My 1st memory of Prince was hearing "Controversy" on the radio in 1981, but it wasn't until a year later when I saw the video for "1999" on Billy Soul's Friday Night Videos (Cleveland) that I was intrigued by his mysterious looks and his fabulous dance moves. Fast forward 1 1/2 years later to the release of the "Purple Rain" movie and I was hooked for life!
I have so many memories of Prince, but my fondest memories are from within the last few years when Prince became active on social media. This was the 1st time that fams (as Prince called us) like me could communicate directly with Prince through Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. It was through Twitter that I first learned about his after party shows and Paisley Park After Dark! In July 2014, Prince tweeted under the name 3rdEyeGirl (his band at the time) about a "Listening Party" for his upcoming new albums at Paisley Park. I had no idea what a "listening party" was or what it entailed, but I was intrigued. I happened to have off work that weekend, so I rented a car and made the 12 hour drive nonstop to Minneapolis/Chanhassen. I hadn't slept the night before, but I was running on the pure adrenaline of anticipation.
When I arrived at Paisley Park, I parked across the street by the Daycare and walked over to stand in line. Everyone in line was so friendly. I talked with a father & his daughter that lived nearby about how they often attended these types of events at Paisley Park and how they never knew what to expect, because each time was different.
The doors finally opened and we were all warned about not being aloud to use our cell phones as we shuffled to the door to pay the $30 entrance fee. Once inside, we were shown to a small room on the right (the Love4oneanother Room) where a band (I think it was NPG Hornz) was playing jazz music. I stood enjoying the melodic tones as I looked around the room and took it all in.
After about 45 minutes, the huge doors to the left opened up and I could hear 3rdEyeGirl playing from the big Soundstage. I ran to the next room and stood at the front of the stage to the right. All of a sudden, Prince appeared and began to perform with the band for what seemed like eternity. I couldn't believe that I was actually standing inside of Prince's home & studio watching him perform in front of only a couple hundred people. These people were all strangers to me in that room, but somehow I felt like I was at home. The feeling of love among us was magical and it felt like I was with family.
When the "house lights" came on and night was finally over, I reluctantly excited the building and had some new friends "sneak" pictures of me in front of the building in the purple lights. Leaving the Parking Lot of Paisley Park, I knew that it would not be my last time visiting. Paisley Park IS in my heart and it forever will be!!