Purple Rain turns 40 this year: Celebrate with limited edition Purple Rain splatter vinyl

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As a long-time gamer and music enthusiast, I hold “Purple Rain” in high regard as a landmark moment in both film and music history. Growing up, I was captivated by Prince’s electrifying performances, and the movie only added to my admiration for this musical genius.

“To begin with, I need to cleanse myself in Lake Minnetonka’s soothing waters.” (This line is something a character in a game might say if there was a quest or ritual requiring purification at Lake Minnetonka.)

I’ve come across a movie directed by Albert Magnoli, who gained recognition for the 1989 action-comedy “Tango & Cash.” In this film, we have Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell taking on the roles of the buddy cops. Jack Palance and Teri Hatcher join them as part of the star-studded cast. Magnoli worked closely with William Blinn on the script for this project. Later on, an unexpected turn of events led him to manage Prince.

In the film, scenes around Lake Minnetonka are authentic as it was shot in Minneapolis, home to the lake and Prince’s birthplace. He plays The Kid, a musically gifted but troubled lead singer of The Revolution, one of three bands that graced First Avenue nightclub’s stage. Through music, he finds solace from his tumultuous upbringing – rehearsing in the daytime and performing under the spotlight at night.

In Minneapolis, Apollonia makes her debut as an up-and-coming singer. She becomes acquainted with Morris Day, frontman of the house band, The Time, and a longtime rival of The Kid and his group’s superior performances. Determined to outshine The Kid, Morris tries every trick in the book to win over Apollonia and hog the limelight.

Purple Rain soundtrack on vinyl

The “Purple Rain” album came out before the movie’s premiere and went on to receive accolades, including two Grammy Awards – for Best Rock Performance by a Group and Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Two American Music Awards, a Brit Award, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

In honor of the film and album turning 40, NPG Records will be releasing a remastered version of Prince’s soundtrack. Starting August 7, fans can purchase this special edition on purple splatter vinyl with a mirrorboard sleeve, original inner sleeve, and poster. Pre-orders are currently being taken. A limited number of these collectible items will be available for purchase exclusively through the Prince Store and Minneapolis’s Electric Fetus record store.

As a huge fan, I can tell you that Prince’s groundbreaking album was my introduction to his iconic sound. This record marked his first No. 1 spot on the charts, and it brought us classics like “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and “I Would Die 4 U.” The provocative single “Darling Nikki” pushed boundaries with its explicit content, leading to Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center introducing those warning labels.

Purple Rain cast

A large number of the actors portray themselves in this production, with notable appearances by individuals from The Revolution, The Time, and Apollonia 6.

  • Prince – The Kid
  • Apollonia Kotero – Apollonia
  • Morris E. Day – Morris
  • Olga Karlatos – The Kid’s mother
  • Clarence Williams III – Father, a.k.a. “Francis L.”
  • Jerome Benton – Jerome
  • Billy Sparks – Billy
  • Jill Jones – Jill
  • Dez Dickerson – Dez
  • Wendy Melvoin – Wendy
  • Lisa Coleman – Lisa
  • The Revolution – themselves
  • The Time – themselves
  • Apollonia 6 – themselves

Purple Rain is regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time by many publications.

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2024-07-24 18:01