Dave Rusan was a young guitar tech - who'd never made a guitar before...in 1983 Prince needed one for a new movie he was making. Join us for pt 1 as Dave auditions for Prince's band and feels exhilarated by his chance to be part of music history.

How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson.

English - February 06, 2023 18:05 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB - ★★★★★ - 1 rating
Music Interviews Music Music History chaka khan new power generation controversy prince aftershow party larry graham mpls sheila e wally safford prince and the revolution sheena easton Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Previous Episode: "Fighting for the freedom he knew technology offered..." in part 2 of our interview with Jim Walsh he reflects on Prince's 'Days of Wild' in the 1990s, his last ever show...and missing a great artist.

Next Episode: "It's amazing what you can do if you try..." - join us for part 2 of our interview with Dave Rusan, who made Prince's iconic white cloud guitar for the movie Purple Rain.

Intro

2mins - Growing up in Minneapolis and musical background

3mins15s - The Beatles, and early influences

4mins20s - First song Dave learned on the guitar, and favourite music

5mins30s - Father-son relationship and parental support for guitar playing and passions

7mins - Working in the local music store in MPLS, learning about the guitar as an instrument...and a 'sideline for voilin repair-men'

11mins - Starting out as a Luthier, working from home...and supporting local bands

12mins - Bumping into Prince at the Knut-Kupee music store...'we knew about him for a couple of years before the first album...'

13mins - Minneapolis in the late 1970s, black and white musicians playing in different parts of town

14mins45s - Auditioning for Prince's early band, Dave shares his memories...trying out at Dell's Tyre Mart

19mins - What were musicians wearing in the late 1970? 'A lot of spandex was occuring!' MPLS music scene memories...

21mins - An amazing achievement for someone who created an entire scene and became famous throughout the world - Prince putting Minneapolis on the map.

24mins - Working in London in his early 20s and working with famous musicians early on in his career (1981-83)

26mins - Working with Gary Moore, and a guitar inherited from Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac

29mins30s - How did going to London influence your part in Prince's story?

31mins - Coming back to MPLS and Prince is achieving a level of fame...and the initial approach from his people. "He wants a guitar, and you're going to make it..."

33mins30s - "I was exhilarated rather than nervous..." - making Prince's most iconic guitar having never made one before!

36mins - Did you know if the guitar was actually going to be part of the Purple Rain movie??

How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!

The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.

LINKS

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