Prince (September 16, 1988) – “Prince opens U.S. tour in hometown” – West Central Tribune
This West Central Tribune article from September 16 1988 reports on Prince’s triumphant opening of his Lovesexy U.S. tour in Bloomington, Minnesota. The hometown concert marked his first American tour in four years, greeted by an ecstatic crowd at the Met Center.
Publication: West Central Tribune Date: September 16 1988 Country: United States
The piece describes Prince’s return to the stage before a near‑capacity audience, celebrating the “Minneapolis sound” he helped create.
Performing on a $2 million theatre‑in‑the‑round stage, Prince mixed spiritual themes with sensual energy, urging fans to chant “Love is God. God is love.” His set blended virtuoso guitar work, soulful vocals, and dance moves reminiscent of James Brown.
The article highlights his dynamic interplay with dancer Cat Glover, who joined him in the opening number amid a giant urban playground set.
Prince’s charisma and message of love and unity defined the night, reaffirming his status as Minneapolis’s most electrifying musical export.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
By 1988, Prince was evolving from the provocative imagery of Sign O’ the Times toward the spiritual and theatrical vision of Lovesexy.
This hometown kickoff symbolized his creative renewal and deep connection to Minneapolis, the city that shaped his sound and identity.
The performance’s mix of faith, funk, and flamboyance reflected Prince’s ongoing artistic transformation.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Event: Opening night of Prince’s Lovesexy U.S. tour Era: 1988 – Lovesexy / Spiritual Funk Period Tone: Celebratory and reverent Photography: Black‑and‑white image of Prince and Cat Glover performing on stage
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS - Prince performing with Cat Glover at the Met Center in Bloomington - Coverage of his first U.S. tour in four years - Quotes emphasizing his message of love and faith
All magazine 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.
Comments