Video clip for “Thriller”, in mini-film format, made the musician condition the renewal of his business contract on an ambitious project
Purple Rain was the moment when Prince ascended to the pantheon of music legends. The film starring the artist and especially the album released as a soundtrack became big hits. Interestingly, it all came from the desire to surpass his biggest rival, michael jackson.
This according Bobby Z.drummer of the supporting band The Revolutionwho played with Prince from 1978 to 1986. In an interview with the podcast MusicNowfrom the Rolling Stone USAthe musician explained how the success of the music video for Jackson for music “Thriller”released in 1983, motivated Prince amid the development of Purple Rain.
He said:
‘Thriller’ set the world on fire. It wasn’t a clip. It was a mini-movie. This added fuel to Prince’s fire. He said, ‘A mini-movie? MTV? This is mine. I’m going to take this for myself now. I don’t accept that someone else has this. I’m actually going to make a film. It needs to be a feature film.’”
The idea of starring in a film was important to Prince. When your agency contract with Bob Cavallo It was coming to an end, in 1982, the artist conditioned his renewal on the production of a feature film. The idea was rejected by all Hollywood studios, so the businessman decided to finance the project himself.
Warner Bros., record label Princedecided to accept the project after two news. The first was a script inspired by the singer’s ideas, now written by William Blinn (Fame). The second represented the director’s entry Albert Magnoli to the team.
Purple Rain was released on July 27, 1984 and grossed approximately US$70 million at the box office. Meanwhile, its soundtrack reached the top of the American charts on August 4, where it remained for 24 weeks.
According to Bobby Z.this feat illustrates the competitiveness of Prince with the whole world, not just michael jackson. The drummer commented during the interview:
Was it just to compete? It wasn’t just about Michael. It was everyone. And he [Prince] it achieved. He starred in the film himself. It placed the album at the top of the charts. The song at the top of the charts.”
Not just one, but two songs from the album reached number one in the US: “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy”. However, the first listed achieved a feat that was not even Michael achieved, winning the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1985.
Prince and Purple Rain controversy
Prince also provoked controversy with Purple Rain. In 1985, Tipper Gore — wife of the then congressman and later vice president Al Gore — caught his daughter listening “Darling Nikki”songs on the album whose lyrics contain explicit sexual references.
The horror of this discovery motivated the future Second Lady of the United States to join together with other political wives and found the Parents Music Research Council (PMRC). The organization aimed to oversee music content to better protect American youth.
One of the group’s demands for the music industry to combat the proliferation of inappropriate content (via website Igor Miranda) was the establishment of an age rating system like that of cinemas. The result was the Parental Advisory sticker, still seen on record covers today.
Collaborated: Pedro Hollanda.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
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