top of page
1988 May 6 : Lovesey Era
One of the most exciting and important eras in Prince’s career arrived after the dark, heavy atmosphere surrounding The Black Album. Brimming with renewed inspiration, Prince channelled a powerful spiritual energy into the creation of Lovesexy, an album that radiated positivity, rebirth, and transcendence. The accompanying Lovesexy Tour took the live experience to new theatrical heights, revealing — through staging, narrative, and performance — the deeper reasons behind T B Album’s cancellation.
Prince (November 1988) “Prince Vs. Prince: An Artist At War With Himself” – Major Cover Story & Feature – Musician Magazine (US
Extensive November 1988 cover story and eight-page feature in Musician magazine examining Prince’s internal conflicts, creative genius, and the tensions surrounding the Lovesexy era and his evolving career. PUBLICATION: Date: November 1988 Country: United States Section / Pages: Cover + 8-Page Feature Title: PRINCE VS. PRINCE / An artist at war with himself THE STORY Musician magazine dedicated its cover and a deep multi-page feature to Prince, exploring the duality of his pu
Escape
Nov 1, 1988
Prince (October 24, 1988) I Wish U Heaven - Single 7"/12"/CD UK
The Final Lovesexy Single — a spiritual ballad paired with the provocative Camille B-side Scarlet Pussy RELEASE DETAILS Date: October 24, 1988 Catalogue: W 7745 (7") / W 7745 T (12") / W 7745 CD (CD) Format: 7" Single, 12" Maxi-Single, CD Single Country: United Kingdom Album: Lovesexy (1988) A-Side: I Wish U Heaven (Edit / Parts 1, 2 & 3) B-Side: Scarlet Pussy (by Camille) THE STORY Released on October 24, 1988 as the third and final single from Lovesexy, “I Wish U Heaven” pa
Escape
Oct 24, 1988
Prince (October 1, 1988) Sign o’ the Times – The Video of the Tour – NME Full-Page Advert
A striking full-page advertisement promotes the home video release of Prince’s acclaimed Sign o’ the Times concert film. SOURCE DETAILS Publication: New Musical Express (NME) Date: October 1, 1988 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Full-page advertisement (Page 28) THE STORY This eye-catching advert promotes the VHS release of Prince’s groundbreaking Sign o’ the Times concert film. It highlights 13 tracks from the show, a glowing quote from Sky Magazine calling it “the
Escape
Oct 1, 1988
Cat Glover (October 1988) “Boss Cat” – Major Feature – Sky Magazine (UK)
In-depth October 1988 feature in Sky Magazine spotlighting Cat Glover, Prince’s dynamic dancer, muse, and key onstage partner during the Lovesexy Tour, presented as his most important new talent. PUBLICATION: Date: October 1988 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Multi-Page Feature Title: BOSS CAT THE STORY Sky Magazine gives Cat Glover a major spread, showcasing her striking style, fierce stage presence, and close working relationship with Prince. The article details ho
Escape
Oct 1, 1988
Prince (September 1988) “The Second Coming” – Major Feature – The Face Magazine (UK)
Epic 1988 feature in The Face magazine by legendary writer Nick Kent, titled “The Second Coming,” offering a deep, philosophical assessment of Prince’s artistic evolution, genius, and cultural impact during the Lovesexy era. PUBLICATION: Date: September 1988 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Multi-Page Feature (5+ pages) Title: THE SECOND COMING By: Nick Kent THE STORY In this extensive article, Nick Kent examines Prince as a once-in-a-generation artist who single-hand
Escape
Sep 1, 1988
Prince (August 6, 1988) “Prince: Possibly The Greatest Show On Earth!” – Live Review – Record Mirror (UK)
Rave live review of Prince’s spectacular 1988 performance at Wembley Arena, praising it as one of the greatest shows on earth during the Lovesexy Tour. PUBLICATION: Date: August 6, 1988 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Cover + Major Live Review Title: PRINCE LIVE SEXY / Possibly The Greatest Show On Earth! THE STORY Record Mirror celebrated Prince’s Wembley Arena concert with an enthusiastic review describing the show as visually stunning, musically masterful, and the
Escape
Aug 6, 1988
Prince (July 22, 1988) Hopes High For "Lovesexy Tour" - The Wichita Eagle
The Wichita Eagle-Beacon Wichita, Kansas · Friday, July 22, 1988
GlamSlamEscape
Jul 22, 1988
Prince (July 21, 1988) Prince Back In Spotlight With 'Lovesexy' Tour- The High Point Enterprise
Prince Back In Spotlight With 'Lovesexy' Tour LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES Coming hot on the heels of his breakthrough film of the same name, Prince's "Purple Rain" tour was one of the most anticipated events of the 1985-86 concert season. Yet many observers felt that Purple Rain" generated less excitement than expected. Some critics commented on the murkiness of the sound system, the clumsiness of the show's pacing and the singer's neurotic costume changes. For some re
GlamSlamEscape
Jul 21, 1988
Prince (July 16, 1988) Glam Slam - Maxi-Single 12" US/UK
In a rare moment of second‑guessing, Prince decided only days before release that “Glam Slam” was the wrong choice for a follow‑up single and attempted to halt distribution — but the process was already too far along to stop.
GlamSlamEscape
Jul 16, 1988
Prince (July 8,1988) Lovesexy '88 Tour – Opening Night (France)
One of the most exciting and important eras in Prince’s career arrived after the dark, heavy atmosphere surrounding The Black Album. Brimming with renewed inspiration, Prince channelled a powerful spiritual energy into the creation of Lovesexy, an album that radiated positivity, rebirth, and transcendence. The accompanying Lovesexy Tour took the live experience to new theatrical heights, revealing — through staging, narrative, and performance — the deeper reasons behind The B
GlamSlamEscape
Jul 8, 1988
GlamSlamEscape
Jul 7, 1988
Prince (June 24, 1988) “Prince packs plenty for tour” Tour Announcement – St. Cloud Times
The June 24, 1988 edition of the St. Cloud Times reports on Prince’s upcoming European summer tour, noting the massive amount of equipment and stage production involved. Publication: St. Cloud Times Date: June 24, 1988 Country: United States Location: Saint Cloud, Minnesota Section: News / Entertainment THE STORY The article states that more than one cargo jet will be needed to haul 100 tons of stage and equipment for Prince’s summer tour in Europe. Spokesperson Bob Merlis co
GlamSlamEscape
Jun 24, 1988
Prince (June 2, 1988) Prince, Cat Glover, Boni Boyer and Sheila E.
begin shooting the video for Eye Wish U Heaven with director Jean Baptiste Mondino (who also shot the Lovesexy album cover)
GlamSlamEscape
Jun 2, 1988
Prince (May 28, 1988) “Hornsby, Prince try to beat odds” – St. Cloud Times (US)
A record review in the St. Cloud Times discussing Prince’s 10th studio album Lovesexy, noting its commercial performance and provocative content in the context of artists attempting to follow up major successes. PUBLICATION Publication: St. Cloud Times Date: May 28, 1988 Country: United States Section / Pages: Record Reviews Title: Hornsby, Prince try to beat odds THE STORY The review by Cliff Radel (Gannett News Service) examines the challenge of following a major hit album.
GlamSlamEscape
May 28, 1988
Prince (May 27, 1988) Brownmark ASCAP Award
A column in the Star Tribune highlights that Brownmark (bassist in Prince and the Revolution) was recently in New York scoring a Pepsi commercial featuring Patti Austin and Valerie Simpson, as part of “Quick Spins” news roundup. PUBLICATION Publication: Star Tribune Date: May 27, 1988 Country: USA Section / Pages: Page 13 Title: Quick Spins THE STORY The article notes that Jimmy (Jam) Harris and Terry Lewis were named ASCAP Songwriters of the Year for 1987. It then mentions
GlamSlamEscape
May 27, 1988
The Three O'Clock (May 24, 1988) Vermillion - Album
Paisley Park’s Psychedelic Power Pop Gem — Featuring Prince’s “Neon Telephone” RELEASE DETAILS Date: May 24, 1988 Catalogue: 9 25717-1 (LP) / 9 25717-2 (CD) Format: LP, CD, Cassette Country: United States Label: Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. THE STORY Vermillion was the only album released by Los Angeles band The Three O'Clock on Prince’s Paisley Park Records. Blending jangly psychedelic pop with 1980s production, the album captured the band’s signature sound while rece
GlamSlamEscape
May 24, 1988
Prince (May 10 1988) Lovesexy - Album
Lovesexy is Prince’s tenth studio album, released in May 1988. A spiritually charged, psychedelic pop and funk masterpiece, it was recorded quickly as a direct response to the scrapped Black Album, blending positivity, sensuality, and faith. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records Date: May 10, 1988 Catalogue: 9 25720-1 Format: LP Country: United States (worldwide release) THE STORY Lovesexy is a vibrant, optimistic album exploring themes of
GlamSlamEscape
May 10, 1988
Prince (May 8 1988) Alphabet St. – Single Chart Peak UK
“Alphabet St. showed Prince at his most stripped‑back and playful, turning minimal funk into a Top 10 moment.” Alphabet St. — UK Chart Overview Prince’s Alphabet St. entered the Official UK Singles Chart in early May 1988 and reached its peak during the chart week 8 May – 14 May 1988, climbing to No. 9. Released on Paisley Park (W7900), the single became the lead UK hit from the Lovesexy era and marked Prince’s return to the UK Top 10 following the Sign “O” The Times campaign
GlamSlamEscape
May 8, 1988
Prince (April 23, 1988) Alphabet St. - Single 7"/12"/Cassette/CD US
Prince released “Alphabet St.” as the lead single from his tenth studio album Lovesexy TRACK LIST US 7" Single (7-27900) A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25 B. Alphabet St. (Cont.) – 3:14 US 12" Maxi-Single (0-20930) A. Alphabet St. (Album Version) – 5:40 B. Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) – 7:48 US Cassette Single (4-27900) Same tracklist as the 7" US CD Promo Single (PRO-CD-3079) Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25 Alphabet St. (LP Version) – 5:40 Alphabet St. (Extended V
GlamSlamEscape
Apr 23, 1988
Prince (April 15, 1988) Alphabet St. - Single 7"/12"/CD UK
A stripped‑back Lovesexy groove, Alphabet St. launched as the lead single from Prince’s tenth album Lovesexy RELEASE DETAILS Date: April 15, 1988 Catalogue: W 7900 (7") / W 7900 T (12") / W 7900 CD (CD) Format: 7" Single, 12" Maxi-Single, CD Mini Single, Cassette Country: United Kingdom Album: Lovesexy (1988) A-Side: Alphabet St. (Edit / Album Version) B-Side: Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) THE STORY Released in the UK on April 15, 1988 as the lead single fr
GlamSlamEscape
Apr 15, 1988
bottom of page