Prince: The Purple Revolution
Prince: The Purple Revolution
The Spark: Prince Rogers Nelson was born to create. Music was his rebellion against a fractured Minneapolis home—his parents’ jazz dreams, his own wild vision. At 7, he played piano; by 19, he was a one-man industry. It wasn’t fame he chased—it was freedom to be everything at once.
The Story: Born in ‘58, Prince was a prodigy, signing with Warner Bros at 19. For You (1978) was his start, but Purple Rain (1984) was his supernova—film, album, legend. I shot him in ‘85, purple coat swirling, guitar screaming—5’2” of pure electricity. The Revolution, Wendy & Lisa, Sheila E.—he led them all, then went solo, then New Power Generation. Name changes (The Artist), label wars, 39 albums—he never stopped. Died in 2016, but his echo’s eternal.
Bands: Solo, The Revolution, New Power Generation.
Bandmates (The Revolution): Wendy Melvoin (guitar), Lisa Coleman (keys), Bobby Z (drums), Brown Mark (bass), Dez Dickerson (guitar).
Relationships: Married Mayte Garcia (1996-2000), Manuela Testolini (2001-2006). Romances with Vanity, Sheila E., and Madonna fueled tabloids.
Screen Time: Purple Rain, Under the Cherry Moon, Graffiti Bridge, Batman soundtrack.
Awards: Seven Grammys, Oscar for Purple Rain (1985), Rock Hall (2004), 13 American Music Awards.
Biggest Songs:
- “Purple Rain” – Prince.
- “When Doves Cry” – Prince.
- “Kiss” – Prince.
- “Let’s Go Crazy” – Prince.
Controversy: His ‘90s symbol stunt—ditching “Prince” for an unpronounceable glyph—baffled fans and labels. Explicit lyrics (hello, Tipper Gore’s PMRC) and a vault of unreleased tracks still spark debate.
In Louisville. One of his last concerts, and this one was in the small, intimate Louisville Palace. I had front row tickets, no cameras, but stuck a point and shoot in my shirt pocket and pulled it out occasionally without focusing, just shooting blind.
