Not sure how to say this, but please know it is offered respectfully. I’m 84 and from a much earlier generation, so the greats of Rock never “clicked” in the same way for me. But, believe me, I and my peers had those moments, too, though rarely as such a mass event. Being at one of the earliest Newport Jazz Festivals. Bobbysoxers out for the young, big-band Sinatra. Being a young Army officer in Munich in the early ‘60s and watching a full opera house there go nuts over Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and other pop-jazz greats of that, and in some cases, all time. Taking my mother-in-law to an intimate NYC nightclub a decade or so later to sit a few feet from the heartthrob of her youth in one of his later performances, Mel Torme’ (never as heralded a singer as he deserved). Etc. We all have had our great, unforgettable, even transcendent, entertainment moments; and this video clip was a fortunate find for those of the Prince era! (As the comments testify.) Congrats to all!
Hi, Dan. Thank you for the Smile for a Saturday features. I love it! This one of Prince is especially special to me: I grew up in Minneapolis and still live here. When I first saw this archived video it brought tears to my eyes. Seeing and hearing him in this video as a young Prince is quite amazing. I grew up in North Minneapolis, too, like Prince. The world misses him because as we all found out that he was not only a musical genius, but a great humanitarian. Thank you, Dan, for remembering Prince on the sixth year anniversary of his passing. Sincerely, Arlene Zamora, Minneapolis, MN.
Spent many late nights at Paisley Park listening to Prince jam his heart out. We would dance till three in the morning. There was always vintage soda and fresh baked cookies.
Wow! That made me smile. All of it. The old films, especially. My husband is a cameraman for local TV & was just talking about old film (though film related to old home movies). That particular Super Bowl halftime show may the best ever. Prince - such a talent gone way too soon. Thanks for sharing!
I loved this Smile for a Saturday! Prince was the rarest of rare, one of the greatest guitarists, and the most incredible artists ever! Anyone, any age, any race or ethnicity, from anywhere, any country, any walk of life, rich or poor, however you identified it didn't matter ~ we were all Prince fans and we were all welcomed to his party!
Thank you for this heartwarming story. It definitely made me smile today. Here is a story I hope will make you smile…
In 1974, when I was an 18 year old college student in Washington, DC I got a part-time job working for the National Security Council in the White House. For four years I had the opportunity to meet the most important and influential people in the country. I wasn’t impressed enough to with any of them to act star-struck until the time I answered the phone in the Situation Room and Dan Rather was on the line. I’m sure you don’t remember the babbling teenager who answered your call, Mr. Rather, but 45+ years later, it is still one of my favorite memories of the time I spent in DC.
I have absolutely no connection or understanding of Prince and/or Purple Rain other than this poem which I learned in childhood by Ogden Nash. "I've never seen a purple cow; I never hope to see one. But this much know I very well; I 'd rather see than be one." I guess this proves once and for all that there's no accounting for taste. Exclamation point.
Hearing Prince called Skipper reminded me of Eddie Murphy, when asked how his childhood friends reacted to his celebrity, responded that they would just say “Aww, man, that’s Peas!” He went on to explain that “Peas” was his friends’ name for him because of his kinky hair. Like the news lady said, we all start somewhere! Thanks for sharing this! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
This does warm hearts. This clearly warmed the souls of some folks...
Yet another wonderful an warm reminder of richness. Thanks, Dan
Thanks so much for this! Wonderful to see the child as he was.
Fell down the YouTube rabbit hole. Here is the full halftime show:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-WYYlRArn3g
And George Michael. That one still hurts too.
Not sure how to say this, but please know it is offered respectfully. I’m 84 and from a much earlier generation, so the greats of Rock never “clicked” in the same way for me. But, believe me, I and my peers had those moments, too, though rarely as such a mass event. Being at one of the earliest Newport Jazz Festivals. Bobbysoxers out for the young, big-band Sinatra. Being a young Army officer in Munich in the early ‘60s and watching a full opera house there go nuts over Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and other pop-jazz greats of that, and in some cases, all time. Taking my mother-in-law to an intimate NYC nightclub a decade or so later to sit a few feet from the heartthrob of her youth in one of his later performances, Mel Torme’ (never as heralded a singer as he deserved). Etc. We all have had our great, unforgettable, even transcendent, entertainment moments; and this video clip was a fortunate find for those of the Prince era! (As the comments testify.) Congrats to all!
Hi, Dan. Thank you for the Smile for a Saturday features. I love it! This one of Prince is especially special to me: I grew up in Minneapolis and still live here. When I first saw this archived video it brought tears to my eyes. Seeing and hearing him in this video as a young Prince is quite amazing. I grew up in North Minneapolis, too, like Prince. The world misses him because as we all found out that he was not only a musical genius, but a great humanitarian. Thank you, Dan, for remembering Prince on the sixth year anniversary of his passing. Sincerely, Arlene Zamora, Minneapolis, MN.
Spent many late nights at Paisley Park listening to Prince jam his heart out. We would dance till three in the morning. There was always vintage soda and fresh baked cookies.
Wow! That made me smile. All of it. The old films, especially. My husband is a cameraman for local TV & was just talking about old film (though film related to old home movies). That particular Super Bowl halftime show may the best ever. Prince - such a talent gone way too soon. Thanks for sharing!
I loved this Smile for a Saturday! Prince was the rarest of rare, one of the greatest guitarists, and the most incredible artists ever! Anyone, any age, any race or ethnicity, from anywhere, any country, any walk of life, rich or poor, however you identified it didn't matter ~ we were all Prince fans and we were all welcomed to his party!
Beautifully written. Thank you so much for this article.
Thank you for this heartwarming story. It definitely made me smile today. Here is a story I hope will make you smile…
In 1974, when I was an 18 year old college student in Washington, DC I got a part-time job working for the National Security Council in the White House. For four years I had the opportunity to meet the most important and influential people in the country. I wasn’t impressed enough to with any of them to act star-struck until the time I answered the phone in the Situation Room and Dan Rather was on the line. I’m sure you don’t remember the babbling teenager who answered your call, Mr. Rather, but 45+ years later, it is still one of my favorite memories of the time I spent in DC.
I have absolutely no connection or understanding of Prince and/or Purple Rain other than this poem which I learned in childhood by Ogden Nash. "I've never seen a purple cow; I never hope to see one. But this much know I very well; I 'd rather see than be one." I guess this proves once and for all that there's no accounting for taste. Exclamation point.
that was marvelous.
that was marvelous.
Hearing Prince called Skipper reminded me of Eddie Murphy, when asked how his childhood friends reacted to his celebrity, responded that they would just say “Aww, man, that’s Peas!” He went on to explain that “Peas” was his friends’ name for him because of his kinky hair. Like the news lady said, we all start somewhere! Thanks for sharing this! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿