Prince reigns! And after an extraordinary series of sold-out rave concert performances, he is set once more to royally rule Madison Square Garden. The date: Monday, February 7.
Yes, New York, this is when pomp and majesty, artistry and showmanship come together as the inimitable Prince brings another glorious “Purple Day” to New York City. Nothing can top this Pre-Valentine Day’s gift! Trust me!
So, here’s the news blurb: “Due 2 Overwhelming Demand, a 4th MSG Show Added!” Presented by Live Nation Entertainment, the “Welcome 2 America Live” concert tickets went on sale on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m., and I predict that, like his Jan. 18 show which sold out in a flash, this one is going to go like free iPhone minutes. Here’s hoping you were able to get a ticket. And for those of you still trying, have a little faith, my people, pray on and visit www.livenation.com. Hmm, just maybe there’s one last ticket with your name on it! Bon chance.
Now, just in case you’re from another planet, let’s run through a swift timeline highlighting everybody’s favorite artist: Prince.
Born June 7 some decades ago (years are not necessary for ageless spirits) in Minneapolis, Minn., it is said that he was named Prince Rogers Nelson, after his father, John L. Nelson, a musician and songwriter, who performed under the stage name The Prince Rogers Trio.
Born epileptic, according to his biography, he revealed to Tavis Smiley in a PBS interview that he “used to have seizures.” However, he told his mother, jazz singer Mattie Shaw, that “an angel told [him he] would no longer be sick.” And this came to pass.
At age seven he wrote his first tune, “Funk Machine,” and while attending Central High in Minneapolis he played piano and guitar for Grand Central, his cousin Charles Smith’s band. The incredible Morris Day later replaced Smith on drums, and the band subsequently renamed Champagne, began playing their own music inspired by artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Miles Davis and others.
By the time he was 17, Prince had signed a management contract with Owen Husney, with whom he made a demo record. He was subsequently signed to Warner Bros., who gave Prince creative control and ownership of the publishing rights to his first three albums. An angel was certainly watching out for Prince.
And that angel had Prince’s back through the peaks and valleys of his life. Among the peaks are winning seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award, as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Prince is also an astute businessman, and has created his own recording studio and label. And long before “American Idol”, he identified, nurtured and promoted the careers of several artists, including The Time, Sheila E., and Carmen Electra. In addition, he has written songs for many artists such as Sinead O’Connor and Chaka Khan
Prince has sold 100 million records worldwide, and, according to Robert Larsen’s “History of Rock and Roll,” the artist is “one of the most talented and commercially successful pop musicians of the last 20 years.” A phenomenal artist, songwriter, musician and performer, Prince is credited with producing ten platinum albums, 30 Top 40 singles, and a milestone discography that boasts one album a year from 1978 to 2010, excluding 1983, 1993, 1997, 2005, and 2008, though he made up for those years with multiple records in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2004.
One of the most diligent, creative, and visionary artists of the last three decades Prince’s discography includes “For You” (1978); “Prince” (1979); “Dirty Mind” (1980); “Controversy” (1981); “1999” (1982); “Purple Rain” (1984); “Around the World in a Day” (1985); “Parade” (1986); “Sign o’ the Times” (1987); “Lovesexy” (1988); “Batman” (1989); “Graffiti Bridge” (1990); “Diamonds and Pearls” 1991; “O(+>” (1992); “Come” (1994); “The Black Anthem” (1994); “The Gold Experience” (1995); “Chaos and Disorder” (1996); “Emancipation” (1996); “Crystal Ball” (1998); “The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale” (1999); “Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic” (1999); “The Rainbow Children” (2001); “One Nite Alone”(2002); “Xpectation” (2003); “C-Note” (2003); “Musicology” (2004); “The Chocolate Invasion” (2004); “The Slaughterhouse” (2004); “3121” (2006); “Planet Earth” (2007); “Lotusflow3r /MPLSound” (2009); and “20Ten” (2010).
With this outstanding body of work, there’ll be something for everyone at the “Welcome 2 America Live” concert. And Madison Square Garden, which touts itself as “The World’s Most Famous Arena”–well, as large as it is, you can bet that with all that energy that’s about to liberate New York it will not be huge enough contain the party of 2011 that’s about to get underway with the beloved, phenomenal artist known as Prince. Just ask his archangel.