Bobby Z - What makes Prince's '1999' great?

[@sushie29]

Bobby Z should write a book on Prince. He explains Prince's talent the best I have heard so far

[@sobecb7131]

He was with Prince the longest of anyone other than Dr. Fink

[@thomash3114]

Exactly he’s a real musician that’s why

[@jonasjpeg]

Agreed. Real articulate and he knows his stuff🎶

[@AC-mp7cx]

everyone knows prince had talent

[@claudecat]

I think Wendy does a pretty good job with that as well.

[@MrFilmoreJr]

Bobby Z and Dr. Fink were a great ingredient for Prince. They're humble.

[@AC-mp7cx]

so prince didnt do it all alone contrary to popular belief

[@jeannetteduette6704]

@@AC-mp7cx I think Prince did most of it on his own!

[@dblewis1779]

@@AC-mp7cx yeah I think most people know that Prince didn't do it all alone. Liner notes and credits. Read them

[@AC-mp7cx]

@@jeannetteduette6704 well music isnt about doing it all alone. It's about team work :)

[@AC-mp7cx]

@@dblewis1779 awesome

[@RebelThoughts82]

1999 the album is a masterpiece. Every single song is incredible.

[@sheldoncooper8199]

@RebelThoughts82 I prefer All Arround the World in a Day and Parade and Sign O Times

[@vinnyg101]

@@sheldoncooper8199 fair comment .... misplaced timing 🤔

[@MrBronx61]

Purple Rain was more commercially successful, but 1999 was Prince's best.

[@sheldoncooper8199]

@@MrBronx61 Oh Okay i would know i am a Prince Newcomer.

[@MrBronx61]

@ijcn0jir3nvjn3fjcifn - Don't forget Prince (1979).

[@reginafris6822]

Unlike Lisa, Wendy, and Mark, the taped conversations with Matt Fink and Bobby Z. about working with Prince always lead with 2 things: love and awe for their musical brother. They knew him the best, and the longest. Like true friends, they stayed 100 percent loyal over the decades. Both men are modest, and utterly lacking in vanity. Love listening to them.

[@ethanthomas68]

100% in agreement! Lisa, Wendy, Mark and some of the other ancillary features try to center themselves. Morris Day is honest and loyal as well.

[@Arp-2600]

Yes, that's what struck me, too. David's modesty and love for Prince as a brother/true friend. Great hearing him talk.

[@cuddlybearred9446]

"Automatic" is a prime example of how Prince could created a song that goes on for 10 minutes and still leave you wanting more.

[@jameswilliams3431]

Lady Cab driver gave me that feeling.

[@RickytheRobot]

Automatic is so genius it’s stupid. Holy shit there’s nothing like it in the world.

[@avace917]

DMSR is another one. I don't think it's as long as LCD or Automatic but that groove keeps going. Those weren't songs they were moments with lyrics

[@kingsports1113]

The time groove on those songs

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

To me personally that what good music does. Especially a good vamp on the way out.

[@andycoffman]

Love love love this interview. Bobby Z is so amazing and P was lucky to have him as a friend

[@ortem000]

With all the books that have come out after Prince passed on, I truly hope Bobby Z writes one.

[@PRODUCEDBYKEV]

I appreciate the interviewer staying outta the way of the story. Vlad could learn a lot from this guy.

[@cmhardin37]

@DEE MC the perfect amount

[@uwg2003]

Shots fired

[@wrldonwill]

💯

[@artdogg50]

Yeah it was very refreshing.

[@donesecarr3570]

Listening to Bobby Z share felt like a gift. Thank you!

[@donesecarr3570]

He spoke like a true friend & loved one. Some if the others from the Minneapolis Sound seemed a little bitter, small, envious & looking to benefit. Not Bobby & the rest of The Revolution.

[@TheKennethdurden]

Bobby sounds like a real friend. So many others who worked for Prince try to take digs at him (overstating their roles, complaining about something). Bobby knew the man and was aware of how fortunate he was to be making history with a legend.

[@hiighway_chile4080]

Agreed..even Morris took major digs at Prince in his book..Chaka Khan shites on Prince every chance she gets.

[@thomash3114]

Perfectly said!! That bitch Brown mark whining in his interview Andre and all of the rest wanting to take credit for his talent. I am a musician I write music after the melody chord structure the vibe of the song is there a guitar part bass part etc might make the song funkier but it doesn’t constitute credit for writing credit look at kiss and when doves cry he took the entire bass line out song is still the song. Funny cause all these whining people are now performing his music????? Brown mark Andre you guys were so great ???? Why are you not performing your own hit songs ??? Oh! Because you have none ! I was watching Andre performing dude can’t even sing ?

[@k3nn3thinatl]

@@thomash3114 EXACTLY! These people were picked up off the streets, far more because of their looks than any talent, and taken on the ride of a lifetime.

[@mozfonky]

He was always very respectful of Prince in his statements. W&L, Brownmark, even Dez and Fink have said things about him. Not Bobby, not that I've seen anyway. Maybe he did but I never heard it.

[@jeshkam]

​@@mozfonkyHow about Andre?

[@waynefoote3781]

This conversation is incredibly heartwarming from both of you and it really brings Prince to life ....A real sense of closeness here.

[@jasperjenkins7729]

Being a drummer and prince huge prince fan, I will watch this again. Thanks4posting

[@kennethrobinson6738]

Oh great question on what it felt like in the Twin Cities during that early 80s era. As a kid, and later teenager, during that span, Prince and The Revolution were treated like Gods in the Twins and the locals had so much Pride in these guys. We could not wait to rush out to a record store to buy the latest LP or cassette from Prince! We loved and worshipped these guys. Still do to this day!

[@kenyagrundy1059]

I like how the interviewer is asking questions of how certain songs off the 1999 album came about, such as DMSR and all the critics love u in new York...instead of the songs that everyone are used to

[@MrFilmoreJr]

Bobby Z....thank you. Best interview.

[@garfieldharrison510]

Well this was landmark album for Prince and the revolution. It was a beautiful segue into the brilliant Purple Rain. I really enjoyed the 1999 album. So thank you for sharing that with people who was around during the that pinnacle moment in Prince's trajectory.

[@kenyagrundy1059]

In my opinion, 1999 was Prince's breakout album and what made him a household name....Purple Rain was the album that made him a superstar

[@derricklbraddock4402]

You should check out prince, dirty mind and controversy

[@kenyagrundy1059]

@@derricklbraddock4402lol that's just my opinion, I've heard dirty mind and controversy....been following prince since I was 4 I'm 45 now...have all his albums, unreleased tracks, have concerts, tv appearances, seen him in concert 3 times...have studied him since I started listening to him at a young age...my point is that so many people are familiar with Purple Rain, because he not only did a movie, but was album of the year, won him an Oscar and sold so many copies...1999 was the prelude to Purple Rain..1999 gave you pure funk...Purple Rain gave you funk, rock, pop, new wave etc..

[@vivcanal2111]

That's a statement of fact rather than opinion. He had his first top 10 hit with 1999 and his first No.1s with Purple Rain.

[@derricklbraddock4402]

Just because he wasn't a pop star yet, I wanna be your lover went to no.1 on soul charts so he was a superstar in our household by the time 1999 came out. Thank you

[@vivcanal2111]

@@derricklbraddock4402 No one is saying that he didn't have fans before 1999, but it was his breakout album as he became a star nationally at that point.

[@nickgray1753]

Thanks so much for sharing your memories and thoughts, Bobby Z! See you in the UK in a few months.

[@nancypatricia511]

Very good interview. Straight-forward and informative. Learned new things about Prince, the music, the history of his career and the people in his world. Thank you.

[@daveerwin6981]

Love this interview. Fascinating. Prince was a special one. And gathered a great group of people around him

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

Bobby has always reminded me of my father. He looks just like my dad. Even his mannerisms are the same. It's uncanny. Very likeable guy.

[@pucchilovetheme8368]

that was a great interview thank you very much

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Revolution guitarist Dez Dickersen had a cool anecdote on what went into playing with Prince and how he got the job. "Finally, a full two and one-half hours past the scheduled time, the Entourage showed up. I didn't know any of them-little did I realize that I would end up sharing the experience of a lifetime with a couple of them. Most notably, there was Andre Anderson (Prince's childhood friend, musical partner, and bass player), and Bobby Rivkin (friend and drummer), and manager Owen Husney. Bobby had known Owen for a long time, in that Bobby's older brother David had played in a band with Owen in their teen years. The band had some regional success, and even some national radio exposure, but Owen ended up in the advertising business, and David ended up a recording engineer. Through Bobby's relationship with Owen, he got connected with Prince. Andre was another story entirely. They had been friends since they were kids, and really more like brothers. Andre's mom, Bernadette, had taken Prince in when there were problems with his own family, and he and Andre shared a room. Andre had been with Prince as the Wild Ride of the deal and the recording had begun. It didn't take long to figure out that the quiet, almost painfully shy, diminutive figure at the center of the rush of people was Prince. It was eeiry-no one said a word (no apologies or explainations for the tardiness-which I would find later to be a way of life), but they just opened the door and we all filed in. There were some quick introductions, and then Prince just went over, sat behind a keyboard, and started playing. We kind of determined among ourselves who would go first, and Owen graciously allowed me to go to bat right away, since I had that gig I had to get to. Prince started a riff on the Oberheim polyphonic synth and Hohner Clavinette, and Andre and Bobby soon fell in behind him with a rock-solid groove. I just observed for a few minutes, and fell in playing rhythm. After a bit, without saying a word, Prince nodded to me. At that point, I took a solo. I had been at it long enough to know that less is more, so rather than try to impress him and the room with every note I knew, I played what made sense, ended it, and flowed back into rhythm. After about 15 minute of following this pattern, I apologetically reminded them that I really did need to get going. Prince finally spoke, and said he'd walk me out. Back out in the winter air, Prince asked me lots of question-I remember being struck with how incisive they were for such a young guy (I was 3 years older). He asked about my aspirations (I told him I still desired a solo career someday), my musical tastes, my work ethic. After 10 minutes or so of conversation, we shook hands, he disappeared back into the Tire Mart, and I sped off toward I-94 and the Wisconsin border. I had NO idea how fateful the last few hours would end up being... Well as history tells us, Dickerson would end up playing on "Dirty Mind", "Controversy" and "1999" his solo on "Little red Corvette having made the list of Rollins Stone magazine's best ever guitar solos. Before parting ways with Prince just before "Purple Rain" came out.

[@aprilwest1883]

Dez Dickerson wrote the musical notes to the song KISS.

[@diaquitaquita8984]

@@aprilwest1883 I THOUGHT BROWN MARK DID THAT BECAUSE PRINCE GAVE THE SONG TO MAZARTI AND THE DEMO THAT PRINCE GAVE THEM WAS A ACUTIS GUTAIR AND THE ADDED MORE MUSIC

[@christopherowens6391]

I like these interviews, the people that knew Prince in the beginning!

[@allenf.5907]

Prince had to have ben a complex being yet we all are human - and when you hear the human side, it can only make one smile. Bobby Z. is doing that right here with his smiles.

[@brentstabbs2262]

The ‘free HBO’ hotel beckoning is such a great story from a completely different time

[@dynjarren7523]

He looks good after having a heart attack not long ago. It looks like he’s dropped some weight, too! Good for him! He was a good drummer and fit Princes band perfectly along with dr Fink on Keyboards.

[@russellbeverly94]

AMAZING. TAKING THE STONES AUDIENCE AND RICK JAMES AUDIENCE AND MAKING THEM HIS. POWERFUL THANK YOU BOBBY Z I WITNESSED YOU GUYS TWICE 1982 or 1983 in Greensboro NC 1999 Tour while a Senior in High School then in 1985 or 1986 in Dallas Texas at The Reunion Center " Purple 🌂 ☂️ Rain" when I was in The United States Air Force and based At Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene Texas. You Guys Molded My Character....cool November 11, 2022 Veterans Day

[@antwaynetube]

Thank you. On top of everything else, we finally have a definitive answer that Prince drew the 1999 cover art.

[@SouthernGent44]

I was 12-13 when this album hit. This was a coming of age album for kids in my age group. It addressed so much: sexuality, fear of nuclear armegeddon, partying, etc. Easily one of his signature works.

[@angelomelville9084]

Excellent Interview! So much unknown info! Glad to see that this Gentleman is alive and well, The Video of 1999 is a Visual Master Piece too. The timing is so good, so Classic! Muchos Gracias!

[@bayindostudio]

Interviewer: What was the most surprising thing about Princes demeanor that we wouldn't know? Bobby Z: The illusion that he was shy.

[@Billkwando]

Even shy people aren't shy with people they know. Not exactly a revelation.

[@chillywillie6283]

The 1999 video is one of my favorite videos of all time.

[@fulltiltgonzales]

To this day I have the biggest crush on Lisa from that video.

[@hotrodder5034]

That was soo cool to hear about how aware they were of Kraftwerk. Prince was cutting edge himself! When the Controversy album first came out it blew my mind because I had never heard anything like before!

[@relaxationstation7374]

Totally awesome interview, however the real show stopper would be an interview with Lisa... I'm sure that she has some totally amazing stories to tell. It would have also been very interesting to hear Bobby's impressions of The Original Prince, Prince's Father...

[@aaronsoto9100]

Great interview, contrary to what many want to re-write, Prince was a hybrid of many sounds far away from common black music, mostly Punk, New Wave, New Romantics etc. Glad that Bobby Z give props to Kraftwerk, that actually Prince talked about during the Dirty MInd-Controversy press interviews. Other Prince big influences were The Cars, Devo, Cocteau Twins, Gary Numan, The Clash, Bowie etc.

[@rayasalter9650]

he had (still has) so much love and admiration for Prince. It's amazing. And every time he had a chance to say something that could potentially downplay Prince's genius or the fact that Prince was the center, he didn't. Instead he said even louder that Prince was a genius. So cool.

[@JoeyDamocles]

Great conversation. I love it when the discussion is about the music and how it was made.

[@Arp-2600]

Thanks @The Current. Really enjoyed the calm pace of this interview. Great to hear David talk with such brotherly love for his friend, Prince.

[@meljrnone8608]

Very good interview...nice to get an idea of what Prince was like from someone who knew him before and after he became famous.

[@howarddavid31]

I know a lot of people will disagree with me but it’s just my heart and opinion but ... 1999 was Princes best album. It was the gateway to his super stardom and man .... lady cab driver , DMSR, irresistible b***h etc A masterpiece that did not get the credit it deserved. Prince is missed and I wish him heaven! RIP From a true Prince fan.

[@seanharris2320]

I wouldn't disagree. There is so much that can be said about the album. I bought 'For You' in maybe 4th grade, and I'd get a little money and I'd buy the next album. I think I was in 9th grade when I bought 1999. 1999 was and is one of the most incredible things that has happened to me musically in my life. It showcase Prince's virtuosity in a "team" concept maybe for the first time, and if not for the first time at least to the best effect. Purple Rain was another showcase, but it felt like there was more tech/trickery involved. It is odd, but PR feels more digital, while 1999 feels more analog, and somehow more satisfying. You can almost go back to 1999 and listen to it, and the music stands out from anything before or since (even by Prince or anyone else). It is that standout nature that just holds up a bit better than anything else he did.

[@killahertz]

i can inderstand your sentiment.. Off The Wall is alot of ppls favorite MJ album.. including me 😇

[@seanharris2320]

@@killahertz I'm with you on that! More "fun" than "Thriller" or anything else he ever did. Good point.

[@pauljames7438]

Yeah, I agree with you. ( 1 ) 1999 ( 2 ) Sign O the Times ( 3 ) Purple Rain ( 4 ) Controversy

[@gd-lockc7618]

For me it goes: 1) Prince 2)Controversy 3) Purple Rain 4) 1999 5) For You

[@gl6996]

Something In The Water(Does Not Compute). Need I say more?

[@DanGulinobass]

That song is so groundbreaking and way ahead of its time

[@gl6996]

@@DanGulinobass The first time played it on 1999, I replayed it like 30 times in a row!!! That's a tough album to play just one time...

[@dashawnhawkins5680]

@@gl6996 you anit never lied.

[@gl6996]

@@dashawnhawkins5680 Amen!!!

[@ronnito69]

Some people say I have great legsss. Can't figure out why you make meee beggggg....

[@ethanthomas68]

Bobby Z and Dr Fink do a great job of articulating the early days with Prince. Morris Day does a great job too from his perspective. They seem to be very honest - I’m so glad that they are around to tell the stories from a position of knowledge.

[@dee1380]

Bobby Z. is as layed back as he can be.. "1999" was my very 1st Prince album... I brought it along with "Controversy" when I was 10 years old(1982).... those albums are timeless tho'..

[@chj2]

REAL TALK! Those albums and THE TIME albums were burnin' up the radio back then. . .And they STILL sound fresh today. . .

[@gailenefuller8330]

Hope you saved them. I shop thrift stores for Prince music.not much out there,I think everyone saved their's.

[@groofoot]

@@gailenefuller8330 One interesting note: My hometown's Barnes and Noble now has a LOT of Prince on vinyl, including Purple Rain, both the standard issue and a picture (vinyl) disc, 3121, Sign O The Times, A Piano and a Microphone, the 1979 eponymouse album, Dirty Mind, etc. ... I'm pleasantly surprised how much they have

[@claudecat]

What's amazing about so many of these latter day interviews with Prince's people is the genuineness of their reverence, yes, reverence, for his musical talent. They all seemed to have known immediately upon meeting him that this was an artist for the ages. Not surprising really, but rare to see these days. They don't focus on the controversial or shocking, they focus on the things at which he was uber-talented: musicianship and the ability to bend show business to his wants and needs. They don't dwell on the circumstances of his death, they celebrate his life and are simply in awe of his talent and thankful they were able to contribute. Hundreds of years from now, if there's still a habitable planet, musicians will still be listening to Prince. Not so sure much else from the 1980's has a chance to make that cut...

[@Modernaire]

I have a lot of thoughts on this interview: Bobby's insight into the DRUM TECH side of The Revolution days is absolutely fascinating, mainly because he has rarely been asked questions pertaining to production tech as it was then. When I bought an LM-1 it opened up my eyes and ears to the production of the drum tracks in many of PRince's songs, how he may have use the LM-1 as a basis for songwriting, you could program a song patter into it, and on the fly of course, trigger simple drum fills. I can hear that kind of in-machine on the fly playing on songs like 'Free'. Bruce Forat says that Roger Linn's LM-1 could be customized with additional switches to add more sound chip banks, and make it MIDI trigger-able, which I think may have been what Bobby Z's drum techs did. You can see one of Prince's LM-1s with multi-bank switches in a photo from around the Rave 2K era. I would LOVE to hear more on Bobby's rig, it's fascinating not only because he played them extremely well, but because he did so on what was drum tech innovations then. Bobby's 1999/Purple Rain/Parade drums expanded on Simmons drums with Linn and other customized sounds. Also of note is Prince's completely original idea of using a LIGHTHOUSE lantern as a KICK DRUM! Was that a Bobby Z idea? THere's a promo photo of Prince sitting on it from the 1999 tour or videos shoots, and it the front drum head would light up, and would later be expanded into a kaleidoscope psychedelic light setup for the Purple Rain tour, it was so cool! Still is! I realize in fairness that many a Prince fan, don't notice these things and probably aren't that nerdy about it but I loved the creativity and originality of Bobby's drum setups. I also enjoyed The Revolutions synchronized dancing, and Bobby participating, he would stand up and jam, that elevated the energy onstage and transmitted it to their audience, including me when I saw Bobby stand up at the end of the 1999 video! I was like it's oN! In addressing Prince's prolific model desires: the 'majors' finally got to releasing music every month or 6 months, today, however it's not an ALBUM by an artist and or band, but a NEW artist. Consider that at the time of Prince's 1999 album, you couldn't release an album every month anymore, the music industry at the time had advanced in marketing promoting, selling distributing and radio was a big part of that then used MTV which at the time was like visual radio station, to let an album and artist flourish, grow, fail, succeed. You couldn't have an artist release an album a month, 3, or 6 months at a time, with the multitude of artists/bands, it would get incredibly crowded AND confusing. In addition to that, if one artist/band was more prolific, they'd dominate and bore the mass audiences they were selling music to. Later in life, yes Prince would release albums or singles almost every 6 months, sometimes songs would just be released with no album attached to them, other newer albums had no promotion, through his NPG Music Club, but as such, the constant releases sometimes created confusion and albums never matured so to speak. Only obsessive fanbase would want Prince music all the time, always approving of anything to encourage more and more. Anyway, We're honored to have they very talented Bobby Z still with us, in good health, to share his remarkable stories about his remarkable friend. Thank you Bobby for all your performances and being there for Prince.

[@hotrodder5034]

Yes I remember the first concert I ever went to. It was the 1999 tour with Prince, The Time and Vanity6. In Saginaw,MI. I remember that huge light in front of the kick drum. That night he opened with 1999 and that light flashed to the opening verse. It was blinding! They ROCKED and I was forever going to be a huge fan.💜

[@djdoncruse1952]

Modern Aire If you get a chance check out the Revolutions interview on questlove podcast on Pandora . Bobby Z ,Fink, & Brown Mark talk about a lot of tech stuff.

[@chj2]

@Modern Aire Don't apologize for sharing your knowledge. Your post is ON POINT!👍 I recall Bobby mentioning Prince had triggers set on the Linn Drum in an older interview. I also remember the lighthouse kickdrum-that is BADASS! There was also the grey paisley set from the Parade era also seen in the , "Girls & Boys" and, "America" videos. I also wonder what tech stories Sheila E would share regarding the setup Prince had for SOTT? Especially that funky awesome distorted bass drum sound on "Housequake", "13" by Madhouse, and the remix of "Alphabet Street". . .Prince was an otherworldly genius! R.I.Power, Bro. P!

[@firemanscba]

Bobby Z....thank you. Great man and a great interview.

[@margi6035]

Here is a man that knew his place in the world of Prince. He was there because of Prince and pushed to limits he would never have reached without that

[@paul0n3il]

Bobby thank u 4 a great interview, its humbling 2 hear such memories. its great that u were a big part of that era and you will always be the REVOLUTION, great topic my favorite album and i get totally what you was saying about dirty mind. i have been there from the beginning and its been a blast.

[@anjac9277]

1999 was just as good as Purple Rain. Like the sun and the moon

[@Power_Fantastic]

Thank you Bobby, great to hear all these stories! O(+> 4ever

[@margielewis7365]

Feels like Bobby Z is The Only One Not Embellishing Prince Stories‼️💯💜🙏🏾

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

I bought _1999_ by accident, but it became the first album that I seriously explored. That I played over and over, while listening deeper and deeper and taking it in as a whole. For me, _1999's_ appeal was its phenomenal melding of my intrinsic love of James Brown, disco, soul, funk, and pop, especially ABBA. A Reese's peanut butter cup of music: Funk and pop great together in one listening bite. The hits on _1999_ were great, but the heart was in the rest of it. _Lady Cab Driver!_ The syncopation and twisting of the beat: I didn't know what is was called, but I knew I liked it and wanted more.

[@BillMcGirr]

Very strong album. I’m partial because 1999 was my first introduction to Prince. Just a classic.

[@tonylbenson]

That boombox multi-track bouncing story at the end! I did the same thing in the early 90s as a college student (I was using two cassette decks instead of two boom boxes). People will find a way to get it done when the desire is there!

[@dashawnhawkins5680]

Yea but he's famous and rich.

[@Kingeos0]

Love this album ❤️☔️

[@michaelwilcox5168]

What a time to be alive! The whole journey gave his life the purpose and meaning every life should have.

[@Jamie2Starr]

Thank you, great interview.

[@zacharyg5149]

Bobby Z is one of my all time favorite drummers. In the 80's, he was was the epitome of cool. I even had a little crush on him.

[@youverndit1324]

learning that the song 1999 was inspired by an HBO Nostradamus documentary that Prince and the band watched in a hotel the night before, made me click the "like" button. that's a hidden gem of an origin story!

[@highvibee]

Wonder if those “boombox tapes” still exist? Grate interview, thanks Bob 🙏

[@garfieldharrison510]

Kraftwerk was defining the template for pop music.Especially with that song Trans Europe Express. Changed the molecules. The first time I heard that song from Kraftwerk was back in 78. I was blown away. I knew change technically was coming. Then I found out they were from Germany.

[@sheldoncooper8199]

@Garfield Harrison You were surprised a Band named Kraftwerk is from Germany ? Well its a very german word. But yeah they are the Grandfathers of Electronic music. Without them Depeche Mode would ve NEVER happened.

[@todmatthew8816]

Fantastic Interview

[@margielewis7365]

Good interview‼️☺️

[@avatarstore]

thank you Bobby Z

[@purplehouse26]

can't wait for the deluxe edition : )

[@ThinkWolfpack]

Awesome interview!

[@busywl69]

my #1 all time favorite album. my tastes range from techno to hip hop to classic rock to alternative to punk and this album was just everything to me. still is.

[@barbaraannanburton3036]

Thx, very insightful & interesting 2hear about a master/genius @ work (could have a better choice of words but some words fail me) to say the least. :) 2 Prince

[@chaunceyb9540]

Excellent interview

[@friedricengravy6646]

These interviews r incredible....The last one gave me a tidbit: Gary Numan (the song Cars) was a huge influence on the Purple Rain music & sound (per Wendy) What!!?? I bought the cassette & the purple 45 single....watched the movie till the vhs blurred, read his biography ....& 40 plus years later find out a completely new (to my ears) fun fact. How cool is that?? Now when I hear Cars, I get it....the keys (tone) the drum sound, the pop format with new wave club sounds. Thanks for posting.....Ive lived in both eras: music w/o access to anything other than publicist guided media exposure & now with fan gathered media & information....Believe me, the hype back in the day was bigger but like most things in life, fact is better than fiction.

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

For me, this double album itself was BETTER than Thriller LP.....

[@diMarVal0712]

THIS. GOES. WITHOUT. SAYING.

[@dee1380]

yup..

[@garfieldharrison510]

1999 was released before Thriller approximately one month before. The double album 1999 was the one that really captured my imagination. on Prince's musicality. Genius work. So when Purple Rain finally came out. The success made sense.. Thriller you can't compare. So I wouldn't even try to compare. Michael and Quincy was auspicious for a reason with that work. But, I agree the album is a masterpiece. The sonics was off the chain. I used to play Lady Cab Driver and just dance around the house. Great time.

[@strauqq1]

I think its almost ridiculous to compare the two. It's like saying you like your right testicle better than your left. They both equally serve a purpose.

[@pickzkickz]

Actually like Off The Wall better than Thriller.

[@renee6883]

Bobby Z you are super super talented as well. Thanks for this interview. I would love to read your book if you decide to write one. RIP Prince❣

[@ImVengeance_22]

4:32 after you hear his question listen to D.M.S.R and then listen to Zapp and Roger's Dance Floor. They both have the same groove. I believe Prince and Zapp traded songs at this point. It makes sense because they were both on the same label and both albums came out around the same time

[@kingsports1113]

N on tour together prince produce for zapp LMAO 😂 damn

[@sunnypie2]

I have nothing against Bobby Z, but when he said Prince wasn’t “shy” he just described a “shy” person. Shy people are quiet and reserved around “new” people. Love Prince! 💜

[@gabriels1869]

sunnypie2 People used to call me shy but I consider myself an introvert. I thought shyness implied you’re afraid of people and avoid talking to new people, so I thought of him as introverted. That could be just me though

[@sunnypie2]

Gabriel S that’s true ✅ thanks

[@rjvibes719]

Revolution💜 will always be the colorful🌈 part of Prince's Tapestry!💜💚💜

[@rjvibes719]

The Revolution seem very intelligent people! How come they aren't in movies?!

[@billclark6688]

Cool...I did not know 1999 goes back that far... and the guy that created the Lin machine said that Prince basically saved the device....that Prince made it mainstream. But damn I do not think we have any idea what we've lost... I have been thinking for years... that he would kind of slow down and do some things that would have changed the world...

[@josh2487]

Bill Clark What's the Lin Machine? I googled it but can't seem to find anything.

[@billclark6688]

@@josh2487 ​ sorry, Linn drum computer LM-1 google "Roger Linn, inventor of the LM-1 drum machine, talks Prince and "When Doves Cry"" to find an interview.

[@josh2487]

Bill Clark Thank you!!😁

[@shawnahall7246]

@Tony cool but I think that prince made it mainstream

[@Auntkekebaby]

Thank you.

[@lirr408]

1999 was the first song I heard and made me love Prince and the Revolution music.

[@oubrioko]

2:49 The Nostradamus documentary is called _The Man Who Saw Tomorrow,_ narrated by Orson Welles. It premiered on *HBO* in January of 1981, and still pops up every once in a great while on HBO or Cinemax. Watch it here: tinyurl.com/wekqj96

[@boofuls]

Great info 😊

[@mikebrown3556]

Great insight.

[@sixstringemotion]

Right on, Bobby Z....thank you!

[@shawnahall7246]

Great interview 🙂

[@ericanderson7059]

"He's the best musician on the planet " . Robert Plant circa 85

[@sixty7ford]

ERIC Anderson Sir Plant, so filled with truth and grace. Would love to have seen a collaboration!

[@ericanderson7059]

@@sixty7ford I think the closest we have is his version of Whole lotta love on Live from the Alladin in Vegas or a killer version of the same from 21 Nights blended with Aretha's Rock steady . Check em out ,Peace !

[@uwg2003]

@ijcn0jir3nvjn3fjcifn they all sold their souls for rock 'n roll.

[@harveyg104]

After all these years, Prince fans have Never , ever seen Bobby Z definitively play drums once at all.How is this possible? 😮😮😮

[@mattryan6886]

This was very interesting hearing about how Prince’s technical guy used guitar pick ups to make drum triggers for the LM1 drum machine sounds. Also to know that craftwork was pivotal to artist’s transitioning to electronics

[@zandervera4396]

outstanding.

[@keithbell9348]

To this day it still blows my mind that the album 1999, was produced the Prince & For You albums. 1999 was funky, trail blazing and at times- stark & brutal by the standards of that time. Susan Rogers, one of his studio engineers during those times has a thought provoking interview at Sunset Sounds, a music youtube channel. She has an intriguing take on why Prince was so prolific at putting out the concepts, songs and music as he has done.

[@3minus3_]

Lady Cab Driver- My most favourite song ever, and that's saying a lot because I am a hugee Prince fan

[@omgsolikevalleygirl]

Prince in the 80ies sometims felt so explicit and sleazy - and that somehow dominated my perception as well. Amazing to find out that behind this crazy povocative whirlwind there were so many thoughtful people. Also great that in the later year, the music seemed to play at the surface more and more, and he really got to display his musical genius on stage foremost. Of course, now his first albums really stand out as musical achievements "I just wasn't able to hear it as much at the time"

[@Funckle73]

I’m still in love with him

[@brianwilliams6377]

I can remember me and my friend alternating playing 1999 and Thriller

[@griffinenterprise9550]

Dope

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

Bobby Z is a fantastic drummer!! 😎

[@odeskoo]

I alwayz listen2 1999 n the fall...

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Both fascinating and informative. A rare thing when the interviewer stfu 🤫 and allowed Mr Z to say what he wanted to say, uncommon these days. Gr8 work all round. Love it 😍 . Doggy in the window is a timeless classic btw. 😷😎😉

[@TheScripflipNetwork]

1999 is LEAGUES and SCORES above purple rain in my car

[@hlcotten6587]

I truly understand your point. I first saw him in March of 82, on the controversy tour, then Nov of 82, on the 1999 tour. That album was so prolific, and futuristic. It still sounds fresh to this day, in my humble opinion. I saw him 3 nights in Nov of 84, and while the show was great in every regard, the 1999 stage, and effects, along with the amazing music of the 80s was epic.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Bogeyman19DidNotScareMyAss]

The Scripflip Network no way

[@IvanLendl87]

I’ve long maintained that Purple Rain, 1999, Dirty Mind and Sign O The Times are the stone cold Prince classic albums. And 1999 was his most trendsetting album. It defined the sound of the 1980’s.

[@AdamMundok]

Awesomeness. 💜🎶

[@ecando54]

Movie please? When Bobby talks about the boom boxes, that would be an incredible scene. Not to mention everything else.

[@ariellesabest26]

You can tell Bobby is a good man. I would trust this guy in anything he told me The ‘free HBO’ hotel beckoning is such a great story from a completely different time

[@joshe.1062]

It's interesting to listen to them both talk about Kraftwerk. Seeing Kraftwerk, and Prince perform at Coachella 2008 was one of the most legendary nights of my life so far. I can hear that they influenced each other a lot.