Remembering Prince: Live In Paris In 1981

By Andy Kahn Apr 21, 2017 9:58 am PDT

Beloved musician Prince sadly and tragically died of an accidental prescription drug overdose one year ago today. Attention to the multitalented performer’s influential career has rightfully increased in the year since The Purple One’s passing at age 57. Full Show Friday examines an early-career performance Prince held in Paris in 1981.

On June 4, 1981 Prince staged a concert at Théâtre Le Palace in the City Of Lights. The show featured seven of the eight songs that appeared on the 1980 LP Dirty Mind as well as a few off his 1979 self-titled LP. The lineup in Paris included André Cymone on bass, Dez Dickerson on guitar, Bobby Z on drums and Doctor Fink and Lisa Coleman on keyboards, as well as Prince, in various stages of undress, playing guitar and handling lead vocals.

“Do It All Night” off Dirty Mind got the evening’s festivities started followed by the Prince track “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” Prince also offered a rendition of “Jack U Off” which would be released that coming October on Controversy.

Shedding layers as he led the band through “When You Were Mine,” “Gotta Stop (Messin’ About)” and “Sister” off Dirty Mind and “Sexy Dancer” and “Still Waiting” off Prince, The Purple One was down to his boots and briefs by the start of the encore. “Dirty Mind” and “Uptown” closed out the show with Prince capping the finale with one last blistering performance on guitar. Watch the Paris show here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hohLkOGqvnc

Setlist

Prince
  • Do It All Night
  • Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?
  • Gotta Broken Heart Again
  • Jack U Off
  • When You Were Mine
  • Gotta Stop (Messin' About)
  • Sexy Dancer
  • Sister
  • I Wanna Be Your Lover
  • Head
  • Still Waiting
  • Partyup
  • Dirty Mind
  • Uptown
Setlist data setlist.fm.
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