Jon Bream reports that Prince’s $6 million film Purple Rain has been filmed under tight secrecy since November 5, with a strict media embargo and extras required to sign agreements not to discuss the project. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Monday, December 19, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment (Page 4C) Byline: Jon Bream, Staff Writer THE STORY The article details the highly secretive production of Purple Rain. Despite the closed sets and non

Prince and his cast and crew have finished shooting the concert scenes last week at First Avenue. The filming is expected to wrap up this week at a studio in Eden Prairie. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, December 18, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Brief news item THE STORY A concise update reporting that the major concert sequences at the iconic First Avenue club have been completed, with principal photography scheduled to conclu

“‘Purple Rain’ cast outfitted locally” — The film, currently being shot in the Twin Cities, outfitted around 100 extras at local Minneapolis stores including J.J. Flash, Pants Plus, and The Arcade. The hottest item: colorful nylon peg-legged pants. Publication: Minneapolis Star and TribuneDate: Wednesday, November 23, 1983 Country: United States Section: Off the cuff / Bonnie Miller Rubin (Page 2C) THE STORY The article highlights how the Purple Rain production sourced costum

This was the fifth and final single released from Prince’s breakthrough double album 1999. Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Date: November 23, 1983 Catalogue: 7-29548 Format: 7" Single Country: USA Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince TRACK LIST Side A Let’s Pretend We’re Married (3:40) Side B Irresistible Bitch (4:11) PERSONNEL Prince – vocals, all instruments, production Wendy & Lisa – background vocals (on Irresistible Bitch) THE STORY “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” wa

Columnist Barbara Flanagan reports that Minneapolis’s own Prince is set to become a movie star, with high-fashion model Apollonia (Apollonia Van Ravenstein) rumored to co-star in Purple Rain. Filming of Prince’s first feature film is scheduled to begin that week at key ocations including First Avenue, 7th Street, and 1st Avenue North. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune (Star Tribune) Date: Monday, November 21, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Barbar

Prince’s Funk Proposal — a sleek, seductive synth‑funk plea backed with the sultry snarl of Irresistible Bitch RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 16, 1983 Catalogue: 9 20170-0 A / 0-20170 (12") Format: 7" Single, 12" Maxi-Single, Promo Country: United States (worldwide variants) A-Side: “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” – 7:20 B-Side: “Irresistible Bitch” – 4:11 (feat. Wendy & Lisa on backing vocals) THE STORY Released on November 16, 1983 as a 12" maxi-single (with 7" editions also

A short entertainment brief noting that Prince was filming “Purple Rain” last week on Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis, while also mentioning Andre Cymone’s recent chart success and production work (including a group positioned as a counterpart to Vanity 6). Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune (Star Tribune) Date: Sunday, November 13, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / In the wings column THE STORY T he item reports that Prince was actively shooting scene

A local news brief in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune noting that Prince is preparing for the filming of his first feature film Purple Rain later in November, while continuing work on records for The Time, Vanity 6, and himself, as “Delirious” climbs the charts. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, November 6, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / In the wings Title: In the wings (Prince / Purple Rain update) THE STORY The short item

A bold, high-impact promotional advert for Prince’s double album 1999 and the breakthrough single “Little Red Corvette,” positioning him as a revolutionary force changing the face of rock. SOURCE DETAILS Publication / Format: WEA Records Promotional Advert (likely placed in music magazines) Date: 1983 (during the 1999 campaign) Country: United States / International Section / Pages: Full-page promotional advertisement THE STORY This striking advert promotes the special-priced

A local production update in the Star Tribune detailing plans for Prince’s first feature film Purple Rain, including the start of filming on November 1, auditions for dancers and extras at First Avenue, and an anticipated April 1984 release Publication: Star Tribune Date: Sunday, October 2, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: In the wings / Film Title: In the wings (Purple Rain production details) THE STORY The article announces that Purple Rain, starring Prince as a

A local announcement in the Star Tribune detailing casting calls for extras in Prince’s forthcoming feature film Purple Rain, to be shot in Minneapolis with a budget of approximately $3.2 million. Publication: Star Tribune Date: Friday, September 30, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / Local News Title: Purple Rain movie casting information THE STORY The article reports that Prince’s first feature film, a musical titled Purple Rain, is about to begin

A hometown “Critic’s choice” preview in the Star Tribune promoting Morris Day and the revamped Time’s performance at First Avenue, noting their hopes of appearing as extras in Prince’s forthcoming movie Purple Rain. Publication: Star Tribune Date: Friday, September 30, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: Critic’s choice / Music Title: Critic’s choice/Music THE STORY The short piece invites readers to see Morris Day and the revamped Time strut their stuff at First Ave

A striking early-80s cover featuring Prince during the 1999 era, promoting one of the more substantial interviews of his pre-Purple Rain breakthrough period. SOURCE DETAILS Publication: Musician Date: September 1983 (Issue No. 56) Country: United States Section / Pages: Front Cover THE STORY This cover showcases a dramatic close-up portrait of Prince with the bold headline “Prince Talks! Stranger Than Fiction” by Barbara Graustark. The feature promises an in-depth interview r

Artist: Prince Title: Delirious Label: Warner Bros. Country: USA Catalogue: 7‑29503 / 9 29503‑7 Date: August 17, 1983 Format: 7" Single Delirious was released on 17 August 1983 in the US as the third single from Prince’s album 1999, arriving almost a year after the album’s debut. It appeared in several territories including Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, but not in the UK. The B‑side, Horny Toad, was previously unreleased at the time. The single was issued in the

Event: August 3 1983 – Minneapolis, MN, USA: First Avenue (Minnesota Dance Theatre benefit). Wendy Melvoin makes her live debut with Prince and the Revolution at a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theatre at First Avenue in Minneapolis. One-off performance. Band: Prince (vox, guitar), Bobby Z. (drums), Brown Mark (bass), Wendy Melvoin (guitar), Lisa Coleman (keyboards), Dr. Fink (keyboards). Setlist • Let’s Go Crazy • When You Were Mine • A Case Of You • Computer Blue

This Australian 7" single was released to promote Prince’s double album 1999. Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Date: August 1983 Catalogue: 7-29520 / MX208187 Format: 7" Single Country: Australia Australia 7" Single (7-29520) Side A Automatic (3:38) Side B Something In The Water (Does Not Compute) (4:00) PERSONNEL Prince – vocals, all instruments, production THE STORY “Automatic” is a funky, synth-driven track from Prince’s landmark 1999 album. It was released as a single i

Warner Bros. re-releases Prince’s “1999” single to capitalize on his pop crossover momentum after “Little Red Corvette,” helping the 1999 album surpass platinum sales. Publication: USA Today Date: Friday, June 10, 1983 Country: United States Location: McLean, Virginia Section: Entertainment / Music News THE STORY Seeking to solidify Prince’s new-found success as a crossover artist on the pop charts, Warner Bros. has re-released “1999,” the first single from his critically acc

Stevie Nicks’ sophomore solo album The Wild Heart solidified her status as a rock superstar following the massive success of Bella Donna. A multi-platinum release filled with mystical rock anthems, it features the chart-topping single “Stand Back,” which includes an uncredited but unmistakable keyboard contribution from Prince. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Stevie Nicks Title: The Wild Heart Date: June 6/10, 1983 Label: Modern Records Format / Type: LP (Vinyl Album) C

Stevie Nicks releases “Stand Back” as the lead single from The Wild Heart, featuring an uncredited synthesizer performance by Prince. The single becomes one of her signature solo tracks, reaching No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

This extremely rare UK promotional 12" single was pressed to promote the full double album version of 1999 after the initial single-disc release. Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Date: Spring / Summer 1983 Catalogue: SAM 172 Format:Dance Music Sex Romance (D.M.S.R.) Promo 12" Single Country: UK Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince TRACK LIST Side A Dance Music Sex Romance (D.M.S.R.) (8:15) Side B Dance Music Sex Romance (D.M.S.R.) (8:15) LINKED RELEASES / VARIANTS Album

The April 28, 1983 cover of Rolling Stone features Prince with Vanity in a striking, intimate portrait under the bold headline “PRINCE’S HOT ROCK”, accompanied by a major interior feature on Prince’s secret life Publication: Rolling Stone Date: April 28, 1983 Country: United States Location: New York Section: Front Cover + Interior Feature THE STORY The cover shows Prince in a purple jacket and ruffled shirt with Vanity in a matching purple studded outfit. Inside, the extensi

Little Red Corvette was released for the first time in the UK on April 4 1983 as part of a concentrated promotional push surrounding Prince’s planned London dates at the Dominion Theatre. Multiple formats — a standard 7", a double‑pack 7", and two 12" editions — were issued to support the campaign

A triumphant hometown review declaring Prince’s arrival as a national rock superstar during his 1999 Tour, hailed as one of his greatest Twin Cities performances. SOURCE DETAILS Publication: Star Tribune Date: March 17, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: Concert Review THE STORY Jon Bream’s glowing review celebrates Prince’s Met Center concert as his strongest hometown show yet. With Rolling Stone having named him Rock Artist of the Year, Bream positions Prince as a

A striking 1983 concert poster promoting Prince’s performance at the Rockford Metro Centre with special guests The Time and Vanity 6 — a classic example of the high-energy Minneapolis Sound package tours during the early 1980s, right before the Purple Rain explosion. Publication: Concert Poster Date: March 17, 1983 (7:30 PM) Country: United States Title: PRINCE (with Special Guest THE TIME and Vanity 6) The lime-green poster prominently displays a stylish black-and-white phot