Hollywood, CA on April 20 (25 reports)

from CWoods

I went to the one night alone concert on 4/20 and really enjoyed it alone, and my husband took the children to the movies. Prince was outstanding as he always is, but what touched me the most was his Love for God having a realationship with Jesus myself it felt so good to hear Prince Preach and testify.

During the concert he called a younge lady up to the stage to dance with the other gentleman he called up earlier as the girl boogied and back her thang up against the guy .Prince made it clear, all though laughing and smiling that her body belong to herself and not the guy, and I was like yeah Brother speak the truth these youth need to know it.

I love what he,s beome even more than before ,

this year I decided to Join the Npg music club because I know they enjoyed being so close and atleast those are the fams like me that know every single song! alot of the people in the balcony kinda went blank when he sang "Sometimes it snows in April" and Annastesia I was Like what wrong with you people ?

I guess it was the liquor they were drinking. One guy was so tore up he almost fell on me Never sit in the balcony Join the Music club Im going too , Hahaha.

well Thanks Prince for a Blessed and Beautiful night.

from LoveRiot

Where do I begin to describe my first time (at age 27) live expereince with my generations artist of all time. All I know is that when I seen you (PRINCE) I new that I had arrived. through you I understoood how to except my role and responsibility as an urban arts revolutionary here to reclaim and like you reintroduce the reality of soul.

Man, I laughed and I cried all night as one of your truest famz as a black man from the inner city - south central LA - the ghetto. I was in the 2nd row with my best friend the first night and the 5th row on the 2nd night you performed.

The sound Check - When i walked in to the sound chk in the Kodak Theater to be greeted with sounds of improvisational jazz along with medleys representing growth by way of your new album (as you sat at the the foot of your keyboards descretely watching fokes from the NPGClub strole in) I melted with delight to know I was in for the night of my life.

The Concert - When you started to perform. I new u had come full circle. As a representative of the raimbow children i thank u for telling our story. You have gone through it as a modern day slave and now you are showing us the way. Are freedom lies within. Your every word was full of meaning. Your every song full of soul. The one thing we as a people have been educated away from (soul).... Thank you for being so instrumental in giving it back to us. Teaching us how to listen to our higher 1/2's.

A few Songs i sincerely appreciate you selecting to sing are: Free, Adore and Anna Stesia as classic Prince along with Family Name, Raimbow Children, Mellow, Muse (everything from the new album). THANKYOU THNKU THNKU.

The After Party - We partied with a purpose. Knowing we wre part of the NPG. We reclaimed our very essence. As people who wre totally in tune with our natural born cause. We new we wre a part of the EVERLASTING KNOW and forever. As you jammed again with Larry Gram, Shella E, Maceo and the rest of the fam, thank you for keeping us on the path as you continue to walk down yours. SANKOFA - looking to your past to understand your present. ITZ ESSENTIAL...To the Prince Of Peace ...I give thnkx for your very inlightening journey to "the center of your heart."

Oh and i cant forget to thnk u for treating the ones who love you the most with so much love as Club members. You made a dream of my best friend and I come true.
With all the love in the world THNK U.
Yourz Truely - Sal (LoveRiot)

from Giana

Prince, hello again to my most favorite man in the world...only next to God! One night alone is definitely not enough for this girl....I'll see you in Oak-Town on the 24th. My words have already been written in the other fam's reviews to describe the incredible love that you, once again so generously, gave us up on that stage. You give your co-performers and your audience this amazing power to make and feel the music that is so intense, it is indescribable. One must experience it...you....NPG to fully understand the magic that you create. For those that have not yet joined the club.....do it! You are crazy not to! And, by the way Prince, you are looking finer than ever.....luv your hair!

xoxoxo,
Giana

from Janitri

Another fine day of meeting NPG fams in line! During the soundcheck, there was a woman making a big deal about her birthday. Prince really did not respond much to the birthday thing…but did say that we only have one birthday. From what eye researched, birthday celebrations started – note that only the rich celebrated – to join friends together with the celebrant with the hopes of warding off evil spirits. Also, there is information that the Greeks would bring round cakes symbolizing the full moon to their temples for Artemis, the moon goddess. The candles were lit by the Greeks to represent the light of the moon.

Prince also mentioned during the soundcheck that it is important the we do our studying - he has rewritten a line in the song “4 the Tears in Your Eyes” from “He changed stone to bread with one touch of his hand” to “He changed water to wine.” Read the Bible – read the New World Translation – during the concert Prince asked us to trust him this one time and to read the New World. (Prince – many of us have always trusted you – your eyes are awesome.)

Eye also heard Prince ask us both nights if “We love God? Do you worship God?” This is also another important message to live…what does one do to worship God? It may be personal 2 and 4 each one of us to answer.

It’s odd how at the location of the afterparty, the House of Blues, above the stage was a picture of one and was written above it “United in Diversity” (to me a downward spiral) and below it was “All are One.” Eye’ve been thinking of this and have to go with the clarity that Prince provided again on the 20th about divisions and diversity…like how male/female or man/woman are divisions and that we need to go higher than that and think beyond separations. Eye prefer this upward thinking – upward way – of finding our commonality…

1 more - eye would like to thank Jeremiah for organizing the line that way that you did and taking our fam names and e-mails as we joined in line.

from A

Note--this contains the setlists, so if u don't wanna know, don't read this. :)

Wow...all I can say about the 12+ hours of live Prince I saw the last 2 days. Musically, the first 4/19/02 regular show was by far the best I've ever seen him perform. After the hit n run tour medley that he's been playing for the past few years, he's back, and this show really showcases the musician instead of the hitmaker. Though he did a bunch of hits too (most in a nearly 1 1/4 hour encore), the highlights for me were the rarely played songs such as Joy in Repitition and a complete, different version of Adore on piano.

Through the NPG Music Club, I was able to sit closer than I ever had before at one of his concerts...I was in the second row, and could see everything really well. :)

Anyways, we got in to the soundcheck and could hear an instrumental version of She Loves me 4 me before they let us in. As we got in, Prince was at the keyboards playing a song that sounded like The Glam Slam Boogie from the Gold Experience tour. The band went into She Loves me 4 Me, which sounded almost exactly like the album track, followed by Peach. During the part where he said "she was pure, when her titties bounced" on the cd, he said "thangiez" (I read that in Prince's "Beautiful Strange" lyric book). Next off was an instrumental version of 777-9311, with Blackwell on drums. After that, Prince came out in the audience and was watching the band from the back of the first section, he sat in a seat and sang Extraordinary from behind all of us. At that point he excused himself and said the band would be out shortly.

At 8pm (this is the first Prince concert that I've ever been to that started on time), Candy Dulfer came out and played her sax while walking through the audience to a closed curtain and the band playing Rainbow Children behind her. From behind the curtain, Prince, in the demonic voice, did the intro to Rainbow Children, followed by the song.

Highlights of the first part of the show:

-Both this and the Sat. show started exactly on time. That never happens at a Prince show. :)

- During Xenophobia, which was almost 15 minutes long, Prince asked the girl at front row center (who is my friend Karrie from Canada), is it better to give or receive. She said give, and Prince said, why don't u give that brother a few rows back your front row seat. She gave it to him and Prince looked shocked. He told her, let me give you something, called her up on stage and gave her a guitar solo. She stayed on stage for about 4 songs....realy cool.

-During Xenophobia, he said "this ain't 1984, it's 2002" and told people that "if they were coming to get their Purple Rain on, they were at the wrong party." He later played Purple Rain on piano. :)

-On Muse 2 the Pharoah, the lyric said the "opposite of NATO was monotheism"

- On A Case of U, Renato Neto was playing keyboards/piano, not Prince. Version sounded exactly like the NPGMC version of the song.

- Before Strange Relationship, Prince was commenting on how most of the LA radio stations are owned by corporations, and talked about the music that he would play if he owned a radio station.

- During Sing A Simple Song, Larry Graham came out and played air guitar. To me, the amazing thing is he was wearing a khaki-colored suit. I didn't know he owned more than the one white suit. :)

-Maceo Parker wasn't there...Prince told us he'd missed his flight and might be there for the next night's aftershow. Because of this, they didn't play Pass the Peas.

-Throughout the show, the NPG Music Club people (who were in the front 15 rows like me) stood through most of the show while the rest of the audience did not seem to do that, especially through most of the new stuff.

-Rhonda Smith's vocals were good during Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know, with Prince on background vocals.

-Everlasting now, which I think is the best of the Rainbow Children songs live, had the second verse cut out. He had been playing it earlier in this tour. Everlasting Now was the last song of the first set.

-During the encore, he played another 75 minutes!!

-Prince came out on keyboards (by himself, without a backing band) and did a long piano medley that began with the complete Adore, sounding amazing. During the part where he says "you can smash up my ride" he went into a long monologue about his girlfriend smashing up his ride. People were crying during this song.

-He did an ad lib during the piano medley where he was playing sad music and saying "I used to be famous, poor me. I used to be on the radio, poor me. I used to be rich. Poor me" It was really pretty funny.

-One verse of I wanna be your lover, do me baby, diamonds and pearls, girls and boys followed, then most of the beautiful ones as the band came back on stage.

-As we thought the show was gonna end, he breaks out with "We like 2 frequent this club..." He changed the lyric at the beginning of the song to "there won't be any four-letter words on this stage tonight" and then went into his usual "I'm not gonna preach this evening" and proceeded to preach about his separatism and racism, and churches, and differences between people. I didn't seem to mind this much, especially when he came back into the song and did the rest of JOY IN REPITITION!!!!!!!! One of my favorite songs he's ever played!!!! :)

-On Purple Rain, he never picked up his guitar, and did the whole song on piano. NPG Music Club this time didn't go crazy, but the rest of the audience did. :)

-As we thought the show would be over after that, Prince did a long "How Come u Don't Call me" and Anna Stesia to end the show. The show was just under 3 hours long!

Here is the setlist for the show:
-Rainbow Children
-Muse 2 the Pharoah
-Xenophobia
-A Case of U
-Mellow
-1+1+1=3/Love Rollercoaster
-The Other Side of the Pillow
-Strange Relationship
-Sing a Simple Song
-La La La Means I Love U
-Didn't Cha Know
-When U Were Mine
-Avalanche
-Family Name
-Take Me With U (Complete)
-Raspberry Beret (Complete)
-Everlasting Now

Encore

-Adore
-I Wanna Be Your Lover
-Do Me Baby
-Diamonds and Pearls
-Girls and Boys
-The Beautiful Ones
-Joy in Repitition
-Purple Rain
-How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore
-Anna Stesia/Rise Up

This regular show was probably musically the best show I've seen him do, and the band is absolutely awesome! Even if u didn't know or like the songs, you had to admire his musicianship. After the show was over, Prince told the NPGMC that the afterparty was at the Highland Club, which was in the same complex as the Kodak Theater. We figured that there would be no aftershow, as he would have had to tear down all of the equipment to set it up again the next day, but we were wrong. He played for more than 2 hours, and I was right in front. :)

Before the show, as the club was pretty full, Paula Abdul (the former celebrity turned Prince groupie) pushed her way to the very front of the crowd with a friend. She was obviously wasted and on something, and went to the front of the crowd and passed out on the stage for a little bit. I didn't care that she stood in front of me because she is so short, but she had an obnoxious friend with her who nearly got into a fight with one of my friends....oh well.

Prince was chewing gum and smiling throughout the entire aftershow, and anyways, here is the setlist for the aftershow:

-Bambi
-The Ride (with new lyrics)
Larry Graham comes on stage
-Talking Loud and Saying Nothing/2 Nigs United 4 West Compton (!!!)
-Alphabet St.
-The Jam
Larry Graham exits
-Peach
-Extraordinary
-Paisley Park (entire song!)

Encore
Sheila E. comes on stage
-Santana Medley -Oye Como Va
-A Love Bizarre (Sheila E vocals)
-The Glamorous Life (short instrumental) on guitar
-Girls and Boys
-The Everlasting Now (one verse)

This show was also amazing. The guitar solos on Bambi just rocked! Peach sounded more jazzy than before. Something interesting is that his "Beautiful Strange" songbook that he has opened to the song he's playing so he can refer to the lyrics was opened to Empty Room (!!!!) but he didn't play it. Prince was playing the rhythm guitar and broke into A Love Bizarre...not sure if the rest of the band (esp. Candy) knew the song, but they improvised nicely, and Sheila sang the whole song. Prince started on Glamorous Life but Sheila didn't wanna do that one. Girls and boys was a really loose 10-min.+ jam.
After the show, and 6+ hours of Prince music, I was pretty drained. :)

Celebs spotted at the show: Woody Harrelson, Sheila E., Jerome Benton, Paula Abdul :), Gloria Reuben, Robert Horry (Lakers). I'm sure there were many more, but I didn't see them. :)

Saturday, 4/20/02

Very happy to be sitting in the 5th row, center. More room in the aisles to move around. :)

Setlist:

Soundcheck:
-4 the Tears in Your Eyes (spoken)
-Can't Stop this Feelin' I got (!!!!!!!!!) complete!!!!
-Ballad of Dorothy Parker/4
-A few snippets from The Ladder
-Do U Lie (short instrumental)
-Money Don't Matter 2Night (he told us that it was the first time he's played that song)
-Lean on Me
-Rhonda Smith song
-Blues in C (not the same one from Lovesexy tour)/Asswoop

This lasted about 45 minutes.

Here is the setlist for the second show:
-Rainbow Children
-Muse 2 the Pharoah
-Xenophobia (during Blackwell's drum solo, Jerome Benton came out on stage and brought Blackwell a comb and a mirror..it was funny!)
-A Case of U
-Mellow
-1+1+1=3/Love Rollercoaster
-The Other Side of the Pillow
-Strange Relationship
-Sing a Simple Song
-La La La Means I Love U
-Didn't Cha Know
-When U Were Mine
-Avalanche
-Family Name
-Take Me With U (Complete)
-Raspberry Beret (Complete)
-Everlasting Now

Encore

-Adore
-I Wanna Be Your Lover
-A Love Bizarre (Sheila E. came on stage and sang this one)
-Blues in C ("some people call me crazy, some people don't call me at all")
-Diamonds and Pearls
-The Beautiful Ones
-Condition of the Heart
-Do U Lie (short instrumental teaser)
-Do Me Baby (short instrumental teaser)
-Free (with full band)
-Starfish and Coffee
-Sometimes it Snows in April
-I Love u But I Don't Trust U Anymore
-Nothing Compares 2 U
-Prince Preaches
-How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore
-Anna Stesia/Greatest Romance/Rise Up

The regular show lasted about 2 hours, 40 min.

Before the show, it was announced that tickets were going on sale for the House of Blues aftershow performance that morning. Tickets sold out in a few minutes, but through NPG Music Club, we were able to get in to the aftershow for free and before everyone else. :)

As we got there and the band was setting up the instruments, we noticed that Sheila E's drums were set up, and she played with the band throughout the whole show. Maceo Parker and Larry Graham played with the band at the aftershow.

Aftershow Setlist (House of Blues)

-Jazzy version of The Work
-1+1+1=3
-Pass the Peas
-Fast groove with an "I Like Funky Music" chant
-Beautiful Strange (!!!!!!!!!!)
-Ballad of Dorothy Parker/4
-Instrumental jam from Xenophobia cd
-Holly Rock (mostly a chant led by Sheila E)
-777-9311 (Prince sang the first verse)
-Calhoun Sq. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
-Paisley Park (2 verses only)
-The Jam

Encore
-Santana Medley

A few observations:

-Beautiful Strange sounded awesome live. But Calhoun Sq., which is a song I don't really like all that much, sounded so much better live. They were jamming on both songs for about 10 minutes each.
The show lasted about 90 min.
After nearly 12 hours of Prince music over 2 days, I'm in heaven, and it's obvious that he likes to jam! :)
Anyways, until the Celebration in June...
-A

from Angela

Third Row!!!! U can't beat that!!

My membership expired one month be4 the tix when on sale. I was sweating hard, because I didn't think I was going 2 C the Man per4m. I did get in touch with a great friend of mine who took the opportunity 2 become a member a few weeks be4 the concert. Whew! That was step one. The next step was actually getting the tix....the day the tix went on sale....I was working and he tried 4 tix on line. I was getting nervous, because I didn't know if it was really going 2 happen. I never bought anything on line be4....I hope he had experience doing it. A couple hours later, he called me....WE GOT THE TIX!!! Yes!!! Step Two, under control!

As the days came close we were debating on what 2 wear and what time 2 meet. The day of the concert was growing close and excitement was building!

The day of the concert came and we had 2 move fast. The line 4 the npgmusicclub was starting 2 get longer, so we needed 2 move. We arrived at the Kodak Theatre and met up with all of our purple friends....happy smiles, starfish and coffee!!! all around.....

When we finally got in 4 soundcheck we were soooooo in awe that we couldn't believe we were actually in there!!! Prince looked quite good. Sharp in his grey suit and beanie. He went through a few songs and wrote notes down. My friend and I were very impressed and loving every minute of it....

The concert was truly ON!!! Prince did such a fantastic job with this show. I never thought that everytime I would see him....the show would ALWAYS get better. I never can complain....the man is a genius in his own right!!!! No one can touch the mystical energy and eclectic sound he gives 2 his fams!!!! The music he pulled out was incredible!! The band is truly energetic!! And the whole atmosphere of the venue glowed with his aura!!! We WERE ALL TRULY LOVING IT!!!!

The aftershow!!! Well, just as grand as the concert. He was happy and that made us happy! He played with such energy and made the guitar blaze with heavenly glory!!!! AMEN!!!! Beautiful Strange he played with intensity and love and Calhoun Square was incredibly on FIRE!!!! Paisley Park was humorously fun!!!! THANK U PRINCE 4 COMING BACK 2 L.A.!!!

I bow down 2 the Man once again!!!!! Real Music 4 Real Fams.....!!!!!

Angela
Orange County

from Parke

my report is coming in a little late cos i'm only just coming down from my high!!

i traveled all the way from London, England to see Prince and the NPG at the Kodak Theatre (couldn't wait for UK dates!) and naturally i wasn't disappointed. i have seen Prince numerous times in London, but this was a totally unique experience. i'm not gonna repeat everything that has already been said about the show but it was all that and SO much more for me.

i agree with what somebody already mentioned about the time spent waiting in line and that NPGMC members maybe shoulda had their own lounge area or whatever but what i witnessed that nite from Prince and the NPG more than made up for it!! :)

so my thanks go to all who played a part in making this one of my most memorable experiences.

God Bless.

Parke

from Dina

I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH PRINCE AND HIS BAND. THE SOUNDCHECK WAS FUNNY YET PLEASING. SOME OF THE PEOPLE AT THE SOUNDCHECK CERTAINLY HAD SOME NERVE. BUT PRINCE WAS COOL ABOUT IT. HE MADE US LAUGH ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

LAST YEAR I WASN'T A MEMBER (WHICH I REGRET). BUT AFTER MEETING SOME FRIENDS FROM THE LA BUMPSQUAD I WAS CONVINCED IT WOULD BE WORTH MY $. AND YEP IT SURE IS. I GOT 2 SIT 5 ROW ME AND MY MOM. WE WERE TIRED BUT EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONCERT WAS TIGHT. ALL THE SONGS WERE BEAUTIFUL AND SO IS PRINCE'S VOICE. I WILL STAY A CLUB MEMBER 4 AS LONG AS IT STAYS. AND I WILL 4EVER GO TO HIS CONCERTS IN LOS ANGELES 4 AS LONG AS HE COMES! NO DOUBT! I DON'T CARE WHAT BILLS MAY COME MY WAY. BECAUSE PRINCE AND HIS MUSIC WILL GET PAID FIRST!!! I WANNA THANK YA'LL @ PAISLEY AND NPGMC. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL UP IN HERE!

LOVE, DINA

from Mase

The aftershow at the House of Blues was like one of those legendary jams I had only read about from years ago. When Prince would just show up somewhere after a 3 hour concert and effortlessly kick off another 3 hour jam in2 the wee hours of the morning. I have been waiting and waiting 2 experience one in person and last night, Prince & the NPG did not dissappoint! I wouldn't have missed the concert at the Kodak for anything, but the aftershow was such a cool experience because it allowed Prince and the band to stretch out and just go with the flow, without the structure of the earlier production. This was a show where they could launch in2 "Holly Rock" if the mood commanded it, or just groove on "The Jam" 4 a good 15 minutes if the time was right. Solo after solo showed off what the NPGMC members know, this band is filled with musicians at the top of their game. No room 4 amateurs or half-steppers. Harmony ruled this stage. And whether Prince was on guitar, keys, or just the mic, that harmony just kept getting stronger and stronger.

Thank u, Prince & The NPG!
U got me hooked!

from Nathan

Being surrounded by all the hardcore music club members was the best way to experience this phenomenal show. So much enery going back and forth between the stage and the audience, I surely thought we would melt the house.

from Morya

I just wanted 2 let u know how great it is 2 b a member of NPG Music Club. When I was at the Hollywood shows (4/19 & 4/20) it was extremely organized. Members were in line & we were more like a family than strangers waiting in line for our choice of front row seats. We had a list going so we knew the order of the people in line. There was a person going around offering water, sunscreen, etc. It was great. Once we got in the building, the people handing out the laminates made sure everyone was still in the same order as the list and got rid of anyone not on the list. It made all of us NPG members feel extremely privileged for being members. Then, when we got our seats (front row) for the sound check, it was amazing!!! It didn't stop there...!!! At the after parties, members were once again picked 2 go in the front of the line and taken care of first. Joining the NPG Music Club has been the best $$ I have ever spent. I can't imagine anyone not joining!!!! Thank u for starting NPG Music Club and for giving me the opportunity 2 join!!!! That's what I call appreciating your fams!!!!!!

xoxox
Morya

from Maia

You wouldn't believe what me and my friend went through to go see Prince. We heard about the show in Concord and the show in Hollywood. Well, we are in Oakland (which is only like a 25 minute drive to Concord), but we just couldn't wait that long because we were being teased and temped by the show in Hollywood being a few weeks earlier. So what did we do? Jumped on a plane to Hollywood to see Prince!! We made baby sitting arrangements, booked our flights, set up arrangements for a rental car once we got to Hollywood (so we could make the after party), and we were on our way! Our plan was to get there early, walk around and window shop, see the sights, and then go get in line a few hours before hand. Ha! That is funny, because when we got there at 11:00, there was already a line full of members! At 11:00! Prince, you are truly loved! We all sat out there in the sun on the sidewalk from 11:00 until they started letting some of us in to line up inside (air condition) around 3:00 or so. It was so worth it. We were in the 6th row! I couldn't believe it. The show was wonderful, and hearing and watching Prince perform Adore just made my night.. it was all amazing. The band was excellent. Sheila E., Larry, Candi, they were all fabulous! And guess what? I will be at the Paramount in Oakland on Wednesday! I am bringing my son with me this time. The show was too good for me to let one so close pass me right up. I can't help it, I have to go! I cant believe I was in the theatre that close to Prince... and as of Wednesday night...twice! Well, Prince, you are so very talented and perfect, your music is beautiful, no matter what kind of music you are playing. You are the description of FINE... there are no words to describe how good you look. Or for how good you sound, instrumental, and vocal. Thank you so much for giving us all part of you, and I hope you come back very soon. I love you and your music and everything about you just as much as I always have, even more... I love what you represent and also for sharing what you have with everyone. By the way, need a dancer, a personal assistant, a cook, a WIFE, anything???? Just checking... :)

PRINCE, I LOVE YOU!

Peace and Love to Prince and the NPG,
Maia

from Plantaflor

Thanks for the best night of music we have ever experienced. I told my husband it was going to be good, but I had no idea... I don't think it would be possible for me to fully describe the way I felt that night - from the very beginning we were blown away by the pure positive energy of the music and message. I've been listening to TRC often lately and was thrilled to hear parts of it played live but the rest of the concert was absolutely astounding. It was without a doubt the best concert we have ever attended. We're so happy to call you our brother and we admire the way you speak out for the truth. Your love for the Creator and others both encouraged and inspired us. We look forward to attending the Celebration in June (if possible) and think the choice to bring in some more jazz is excellent! With love and prayers from California ~

P.S. NPG Music Club Membership Highly Recommended!!!

from Karen

I had the great fortune of answering the best phone call i received this year!! "Renn", says a girlfriend.. "I know you were'nt able to make the show so i got you tickets to the aftershow tonight ! "
And from there??
IT WAS ON!!!
What a night!!!

If given only one word in the human language to describe it?

PHENOMENAL

The energy.... no, it was the guitar work...... Oh wait, it was when Prince pulled out 777-9311 and Paisly park. Hmmm Im thinkin' it was an education. Yea thats it... I felt like i learned last night to respect the music in a whole new way... Over the years i have been drawn to the slammin beats.... personalities...faces ( so much beauty an joy) This time, I found myself enraptured with the instruments themselves. I could'nt take my eyes off Prince's fingers as they flew across the diffrent guitars. Nor Larry's or Shiela's ( the water bottle even became music) Instead of focusing on the Base that drives my hips...I heard the blended sounds of Artist's bringing an incredible sound from withen there collective souls through there hands into the instruments. WOW. Yep that was it !
Now my hips still had there own thing goin' on.. but.......hmmmmm Paisley Park... June .. I think it is time for another lesson. Yep that's it.

Thank You to Prince an the NPG,
Karen McDonald

from Howard H.

I have been to all of the shows except the Purple Rain tour, WOW this was the BEST 1 yet! My girlfriend and I got in line at about 3:00 p.m. We sat in the 5th row and were able to catch about 15 minutes of the sound check. I wished we could have seen more of the sound check, but what we were able to see was still out of sight! Thank u for the opportunity to see u at work. As soon as we heard u say "Sheila and I are going to tear it up at the House of Blues", my girlfriend & I left to beat the crowd. There were only about six people in line. We were able to snag up 2 stools front and center in the back area in front of the bar. We were there all night and loved every minute of the show. The NPG is tight and Sheila is bad 2! We hope to see you again soon! Oh ah, & by the way, "Remember Me"? (1989) Ha, Ha.

Peace out bra -

Howard H.
Los Angeles, CA

from Paisley

April 20th was 1 of the greatest dayz of my life and my first time seeing Prince in LA. Eye'm originally from the San Francisco bay area but now live in Modesto and drove 6 hours 2 b a part of this expereience. It was a dream come true 4 me 2 B at the sound check, and being in the third row, that's the closest eye've ever been 2 the man. When he goes 2 LA again eye will surely b there, eye don't care how far eye have 2 drive 2 c such a genious, he's been my baby since the beginning of his career and he will always b a special part of my life. EYE LUV U BABY! "Prince"

LUV 4-Ever, Paisley.

from funkyfish,

WOW...,

To PRINCE & the BAND... MUCH LOVE for an EXCITING & Funky weekend. (2) MAIN SHOWS & Sound checks in L.A. , with the company of other fellow NPGMC members- to be able to be THAT CLOSE not only to PRINCE, but the other God Given TALENT(the band) as well as the others that surrounds him, to spread the joyous music U MAKE! Sitting 1st row on SATURDAY, to PRINCE.. Thanks for the guitar solo in "When You Were Mine." I'm glad I was not picked to sing or talk into the mic, not only did I lose some sleep, but I lost my voice as well . I would have said myname was ..."Fishburn" .

FRIDAY's aftershow in the "HIGHLAND" room was beyond words!!, Larry Graham, Sheila E, FONKY JAMS, PRINCE & the BAND , LOVE of the fams!
Many Thanks!
Gilbert

from Renee

There was an earthquake on 4/20, and the epicenter was Hollywood, or shall I say, Hollyrock! I was blessed to have the opportunity to not only attend the sound check and concert, but to stand up front and watch him rock the house at the after party with WNPG. Let me just say, Prince... you are too funky! This was my 7th Prince concert, and he just seems to get better and better. The band was phenomenal. I especially enjoyed seeing Candy do her thang (girl you amaze me!). Maceo, we missed you at the Kodak, but I am so glad you made it to the Blues. Sheila, what can I say, you are just the bomb! And Larry, thank you for allowing me to feel the funk. If 4/20 was any indication of what is in store for your members in June , where do I buy my ticket? Thank you Prince for sharing your beautiful gift with your fam members in this special way. See you in June!

Love is God.

from Ann Marie Petricca

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. If J.R.R. Tollkein had imagined a wizard musician and his magical band, it would have been Prince and the NPG. No one will ever do it better. And the Love was so strong my heart still feels soft. I am proud to be a member of the NPG Music Club and to continue to "tell the story, no matter how long" and live it too. Prince was funny, sexy, soulful and let us know that we were his "fix." The Love just went around and around. Hollywood would be honored to have Prince set up the WNPG right here. Six performances in Two Days? That was legendary.

from Vanessa K.

what a BEAUTIFUL NITE!! Thanks 2 God 4 the opportunity 2 C Prince and the NPG and special guests, Sheila E. and Larry Graham this weekend in Hollywood. Rock, Rock Holly Rock...everybody wanna hollyrock! This weekend was one 2 remember!!! Thank U 4 the sound check and 4 playing these particular songs (Free, *Starfish & Coffee, & Anna Stesia)

....LOVE is GOD, GOD is LOVE, girls and boys LOVE GOD above...I'm not here 2 preach. thank u Prince for sharing the Gospel 2 those who yet don't know.

Your sister in Christ...Vanessa K

from thedonoghues

1st of all let me start by saying......THANK U, Prince and the NPG for sharing your God given talents of music!!!! WOW!!!!! This was a phenomenal concert Prince and the NPG were off the hook!!!! There is so much 2 say about the night in a whole but not enough time 2 say it. Lets start with the sound check... We loved just walking in the theatre and seeing Rhonda, Candy, Greg and Renato on stage just kickin' back and having fun with the music, and last but surely not least seeing Prince come out relaxed and ready for a night of fun w/ the fams.
When u walked in the theatre u had this instant feeling of being at home. It was GREAT!!!
For the show...words can not express the emotional xpedition every person in the theatre went on!!!! We were in the front row with some of the most wonderful people u could ever meet...no concert u could ever go 2, would u be accepted and welcomed with open arms from complete strangers, but these people were not strangers but just part of the NPGMC family we had the pleasure 2 hang w/. I'd like to thank Prince and the NPG for giving my husband Frank (now being re-named Big Red) the best night of his life getting to dance on stage w/ u and the NPG. I could not thank u(Prince) and the NPG enough 4 giving him those memories. U will never know how much it meant 2 him or 2 me 2 see him so happy!!! We will see u in Phoenix!!!!
Much love to Prince, Rhonda, John, Candy, Renato, Greg, Larry and Sheila E!!!

P.S. If u r not a member yet what r u waiting 4? Wouldn't u like 2 give something 2 Prince and the NPG since they've given so much to u?

from Miriam

Cost of membership in NPG Music Club - $100
Cost of 2 tix. 2 the 4/20 show through NPG music club site - $250
Cost of bottled water, coke and a Twix bar - $8
Full access to the sound check, 2+ hour show, and House of Blues after party - priceless.

Well, I am embarrassed to say I doubted the privileges of membership until last night. I have seen Prince almost every time he's played in L.A. since 1985, and last night as a new member of the club, my husband & I were treated to the finest Prince experience ever. I won't repeat the great descriptions everyone else has already submitted attesting to his and his band's incredible performance. However, I do want to say that we met the absolute coolest people while we were waiting in line (uh, and that wait was just a little too long. Maybe the kind folks who run things could suggest to the big man that he try and work on that? Like how about setting up club members in a special lounge area so they don't have to hang on the street for hours?) So, I wanted to say it was great meeting Leslie, Camille, Ed the sushi chef (we are so there for dinner!), and Amalia (we met once before at last year's Palladium show. Great seeing you again - you rock girl!).

I am sooooo looking forward to seeing Prince again and hopefully the same cool folks soon! Maybe in MPLS????

from nosar5

First of all I would like to thank Prince for the best concert I ever went to.My wife an I loved every minute of it . WNPG is the ONLY radio station for me!! The powerfull messages range from a racist pres to the love of god,and yes I really know his name too.Man I was blown away by the selection ,everytime u come through u tear it up. All club members owe it to themselves to experince unpresidented talent...real music.If u are not a member, join the club.Dora and liz say"Hi " Prince!!
From a lifelong club member,nosar5

from Morya

Prince
My name is Morya (pronounced "Mariah")...Thank u 4 putting on such an awesome show for us!!!! U r truly amazing!!! I was at the 4/19 & 4/20 shows in Hollywood AND both after parties.......U made my night when u invited me 2 be your "sexy dancer" at the 4/20 show!!! Can't wait 2 see u again!!
Once again, thank u for everything!!!!!!!!!
xoxox,
Morya

from Oreochld

The concert last night has left me nearly speechless. The energy that came from within the rows that held the NPGMC members was electric. And as if that wasn't enough, the energy and excitement from on the stage surpassed anything I could have ever imagined. I made the last second decision to take my 12 year old sister with me, and I'm glad I did. She is growing up in an age of commercialized music where appearance is far more important than true musical talent. I took her to see real music, played by a real musician! And she enjoyed the entire show! Highlights for me would include the heartfelt Sometimes It Snows In April and I Love U, But Don't Trust U Anymore. Xenophobia was amazing, Avalanche was what a song should be, and the selections played off of The Rainbow Children (Muse, Mellow, etc.) were what music is all about. Oh, and most definitely, the guitar playing was exceptional and the best I've ever witnessed. Thank you so much for the awe inspiring show.

from Chalise

Who was dat band? I'm talking about the band that funked up the stage 3 times last night? Let me break it down fo ya....on the one! UGH! From the moment we walked into the sound check I could already tell that this was going to be a night that would get my body moving...HIT ME! TWO TIMES...UGH UGH! Prince was in rare form last night....He took everything to a totally different level. The Jazzy, soulfilled music from the Rainbow Children floored me. I mean what can I say? I know what I can say...all those people that were not able to make it to the concert last night missed out on one of the best nights of their lives...I mean come on now...Candy on the sax...what do u know about that? She was outstanding! Greg on the trombone....slide me baby slide me! Renato on the keyboards? I didn't know about that until last night...were his fingers moving? It seemed to me that they just seemed to kiss the keyboard in the right way.....and of course you had Intellipop Rhonda on the Bass...you know she can make it funky...John on the Drums...I don't quite know what to say about him...I'll just have to break it down to this..he is DA BOMB! Then we have Prince...Ok I'm requesting a name change again..you are not the same performer that you used to be...how do you feel about P-Funky? Because you tore that stage up last night...I'm still trying to figure out what hit me! From the funky, nasty keyboard playing all the way down to the violation that I know you recieved for killing the strings on those guitars they way that you did. Last night was one of those nights that I will remember for the rest of my life! Thank you all so much! Oh but wait! I'm not done yet! Hurt me..do that...do that somebody...and guess what you all did! The house of Blues Performance was off the chain! Larry Graham..thanks for letting me play your guitar! You are awsome! Maceo thanks for joining us! We missed you at the Kodak...but you made up for it by passing the peas! Can someone say SHELIA E? Don't u have to have a permit to play percussion like that? I think you too were in violation of the funky code..you are awsome! Ok..I feel like I am rambling...but there are not enough words to express the emotions that I was sent through last night...Prince was not lying whe he said he was going to turn the place out...and that you did! So with that said you are all in violation of Funk Code! Thank you for breaking all the rules and doing your thang...We will meet again..and I'm sure that it's gonna be funky! I'm out...UGH! GOODNIGHT!

from Funklover

I hadn't seen Prince since Jam of the Year in 97 and since that time I've always thought that although the shows are great, it could be better if you showed off more on the guitar, played a longer piano medley and completed some of the old tunes. So Prince, thanks for putting on the greatest show on Earth tonight. The whole first half of the show was masterful guitar playing; blues, funky rhythms and hot solos. The second half was absolutely beautiful piano work and singing. The medley was about an hour long! The best part however was the fact that you played complete songs. It was great to hear "Take Me With You" and "Raspberry Beret" played in there entirety. "Adore" and "Condition of the Heart" were also treats as they were played more fully than I've heard them in the past. You never cease to amaze me Prince, your shows just keep getting better and more satisfying. Thank you for a memorable night. I don't want to listen to the radio for a while so I can just play back the concert in my head.

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