1987 May 8: Sign O The Times Era

Released digitally in the US on August 29, 2025, by Legacy Recordings, “Sign O’ The Times (Live In Rotterdam 1987)” presents a previously unreleased performance from Prince’s iconic 1987 Sign o’ the Times Tour. Captured at the Rotterdam Ahoy, this 5:26 live version showcases Prince and his touring band delivering the title track with fierce intensity, expanded arrangements, and the unmistakable electricity of the era.

Released on September 24, 2020, this special 7" vinyl single was issued as a covermount with the German edition of Rolling Stone magazine. The release was created as part of the promotional campaign surrounding the reissue and Super Deluxe Edition of Sign O’ The Times. The single paired the title track "Sign O’ The Times" with "Witness 4 The Prosecution (Version 1)", an archival recording from the Dream Factory era that remained unreleased for decades. Its inclusion introduce

Cosmic Day was made available on streaming and download platforms as a preview of the Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition. The official announcement stated that The Prince Estate and Warner Records were pleased to release the song and handwritten lyrics for Cosmic Day from Prince’s legendary vault. Cosmic Day was recorded on November 15, 1986 at Sunset Sound, and is one of the most revered recordings from the expanded reissue of Sign O’ The Times. Sign O’ The Times (Super)

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man is the fourth track on the second disc of Prince’s ninth album Sign O’ The Times, and seven months after the album’s release, it became the album’s fourth single. A live version was also included in the concert movie Sign O’ The Times. In 1993, the single edit was included as the tenth track on Prince’s first compilation album The Hits 1 (also included as the first disc of The Hits / The B‑Sides). On July 16, 2020, the 1979 Version was

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” was released on December 19, 1987 as the fourth and final commercial single from Sign O’ The Times (with “Hot Thing” also issued as a promo‑only single). Arriving seven months after the album, the single received a worldwide release and became one of the era’s most recognisable tracks.

The infamous withdrawn 1987 album The Black Album — Prince’s darkest, most explicit project — pressed in extremely limited quantities before being pulled at the last minute, making original copies among the rarest Prince records in existence. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Prince Title: The Black Album Date: 1987 (Withdrawn Original Pressing) Label: Warner Bros. Records Format / Type: Vinyl, LP, Album Country: Germany / Europe Catalogue: 925 677-1 / WX 147 TRACK LIST S

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man is one of Prince’s sharpest pop‑rock statements — a story‑driven track with a blistering guitar break and a hook that still hits decades later. The UK single’s tight 3:39 fade made it radio‑ready, while Hot Thing added a dancefloor punch. With multiple label variants and a strong chart run, it remains a favourite among collectors and a testament to the creative fire of the Sign O’ The Times era.

Extremely rare 1987 promotional cassette of Prince’s legendary withdrawn album The Black Album, featuring the original Paisley Park / Tape Gallery pressing dated November 18, 1987. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Prince Title: The Black Album Date: November 18, 1987 (Promo Cassette) Label: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records Format / Type: Cassette, Album, Promo Country: United Kingdom Catalogue: None TRACK LIST Side One Le Grind Cindy C. Dead On It When 2 R In Love Sid

An Associated Press feature catches up with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman as the former members of Prince's Revolution establish themselves as an independent act. Following years of recording, performing and appearing on screen alongside Prince, the pair discuss the challenge of building a new identity and introducing audiences to their debut album, Wendy and Lisa. Publication: Post-BulletinDate: October 17, 1987Country: United States Headlined “Former Prince bandmates on th

A New York Times News Service feature examining Minneapolis as one of America’s fastest‑growing music centres, with Prince and the emerging “Minneapolis Sound” credited as the driving force behind the city’s national and international reputation. Publication: Post‑Bulletin Date: Saturday, October 10, 1987 Country: USA Written by Dirk Johnson for the New York Times News Service, this feature explores how Minneapolis evolved into one of the most important music cities in Americ

"(The Perfect) 10" was released as the first single from 16, the second album by Madhouse. Issued seven weeks ahead of the album, the release was made available only in the United States and the United Kingdom. The title track appeared on the album as "Ten", following the established Madhouse convention of using written numbers as titles. For the single release, however, the title was presented as "(The Perfect) 10", making it one of the few deviations from the naming style u

This Albert Lea Tribune article from September 27 1987 recounts an unexpected late‑night performance by Prince in the San Fernando Valley following his MTV Awards appearance. The show, held at a remote heavy‑metal venue, became one of the most talked‑about post‑award events of the year. Publication: The Albert Lea Tribune / Evening Tribune Date: September 27 1987 Country: United States On the night of the MTV Awards, Prince staged a surprise performance at the Country Club, a

Taja Sevelle is the first studio album by Taja Sevelle, and is her only album to feature writing input by Prince. Two of the album’s ten tracks were written or co‑written by Prince, although the album was produced by Minneapolis musician Chico Bennett. Although Taja Sevelle had signed to Paisley Park Records when it was formed in 1985, she mainly worked with Warner Bros. executives on the album, and Prince’s involvement was minimal. Both songs with his involvement were not in

This News Journal feature from September 11 1987 announces Prince’s addition to the star‑studded lineup for The 1987 MTV Video Music Awards. His live performance at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles marked the debut of his new band before a U.S. television audience, joining an elite roster of performers and presenters from across the pop and rock spectrum. Publication: The News Journal / Evening Journal Date: September 11, 1987 Country: United States Prince was added

On September 11 1987, Paisley Park Studios officially opened its doors in Chanhassen, Minnesota — a $10 million creative complex conceived, financed, and owned by Prince. The facility became his artistic headquarters, housing recording studios, a soundstage, rehearsal halls, and production offices, symbolizing his vision of complete creative independence. Publication: Press Release / Chronicle Entry Date: September 11 1987 Country: United States THE STORY Construction began

This Hartford Courant feature from September 10 1987 reports on Prince’s surprise live appearance in suburban Minneapolis, thrilling fans with an impromptu full‑set performance while other scheduled acts, including Engelbert Humperdinck, faced cancellations. The article captures Prince’s enduring mystique and his connection to hometown audiences during the Sign o’ the Times era. Publication: Hartford Courant Date: September 10 1987 Country: United States Written by Roger Ca

Feisty girl drummers turned singers. Raucous funk merchants. Camisoled nymphettes. Regency lackeys with electric guitars. They have all enjoyed the benevolent patronage of Prince.

“U Got The Look” was issued as the third single from Prince’s ninth album Sign O’ The Times. Released three and a half months after the album, it received a worldwide release. The B-side, “Housequake,” was also taken from the same album. The 12-inch single featured an extended version of the title track and a remix of “Housequake.” COUNTRY VARIANTS Artist: Prince Title: U Got The Look Label: Warner Bros. / Paisley Park Country: United Kingdom Catalogue: W8289 / W8289T / W828

HEADLINE PARAGRAPH This Post‑Bulletin article from July 1987 reports that Prince is working on a new full‑length concert film at his recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. The project includes footage from his recent European tour, capturing performances in Rotterdam and Antwerp. Publication: Post‑Bulletin Date: July 23 1987 Country: United States THE STORY The short news item reveals that Prince has secluded himself in his newly built recording studio to produce a

U Got The Look is the third single to be released from Prince’s ninth album Sign O’ The Times. It was released three and a half months after the album and received a worldwide release. The B‑side, Housequake, was also taken from Sign O’ The Times. The 12" single contained an extended version of the title track and a remix of Housequake. The single reached number 2 on the US Billboard Pop Chart and remained on the chart for 25 weeks. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Black

Released on 14 July 1987, this high‑energy 7" single captures Prince at the peak of his Sign ☮ The Times era. Mixing rock, funk, and pop, the single showcases Prince’s Camille‑style vocals, Sheena Easton’s guest performance, and Sheila E.’s percussion, forming one of the most iconic sonic pairings of his late‑1980s catalogue. BACKGROUND Issued as the third single from Sign ☮ The Times, arriving three and a half months after the album’s release. Both U Got The Look and Housequ

The June 23, 1987 edition of Blues & Soul features Prince on the cover celebrating “10 Years of the Purple Reign”. Publication: Blues & Soul Date: June 23, 1987 Country: United Kingdom Location: UK Section: Front Cover THE STORY The cover highlights Prince’s 10-year anniversary in the music industry with a striking portrait and teasers for inside features including Madhouse, Tawatha, First Choice, and more. CONTEXT AND NOTES This special issue marked a decade since Prince’s

The June 21, 1987 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on Prince’s performance at the Galgenwaard Football Stadium in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Publication: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Date: June 21, 1987 Country: United States Location: St. Louis, Missouri Section: News / Entertainment THE STORY The short article notes that Prince performed on Friday night in Utrecht as the first of three concerts in the Netherlands during his European tour. CONTEXT AND NOTES This wire

The June 21, 1987 edition of the Sunday Mirror features a colourful tabloid profile on Prince, focusing on his outrageous stage costumes, sexuality, and philosophy. Publication: Sunday Mirror Date: June 21, 1987 Country: United Kingdom Location: London Section: Entertainment / Feature THE STORY The article quotes Prince on fame, wealth, clothes, and his approach to music and performance. It highlights his extravagant stage shows, costume changes, and provocative image while