A brief pre-release announcement in a local Minnesota newspaper hyping Prince’s upcoming feature film Purple Rain, describing it as a love story between a struggling musician and a beautiful dancer/singer set in the music world PUBLICATION Publication: St. Cloud Times Date: Thursday, May 24, 1984 Country: United States Section / Pages: Page 12 Title: Purple Rain THE STORY This short article from central Minnesota’s St. Cloud Times gives readers an early glimpse into Prince’s

Coverage of local music awards notes that Prince, after a steamy three-song performance, did not accept his awards in person. He sent Wendy Melvoin (guitarist in his band) to pick up the trophy. She quipped, “He screams. I don’t. That’s why I’m accepting.” Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Tuesday, May 22, 1984 Country: United States Section: Awards coverage (continued from page 1C) THE STORY The article highlights Prince’s rising prominence with his “distinctiv

“In the wings” column provides one of the most detailed local updates yet on Prince’s upcoming film and soundtrack. The movie, filmed last fall in the Twin Cities, is expected in late summer. The soundtrack album drops June 18. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune (Minneapolis Tribune) Date: Sunday, May 20, 1984 Country: United States Section: In the wings (Page 6G) Byline: Jon Bream THE STORY The article breaks the long media silence with a comprehensive overview: Plot:

Prince’s groundbreaking, minimalist masterpiece and the lead single from Purple Rain, When Doves Cry became his first US number 1 and one of the defining singles of the 1980s. Artist: Prince Title: When Doves Cry Release Date: 16 May 1984 (US 7" release) Label: Warner Bros. Format: 7" Vinyl Catalogue Number: 7-29286 Country: United States Length: 7:41 (combined A/B sides) When Doves Cry was the first single from Purple Rain and was released five weeks before the album. Althou

Jon Bream announces Sheila E. as Prince’s latest protégé with her debut single “The Glamorous Life” now out on Warner Bros. Prince’s new album Purple Rain (the soundtrack to his upcoming movie) is set for release on June 18, with the film possibly arriving in theaters in July. Prince’s new single “When Doves Cry” drops this week, while The Time’s “Ice Cream Castle” single arrives May 30. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, May 13, 1984 Country: United Stat

One final note: Wendy Melvoin, the new guitarist in Prince’s band, is the daughter of Mike Melvoin, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (which bestows the Grammys). Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, March 11, 1984 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Prince Update column “Wendy Melvoin, the new guitarist in Prince’s band, is the daughter of Mike Melvoin, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Scien

Purple Rain has been edited down to under two hours, but Prince still needs to film one remaining scene with his on-screen love interest, Apollonia (née Patty Kotero). Additional notes on Apollonia’s background, a song sent to Sheena Easton, Wendy Melvoin’s connection to Prince’s band, and Prince and the Revolution topping the Village Voice critics’ poll. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, March 11, 1984 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Pri

Local coverage notes that Prince’s first movie, Purple Rain, was completed during the holidays in chilly downtown Minneapolis. It also reports that the superstar may appear in a major Hollywood film about blues legend Robert Johnson, alongside Mick Jagger and others, starring Eartha Kitt and Ben Vereen. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Wednesday, February 1, 1984 Country: United States Section: Entertainment news brief THE STORY The brief celebrates Prince as a

Prince has been nominated for two Soul Music Awards at the upcoming American Music Awards: Most Popular Soul Male Vocalist and Soul Album of the Year for 1999. Meanwhile, he is in Los Angeles shooting additional scenes for his film Purple Rain. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, January 8, 1984 Country: United States Section: Entertainment news brief THE STORY The item reports Prince’s double nomination at the Dick Clark-produced American Music Awards (to