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A vibrant portrait of a remarkable talent

In April 2016, the world of music lost one of its most brilliant creative forces, with the untimely death of Prince at the age of just 57. Paul Sexton remembers his unique talent.

On April 21, 2016, the world of music lost one of its most brilliant creative forces, with the untimely death of Prince at the age of just 57. Radio 2 remembers his unique talent.

Paul Sexton introduces the people that knew Prince best, including fellow artists, friends, band members, engineers and others who were part of his life and work. These are the confidants who knew the real man, and who vividly describe his upbringing, his humour, his superhuman energy, his moods and motivations.

Embellished with a soundtrack containing both classic hits, lesser-known tracks from his formidable album catalogue and rarities, 'Prince And Me' builds into a vibrant portrait of a remarkable human. AndrΓ© Cymone, who rarely speaks in detail about his childhood friend, recounts the teenage years when Prince moved in with his family and they shared bunk beds and formed their first band together. The similarly private Susannah Melvoin, from the mid-1980s group The Family β€” one of Prince's first signings to his Paisley Park label β€” talks about her personal and professional relationship with him, and the group's original version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U.'

Beverley Knight recalls the thrill of performing with Prince at the famed aftershows during his epic 21-night residency at London's 02, and the even more surreal experience of being flown by him to sing at his private Oscars party in Hollywood.

His former UK publicist Alan Edwards remembers the night he and Prince went clubbing and ended up discussing Egyptology, and Suzanne Vega reveals why the Purple One sent her a hand-written letter about one of her songs. Plus contributions from biographer Matt Thorne, New Power Generation keyboard player Tommy Barbarella and more.

2 hours

Last on

Wed 19 Apr 2017 22:00

Music Played

  • Prince & The New Power Generation

    My Name is Prince

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    Girls & Boys

    • Parade.
    • Paisley Park Records.
  • Prince

    I'm Yours

    • For You.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.
    • 3.
  • Prince

    My Love Is Forever

    • For You.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.
  • Prince

    Soft and Wet

    • For You.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.
    • 3.
  • Prince

    Little Red Corvette

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    I Wanna Be Your Lover

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    Controversy

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    When You Were Mine

    • Single.
    • Warner Bros. Records.
    • 1.
  • Prince

    1999

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince & The Revolution

    Take Me With U

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince & The Revolution

    Let's Go Crazy

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince & The Revolution

    I Would Die 4 U

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    Around The World In a Day

    • Around The World In A Day.
    • Warner Music UK Ltd.
    • 1.
  • Prince & The Revolution

    Raspberry Beret

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    Under The Cherry Moon

    • Parade.
    • Warner Records UK Ltd.
    • 4.
  • Prince

    Housequake

    • Sign O The Times.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.
    • 3.
  • Prince & Revolution

    Anotherloverholenyohead

    • Paisley Park/Warner Bros.
  • The Family

    Yes

    • The Family.
    • Warner Bros. Records.
    • 4.
  • The Family

    River Run Dry

    • The Family.
    • Warner Bros. Records.
    • 1.
  • Prince & The Revolution

    Paisley Park

    • (Single).
    • PAISLEY PARK/WARNER BROS.
    • 8.
  • Suzanne Vega

    Luka

    • (CD Single).
    • Reprise.
  • Prince

    Sign 'O' The Times

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince

    The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker

    • Sign O' the Times.
    • NPG Records Inc..
    • 4.
  • Prince

    Glam Slam

    • (Single).
    • PAISLEY PARK/WARNER BROS.
    • 7.
  • Prince & The New Power Generation

    Diamonds And Pearls

    • Diamonds And Pearls.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.
    • 3.
  • Prince & The New Power Generation

    Money Don't Matter 2 Night

    • Prince - The Very Best Of.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Prince & The New Power Generation

    Sexy MF

    • Sexy MF.
    • Warner Records UK Ltd.
    • 1.
  • Prince

    The Most Beautiful Girl in the World

    • (CD Single).
    • NPG RECORDS.
  • Prince

    Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

    • Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic.
    • Arista.
    • 1.
  • Beverley Knight

    Rock Steady

    • Indigo Nights/Live Sessions.
    • NPG Records.
    • 8.
  • Prince

    Planet Earth

    • Planet Earth.
    • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
    • 1.
  • Prince

    Alphabet Street

    • Paisley Park/Warner Bros.
  • Nikka Costa

    Nothing Compares 2 U

    • Nothing Compares 2 U.
    • Go Funk Yourself Records Inc..
    • 1.
  • Prince

    Sometimes It Snows In April

    • Paisley Park.

Broadcast

  • Wed 19 Apr 2017 22:00