On word that the session was a go, then-Ebony Editor-in-Chief Harriette Cole and I immediately secured renowned fashion photographer Mike Ruiz (whom Prince, fortunately, approved), discussed loose concept possibilities and booked the date.

Upon arriving, Cole, Ruiz and I were directed to enter through a side door and, after passing through a heavy black curtain, emerged into a soundstage large enough to fit more than a thousand people. It was Prince’s rehearsal area, which he also used for impromptu parties and concerts, and the stage was preset with a full range of instruments, microphones and amplifiers.

We were asked to wait in a foyer area, where the actual Honda 750 motorcycle from the movie “Purple Rain” prominently rested. It was adjacent to a screaming purple recreation room the size of a large hotel lobby — fully decked out with matching velvet lounge furniture and shag carpet. It was beyond plush. The film “Finding Nemo” played silently on one large projection screen hanging from the high ceiling and the 1973 concert movie “Wattstax” played loudly on another.

...

“So what do you want to do?” Ruiz quickly went into a creative spiel, while Prince nodded slightly in approval — quickly processing each suggestion and idea. We talked for 20 minutes before he suddenly said, “Okay, I got it. I’ll be back.” He shortly returned, pulling a rack of clothes that he selected specifically for this particular shoot and concept. He was totally cooperative. Not quite the guy that I had read about.

He was also anxious for us to hear a new song his background singers were recording in one of his four studios on a lower level of the building. It was a new piece of music he wanted to soon release and even the raw version of the song we heard was Prince genius. After a thorough listen, he and Graham grabbed their respective axes and hopped on the soundstage for a short jam session. With Valente joining in on drums and the backup singers fresh out of the studio, the group thumped, funked and scatted their way through one of Graham’s older tunes, “I Believe in You.” As the thunderous bass line filled the cavernous room and as Prince’s guitar licks blended in perfectly, we in the tiny audience felt like believers, too — in Prince, that is. We always had been.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/04/22/the-day-i-hung-out-at-princes-house-talking-fame-disguises-and-michael-jacksons-death/?utm_term=.ea2c875506a6

photo by Mike Ruiz

Prince - Fall in Love Tonight

2010/2011 photo by Mike Ruiz 4 Ebony Magazine

Prince - Welcome to America

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-gascot/celebrity-flash-interview-mike-ruiz_b_851576.html

Celebrity Flash: Interview With Mike Ruiz

Mike Ruiz is undoubtedly one of today’s best known and hardest working photographers. His surreal, high-impact signature style is instantly recognizable and in high demand. By now, he has shot seemingly everyone in show business; from Kim Kardashian to Betty White to Prince.

Ruiz and his boyfriend at the time were invited on stage druing the concert--the night Kardashian was booted off. LOL.

here is clickable link to the article you provided.

https://www.washingtonpos...2c875506a6

purplerabbithole said:

Ruiz and his boyfriend at the time were invited on stage druing the concert--the night Kardashian was booted off. LOL.

here is clickable link to the article you provided.

https://www.washingtonpos...2c875506a6

thank U

another Ruiz &
ℙℛiℕℂℰ. photo

here is a link to Ruiz's facebook page about being invited on stage

https://www.facebook.com/...mp;theater

OldFriends4Sale said:

Good stuff!! Thanks for sharing, OldFriends4Sale!!

this doesn't look like him at all

OldFriends4Sale said:

TheKid94 said:

TheKid94 said:

the photo used for the Montreux Jazz festival was Ruiz as well

daingermouz2020 said:

TheKid94 said:

this doesn't look like him at all

I was just thinking the same thing

It looks like a morph of Chris Rock and Prince!

TheKid94 said:

laurarichardson said:

TheKid94 said:

this doesn't look like him at all

----Who is it then😳

It is Prince

I believe it was in

this picture reminds me of acranky nan in her sunday church hat and gloves. like some character from a madea movie.

OldFriends4Sale said:

laurarichardson said:

paxandlux said:

this picture reminds me of acranky nan in her sunday church hat and gloves. like some character from a madea movie.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Or a brother wearing a pimp hat.

laurarichardson said:

paxandlux said:

this picture reminds me of acranky nan in her sunday church hat and gloves. like some character from a madea movie.

Or a brother wearing a pimp hat.

it's the sheer sleeves and the gloves... the hat alone would be cool.

laurarichardson said:

paxandlux said:

this picture reminds me of acranky nan in her sunday church hat and gloves. like some character from a madea movie.

Or a brother wearing a pimp hat.

that's no 'pimp' hat lol

paxandlux said: