while waiting for the restroom. I was calm, though I literally wanted to scream out loud and hug him! LOL! I so wanted to approach him but we had been told to not talk to or bother him or the Revolution (that's what they tell you when you're an extra). I was standing there thinking, OMG! What do I do? Shoud I speak? How can I break the ice? I kept my cool.

I didn't want to act flirtatious or seem like an overzealous groupie, nor did I want to violate the rule & get kicked out of the audition. I sensed that he didn't like to be idolized. But I said, at least I'm going to speak to him and I hope he notices me. LOL! I spoke and said "hi" to him and told him my name, & then he said "hi" in return and called out my name with such warmth and kindness. It was as if we were acquainted, his warmth was incredible. I was so impressed. I tried not to push the envelope and I think he respected me for that. I don't think Prince forgot me at all and I can be seen very clearly in that video.

His voice remains in my memory bank, that sweet, deep voice. I remember thinking, Wow, Prince is so short, so tiny. I was taller than him. He had on blue heels. He was cool beyond belief. I so wanted the conversation to go to the next level, but unfortunately it did not. Time ran out and I returned to the stage area. My legs were sore for 2 days and I could hardly walk after dancing all day long. It was one of the BEST experiences of my entire life!!

TFS your story, a story you will never forget. Ü

[Edited 10/23/16 8:41am]

artist said:

airth said:

Thanks for sharing all the great stories! I regret I never saw him live and just watching the live footage on YouTube I am totally mesmerized, I can only imagine how it was actually being there in person.

ohhh...

Everybody's here..

Sing Y'all!

This is the Jam of the year!

my first time was at his mini concert less than 1000 love4one show in San Jose, there was a cut out of Prince onstage and then he appeared from the cuttout believe it or not I thought the cuttout had come to life! lol it was beautiful

Prince jumped on the piano. Stopped the show to call Mayte (we now know she could not call him) the sky was purple and it was wonderful!

[Edited 10/23/16 17:47pm]

My first and only moment was at the Essence Fest in New Orleans in 2014. It wasn't yet his time to come on stage, and someone else was playing (I forget who), and I'm looking down for some reason, not really paying attention, when I hear the audience go wild, I look up, and although I had seats up close on the floor, they had this big screen coming from the ceiling, and I look up to see what the commotion was all about, and I look up and see Prince on the big screen! I started screaming like a teenager (I was 53 at the time) .....my husband who was next to me, goes "what, what?" because of it, and I say, LOOK, PRINCE, PRINCE!!!!! It was what I had dreamed of since I became a fan, to see the man whom I adored and who's music I loved, for the first time in concert........it was magical!!!!!

Saw him in a tiny venue and it was beyond amazing to see him in person at last. TEG was beyond cool too. hope to get to see Donna again someday soon.

airth said:

Thanks for all the great stories of your experiences. I can really imagine exactly how you all must have felt. The buzz when the lights cut out before he appeared; a sensation of bewilderment while trying to come to terms with having him actually standing there right in front of you.

I wonder if he ever truly understood the effect he had on his audience. He knew he was adored and idolized, but could he imagine the tingling, the dizziness, the absolute thrill he was able to generate in the people he played to?

I can remember those lucid moments during concerts when I'd find myself thinking that I was here and Prince was just over there, and that I'd have to cherish the brief time we were in the same space. No matter how hard I try to hold onto every memory from those performances, they inevitably fade and distort through time. But something of the electricity I felt in the arenas and stadiums somehow still remains with me.

MD431Madcat said:

ohhh...

Everybody's here..

Sing Y'all!

This is the Jam of the year!

Nice!!

love this thread as I & many can identify. Hard to explain but "when the lights go down"...dayum that feeling was beyond comparison. To know that right here, right now you were sharing space & time with Prince was just incredible .....& now gigs are still great but truly not comparable.

PRNluv2 said: