The Day Prince Died. Dr. Fink shares. Prince Keyboardist on Sunset Sound Roundtable

Dr. Fink who was the keyboardistof Prince's many bands sits down to discuss the day that Prince Rogers Nelson left this earth and how he heard the news, because he was the first to know.
Also...25 LIMITED EDITION "PURPLE RAIN" WORK ORDER'S Signed By Prince:
sunsetsoundsto...
Host/Producer: Drew Dempsey: / drewfdempsey
Guest: Matthew Fink: www.instagram....
Merchandise: sunset-sound-m......
Instagram: / sunsetsound. .
Facebook: @sunsetsoundrecorders
Website: www.sunsetsound.com
#princeandtherevolution #purplerain #whendovescry

[@kevinlucken8558]

Dr. Fink played in a golf event I organized to raise money for heart disease after the passing of a dear golf student of mine. After the event, we sat for lunch and shared stories about Prince. Matt is a gracious man.

[@XoXo475]

A man that knew Prince since 1978! I always loved Matt Fink in P’s band

[@AH-yk4eb]

Prince existence on this earth is greatly missed. Thank you for this great interview with Dr. Fink.

[@StarrdigitalProductions]

Not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him.

[@KeeplaYousa]

I love this dude. No fluff, no exaggerated look, nothing. Man is just all talent laced with humble and ordinary. Absolutely LOVE him.

[@amyr3871]

It is so nice to hear Prince's former bandmates speak so highly of him. He was a great man. A musical genius. I miss him dearly.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Prince is one of my favorite guitarists. He was phenomenal, brilliant, and outrageous. What a talent.

[@17purpledays73]

Every now and then it still hurts that he’s gone… Keep resting easy, Prince!

[@Ezekiel-2517]

April, 2016. I still can't believe he's gone. He was so great. You just think some people can't pass away. But, we all do, eventually.

[@ejstar8917]

I had the opportunity to meet Matt Fink and the rest of The Revolution in 2017 and he along with the rest of the group were very cool and gracious. I felt like I was talking to a friend.

[@gigigiseleworld]

💜🎹💜🌂🌟🕯️🙏🕯️

[@Coasterdude02149]

Seven years later, hearing Dr. Fink talk about this has me fighting back tears. That was a HUGE void that day. It still hurts

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

I played with a keyboard player who had worked with Prince. I asked him “how did it change your life” and he said “never having to audition again”. In other words, it’s the universal stamp of approval. Good enough for Prince, good enough for anything!

[@dragonballz4998]

I've never met Prince nor never knew anything in his life outside of his music. I didn't know him and yet when I finally let myself believe he died, like Matt it felt like a family member died. That day my gf woke me and said "hey did you know Prince died?" I just said yeah right and went back to sleep. For 3 days I went into denial and it took guys at work talking about it who I knew were into mainly country and rock music. At the end of the work day a guy said to me as we were heading out " That was your guy right?" I said "Who?" "Prince, isn't he your favorite?" "Yeah?" "That sucks what happened to him, all those purple light tributes was cool though" I said nothing and found a place to park and opened my tablet. Shit my heart sunk. You don't know what you have til it's gone. And now the world knows how incredibly special Prince was. Liv4luv 0(+->

[@ilovemytribe]

The reaction of my co-workers at my then job was confirmation that I didn't like it, or fit in at my workplace, I think the news came up on one of their phones while we were in a meeting, and they just casually mentioned it, like they were announcing the weather and then just moved on. I was completely floored when I heard and stayed in the house the whole weekend crying, and was watching Prince tributes...

[@dragonballz4998]

@@ilovemytribe @ilovemytribe The only other time I went into denial like that was when my sister called 800miles away to tell me "mom died, she's gone" Up to that point I never knew I was someone who would not believe something that's true, that my mind would block to avoid pain. I think alot of people were shocked even those didn't really listen to his music, he was such a icon, like he had this magical quality and he would live and love a long life. His death made him very human. What a time to be alive when he was making music ☔

[@paultelfair9063]

Prince was musical GOD

[@sheranefrazier3290]

Prince so loved and missed.

[@julienceaser]

Dr. Fink is the man! There is a reason he was with him for as long as he was... Takes a strong man to set a side differences and obstacles to focus on a vision another has. He believed in Prince and trusted him even when they didn't get a long.. you can see it it shows. and his talent shined thru it all... fav moment is in SOTT concert when he solo's or the Jazz part amazing playing . I can only imagine he loss he and he rest of them feel. Sunset interviews are the best. thanks

[@-davidolivares]

A coworker used to take off early from work and we’d kid he worked doctor’s hours, so I’d see him leave and I’d yell Doctor! I’d have to explain to the younger people… bless you Matt.

[@tomh1593]

Always makes me sad knowing that he passed away all alone in a elevator in Paisley Park. He deserved better.

[@CitizenPain69]

While your point is understandable...to a point, HOW did he "deserve" to die some place besides his OWN home and alone, as a SINGLE man? We should all be so lucky to pass away in a place we could call our own and where so much creativity took place.

[@BassByTheBay]

Ugh, I know. I couldn't get that image out of my head. His death was truly shocking to me since I had seen a 3RDEYEGIRL performance not long before his death, and he seemed like the same vibrant Prince we all knew and loved. 😢 I've loved his music since "Soft and Wet" -- I still have the 45! He is an unparalleled legend whom we will never forget.

[@escaton74]

but wasn't he the one who separated himself from other people deliberately even decades before

[@josephwilliams3005]

Yeah it is sad but at the same time it seem like he wanted to be secluded away from everyone during that time I wish I could’ve been there to help him in some type of way

[@fredstriker2042]

We all die alone ..... he just did in his personal 300 Million dollar home..... and have you ever thought he enjoyed living alone?

[@bbbro34]

Yes, that was jarring news to hear when he passed. And this being after so many before him had started to go, it was like dominoes, all these greats leaving us in such a short time period. And, really, what's behind them? I'm not hearing it or seeing it. Grateful to be alive and grateful to have lived through the greatest era in modern music ever, and to be alive when so many people like Prince were doing it so righteously. Saw him before he broke big at the old Ritz in NYC in like 1982 (I didn't even know who he was at that time, other than some androgynous photos of him on album covers I had seen, a friend talked me into it), and then again on the Purple Rain tour with the unstoppable Sheila E. opening for him.

[@lonib213]

Sometimes I hate living in a world without Prince and bell hooks. But I know I was blessed to be alive in the same time period as them.

[@ChristopherNealBUSHIDO49ERS]

I started crying, at work, while watching this. Great interview! Thank you! New sub!

[@stevevlahos1]

I watched the full episode last night. Thank you for sharing. I’ve been a Prince fan since the early 80’s. In Detroit, there was a radio station that after hours would play early Prince songs. 98 WJLB. Great memories. 💜

[@CitizenPain69]

#TheELECTRIFYINGMojo

[@gtralive-2024]

“Diamonds & pearls”! Prince R.I.P. 🎸❤

[@diaquitaquita8984]

REST IN PEACE PRINCE 🕊

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

Thank you for this interview. This is Excellent. RIP Prince. Huge talent Greatly missed along with the rest of the band. Love listing to Dr. Fink speak about this. Peace.

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

Man, I cried my heart OUT when he passed away. I even asked the manager 6 YEARS AGO at the Phenix City, Alabama post office if they could get him put on all stamps and she said that it could take forever because they just got elvis on there and he's been dead 50 YEARS. Prince deserves the honor in full bloom.

[@HitTheLofi]

The whole ordeal is completely heartbreaking. We’ve lost an incredible human and one of the best musicians to ever grace this earth. It’s dumbfounding to think that someone could be so prolific at making and releasing music at the pace he did. We’ll all miss him

[@chambersstevens3135]

I love the way Dr. Fink is at peace with his life!

[@kelvendyson1508]

He had one of funniest lines on Purple Rain. I won't repeat it here but if you know the movie you know what I'm talking about.

[@t.breeze8659]

I still miss Prince and the occasional opportunity to catch him on stage. When people that have no interest in recreational drugs are finding themselves addicted or dying, we have a problem.

[@CNP-rn3gd]

I think of all the incredible musicians that played with Prince Dr Fink is my favorite.

[@PSchmidtc]

The Greatest Musician that ever wandered Planet Earth. His Purple Majesty

[@darbkavon]

Yes

[@QueenBDreamwalker]

i had a horrible Dream that morning & called our mutual contact-i wouldn't believe it until he called back to confirm....Gratitude for sharing Fink, Life has never been the same 4B since he left the body 😢⚡️☔️🌈🌟🎶💜🌎

[@icecreammaker5007]

The best Prince interview ever!

[@jimmcclellan8891]

Dr Fink seems like a great guy and a loyal friend to Prince in particular and his bandmates in general.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

That day I felt suddenly restless and sad. Once I checked the news I understood why.

[@donaldwilliams4161]

On the day Prince died I was in the Library finishing up on a computer which was about to go off and the last image I saw was "Rock legend Prince Dead"

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Amazing info

[@dystar112]

Dr Fink 😊 💟

[@DuckDaPhillyFan]

I remember taking my lunch break and hearing that “someone” at PP had passed. Like Fink, I just knew. I run in my house & all & returned to work. As I was parking, they came back on the radio to confirm. I just felt incredibly numb. When his birthday rolled around, several of us wore Prince paraphernalia or purple to work.

[@MsANGLEPOISE]

I saw prince one in concert only once. but was always a huge fan. When he died I was in shock, mainly for being in shock for this guy I never meant. but his muisc was a glue to so many of my friends.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

The last concert I saw of Prince’s was the worst one I went to, and I had seen him 10 times. He looked ill, and that was the first time I thought he was using drugs. Heard the rumors for years (I’m in MPLS), but this was the first time I started to think he was drugs. He was high.

[@Cormac-jd2kx]

@@paisleyprincess7996 Which concert was it? What tour?

[@bakihanma644]

Who doesn't want to talk about Prince?

[@edjacobs1750]

I was living in Davenport Iowa the night his plane grounded after the Atlanta show. He was admitted for medical reasons and was released AMA. The next day he was reported deceased.

[@riverdean7]

kirk johnson didnt know about prince drug addiction? really, ive seen the video footage of him picking up his prescriptions days weeks before his death at walgreens

[@rahmanshabazz767]

Peace Be Upon Him.

[@bryancarpenter7470]

Mr Zappa, your interviews and interactions are so interesting. I always enjoy!

[@Vibeagain]

oh a snippet. excellent

[@patriciawise2277]

I want to know what album that was before the Rainbow Children, he stated he couldn’t remember that didn’t sound like Prince?

[@dee1380]

thanks..

[@Rid]

I wanna know what album that Fink thought didn’t sound like Prince anymore. Just curious.

[@paultelfair9063]

Dr Fink great keyboardish

[@gonzalopriale3293]

6:30 what album is Dr Fink referring to??

[@cheboy]

CHEck out the whole interview 💜🐾

[@timewarp38]

The Revolution was the ONLY band I wanted to hear from after Prince’s passing

[@noticeddamian]

I wanna know what album he mentioned where he thought it didn’t sound like Prince anymore.

[@Hbizz813]

Rainbow children

[@gonzalopriale3293]

​@@Hbizz813he specifically says in this video it's not the rainbow children, but an album before that one

[@musicman6158]

He must be talking about the Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic that came out before the Rainbow Children!!

[@drewfdempsey]

Good stuff!!

[@soapy3204]

Thank you for this , I sat in on a session that lenny kravitz guested on and used one of princes pedals .there was a moment of realisation that he had gone ….a poignant memory , we were gifted to have him compose the soundtrack to our lives ….shine on Prince ✨💫🎯❤️

[@luukv8646]

Heard the name kirk Johnson so switched off #justice4Prince

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Kirk was an enabler, for sure. No one made Prince take those drugs, but he had enablers…as most addicts do. That alone will never be okay with me

[@chambersstevens3135]

Trivia! Did you know that Dr. Fink lived down the street from the Cohen Brothers when they were growing up? And that Barton Fink is one of their most popular films?

[@WineSippingCowboy]

2016 was a terrible year for musicians who had hit songs in the 1980s. Partial list. David Bowie and Glenn Frey in January. Vanity in February. Prince 🤴 in April, 2 months later. George Michael, fittingly, gone on his Last Christmas 🎄. RIP

[@kincamell]

Heavy. Ps Father's Song is my ish, plus he played it in the bridge of Computer Blue.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

A sad song, but great

[@David.962]

The lady that did Prince's hair. She was with Prince longer than any band member I think over 20 years. Now she could tell you some stories I bet.

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

....she is extremely smart....she only says positive things about him....she loves him....hairdressers keep secrets to the grave and beyond.....

[@clarerobinson6570]

I miss my friend,...

[@erictalbert4633]

One of greatest innovator’s of all time! But me being a parent. I wouldn’t start 14 yrs old with soft and wet. I get it, it’s he’s first hit and all but with the theme of the song, I would pick something else. He’s catalog is immeasurably.

[@TBoogy3]

Just seeing the title of the video made my heart sink a bit.

[@allthingsdarrelld]

I was taken out. Simple and plain.

[@globaltokyollc-f1322]

what could be the album he talks about that did not sound like prince ? I thought maybe "chaos and disorder" or "come" . any thoughts ?

[@gonzalopriale3293]

​@@Hbizz813he said it was NOT the rainbow children album, when the interviewer asked him "was it the rainbow children?", and Fink says, "no it was an album that came out before that one"

[@musicman6158]

It’s the Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic album!!!

[@MrBigjay00]

Can you imagine having Dr. Fink as a coworker?

[@derrickleachman3336]

I wonder what album Dr. Fink is talking about when he said he listened to some of Prince's later music and one album in particular didn't sound like Prince at all???

[@Hbizz813]

The rainbow children album

[@ParryBainbridge]

Wasn't the kindest to his fans, was well known for his abrasiveness to his fan base

[@David-l9o5g]

There is one thing I don't understand.. During the 911 call that man, I don't know who he was, didn't recognize that the man that seemed dead in the elevator was Prince. How could this man not recognize him? I mean, it's impossible!!

[@Hbizz813]

It was the drs son that came from California to help…

[@David-l9o5g]

@@Hbizz813?

[@Hbizz813]

@@David-l9o5g it was a famous pain management doctor who was supposed to go meet with him but he couldn’t make it so he sent his son instead and he found Prince…

[@chromebook2447]

RIP Prince! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@hungfao]

Some tried to align Prince as a competitor to Michael Jackson. I never got it. I liked both and room for both in my life. But what really spooks me are the parallels in their unfortunate demises. They both left us too early and at nearly the same time and because of drugs. Almost Fortean. RiP sir.

[@chrishawkins6535]

Trust me KirK new everything! He knew so much, that he kindly put his name on Prince's prescriptions! smh! Hey pull up the interview on here where Kirk is laughing when speaking about Prince's death. Old friends 4 sale. Im certain that Mr.Johnson had something to do with our beloved PrinCe's death. The sad part is they gave up the investigation. Old friends 4 sale......get'em while the gettin is hot. But you better watch out they'll hurt you, until they get what they've got. And they'll show you the friends that they're NOT old friends 4 sale💜 {PrinCe}

[@Hbizz813]

Yep…. I agree !!!

[@nolafan4612]

Ugh! Such a sad day…😢

[@ozziewarrens8804]

I find it curious that Prince's autopsy report was never released. 😮🤔

[@Hbizz813]

They never performed an autopsy….

[@ozziewarrens8804]

@@Hbizz813 - Maybe he is still with us.

[@Hbizz813]

@@ozziewarrens8804 he will always be with me… I have a prince tattoo 😉💜

[@MOAONAABE]

did the symbol meet with eric clapton the day he died? jus sayin. duane allman, jimi hendrix, stevie ray vaughan,

[@SuperAmin1950]

Man, those guys, and their bands and their tunes, were remarkable, especially if you were yourself a fledgling artist; I had a desire to see all of them, and so I did. 😮 Prince, not so much, he had nothing for me. In my mind, all I could see and hear in Prince were "Raspberry Beret" and "Little Red Corvette", and a stage resplendent in pretension, superficiality, and sexual innuendo; pure nonsense. 🤐

[@mattdaugherty7865]

💜

[@paisleyprincess7996]

A few hours before Prince died, I was making my bed, and COOL came on the Sirius XM app. Then it hit me…He’s gonna die. It was the same feeling I had with my mother dying. I was thinking about 1981, and when I first heard that song…and how Prince probably looked back on those days, and here he was sick And I don’t think Prince had any REAL friends near the end….He had enablers more than anything, per the investigation…Kirk included

[@ilovemytribe]

Interesting in this interview, this is the first time I heard anyone actually publicly speak about his addiction. It seems like a lot of people were in denial

[@paisleyprincess7996]

@@ilovemytribe Yeah, they were…Because he was so Mr. Clean Living. I didn’t believe it until people started telling me in MPLS that he had a drug issue. The manager of Cheapo Records in MPLS said it. A nurse I worked with her husband was friends with his dealer. I didn’t believe it, until I saw him at a couple concerts in MPLS in 2013. He was just off…And the last show I went to of his was so bad and he was so off I thought he was high. Just sad

[@ilovemytribe]

@@paisleyprincess7996 Wow, I can't imagine Prince having a "dealer" As private as he was, I'm sure that was something he hoped would never get out. I did remember hearing once though that he was in a tremendous amount of pain from dancing around, and jumping off of risers all of those years in high heels, that most of definitely took a toll on his body...

[@Nykki72]

To me the fact that Prince didn't do anything harmful until the 200os says alot. He had been on the scene of music since the late 70s and it wasn't until 2016 that he developed a problem. Also he wasn't doing it to get high, he was relying on it cause of the immense pain he was physically in. Prince needed a possible hip replacement, which he was very reluctant to do, from what I heard based on his religion. He became a Jehovah Witness and many devotees do not believe in blood transfusions. It makes the body unpure and you cannot have a major surgery without having blood standing by. Decades of him running around, jumping of stuff with those heels had finally caught up to him. He was walking with a cane, not for a fashion statement, but because it hurt for him to walk

[@keithbell9348]

It is kind of understandable that others associated with Sunset didn't like talking about Prince. His influence was so huge, his name would naturally pop up when the subject of famous musicians would come up. They probably got tired of sharing the "Prince tales". And I am quite sure there were thise who were even reluctant to mention him at aĺl possibly because to mention him, would make it seem as if they too had to be a fan of his when they weren't. "Can we talk about somebody else for a change? There were other famous musicians who recorded here too you know!"

[@brian-ld4vd]

I saw Prince on the new Arsenio Hall show, and I thought Prince looked very thin and he just didn't look well and he died not long afterwards.

[@paulSmith-te8gq]

The One and Only no one even comes close

[@ericdavis2183]

Millions of people remember famous people they never knew. They honor them and proclaim their greatness. And express to the world how much the famous people they never knew meant to them. They tell others about the famous people they never knew. Those very same millions and millions of people. Not 5 percent of them speak of or pay respect or remember or visit the graves of their very own unfamous family members or old friends. Or whomever they actually knew and was pretty good people. Yes I know millions of you won't like me pointing that out. But if the famous person you DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW SAID IT. You wouldn't dis like it one bit you would probably agree. Guess what a famous musician is the one who said it.

[@darrint8972]

💜

[@michaelone9475]

Nice conversation. We sure do miss him

[@JeffRebornNow]

Dr. Fink says he had caring people around him at the end, but who? He had a couple of employees but no relatives or partners or kids. He was 57 years old and childless and died alone in an elevator. He had recently overdosed in the air on the way back from a concert in Atlanta and when the plane descended they had to Narcan him back to life. This was obviously a crisis moment, but who went into crisis mode afterward?

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Yeah good point. Someone in his situation shouldn’t have been living alone. Ne needed carers and support. But then we don’t know what’s what and so maybe he wouldn’t let folk get too close.

[@smoothpants]

His people did go into crisis mode after the plane emergency. There was the doctor they had sent for that had gotten to MN too late. But the question is... who was looking out for him BEFORE the plane. Who could have stopped being a "Yes" person and been a real friend long before the plane. The plane was the "Oh shit! We have a problem" moment. That moment should have come LONG before.

[@marcia7523]

hawsrulebegin7768 perhaps he chose to live alone and keep people at a distance to hide the fact he was addicted to the pain pills. Maybe he didn't want people to see him out of control. Unfortunately, these are things we'll never know the answers to. It's sad and tragic the way he left this world. Just grateful he left us a treasure trove of music to discover and/or enjoy.

[@thegrimyeaper]

What did he do that was bad..?

[@missy652]

Nothing. A lot of people resented the fact that he was who he was and they were not. Prince didn't tolerate interference. He was a complete work horse, pushed people out if they tried pushing him and admitted that he was a true Gemini, not knowing what he was capable of creatively and stuff just materialized in his head at times. Yep, he could be moody, but could you blame him? Legend.

[@ParryBainbridge]

Dodgy but Dr. Fink and the remaining members should have decided to go it alone, becoming '' The Revolution '' a band upon themselves making music for the charts

[@TheBbtlegit]

PRINCE the. GOAT.

[@interactivefriends5528]

Why would anyone asks... are you tired of talking about #Prince ? We wouldn't know any of these people if it weren't for him. If anything they owe him! Regardless if he was difficult at times.

[@popnfresh2928]

I agree, I thought that was rather rude thing to say…..that’s like saying are you tired talking about your dead Mom or Dad,..WTF

[@nolafan4612]

I get it. He has been with him for a crazy long time. Probably knew him intimately to where he knew him as a person and not this “icon”. And probably gets the same questions over and over.. I totally can see where someone that close to an icon would get burnt out on questions. To have someone suddenly die that close to you and whom you knew, at least for me - that is too personal. Prince to him was a respected friend and colleague. He would not view Prince in the same way Fans do.

[@peteraustinnoto142]

What's going on

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

Lady Cab Driver.

[@bobbi67]

🎹 🖤🌻❤️‍🩹

[@intheshedd]

Sounds like he's being interrogated.

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

......i was in the middle of taking a computer class and the woman next to me was looking at her monitor screen and said....OH...A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF PRINCE....and i looked and i saw underneath the image....his date of birth....and date of death and RIP....and i said.....PRINCE IS DEAD....then everyone in the class started looking at the information on their screens too...after class i went home....and the sun was shining...and it hurt me that it was...and that he was gone...i remember buying a humongous Ralph Lauren coat in honor of him....and i took a nap before school....i did drag myself to school and the director of my department asked me did i know any people that worked with PRINCE because i danced in and choreographed music videos and commercials for over 25 years..i had worked with 2 people that had worked with him and they had beautiful positive things to say about him....they loved him...i was in shock my baby brother called me and we talked about him....he also did he same thing when BOWIE had died earlier that year...i finally broke down and cried watching Prince at Coachella singing...LITTLE RED CORVETTE....his ad libs were always so beautiful....i was driving my scooter and i just sat down in a park and cried a bit....he is a unique being....the total package artist....and he was so very free....

[@lutherfife8312]

One of the greatest days ever 😂

[@Hbizz813]

Shame on you

[@lutherfife8312]

Fck a fanatical 😂

[@LamarJennings-eo8ps]

Matt and Lisa the best keys player's prince had Rosie and boni not great

[@omarrandall6477]

Prince was not flawed, the only close to bad thing he did was played the bass in Michael Jackson's face😊

[@marcia7523]

😂 OK Will I Am😂

[@KnightRyder-g5v]

Prince screwed a lot of people out of millions...but it's sad he died alone....his kingdom was crumbling....

[@christopherbrown3278]

The interviewer could improve his performance. Less snickering be more entertaining and energetic.

[@effdonahue6595]

Hey Chris, how’s Rhianna 🤓

[@russbroda7207]

Gift from God or tricked out on the good stuff. Which one ? Both ?