The story of Prince on keyboards is also the story of how technology routed his music — and all pop music — in the ’80s. Manning a bank of synths in his trademark surgical scrubs, “Dr.” Matt Fink wasn’t Prince’s longest-running keyboardist (Morris Hayes played with the NPG for 20 years), but Fink’s dozen years,…

When you think about the Minneapolis Sound, synths and drum machines probably jump to mind before you think of bass. Possibly the best-known thing Prince ever did regarding bass guitar was to leave it out of one of his most iconic hits: “When Doves Cry.” As BrownMark explains, though, there was a reason that song…

Owen Husney and Marylou Badeaux both had special places in Prince's history. Their new memoirs give poignant, informative, and amusing glimpses into the life of a legend.

Though Prince’s use of drum machines—in particular, the LM-1, designed by Roger Linn—was a major part of his singular sound, he could also play serious grooves in a wide array behind a real-deal drum kit. Prince began drumming at age 12. “I learned on a big box of newspapers,” he told Modern Drummer in 2001.…

Any good writer will tell you that sometimes the best way to touch on universal truths is to get specific and nail the details. That fact was in evidence this morning at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, as the symposium Prince from Minneapolis convened what The Current’s Andrea Swensson called “a…

Earlier this month, the longtime promoter, manager, advertising executive, and musician Owen Husney released his long-in-the-works memoir Famous People Who’ve Met Me. Owen is best known in the Prince universe for his role as Prince’s first manager — specifically, the one that was at Prince’s side helping to negotiate his historic three-album deal with Warner Bros.…

In tribute to Prince's lasting impact on popular music and culture, we've collected quotes from fellow icons who were wowed by his ability to, in Miles Davis' words, "do it all," and a new generation of creative forces who have been influenced by his prodigious legacy. It's a stirring testimonial to the all-around awesomeness that is Prince.

As we approach the two-year anniversary of Prince’s untimely passing next Saturday, April 21, hundreds of people from around the world will make the pilgrimage to Minneapolis to honor him in his hometown. The week will culminate in the big Prince from Minneapolis symposium at the University of Minnesota on April 16-18 and the now-annual Celebration…

Today's top music news stories include an update on Prince's unfinished memoir, Mariah Carey's discussion of bipolar disorder, and HD vinyl.

We are so excited to celebrate the launch of Purple Current today - the newest stream exploring the musical legacy of Prince and beyond. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that live in the musical world of Prince?