In a feature just published today, Rolling Stone declares 2014 the 30th anniversary of “pop’s greatest year.” 1984 was “the year that pop stood tallest,” according to several collaborators on a feature listing the 100 best songs of that year. And who stood tallest in 1984? Well, Madonna was pretty good—her “Borderline” comes in at #2. Michael Jackson?…

In an interview with the New York Times, André 3000 says that a call from Prince helped to quell some nervousness before OutKast’s Coachella reunion. My head wasn’t there. I kind of fluffed through rehearsals. A few hours before the Coachella show, I get a message that Prince and Paul McCartney are going to be there.…

We're dedicating today's Coffee Break to artists associated with Prince. Who should we play this morning?

Pioneers of funk fDeluxe will be dishing out a double dose of soul on Sept. 7 for two performances (7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.) at the Dakota Jazz Club. With deep roots in Minneapolis, fDeluxe is the second coming of the Family, a band created by Prince in the ’80s. Morris Day’s departure from the Time in 1984…

A voice to be reckoned with, goddess of soul Liv Warfield will seize the stage of the Dakota Jazz Club on August 28, with the NPG Hornz by her side. “Portland’s most soulful singer” is no stranger to Minnesota, proudly calling Prince “her ultimate musical mentor.” After sending Prince a link to a video of Warfield singing “Gimme Shelter,”…

After dropping hints for months, Prince has finally announced expected release dates for PLECTRUMELECTRUM—his album with his band 3RDEYEGIRL—and a record under his own name, ART OFFICIAL AGE. Both are now available for pre-order on iTunes and are expected on Sept. 30. Each pre-order also includes an entry for a chance to win a trip to see Prince at…

Jerry Lee Lewis and Mick Jagger were on film, one of the largest festivals happened, and The Beatles and Yoko joined forces.

“30 years ago today,” acknowledged Prince with a sly smile as the artist who’s previously downplayed the occasion’s significance segued from “Let’s Go Crazy” into “Take Me with U” on Saturday night at Paisley Park. Just a week after making my first-ever visit to Paisley Park, I was again invited out to Chanhassen last night—along with 176,000…

Looking back at July 1984, it’s hard to believe just how many musical events shook up Minneapolis and continue to inspire and mystify us 30 years later. In just the span of a few short months Hüsker Dü would release their revered album Zen Arcade, the Replacements would drop Let It Be, and Prince would…

Technically speaking, Saturday night wasn’t my first visit to Paisley Park—Prince’s studio and performance space in Chanhassen, Minnesota. I’d been there a couple of months ago, with the okay of the management, to take external photos of the facility. Paisley Park at night, though, is a whole different story. For one thing, it’s purple. “Whoa!”…