Prince Remembered

Jellybean Johnson unveils plans for Minneapolis Sound Museum

Jellybean Johnson is Minneapolis music royalty. The drummer for the Time also leads the Jellybean Johnson Experience. Plus, he played with Prince, and co-produced the hit song “Black Cat” with Janet Jackson. Now, he's the co-founder of the Minneapolis Sound Museum. "The Minneapolis sound is Prince," Johnson tells The Current's Jill Riley. "But [it's] also those of us who grew up with him and played with him and pushed him and one another to be great." For more information about the...

Andre Cymone discusses Prince's 'Controversy,' released 40 years ago

Andre Cymone is an essential part of the story of Minneapolis music, and he continues to tour and release albums, and Andre's story is inextricably linked with the story of Prince and the Minneapolis sound. We took the opportunity to connect partially because it was the 40th anniversary of the release of "Controversy," and also because Andre Cymone is a legend. Around the release of "Controversy," Andre had just left the touring group that Prince had put together. Looking back at th...

Michael Bland and Tommy Barbarella of the New Power Generation talk 'Diamonds and Pearls'

On the 30th anniversary of Prince's "Diamonds and Pearls" album, Sean McPherson had the chance to talk to drummer Michael Bland and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella of the New Power Generation to compare notes and to share memories of recording the album, of working with Prince, and about being part of a great band and the lively Minneapolis music scene.

Taja Sevelle - Prince's philanthropy and mentorship

Taja Sevelle was one of the first artists on the Paisley Park record label. She recorded the Prince-penned "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me?" (on her self-titled 1987 release); Prince's version was on the recently released Prince 'Originals' album. Sevelle, whose birthday is today, January 7, spoke with The Current's Andrea Swensson about Prince's mentorship and his fervent belief and support in her second career: urban farming.

Dr. Fink: 'When Prince sang live, he was just impeccable'

Matt Fink - aka Dr. Fink - was one of Prince's first keyboard players and is a member of the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Dr. Fink reflects on performing, recording and touring with Prince. 'He was always transforming himself into something different with every record,' Fink says. 'There was always something new and original and exploratory.'

Fred Armisen: 'I could talk about Prince endlessly'

Actor, comedian and musician Fred Armisen ('Saturday Night Live'; 'Portlandia'; 'Late Night with Seth Meyers') discovered Prince shortly after the release of '1999.' In a conversation with The Current's Andrea Swensson, Armisen talks about how he discovered Prince and became an instant fan for life. 'Prince really became my favorite artist,' Armisen says. 'I really soaked up every lyric, every little drumbeat, everything about him.'

LeRoy Bennett: 'Prince was beyond anybody'

Production/lighting designer LeRoy Bennett began working with Prince in 1980 and continued working with him until 1994. 'I was blessed that I started my life and this career with him,' says Bennett, who has gone on to work with such artists as Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. 'Prince pushed you knowing that you were giving all that you could.' Listen to Andrea Swensson's full conversation with Bennett.

Jellybean Johnson, 'Prince knew we had something special here in Minneapolis'

Drummer and guitarist Jellybean Johnson came up as a musician in North Minneapolis, playing with - and competing with - Prince. Johnson is a founding member of The Time, and in this conversation with The Current's Andrea Swensson, Johnson reflects on Prince's influence in shaping the iconic sound and look of bands like the Time, the Revolution, Vanity 6 and more. 

Bobby Z: 'Prince went from a caterpillar to a butterfly in that one purple trench coat'

Bobby Z first met Prince in the mid-'70s when the two were teenagers, and Bobby went on to become drummer for the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Bobby Z offers a philosophical look at Prince's incredible life and career. "Prince was hearing all the music in his head like Beethoven or other classical musicians," Bobby Z says. "He was kind of reborn in all these characters throughout the ages." 

Lisa Coleman: 'Prince and I just connected musically'

Prince's longtime collaborator and keyboard player, Lisa Coleman, joined Prince's band in the early 1980s and became a member of the Revolution. Coleman spoke to The Current's Andrea Swensson about her time working with Prince, both in the studio and on the road. "Hang around Prince, and stuff was going to happen," Coleman recalls. "And it did. I never met anybody that really followed through on everything they said like that." Listen to Andrea's full conversation with Lisa Coleman....

Nile Rodgers: 'Prince made such an impression on the world'

Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and musician Nile Rodgers talks to Andrea Swensson about his friendship with and the influence of Prince. 'Prince made such an impression on the world,' Rodgers says, 'that it was one of those magical forces that was undeniable.'

Sheila E. on Prince's humanity, music in the vault

Over the course of his career, Prince worked with many talented musicians, but one of the closest relationships he had with any of his musicians was with Sheila E. An iconic drummer, singer songwriter and performer Sheila E. has had an incredible career with Prince and on her own.

Brittany Howard: 'Prince always stayed true to himself'

Brittany Howard, solo artist and frontwoman of Alabama Shakes, talks to Andrea Swensson about discovering Prince as a youngster and about how much Prince continues to inspire her work to this day. Howard also tells the story of the time Prince jumped onstage with Alabama Shakes at a show at Paisley Park and played 'the most epic solo.'

Dez Dickerson: 'Put an explosion over it'

Prince's first guitarist, Dez Dickerson, talks with The Current's Andrea Swensson, taking us back to the early days, into the recording studio, and from the smallest clubs to the biggest stages. "From the very beginning, Prince had a clear idea of what he wanted, how he wanted it, how he wanted us to coalesce as a band, what he wanted to say, and what message that would send," Dickerson says. Listen to the complete interview.

The sound of Prince and Peggy McCreary

In the early 1980s, Audio Engineer Peggy McCreary contributed significantly to several projects from the massively creative mind of Prince, including Vanity 6's self-titled debut album, The Time's sophomore effort 'What Time is It,' and Prince's '1999,' 'Purple Rain' and 'Parade.' The Current's Andrea Swensson connected with McCreary for a fascinating conversation about McCreary's time working with Prince, their professional relationship and their mutual respect for each other.

After talking with Robert Hilburn in 1982, Prince stopped giving interviews for three years. We talked to Hilburn

The Los Angeles Times' music critic Robert Hilburn was the only journalist to interview Prince about the 1999. In fact, Prince would not grant interviews to journalists again for several years after that, making Hilburn one of the last to speak to Prince before a lengthy period of silence from the artist. In researching Prince: The Story of 1999, Andrea Swensson had a chance to talk to Robert Hilburn, who spoke about meeting Prince in October 1982 and about seeing Prince perform lea...

'Purple Rain' Director Albert Magnoli

Film director Albert Magnoli describes the events that led to his first meeting with Prince, and the making of the film 'Purple Rain.'

Bobby Z - What Makes 1999 Great?

Legendary drummer Bobby Z of The Revolution sat down with Jim McGuinn to talk about working for Prince and what made the 1982 album '1999' an essential masterpiece that catapulted Prince to megastardom. Bobby Z also describes the early years getting to know Prince.

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya on bringing Prince's Glam Slam nightclub to life

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya managed marketing of the Prince-inspired nightclub Glam Slam at all three of its locations: Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Miami. In 2017, she sat down with Jay Gabler and Andrea Swensson to talk about running the clubs, working with Prince, and remembering the icon's legacy in Minnesota.

DJ Michael Holtz's true stories from Paisley Park

Michael Holtz was one of Paisley Park's house DJs starting in 2014, and he still plays Paisley Park After Dark events. He tells Erianna Jiles about his time at Paisley Park from his first visits in the '90s up through the present.

Steve Perry on when Prince noted the similarity between 'Purple Rain' and 'Faithfully'

Steve Perry, former frontman of the band Journey, tells the story of how Prince wrote to the band to say he may have been inadvertently inspired by the song 'Faithfully'

Sharon Nelson on her father's music and impact on Prince

Just before the release of her father's posthumous album 'Don't Play With Love,' Prince's half-sister Sharon Nelson tells The Current how she found their dad's old sheet music, who wrote the "Purple Rain" melody, and why Prince's costumes may have resembled a stripper's.

Robyne Robinson remembers Prince's Vikings song, playful side

Robyne Robinson, former TV news anchor and current MSP Airport director of arts and culture, talks with The Current's Jim McGuinn about her working relationship with Prince, including what it was like to receive new music from the artist, to interview the artist, and when it was time to speak truth -- or not -- to Prince.

Low Cut Connie's Adam Weiner: Prince photos and Barack Obama

Adam Weiner of the band Low Cut Connie met then-President Barack Obama in May 2016. During the visit to the White House, Weiner saw photographer Pete Souza's photos of President Obama and Prince, and Weiner learned of Obama's admiration of Prince. Weiner also shares the story of why Prince's "Controversy" became an important part of Low Cut Connie's live set list and a part of their latest album.

Mayte Garcia on her marriage to Prince

Mayte Garcia was married to Prince from 1996 to 2000. She spoke with The Current's Jill Riley and Brian Oake about her new memoir, 'The Most Beautiful: My Life With Prince.'

Interview: Andre Cymone's dad was in a band with Prince's dad

One of Prince's first bandmates, Andre Cymone talks with The Current in front of Paisley Park on the anniversary of Prince's passing.

3RDEYEGIRL guitarist Donna Grantis calls the Twin Cities home

Interpreting Prince in American Sign Language

Shelly Lehner is an American Sign Language interpreter and a longtime Prince fan. Lehner was one of the ASL interpreters at the Prince tribute concert last October. 'If hearing people are going to a concert, and they're experiencing this loss of Prince, deaf people should be able to go to that concert as well, and have access,' Lehner says. Listen to Lehner's full story, and visit thecurrent.org to watch a captioned video of Lehner's interview, and to watch Lehner give an ASL interp...

Har Mar Superstar on Prince's sexiness

Minnesotan sex symbol Har Mar Superstar tells Jade what made Prince sexy, how his music varied from suggestive to explicit

'Did I dream that?': Artist Peyton remembers Prince, Glam Slam, Paisley Park in the '90s

Jay Gabler talks with Peyton Scott Russell, a Minneapolis artist, about the period in the '90s when Peyton worked for Prince at Paisley Park and displayed art at Prince's club Glam Slam. Peyton also describes his decision to gild Prince's First Avenue star after the icon's death in 2016.

Regina Spektor: 'hindsight love'

In an interview with The Current's Jim McGuinn, Regina Spektor talks about how she came to discover and appreciate Prince later in life, watching 'Purple Rain' three times in succession on a transatlantic flight after Prince had passed. 'What an incredible artist,' Spektor says. 'People like that don't come around that often.'

Sylvan Esso: 'Prince was just the coolest'

Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso join Jade at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Meath relates a story from a friend in Beck's band, who opened for Prince. The story is an example of Prince's generosity and love of music. "[Prince] filmed the entirety of their set," Meath says, "and put a DVD of it into the TV and gave them notes on their set before he went on."

Jason Narducy: two Prince stories

Musician Jason Narducy (Bob Mould Band, Split Single, Superchunk) shares two Prince stories during an interview with Jade, recorded live at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Britt Daniel: 'Prince was a magical person'

Britt Daniel of Spoon reflects on Prince's legacy and shares his memories of seeing Prince perform. 'He was the greatest performer of his generation,' Daniel says, 'or perhaps of many generations.' From a live interview with Jade at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Thundercat: 'a guy that was in love with life'

Stephen Bruner, aka Thundercat, talks about his favorite Prince song and a moment in the Prince film 'Under the Cherry Moon' that always makes him smile. Thundercat also shares a story from his brother, Ronald Bruner Jr., who worked as a session musician with Prince at Paisley Park.

Run the Jewels: 'one of the biggest heroes and influences'

El-P and Killer Mike of Run the Jewels talk about Prince's legacy on a Theft of the Dial on The Current, hosted by Sean McPherson. Killer Mike also gives respect to Morris Day and the Time, for their music and for reinventing cool in the 1980s.

Roger Linn: Prince and the LM-1 Drum Computer

Roger Linn, inventor of the LM-1 Drum Computer, talks about Prince's use of his instrument on "When Doves Cry" and more

Susannah Melvoin on Prince

Susannah Melvoin reflects on Prince's tenderness and how she ended up co-writing "Starfish and Coffee."

Slug from Atmosphere: 'Prince broke a lot of barriers for us'

Sean Daley, aka Slug, from the hip-hop group Atmosphere, talks to The Current's Andrea Swensson about what it was like to come up in the music industry while living in the same city as Prince. Slug describes how Prince broke boundaries and set new precedents in the music industry. And Slug also tells the story of how he once performed freestyle rap onstage with Prince, who improvised on piano.

Andre Cymone: 'It's hard to say goodbye to a best friend'

Andre Cymone is a lifelong friend of Prince and one of Prince's first bandmates. In this interview with The Current's Andrea Swensson, Cymone describes: playing at the Revolution's reunion shows at First Avenue; how he and Prince first met and became friends; and the music and events that influenced him and Prince as they were growing up in Minnesota in the 1960s and 70s. Recorded before a live audience at the Minnesota State Fair on Sept. 2, 2016.

Sarah Marks: Artistic inspiration from Prince

Sarah Marks: Artistic inspiration from Prince

New Power Generation's Ida Nielsen talks new solo album

Ida Neilsen, who performed in both New Power Generation and 3RDEYEGIRL, talks with Andrea Swensson about how she first connected with Prince and her funky new solo album.

Prince Remembered: Anil Dash

Tech blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash talks to Andrea Swensson about Prince's secret life as a computer nerd.

Prince Remembered: Anil Dash

Tech blogger and entrepreneur Anil Dash talks to Andrea Swensson about Prince's secret life as a computer nerd.

PaviElle French: 'Prince danced to the beat of his own drum.'

PaviElle French is a performer, singer and songwriter who visited Paisley Park at age 16. "The biggest way Prince influenced me is that he lived his life by his own rules and that's the kind of artist that I am," PaviElle says. "That's the kind of person I am, and knowing that he did it, I know it can be done."

From the MPR Archive: 'This year's [1984] star of the rock 'n' roll world'

In a report from Dec. 26, 1984, MPR's Stephen Smith (now of American RadioWorks) provides a biographical look at Prince, '26 years old, born and raised in Minneapolis, he's this year's star of the rock and roll world. He's now touring the United States, selling out every place he performs.' Smith also talks to Minneapolis StarTribune reporter and Prince biographer, John Bream.

From the MPR Archive: Foreign dignitaries visit Paisley Park in 1987

In a report from Sept. 10, 1987, MPR News' Mike Mulcahy describes a tour by foreign dignitaries of Prince's Chanhassen, Minn., studio, Paisley Park. 'Audible gasps were detected as the visiting dignitaries walked through banks of recording equipment in Paisley Park's gymnasium-sized recording studio,' Mulcahy reports.

Steve McClellan: 'You knew that Prince was a star in the music market'

Steve McClellan was a co-owner of First Avenue during Prince's early days. He remembered him as a perfectionist, a workaholic -- and a kid.

Bret Thoeny: From beehives to Paisley Park

Bret Thoeny, the man who built Paisley Park, is a principal with the firm BOTO Design Architects in California. He spoke with MPR News host Tom Weber about his experiences with Prince.

Steve Noonan: 'I'll always be thankful for working with Prince'

Singer-songwriter Steve Noonan worked as an audio engineer for Prince in the early 1990s. "It was fun," Noonan says. "As has been said a lot, he was a genius. ... It was fun to watch the songs form." Hear Noonan's stories from his days working at Paisley Park.