The rarest and most significant Prince performance-related artifact we’ve ever encountered!
Extraordinarily rare original rehearsal notes handwritten by Prince during his 1988 Lovesexy Tour. These notes were used by Prince for his performance in Milan, Italy, on July 17th, 1988. On the front of the page, written just days into the tour, Prince has provided detailed stage production and musical arrangements for the piano medley portion of the show. This would be the first time on the Lovesexy Tour that Prince would perform the piano medley. This intimate portion of the show, typically performed as the first encore, would become a highlight of the tour. The medley, composed of six songs, would span five of Prince’s most popular albums from the 1980s: “Starfish and Coffee” (Sign O’ The Times), “Raspberry Beret” (Around the World in a Day), “Do Me Baby” (Controversy), “International Lover” (1999), “Condition of the Heart” (Around the World in a Day), and “When 2 R in Love” (Lovesexy). Prince has provided several lyrical cues for direction. On “Raspberry Beret” he references, “on ‘love’ hold note with:”. On “International Lover” he has noted, “one verse, 2 ‘Qualified’”, and most remarkably, on “When 2 R in Love” he has penned the entire lyric fragment, “falling leaves will appear 2 them like slow motion rain”, followed by “Slow motion, Slow motion” and “Nothing’s forbidden”. Prince adds an edit to the end section of the medley, where he writes “get 2 Atlanta and Eric’s walking line quicker” referring to trumpet player Atlanta Bliss and saxophonist Eric Leeds. He closes, by namechecking himself with, “4 end Piano lowers when Prince leaves it.”
This document provides an extraordinary window into Prince’s artistry and meticulous hands-on style as a live performer. Today, the 1988-1989 Lovesexy Tour is widely considered a creative highpoint for Prince.
These notes come directly from Joel Bernstein, Prince’s former personal guitar technician, who explains in his accompanying letter of authenticity: “This letter is to authenticate Prince’s handwritten rehearsal notes for his show at the Pala Trussardi in Milan, Italy, on July 17, 1988. On stationary from the Hilton International Milano hotel, Prince has noted the detailed changes he wanted to make on the arrangements & choreography for six songs: “Starfish & Coffee,” “Raspberry Beret,” “Do Me Baby,” International Lover,” Condition of the Heart,” and “When 2 R in Love.” Prince played all of these songs in this order during this show, which was the only time he played these songs in this sequence. I worked with Prince from 1987 through 1991, as his personal guitar technician for concerts and recording, and occasionally as his photographer. This period included, Sign O’ The Times, Lovesexy, the Batman soundtrack, and My Name Is Prince. This is from my personal collection.”
In December 1987, following a spiritual epiphany in which Prince was convinced that “The Black Album” was “evil”, he quickly reentered the studio and recorded a much more positive album in “Lovesexy”. In fact, the only song to appear on “Lovesexy” with origins from “The Black Album” was “When 2 R in Love” (appearing on this rehearsal list). The “Lovesexy” album was accompanied by the critically acclaimed Lovesexy Tour, which traversed the globe from July 8th, 1988 to February 13th, 1989.
Per Jeff Gold, former Warner Bros. executive, who also worked directly with Prince: “Original handwritten documents by Prince are exceedingly rare. In nearly 50 years of buying and selling collectible records and memorabilia, this is the first example of Prince’s personal handwritten stage rehearsal notes that I have encountered.”
5.75 inches x 8.25 inches, with minor handling and a small tear top center. A museum quality Prince collectible of the highest order.
Accompanied by COAs from Jeff Gold (Recordmecca) and Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication (REAL).
