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1978 April 7: For You Album Era
For You is the debut studio album by Prince, released when he was only 19 years old. A remarkable one-man-band effort, Prince wrote, produced, arranged, and performed every instrument and vocal on the album (with the exception of one co-writing credit). The record blends funk, soul, pop, and rock with romantic, playful, and sometimes sensual themes.
USA: Billboard Soul LP’s Chart #23
SINGLES RELEASED
“Soft and Wet” (b/w “So Blue”)
“Just as Long as We’re Together” (b/w “In Love”)
Prince (January 19, 1979) The Power and the Glory, the Minneapolis Story – Twin Cities Reader
A passionate early profile that hails 19-year-old Prince as a prodigious talent destined for greatness, capturing the excitement in his hometown as his debut album For You begins to make waves. SOURCE DETAILS Publication: Twin Cities Reader Date: January 19, 1979 Country: United States Section / Pages: Feature Article THE STORY This in-depth piece celebrates Prince as a multi-talented “one-man band” who wrote, produced, and played nearly every instrument on his debut album Fo
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Jan 19, 1979
Prince (January 8, 1979) Prince’s 1st Concert Is Energetic, Sexy – Minneapolis Star
Jon Bream’s review of Prince’s debut concert at the Capri Theater captures the moment a 19-year-old prodigy stepped onto the stage and announced himself as a star. Publication: The Minneapolis Star Date: January 8, 1979 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / Concert Review THE STORY This review covers Prince’s first public concert at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis. Despite technical delays and a small crowd, Bream describes Prince’s performance as energetic
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Jan 8, 1979
Prince (January 6, 1979) Capri Theater Concert
Article Context & Main Highlights Key Content Prince Live at the Capri Theater Date: January 6, 1979 Venue: Capri Theater City: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Early Prince concert with his expanding band during the late 1970s. This show took place at the intimate Capri Theater in his hometown of Minneapolis. Notable Details Show Facts Band: Prince (vocals, guitar, drums, bass, keyboards), Bobby Z. (drums), André Cymone (bass), Dez Dickerson (guitar), Matt Fink (keyboards), Gayle
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Jan 6, 1979
Prince (January 5, 1979) Our teen-age virtuoso is home to play at last – Minneapolis Star
A young Prince returns home — quiet, brilliant, and ready to show Minneapolis what he has become.
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Jan 5, 1979
Prince (December 21, 1978) – Autograph Signing at WGIV Radio-thon, Charlotte
Report on Warner Bros. Records’ sponsorship of WGIV radio station’s annual Mountain of Food Drive, featuring Prince as the special guest signing autographs for fans. Publication: The Charlotte Post Date: Thursday, December 21, 1978 Country: United States Location: Charlotte, North Carolina THE STORY The article describes Prince (called an 18-year-old musical genius) spending hours signing autographs during the Friday radio-thon. It praises his self-produced debut album For Yo
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Dec 21, 1978
Prince (December 8, 1978) – Ashford & Simpson with Special Guest Prince (Day-Before Ad)
Final promotional advertisement for Ashford & Simpson with Special Guest Prince on Saturday, December 9, 1978, at the Township in Columbia, South Carolina. Tickets available at Williams Music or via Chargit. Publication: The Times and Democrat Date: Friday, December 8, 1978 Country: United States Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina Section: Entertainment / Concert Promotion THE STORY The ad repeats the earlier promotion with a photo of Ashford & Simpson and highlights Prince
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Dec 8, 1978
Prince (November 21, 1978) Just As Long As We’re Together / In Love – Single 7 US
Prince’s early Minneapolis groove gets its first standalone spotlight RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 21, 1978 Catalogue: WBS 8713 Format: 7" Single Country: United States / Canada A-Side: “Just As Long As We’re Together” (Edit) Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “In Love” THE STORY The second single from Prince’s debut album For You, “Just As Long As We’re Together” was released exclusively in the US market. It features a special 3:25 edit unique to this single r
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Nov 21, 1978
Prince (November 21, 1978) Just As Long As We’re Together / Soft And Wet – Single 12 US
"Just As Long As We're Together" (Disco Mix) is a promotional 12" single featuring extended disco mixes of tracks from Prince’s debut album For You. It was released as a special DJ tool to support the early singles. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 12" Vinyl Single, Promo Country: USA Released: November 21, 1978 Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop Style: Funk, Disco A-Side: Just As Long As We're Together (Disco Mix) — 6:29 B-Side: Soft And Wet (Disco Mix
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Nov 21, 1978
Prince (November 10, 1978) “For You,” the debut album by Minneapolis Prince – The Minneapolis Star US
A November 10, 1978 mention in The Minneapolis Star celebrating the early chart success of Prince’s debut album For You and his single “Soft and Wet,” marking one of the first local acknowledgments of his rising career Publication: The Minneapolis Star Date: November 10, 1978 Country: United States Section / Pages: Music Column Title: (Part of “Quick Spins” / Music News) THE STORY The short paragraph notes that Prince’s debut album For You has made the Billboard pop charts, a
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Nov 10, 1978
Prince (September 15, 1978) – Prince In-Store Appearance at Record Factory, Oakland
Advertisement for Prince’s personal appearance and autograph signing at the Record Factory in Oakland, California, on Saturday, September 16, 1978, from 3 PM to 5 PM. The ad promotes his debut album For You and highlights that he “produced, arranged, composed and performs on his first album.” Publication: Oakland Tribune Date: Friday, September 15, 1978 Country: United States Location: Oakland, California Section: Entertainment / Concert & Appearance Promotio THE STORY The ad
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Sep 15, 1978
Prince (June 7, 1978) Soft And Wet / So Blue – Single 7 US
"Soft And Wet" is Prince’s debut single, released from his first album For You. It marked the beginning of his legendary recording career at the age of 19. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: USA (and select international markets) Released: 7 June 1978 (Prince’s 20th birthday) Genre: Funk, R&B, Pop Length: 3:01 (A-side) A-Side: Soft And Wet (3:01) B-Side: So Blue (4:26) Catalogue #: US: WBS 8619 THE STORY A smooth, sens
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Jun 7, 1978
Prince (May 14, 1978) Nevada State Journal Reviews Prince’s Debut Album “For You”
A brief, highly dismissive review of Prince’s debut album For You (Warner Bros. BSK 3150), calling it “not-so-royal music” and concluding it is “not worth looking into.” Publication: Nevada State Journal Date: Sunday, May 14, 1978 Country: United States Location: Reno, Nevada Section: Entertainment / Album Review Page: 75 THE STORY “This guy named PRINCE presents some not-so-royal music on ‘For You’ (Warner Bros. BSK3150). Prince has a so-so high voice and handles all the voc
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May 14, 1978
Prince (May 12, 1978) “For You.” (Warner Brothers 3150) – The Minneapolis Star US
A very early May 12, 1978 album review in The Minneapolis Star of Prince’s debut album For You, praising the 19-year-old Minneapolis musician’s extraordinary talent as a one-man band and expressing high hopes for his future. Publication: The Minneapolis Star Date: May 12, 1978 Country: United States Section / Pages: Music Review Title: “For You.” (Warner Brothers 3150) THE STORY The review highlights that Prince, at just 18 years old, wrote, produced, and played every instrum
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May 12, 1978
Prince (April 30, 1978) Prince: A one-man band and a whole chorus, too – Minneapolis Tribune
One of the earliest major newspaper features on a 19-year-old Prince, introducing Minneapolis readers to a prodigious young musician already producing his own Warner Bros. album. THE STORY This in-depth feature profiles 19-year-old Prince Rogers Nelson, describing him as “literally a one-man band” who wrote, produced, and played nearly every instrument on his upcoming debut album For You. The article explores his early life, musical development, and remarkable self-sufficienc
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Apr 30, 1978
Prince (April 29, 1978) Tomorrow in the Sunday – Minneapolis Star / Tribune Teaser
An early promotional announcement teasing readers with the story of an extraordinary 18-year-old Minneapolis musician named Prince — already a self-produced Warner Bros. artist and one-man band SOURCE DETAILS Publication: Minneapolis Star / Minneapolis Tribune Date: April 29, 1978 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / Arts Preview THE STORY This small but significant teaser box announces an upcoming Sunday feature on Prince, describing him as “literally a on
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Apr 29, 1978
Prince (April 14, 1978) Record notes on “For You” – Star Tribune / Minneapolis Tribune US
An early April 14, 1978 announcement in the Star Tribune highlighting the release of Prince’s debut album For You, praising the 19-year-old as a remarkable multi-instrumentalist who wrote, produced, arranged, and performed the entire record himself. Publication: Star Tribune / Minneapolis Tribune Date: April 14, 1978 Country: United States Section / Pages: Music / Record Notes Title: Record notes THE STORY The short note announces the release of Prince’s debut album For You o
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Apr 14, 1978
Prince (April 7, 1978) For You - Album
For You is the debut studio album by Prince, released when he was only 19 years old. A remarkable one-man-band effort, Prince wrote, produced, arranged, and performed every instrument and vocal on the album (with the exception of one co-writing credit). The record blends funk, soul, pop, and rock with romantic, playful, and sometimes sensual themes, showcasing his extraordinary talent and ambition right from the start. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Record
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Apr 7, 1978
Prince (February 13, 1976) Nelson Finds It “Hard to Become Known” – Central High Pioneer
A rare and insightful early interview with 17-year-old Prince Nelson while still a senior at Central High School in Minneapolis SOURCE DETAILS Publication: Central High Pioneer Date: February 13, 1976 Country: United States Section / Pages: Student Feature / Music THE STORY In this candid interview, Prince Nelson discusses his two years playing with Grand Central Corporation, his musical beginnings on piano and guitar, and the challenges of breaking into the music industry fr
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Feb 13, 1976
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