📰 Prince in the Wings – Article: Mar. 1985
- GlamSlamEscape
- Mar 3, 1985
- 3 min read
Writer: Star and Tribune (Music Desk)
Date: March 3 1985
Length: 5–6 min read
A set of tightly packed entertainment briefs capturing Prince’s turbulent, triumphant, and culturally dominant early‑1985 moment — from USA for Africa controversy to new music, media scrutiny, and the imminent arrival of Around the World in a Day.
A superstar under fire, in motion, and on the verge of another reinvention.
In March 1985, Prince occupied a complicated space in American pop culture: adored, criticized, mythologized, and relentlessly watched. These Star and Tribune briefs reveal a portrait of an artist navigating backlash, shaping new music, and expanding his creative universe while the world debated his every move.
📰 Key Highlights
• Prince’s absence from USA for Africa sparks national criticism
• New songs previewed during the Purple Rain victory lap
• Media commentary intensifies around Prince’s public persona
• Wendy & Lisa’s growing visibility within the Revolution
• Around the World in a Day expected later in the month
📰 Overview
By early 1985, Prince was living inside a cultural supernova. Purple Rain had conquered film, radio, MTV, and the national imagination. With fame came scrutiny — and the Star and Tribune’s “In the Wings” column captured the tension of the moment.
Prince’s decision to skip the USA for Africa recording session after the American Music Awards became a flashpoint, prompting commentary from celebrities and columnists alike. Meanwhile, he continued to debut new songs onstage, hinting at the psychedelic shift that would define Around the World in a Day.
The briefs also spotlight the expanding roles of his collaborators, particularly Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, whose musicianship was becoming increasingly central to the Revolution’s sound.
Together, these items form a snapshot of Prince at a crossroads: criticized, celebrated, and preparing to unveil a bold new chapter.
📰 Source Details
Publication / Venue: Minneapolis Star and Tribune
Date: March 3 1985
Format: Entertainment Briefs / Music Column
Provenance Notes:
• Based on verified newspaper content
• All Prince‑related items combined into a single unified summary
• No copyrighted text reproduced
📰 The Story
The column opens with the fallout from Prince’s absence at the USA for Africa session. His decision not to join the all‑star recording after the American Music Awards drew sharp criticism from some participants, while others defended his right to avoid the media circus. The brief captures the swirl of commentary surrounding him — a reminder that Prince’s fame had reached a level where every move was dissected.
Another item notes Prince’s continued work on new music, including songs previewed during recent performances. These hints pointed toward the imminent release of Around the World in a Day, an album that would pivot sharply away from the rock‑driven aesthetic of Purple Rain toward a more psychedelic, experimental palette.
The column also highlights the growing visibility of Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. Their musicianship, chemistry, and creative input were becoming increasingly recognized by critics and fans, marking the Revolution as a true ensemble rather than a backing band.
A final brief touches on broader media commentary — including columns by Patrick Goldstein and Marva Collins — reflecting the polarized national conversation around Prince’s sexuality, mystique, and refusal to conform to celebrity expectations.
Taken together, these pieces reveal a superstar navigating the pressures of fame while quietly preparing his next artistic leap.
📰 Visual Archive
• Full newspaper page with “In the Wings” header
• Large photograph of Alan Shestack (non‑Prince content on page)
• Decorative section graphics
• Prince‑related briefs positioned within the Music column
📰 Caption
A cluster of 1985 Star and Tribune briefs capturing Prince’s controversies, creativity, and cultural dominance in the wake of Purple Rain.
📰 Related Material
• Star and Tribune — March 11 1984 — Prince in the News
• Star Tribune — March 17 1983 — Met Center Review
• Around the World in a Day release‑era coverage
📰 Closing Notes
These early‑1985 briefs reveal Prince at a moment of transition — still riding the Purple Rain wave, yet already pivoting toward new sounds and new ideas. The scrutiny was intense, but so was the creative momentum. Within weeks, he would release one of his most daring albums, proving once again that he refused to be defined by public expectation.
📰 Sources
• Minneapolis Star and Tribune (March 3 1985)
• Contemporary Prince press archives
• Mid‑1980s Minneapolis music‑scene documentation
📝 Copyright Notice
All newspaper scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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