Gold is the soaring, emotional climax of *The Gold Experience* — a symbol‑era epic that Prince often described as the true successor to Purple Rain. Paired with the fiery, hometown‑proud Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive!, the single captures both his grand romanticism and his fierce musical defiance. Though it charted modestly in the US, its UK Top 10 success and the cult status of its B‑side have cemented Gold as one of the era’s most beloved releases.

A VH-1 Fashion Awards VIP Symbol Drop. RELEASE DETAILS Date: December 3, 1995 Catalogue: None assigned Format: Promo Cassette Single Country: United States Label: Not On Label (Self-released / NPG) Availability: VIP Giveaway at VH-1 Fashion Awards A-Side: P Control (House Mix) THE STORY Released on December 3, 1995 as an ultra-limited promo cassette, “P Control” was handed out exclusively to VIP attendees at the VH-1 Fashion Awards, where Prince O(+> opened the show by lip-sy

The B‑side, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis),” was previously unreleased and generated notable press attention. Prince wrote and recorded it quickly as a direct response to Lenny Kravitz’s hit “Rock and Roll Is Dead,” reclaiming the genre’s vitality and tying it back to his hometown.

Co‑produced and arranged with longtime collaborator Ricky Peterson, the track appeared in multiple versions including the Extended Remix, Album Version, Quiet Night Mix (featuring Eric Leeds on saxophone), and several edits. The single peaked at No. 20 on the UK Gallup Singles Chart, remaining for three weeks, and was issued across vinyl, CD, and cassette formats with regional variations in Australia, Canada, and the US.

A worldwide maxi‑single showcasing the emotional core of The Gold Experience — complete with extended mixes, regional variants, and one of ’s most powerful ballads.