Perhaps the only upside to Prince passing on is that YouTube has exploded with Prince videos. At least for the moment. Let’s enjoy one.
Tonight we will travel back in time, prior to Purple Rain. At this First Avenue show in the summer of 1983, Wendy makes her debut with the band and a series of new songs are debuted. I Would Die For U, Computer Blue, Purple Rain, Let’s Go Crazy, and Baby I’m a Star are played for the first time live.
Prince fans will enjoy hearing that these new songs aren’t completely finalized.
Computer Blue, for example, sounds much harder, with different lyrics in places and some might guitar work. There’s a fun and funny version of DMSR at the end of the show, too.
And, by the way, he was only 25 years old when doing all of this. And Wendy was 19.
Warning for kids that there might be adult material in here. It’s Prince, after all.
https://youtu.be/s-O-LsD7czo
Soundcheck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxVeUvo5COI
I can dig his usual Las Vegas flash, but this simple 2:48 soundcheck where he’s calling out the chords is worth an hour of his androgynous lovebody (talented) antics.