Prince (September 11, 1987) – “Paisley Park Studios Official Opening” – Press Release / Chronicle Entry
Updated: Sep 11
On September 11 1987, Paisley Park Studios officially opened its doors in Chanhassen, Minnesota — a $10 million creative complex conceived, financed, and owned by Prince. The facility became his artistic headquarters, housing recording studios, a soundstage, rehearsal halls, and production offices, symbolizing his vision of complete creative independence.
Publication: Press Release / Chronicle Entry
Date: September 11 1987
Country: United States
THE STORY
Construction began in January 1986 under architect Bret Thoeny of BOTO Design Inc. and acoustician Marshall Long, with local engineers ensuring world‑class sound isolation and design. By May 1987, PRN Productions had moved from Crosstown Circle to the new Audubon Road site, and by September 11 the complex was officially inaugurated.
The 55,000‑square‑foot facility included Studio A, Studio B, a rehearsal hall (Studio C), and a 12,500‑square‑foot soundstage, all connected by tie lines for simultaneous multi‑track recording. Paisley Park also featured video editing suites, wardrobe departments, and production offices.
Prince used the studios for recording, filming, and rehearsing tours from 1987 onward, with major projects such as Sign O’ the Times, Lovesexy, Graffiti Bridge, and Diamonds and Pearls taking shape within its walls. The soundstage hosted rehearsals for every Prince tour from 1988 onward and countless one‑off performances, videos, and television specials.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Paisley Park represented Prince’s ultimate creative autonomy — a self‑contained world where he could write, record, film, and perform without external interference.
The complex also served as a rental facility for other artists until 1996, hosting sessions by Madonna, Stevie Wonder, R.E.M., A‑ha, and many others. After Prince’s death in 2016, Paisley Park was transformed into a museum managed by Graceland Holdings, preserving his legacy for future generations.
PAISLEY PARK — ALBUMS RECORDED
Album | Album |
Lovesexy (1988) | The Rainbow Children (2001) |
Batman (1989) | One Nite Alone... (2002) |
Graffiti Bridge (1990) | Xpectation (2003) |
Diamonds and Pearls (1991) | N.E.W.S. (2003) |
Love Symbol (1992) | Musicology (2004) |
Come (1994) | 3121 (2006) |
The Gold Experience (1995) | Planet Earth (2007) |
Chaos and Disorder (1996) | Lotusflow3r (2009) |
Emancipation (1996) | MPLSound (2009) |
The Truth (1998) | 20Ten (2010) |
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999) | Plectrumelectrum (2014) |
Welcome 2 America (2021) | Art Official Age (2014) |
Comments