Who was Prince really? In 1985 Neal Karlen interviewed the world's biggest - and most reclusive star. In the years that followed they developed an unlikely friendship. He tells us about the dilemmas of writing a book following the star's untimely death.

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

English - October 06, 2022 16:05 - 53 minutes - 48.6 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: Scotland's pop, jazz and soul duo Hue and Cry talk about the inspiration of 'The Teacher' Prince. We also discuss the 1980s and masterpieces such as Parade and Sign 'O' The Times. Essential listening.

Next Episode: The Gold Experience: Jim Walsh got to know Prince in the 1990s, to the point where he was able to challenge the artist in open print. This is his story...

Author Neal Karlen, in conversation with Sam Bleazard.

Introduction - New York Times, Rolling Stone magazine, author...friend?

1-3mins: "Please don't let my scoop go away!" - Memories from another lifetime...and the BBC Omnibus documentary

4mins ...time to stop writing - and talking about - Prince, wanting to be a fan again and not a critic...

7mins - MPLS, segregation and the 'Minneapolis Sound'

9mins30s - Prince as an 11-year-old kid, and a story from one of his substitute teachers

11mins30s - Was Prince's life a sad story or a triumphant story of success?

13mins30s - 'This Thing Called Life' - were you worried that by being so candid it would create a backlash on the book?

17mins - the audiobook, the showman and Prince off the record in the 1980s

19mins - small aspects of the real guy being revealed: showing the imperfect human being behind the star.

20mins30s - "I Love U..."? And how it feels...

22mins30s - Humour in the book and 'The Crusher'!

24mins30s - The dilemma of releasing tapes of Prince speaking from the 1980s...'the most compartmentalised person I've ever met'

27mins - "Prince who?" - "The real Prince!"

29mins - The only person still awake at 4am and happy to shoot the breeze...

30mins30s - Different personalities and the blurring between friendship and employment

33mins - Not deifying Prince...and his relationship with his mother and father

49mins - the last conversation with Prince (3 weeks before his passing)

50mins - any things you wished you'd put in the book?

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.

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