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Prince And Me

A vibrant portrait of a remarkable talent Episode 2

Duration: 57 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 2Latest broadcast: on 6 Music

Available for years

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. André 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 — one of Prince's first signings to his Paisley Park label — 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. Show less

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