A very nice piece, Sherman. May I suggest that you always start your piece with a ‘This is fact’ and “This is fiction” disclaimer so some like me don’t get too confused 🤣. Some of earlier stories felt so real.. that’s the skill I suppose. And thank you for reminding me of Prince. I was introduced to MTV as a young boy in late1980s. Heard a fair bit of Prince or rather the artist formerly known as Prince.
I loved this lyric love story: spanning millenia and art forms and races and the many kinds of love there are. Also taking me back to Spokane for a few moments! Thank you for posting it.
Prince was a virtuoso. I read that he played every instrument on Purple Rain. I have so many great memories around this record. I miss him, too. He was one of a kind.
I have an appreciation for Prince, his music was evocative and lyrics deeply affecting however I didn't listen to him a lot. I was before his time. But thank you for this it will be the reason I explore prince's music now.
But your writing reaches me in ways I really understand. 30% Feral. Us NDNS seem to always "quantify" ourselves in humorous ways. That is something I completely understand and it's funny as Hell. Thanks
I taught a history of rock and roll class this past year and am sad to say that the students didn't "get" Prince. They found him off-putting, his voice, cacophonous. I tried everything: I played the hits, I showed them videos of his most blistering guitar solos. Nothing worked. It was, perhaps, my lowest teaching moment. Alas.
Great essay! Prince is amazing. I say "is" because he continues to live on. Thank you so much for allowing your readers to get a glimpse of your life and how important Prince was/is in your life.
I love that you write poems to your wife. What a testament to love.
Maybe my favorite Prince performance of all time was his epic, much discussed guitar solo at the 2004 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. George Harrison was being inducted posthumously and Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison were performing While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Suddenly at the end Prince strolls in and tears the house apart with a blistering, minutes-long solo that ended with his guitar being thrown up in the air and disappearing. The crowd went nuts. Prince was multi-talented. He wrote great songs, played many instruments and was a fantastic performer. I believe his was the only act to conquer the unwieldy Super Bowl halftime show. But that night in 2004 stands out to me because it so thoroughly rocked, was sheer perfection and a fitting tribute to the quiet Beatle.
One of my first memories of Prince was my aunt Sheila, whom I never really had a relationship with before this date, having to babysit me one afternoon and indoctrinating me into Prince's music on a 20 minute from my kindgarten to her home. I have never since ever thought of my Aunt Sheila the same, nor of Prince, and they are both 100x cooler in my eyes.
And you, Sherman, remain one of my favorite writers on Substack. Thank you.
A very nice piece, Sherman. May I suggest that you always start your piece with a ‘This is fact’ and “This is fiction” disclaimer so some like me don’t get too confused 🤣. Some of earlier stories felt so real.. that’s the skill I suppose. And thank you for reminding me of Prince. I was introduced to MTV as a young boy in late1980s. Heard a fair bit of Prince or rather the artist formerly known as Prince.
Amazing who can influence us and how long it can last. Thank you for sharing
I'm not a fan of Prince or Purple Rain, but I do admire your passion for the man and his art! Thanks.
I loved this lyric love story: spanning millenia and art forms and races and the many kinds of love there are. Also taking me back to Spokane for a few moments! Thank you for posting it.
Thank you, Anne!
I forgot how perfect this video is. Man, I loved that guy.
Thanks for your ode to Prince and Purple Rain. He burned Bright!
Thank you, Charlie.
Ah, Prince. What a fabulous being.
Yes, he was and is.
Prince was a virtuoso. I read that he played every instrument on Purple Rain. I have so many great memories around this record. I miss him, too. He was one of a kind.
There's an apocryphal story that Eric Clapton, when asked if he was the greatest guitar player ever, said, "No, Prince is."
I love this story, thanks.
Thanks, Dane.
I have an appreciation for Prince, his music was evocative and lyrics deeply affecting however I didn't listen to him a lot. I was before his time. But thank you for this it will be the reason I explore prince's music now.
But your writing reaches me in ways I really understand. 30% Feral. Us NDNS seem to always "quantify" ourselves in humorous ways. That is something I completely understand and it's funny as Hell. Thanks
I've been a full-time urban Indian since 1992 so I've only 27% feral now.
I taught a history of rock and roll class this past year and am sad to say that the students didn't "get" Prince. They found him off-putting, his voice, cacophonous. I tried everything: I played the hits, I showed them videos of his most blistering guitar solos. Nothing worked. It was, perhaps, my lowest teaching moment. Alas.
That is so damn depressing.
It was indeed a low moment
Great essay! Prince is amazing. I say "is" because he continues to live on. Thank you so much for allowing your readers to get a glimpse of your life and how important Prince was/is in your life.
I love that you write poems to your wife. What a testament to love.
Thank you, Beth.
Maybe my favorite Prince performance of all time was his epic, much discussed guitar solo at the 2004 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. George Harrison was being inducted posthumously and Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison were performing While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Suddenly at the end Prince strolls in and tears the house apart with a blistering, minutes-long solo that ended with his guitar being thrown up in the air and disappearing. The crowd went nuts. Prince was multi-talented. He wrote great songs, played many instruments and was a fantastic performer. I believe his was the only act to conquer the unwieldy Super Bowl halftime show. But that night in 2004 stands out to me because it so thoroughly rocked, was sheer perfection and a fitting tribute to the quiet Beatle.
Yes, yes, yes!
Here's a link to that performance for people who might not have previously seen it or want to watch it again.
https://youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y?si=oSce4T-4m2Si_y91
OMG! How had I never seen this? My purple heart is in heaven. 💜💜💜
Great, right?! Here's a link to a mini-documentary about that show:
https://youtu.be/2qpDypebFkM?si=_Cq63-2HujbVfLmQ
Thank you!
This is a fantastic story! A beautiful way to celebrate Prince's legacy through a personal lens.
Thank you, Mo!
Thank you. And as to Prince, the greatest Super Bowl halftime show ever, no one else even close.
Yes and yes and yes.
Here's the video of that epic performance: https://youtu.be/-WYYlRArn3g?si=63AwlWyp2CljvkNg
One of my first memories of Prince was my aunt Sheila, whom I never really had a relationship with before this date, having to babysit me one afternoon and indoctrinating me into Prince's music on a 20 minute from my kindgarten to her home. I have never since ever thought of my Aunt Sheila the same, nor of Prince, and they are both 100x cooler in my eyes.
And you, Sherman, remain one of my favorite writers on Substack. Thank you.