I didn't. First time I saw Prince was in Tokyo in 1988 for Lovesexy.

I have always been curious, however, about what one of his pre-fame, "raw", early shows would have been like.

Soladeo1

I saw him perform at the Roxy on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood in 1979. He wore bikini briefs and leg warmers and only sang in a falsetto. The brothers were mocking him and calling him "Princess," but the sisters were going crazy over him.

Then in 1980, I saw the Dirty Mind Tour at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. He rocked that muthat big-time, with a highlight being him jamming on the synthesizer with one hand while whaling on the guitar with the other during "Head."

Then in 1981, I saw him get booed off the stage opening for the Rolling Stones at the L.A. Coliseum. They threw shoes and bottles at him while he played "Jack U Off."

Then in 1982, I saw his triumphant return at the Long Beach Arena where he headlined with Vanity 6 and The Time, who actually turned the show out in my opinion.

I could go on and on as I have seen him around 30 times in total. I was hooked in from the very first album and have never waivered.

Peace,
Scott

First time I saw Prince was on the Controversy tour in 1981 at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia. THe Time and Zapp opened. It was general admission and I think the tickets were about $10. I got right down front and I remember being amazed. I will never forget seeing Prince swinging back and forth on the fire pole, jumping off those 30 ft high speakers, and singing Happy Birthday to Big Chick in the middle of the show.

LaMont said:

Same with me. I saw him in 1981 in Dayton Ohio and Zapp and the Time opened. I was in the fourth grade and my mother took me. Zapp and the Time were popular at the time and were crowd favorites. The audience didn't really dig Prince. But he captivated me and I've been a fan ever since.

ok i dont qualify here...but im posting anyway
i saw prince th first time in 1984..purple rain tour...
blew my fucking mind
my step dad took me...
i remember being all embarrassed cuz i was with my stepdad!
it was phenominal (sp?)

first time I saw P was March 3, 1983 Dayton, Oh.

I really wish I'd seen his Ritz performances. I loved his bikini and leg warmer wearing days.

are any of these early concerts available on video or dvd?

DonRants said:

---
There is a tape of the 1981 Controversy Tour in Houston, Texas floating around.

laurarichardson said:

there's a couple more in circulation from that period as well.

...ain't sayin much else

LaMont said:

Give me a timemachine!!!
I mean Zapp,The Time & Prince the same evening for $10.
1981,good ol´days,huh?
/peace Manki

I'm so envious 4 each and every one o' ya'll

I saw Prince's concerts from Rick James thru the 1999 tour then picked it back up at Lovesexy. The Dirty Mind and Controversy tours are two of the best shows I've ever seen of any artist.

That Houston Controversy Tour video is a classic and worth tracking down if you can find it.

There is a ton of stuff out there on video going back to 81'. Just gotta ask around and find out who has it.



.

Some years ago Uptown have asked fans who have pre Purple Rain or pre 1999 concerts memories, I don't know if it has been printed.

Then in 1981, I saw him get booed off the stage opening for the Rolling Stones at the L.A. Coliseum. They threw shoes and bottles at him while he played "Jack U Off."

I always wondered how he reacted when he got booed off. Did he just keep playing? Or, did he eventually leave the stage? Do you think that he was consoled by the Stones. I hear that they really don't like him, either. Reallly sad, IMHO...

jn2 said:

it's been printed...it's in issue #51.

I was into hard rock at the time, so I avoided Prince, who I thought was a disco wimp. lol

2freaky4church1 said:

i bet you had a "disco sucks" t-shirt and everything...

No, but I did do this A lot.