Prince (October 20, 1981) – “Cast Before Stones, Prince Gets Hurt” Feature - The Minneapolis Star
This Minneapolis Star feature documents the fallout from Prince's controversial appearances as the opening act for The Rolling Stones in Los Angeles. Drawing on comments from members of Prince's band, the article examines the hostile audience reaction, the media response and Prince's determination to continue performing despite the difficult experience.
Publication: The Minneapolis Star
Date: October 20, 1981
Country: United States
Written by Jon Bream, the article reports on Prince's appearances as support act for The Rolling Stones at the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 9 and 11, 1981.
Under the headline “Cast before Stones, Prince gets hurt”, the feature discusses the hostile audience reaction that greeted Prince's abbreviated performance. According to the article, Prince played a shortened set and was booed by sections of the crowd.
The piece includes extensive reactions from members of Prince's band, particularly drummer Bobby Z. and guitarist Dez Dickerson, who offered their perspective on the events.
Bobby Z. argued that Prince represented a completely new experience for what he described as a predominantly white rock audience. He explained that Prince required audience attention and involvement, but believed the crowd's focus was overwhelmingly fixed on seeing The Rolling Stones.
The article reports that a relatively small section of the audience created the negative atmosphere. Bobby Z. estimated that approximately 10,000 concertgoers disrupted the performance while the remaining 90,000 were not responsible for the hostility.
Dez Dickerson explained that after the first two songs on one of the performances, Prince decided to alter the set. According to Dickerson, the crowd appeared confused, Prince spoke very little and promoter Bill Graham eventually addressed the audience directly, urging support for the act.
The article notes that Prince did not return to the stage after leaving early and reports that discussion of the incident spread rapidly over the following days.
Despite the negative publicity, both Bobby Z. and Dez Dickerson attempted to place the incident into perspective. Dickerson described the experience as unusual rather than devastating, while suggesting that the concerts attracted a crowd very different from Prince's established audience.
The article also reveals that Prince had recently received critical acclaim despite the hostile reception and that discussions were taking place regarding additional Rolling Stones dates. At the time, Prince was scheduled to open several further Stones concerts beginning in late November.
Dickerson expresses some uncertainty about whether Prince would continue with the remaining dates or concentrate on his own tour, reflecting the lingering impact of the Los Angeles experience.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The clipping captures one of the most discussed incidents of Prince's early career. The Los Angeles Coliseum appearances have since become part of Prince history because of the contrast between the negative audience reaction and the enormous success he would later achieve.
Rather than focusing on Prince directly, the article is particularly valuable because it preserves contemporary comments from Bobby Z. and Dez Dickerson immediately after the incident. Their remarks provide insight into how Prince's band interpreted the audience response at the time.
The feature is accompanied by two photographs. One shows Prince in a portrait image, while the larger image features Mick Jagger performing with The Rolling Stones.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Reaction to Prince opening for The Rolling Stones
Era: Controversy era
Tone: Candid, defensive and reflective
Photography: Portrait of Prince alongside a large Rolling Stones performance photograph
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Jon Bream reporting on Prince's Los Angeles appearances with The Rolling Stones
• Comments from Bobby Z. and Dez Dickerson
• Discussion of audience hostility and booing
• Reference to promoter Bill Graham addressing the crowd
• Prince's scheduled future Rolling Stones appearances
• Contemporary reaction to one of the defining episodes of Prince's early career
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