Prince (May 13, 1984) – Sheila E. Debut + “Purple Rain” Album & Movie Release Dates

Jon Bream announces Sheila E. as Prince’s latest protégé with her debut single “The Glamorous Life” now out on Warner Bros.

Prince’s new album Purple Rain (the soundtrack to his upcoming movie) is set for release on June 18, with the film possibly arriving in theaters in July. Prince’s new single “When Doves Cry” drops this week, while The Time’s “Ice Cream Castle” single arrives May 30.

Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune

Date: Sunday, May 13, 1984 Country: United States Section: Entertainment news brief Byline: —Jon Bream

THE STORY

“There’s a new artist in Prince’s court. Her name’s Sheila E., and her debut single, ‘The Glamorous Life,’ has been released on Warner Bros. Records. True to Prince’s colors, no information is available about his latest discovery. Speaking of his colors, Prince’s new album, ‘Purple Rain,’ will be released June 18; it is the sound track to the movie, which may be coming to a theater near you in July. Prince’s new single, ‘Why Doves Cry,’ hits the stores this week. The Time’s new single, ‘Ice Cream Castle,’ will be issued May 30; it’s the title tune to the group’s new album, which is expected July 2.”

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This update came roughly two months before the Purple Rain album and film would dominate the summer of 1984. It marks one of the first local announcements of the exact album release date and teases the movie’s theatrical window. Sheila E.’s launch under Prince’s wing (with the famously mysterious rollout) and the coordinated releases from The Time show Prince’s expanding “family” of artists.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Pre-release announcements for Purple Rain album/film + Sheila E. debut Era: Pre-Purple Rain explosion (Spring 1984)

Tone: Excited, insider-style local reporting

Photography: None in this clipping Visual Motifs: Classic concise news brief format with Jon Bream’s signature style

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Official confirmation of the Purple Rain album release date (June 18, 1984) and expected film window (July)

• Introduction of Sheila E. to the Minneapolis audience

• Coordinated rollout of Prince-related projects building massive anticipation

• Continued secrecy around Prince’s new artists (“True to Prince’s colors”)

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RELATED MATERIAL This fits in the post-production timeline after the March 11, 1984 editing update and the February wrap confirmation — showing the final countdown to the Purple Rain phenomenon.

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