Prince Remembered: Intimate Stories from Those Who Knew Him Best
Ten years after the untimely death of Prince, a musical icon whose influence transcends generations, those closest to him share poignant and revealing memories. From late-night drives to lurid pranks, these accounts paint a portrait of a genius who was both majestic and mercurial, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
George Clinton: A New Version of Sly Stone
George Clinton, the legendary funk musician, first met Prince in 1977 when the young artist was just 19. "He had the swagger and looked like he was in Funkadelic," Clinton recalls. "To me, he was a new version of Sly Stone." Clinton highlights Prince's extraordinary talent, noting his prowess on guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums, as well as his dance moves reminiscent of James Brown. Their friendship deepened over years, with Prince often calling Clinton at all hours for conversations about music history. "Once you were tight with him, you were tight for years," Clinton says, reflecting on their bond that lasted until Prince's final performances.
Apollonia Kotero: Love and Respect Beyond Collaboration
Apollonia Kotero, who starred alongside Prince in Purple Rain, describes their relationship as familial. "We never dated, but maintained love and respect for 33 years," she shares. Kotero recounts harrowing moments during filming, such as jumping into a freezing lake and suffering hypothermia, with Prince by her side, crying and urging her to survive. She also reveals how Prince hummed the initial melody for When Doves Cry into her answerphone, a testament to his spontaneous creativity. In his later years, Kotero noticed a change in his physique and spirit, particularly after the death of Vanity, which left her concerned. "It looked like his zest for life was being dimmed," she says, recalling their last hug and exchange of "I love you."
Childhood Friends: Dreams of Stardom and Heartbreak
Charles 'Chazz' Smith, Prince's cousin and original drummer, remembers their youth in Minneapolis. "We'd gaze at the stars and he'd go: 'I'm gonna be up there one day,'" Smith says. He reflects on Prince's shy, romantic nature and his astonishment at fan adoration. However, Smith also touches on the burdens Prince carried, including the loss of his child and relentless industry pressures. "He pushed himself to the absolute limit," Smith notes, suggesting that these struggles may have contributed to his early death.
André Cymone, Prince's childhood best friend, recalls their deep bond formed over cereal bowls and music jams. "Nobody understood me as an individual like he did," Cymone says. He emphasizes Prince's desire to connect with misfits worldwide through his music, blending genres to create a unique sound. Cymone also shares surreal anecdotes of cryptic invitations from Prince, like being escorted by two blonds after a limo pickup, highlighting the eccentricities of fame.
Collaborators and Confidantes: Behind the Scenes
Mica Paris, a singer and collaborator, met Prince after he handed her a microphone during a London show. "He was mesmerising," she says, describing their quiet, thoughtful interactions. Paris admits she would have welcomed a romantic advance from the incredibly sexy star, but their relationship remained platonic. She recalls a dream she had of Prince pulling back a curtain and smiling, which she interprets as a farewell.
Owen Husney, Prince's first manager, describes him as "supernatural" in his talents. "He only had a high-school education but could grasp concepts and demand his own way," Husney says. He notes Prince's shyness, making him more comfortable with large crowds than small groups, and his penchant for pranks, like using a fake hand to fake an injury.
Susan Rogers, an audio engineer, witnessed Prince's hypercreative process firsthand. "Most of us have inhibitory brakes in our nervous systems; with Prince, those brakes were always off," she explains. Rogers shares stories of spontaneous songwriting, such as when Prince riffed through her bag and incorporated wintergreen Tic Tacs into lyrics. She also reflects on the loneliness of his artistic vision, sometimes baking him cookies to offer comfort.
The Band Dynamics: Discipline and Drama
Bobby Z, drummer for Prince and the Revolution, compares playing with Prince to "being in the purple marines." He recounts the relentless pace of creativity, with new songs and videos daily. Bobby Z also shares humorous moments, like when Bruce Springsteen and Madonna were denied access to Prince's dressing room, having to use the band's toilet instead.
Matthew 'Dr' Fink, keyboardist, discusses the racial challenges Prince faced early on, such as being pelted with objects during a Rolling Stones opening act. "He had such confidence," Fink says, noting how Prince built his own diverse fanbase. Fink also reveals Prince's later struggles, including a diagnosis of multiple-personality disorder shared on Oprah, which shocked those close to him.
Later Years: Pain and Spirituality
Candy Dulfer, a saxophonist, recalls Prince's gentlemanly nature and his love for female energy. She details how his adoption of Jehovah's Witness beliefs was a response to deep personal pain, including the loss of his child. "I think being in constant pain does something to your mind," Dulfer says, describing his mood shifts in later years. She cherishes the human moments, like his kindness to her mother, over the grand shows.
Sananda Maitreya (formerly Terence Trent D'Arby) felt a mirror-like connection with Prince. "He was like a missionary, a wizard," he says, praising Prince's philosophical depth. Maitreya believes Prince felt an urgency to create as much as possible, sensing a limited timeline.
LeRoy Bennett, a lighting director, reflects on Prince's intense work ethic and their creative partnership. "He'd do a two-hour soundcheck, play a show, then watch the video all over again," Bennett says. He shares that Prince once expressed not wanting to live past 35, making the extra decades a gift to fans. Bennett's final conversation with Prince at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction was a heartfelt reunion.
These stories collectively underscore Prince's unparalleled legacy as an artist who pushed boundaries, embraced diversity, and left a treasure trove of music. A decade after his death, his influence continues to resonate, remembered not just for his hits but for the profound human connections he forged.
