January 6, 1980 – Prince as Special Guest for Kool & The Gang at Circle Star Theatre

Advertisement for Kool & The Gang with Special Guest Star Prince performing January 4 & 5, 1980, at the Circle Star Theatre in San Carlos, California. Friday 8:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 PM & 11:00 PM. Tickets $8.75.

Publication: The San Francisco Examiner

Date: Sunday, January 6, 1980 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Concert Advertisement

THE STORY

The ad promotes Kool & The Gang as the main act with Prince as the featured opening / special guest performer for two nights at the Circle Star Theatre (717 Industrial Road, San Carlos). Contact numbers for tickets are listed.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This early 1980 advertisement captures Prince (age 21) on one of his first significant out-of-town dates supporting a major act shortly after the release of his self-titled album and the hit “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” The Circle Star Theatre shows were part of his growing national exposure in the pre-Dirty Mind era.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Prince opening for Kool & The Gang (1980)

Era: Early Prince career (1979–1980) Tone: Standard promotional concert ad Photography: None (text-heavy layout with venue logo)

Visual Motifs: Curved “Circle Star Theatre” header with stars, bold typography for artist names

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Prince’s rising profile as a supporting act for established funk/R&B stars like Kool & The Gang

• Specific performance dates, venue, and ticket pricing in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Early touring activity outside Minneapolis

  
  

RELATED MATERIAL This ad aligns with the February 1980 Orpheum Theatre hometown shows in Minneapolis, showing Prince’s expanding live schedule in early 1980.

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