Prince (March 20, 1985) Surprise Concert for Disabled Children at Lehman Center – Bronx

A secret, heartfelt morning performance by Prince and The Revolution for children with disabilities in the Bronx — one of the most compassionate and under-reported moments of the Purple Rain era.

SOURCE DETAILS Publication / Venue: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts (Board of Education event) Date: March 20, 1985 (11 a.m. matinee) Country: United States Section / Pages: Special one-off charity concert

Article from Mar 21,1985 The News(Paterson, NJ)

THE STORY Prince and The Revolution delivered a surprise 65-minute set to an audience of visually impaired, hearing impaired, and physically disabled children at the Lehman Center in the Bronx. Organized in under four days, the show featured a full band (including Eric Leeds, Sheila E., Jerome Benton, Greg Brooks, and Wally Safford). Prince personally covered all production costs and brought a generator to overcome the venue’s power limitations. The set included Purple Rain-era favourites such as “Let’s Go Crazy,” “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “When Doves Cry,” and a powerful “Purple Rain.”

CONTEXT & NOTES In the midst of the massive Purple Rain World Tour, Prince made time for this private, generous performance. The show was kept secret to ensure a safe and intimate experience for the children. It reflects a lesser-known side of Prince during his peak fame — using his platform and resources to bring joy to those who needed it most. The event remains one of the most touching undocumented moments of the Purple Rain era.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Event: Surprise benefit concert for disabled children Era: 1985 – Purple Rain Tour Tone: Compassionate and celebratory Photography: Live shots of Prince and The Revolution (as described in coverage) Audience: Children with special needs from the New York area

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS A newspaper clipping reporting on the surprise Lehman Center performance, highlighting Prince’s generosity, the full band lineup, and the emotional impact on the young audience. The article emphasises the logistical effort and Prince’s personal involvement.

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