Prince (August 20, 1990) – “New Tunes from Prince and the King” Feature – Daily News (EXTRA Section)

This Daily News entertainment front page from August 1990 spotlights new releases from two musical legends — Prince and Elvis Presley. The feature pairs Prince’s Graffiti Bridge double album with a retrospective Elvis package, The Great Performances, under the shared headline “New Tunes from Prince and the King.”

Publication: Daily News (EXTRA Section)   Date: August 20 1990 Country: United States

The left‑hand article, “A ‘Bridge’ of Size & Scope from the Kid”  by Jim Farber, reviews Prince’s Graffiti Bridge soundtrack album, describing it as a sequel to Purple Rain and “the world’s first funk musical.”

Farber notes that the 17‑song double album expands on the spiritual and musical themes of Purple Rain, blending funk, gospel, and pop into a nonstop celebration. He highlights Prince’s collaborations with George Clinton, Tevin Campbell, and Mavis Staples, and praises the record’s ambition and energy.

The right‑hand column, “Early Acetate Highlight of Elvis Package” by David Hinckley, reviews The Great Performances, a collection of rare Elvis Presley recordings and home‑video footage.

Hinckley describes the release as a treat for casual fans, featuring early acetates and live performances of classics like My Happiness and Blue Suede Shoes. The layout juxtaposes two eras of musical royalty — Prince, the modern innovator, and Elvis, the enduring icon — each redefining their legacy through new releases. The page features a large monochrome portrait of Prince on the left and a photo of Elvis playing guitar on the right, symbolizing their shared stature as transformative figures in popular music.

CONTEXT AND NOTES  

By August 1990, Prince was promoting Graffiti Bridge as both a film and an album, continuing his multimedia approach to storytelling.

The Daily News feature situates him alongside Elvis Presley, underscoring his cultural significance and his role as a successor to rock’s royal lineage.

The EXTRA section, known as “New York’s Best Entertainment Section,” often paired contemporary and classic artists, and this issue captures a moment of generational continuity — the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and the Kid from Minneapolis, each commanding their own musical universe.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS  

Event: Release of Graffiti Bridge album and The Great Performances Elvis collection

Era: 1990 – New Power Generation / Post‑Purple Rain  Era

Tone: Comparative, celebratory, and journalistic

Photography:

• Large black‑and‑white close‑up of Prince’s face

• Image of Elvis Presley performing with acoustic guitar

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