why we have to thank the singer Stevie Nicks and Keith Richards

Considered by critics as one of the key albums of the 80s of the 20th century, purple rainthe masterpiece of Princeand their sixth studio album, turns 40, acclaimed by critics and the public, with a sound as current as on the day of its release.

purple rain was released in 1984 and meant the definitive consecration of Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson (1958-2016), who together with his band The Revolution surprised the world with an eclectic album, full of different influences and that managed to integrate practically all the fashionable styles of the time, such as rhythm & blues, rock, pop, or even hair metal, but always with its funk style. unmistakable.

The album was the culmination of an ascending career that began in 1978, when the artist was 19 years old, and took advantage of the momentum gained by the album 1999 (1982), which attracted the attention of the industry.

purple rain brought to stardom Prince who, at the age of 26, achieved his first number 1 on the charts with When Doves Cryafter which he also reached the top of the charts Let’s go crazy. However, the homonymous purple rain It could only reach second place on the charts, despite being one of their most recognizable songs today.

It meant the triumph of a young man with an androgynous and sexually charged image leading a multiracial band, during the administration of Ronald Reagan’s conservative government in the United States.

With him, in addition, he began a reign that would continue with works such as Around the World in a Day (1985), Sign ‘o’ the Times (1987), or lovesexy (1988), in one of the author’s most prolific periods, who also had time to give the promising Bangles his first big success, Manic Monday in 1985.

purple rain It was also a transmedia product, releasing the film of the same name shortly after, which grossed more than 68 million dollars at the box office. The story, loosely based on Prince’s life, tells the life of a young musician in Minneapolis who struggles to survive with his band in a hostile environment, against his competitors.

The film was the first of several appearances by the singer and multi-instrumentalist as an actor, who also assumed the role of director in other productions, as occurred in the sequel Graffiti Bridgefrom 1991.

It became the case that the artist It reached number 1 at the box office, while reigning on the charts for both albums and singles.during a week in which they coincided on the billboard Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, karate Kid, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Gremlinsin August 1984.

Forty years later, purple rain It is considered one of the essential works to understand the music industry of the 80s, the first great compositional milestone of that young man from a broken American lower-class home.

The album was reissued with extra material in 2017, a year after the singer’s death from a fentanyl overdose, in the midst of a particularly productive time for the author.

On the occasion of this anniversary, his bands The Revolution and New Power Generation will offer tribute concerts to their former leaderaccompanied by their old friend Morris Day, who will also offer a show in their honor.

In addition, the film has been re-edited with improvements in image quality, and an adaptation will hit theater stages in musical format, with no release date yet.

In 1983, singer Stevie Nicks – in full solo work after her band Fleetwood Mac – heard a Prince song, Little Red Corvette, and was fascinated. She served as his inspiration to compose Stand Back and he sent the demo to the genius from Minneapolis.

Prince showed up at the studio and did a 25-minute session, playing impeccably. When he came out, Stand Back was a hit, although Prince was not always credited with the song – he usually did that, not appearing or using an alias.

A few months later, Prince sent Stevie Nicks an instrumental demo of Purple Rain, with hints of country music, which he considered would be ideal for her.

However, Stevie Nicks’ response was negative. And Prince decided to try the song at the end of a rehearsal with The Revolution, the band that accompanied him on his shows, with known results.

In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Stevie Nicks said she felt “scared” when she heard the demo that Prince sent her: “And I’m proud that I didn’t write the lyrics, because then he had to do it, and so we have purple rain”.

The Rolling Stones were fans of Prince after having heard his 1980 album The Artist. That was the reason why Mick Jagger invited him to be the band’s opening number on his tour of the United States.

But the Stones’ audience was not at all welcoming to the artist and Prince decided to get off the tour, but not before insulting the fans of the Jagger and Richards group.

The legendary Richards went so far as to call Prince an “overrated monkey” and said his attitude when he opened for the Stones was “an insult to our audience.” And he concluded: “He is a prince who believes that he is already a king.”

Time would heal the wounds. And although Prince, after that experience, swore – and kept – never to open for anyone again, Richards would praise him when in an interview he was asked what song that wasn’t his that he would have liked to compose. “Purple Rain,” the guitarist said honestly.

In April 2016, Prince passed away, leaving a huge void in music and an endless trail of condolences and heartfelt messages of condolences. Fans of his songs filled the networks with farewells and words of gratitude dedicated to the Genius of Minneapolis. Keith Richards wrote a nice message about him on social media: “A unique talent. An original. So sad, so sudden. And I’ll add, a great guitarist. We’re all going to miss him.”

With information from EFE/Guillermo Vázquez