Prince Is King
Best NFL event ever. Best press conference in the history of mankind.
Prince did us all a favor and took no questions, just tore up the stage. Unbelievable.
First of all, his guitar skills are ridiculous, and he was showing off his chops for the world's media. The man came correct. Full ensamble on the stage. Three back-up dancers - two of whome appeared to be gorgeous identical twins with supreme dancing ability, wearing vintage 1970s Tina Turner outfits - a full horn section, the next Sheila E pounding the skins.
It was was sick.
The word was going around that Prince - who is doing the halftime show - would be giving an unusual presser. An NFL suit came up and explained the man would not be taking questions. "We think the trade-off will be pretty good." Bingo.
So the whole entourage goes to the stage set up in a conference room in the South Beach Convention Center, where the Media Center is. Prince - just my latest brush with vertically-challenged greateness this season, after Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx - had on an outrageous orange suit. He got the stage, told us to brace for an auditory assault, then said. "Contrary to rumor, I'd like to take a few questions now."
We all went silent, stunned, that the mystery man would actually do an interview. Then, when the first bozo tried to blurt out the inevitable trite question abotu how it feels to perform at the Super Bowl, the band kicked into a furious rendition of "Johnny B Goode."
He was shredding on the guitar, the dancers were gyrating all over the place. It was crazy. He played two more songs and performed for about 15 minutes in all. By the third song everyone was on their feet and it actually felt like a concert. Those of us close enough even have ringing ears right now, which in my mind is the only way to rock.
My boy Ohm, a DC-area native who writes for the New York Daily News, was in the second row and got a few shots on his cell phone. He's emailing them to me, and we'll try to get them up.
Emilio, our sports editor, called me cell and asked me to request "Freebird" - the editors were watching on the NFL Network from the office back home - but alas, I did not get the message until after the show. That would have been genius to actually shout that between songs.
Given the locale, the mix was a little off and the vocals were kind of garbled, but so what. I had goosebumps going by the end of it, and Prince made sure to give us plenty of guitar licks, which came through plenty clear. The dude is a natural showman, what can I say.
Okay, still have a ton of stuff to post from the DirtecTV flag football game (I gotta play ball a little bit here and plug these guys, they put on an awesome event, and I also am a longtime DirecTV subscriber and would be lost without Fox Soccer Channel and Gol TV). I have to get to an NFLPA press conference in a minute (Skins DC Troy Vincent, head of the players association, will be part of the shindig), but as soon as that's over I'll get you cauvght up on our celebrity mingling.
Cheers.
By Jason La Canfora |
February 1, 2007; 3:01 PM ET
Previous: Your Celebrity Minute |
Next: Flag Football, Celeb-Style
Posted by: SMACK | February 1, 2007 3:32 PM
I must 4th the "I wish I was in South Beach Right Now" Jester....
Posted by: 4th | February 1, 2007 3:36 PM
Was Prince wearing a frilly shirt that was bought in the womens' department?
Posted by: Charlie Murphy | February 1, 2007 3:36 PM
Why didn't we have a Take a Blogger to the Superbowl Contest?!?!?!
Posted by: 4th | February 1, 2007 3:37 PM
The best part was when Prince said to the scribes, "You're free to get up if you want to!"
Afterward, I was watching the Donovan McNabb interview on the NFL Network and The King walked behind him! You ALL know how I feel about The King. I was totally creeped out! Imagine: he's a pitchman for Burger King and he's just walking around.
I hate him.
Posted by: Cindy | February 1, 2007 3:41 PM
Jealous of JLC. nothing more to say.
Posted by: Go Skins Go | February 1, 2007 3:48 PM
Could not agree more JLC. The Governor and I saw him at The Mansion in South Beach for the Governor's Bachelor Party. The whole time, you felt like you weren't supposed to be there. The dude is flat out awesome.
Posted by: ArtMonkToTheSticks | February 1, 2007 3:49 PM
i'm so fcking jeallous! i want a press pass! wapo, i'm a good picture taker. you won't even to buy me the equipment. i'll work pro bono. just send me to south beach NOW.
OR have to starting my own media company....hmmmmmmmmmmm i think that's why danny started red zebra!
jason look out for a chubby short dude in a fake mustache with glasses that looks like danny with red zebra press creds anywhere....
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 3:53 PM
The backless chaps appear to have been retired.
Posted by: Cindy | February 1, 2007 4:00 PM
Jason,
I have DirectTv just for FSC and GolTv as well. Have Barca and Inter games sitting at home in the DVR, ready to watch. And I'm loving getting to watch Arsenal's run so far this year.
Is Troy Vincent going to be with the Skins next year? I forget the particulars of his situation/contract.
The Cheat
Posted by: the cheat | February 1, 2007 4:02 PM
That's right just get it
Let you feel it
Make you lose control
This is that hip-hop flavor mixed with a lil bit of rock & roll
Valet your whip Grab your chick
You know how it goes
I got that sh!t, I got them beats thatll make you lose control
Step up in the club, so fresh and clean
Not the outcast that they label me
I'm rolling with a team, that roll so deep
We in and out the club everyday of the week
And I make them hits, when the beat drop
That's when you here me say say hold up, stop
Let me take you back to 5o'clock
When I roll the lamborghini off the block
But not before I made them chop the top
And throw some 20 shoe's, oh thats hot
Hit Nastros For a bite to eat
No tuxedo cuz they reconize me
Her lifestyle, the rich living, the fast cars
Don't hate 'cuz I'm a superstar and I married a superstar
Never come between us no matter who you are, cmon
Yo Don't hate cause you aint.....my freestylz is tight!
Posted by: K-Fed | February 1, 2007 4:07 PM
i take back my request for wapo to send me to south beach to follow jason around with a camera.
who needs to go all the way to south beach when we got an inch of sleet on the way and traffic and double taxi fares
and K-Fed rock right here?
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 4:12 PM
JLC sorry to hear that the little one is sick again. I hope she feels better soon.
A true Prince story. Some years ago I did security on Prince when he came to DC. (yes I did personal security for about 10 years)He is very cool and fun to work with. I was totally shock how small he was in height and weight. He shakes your hand real soft like a woman which creeps me out. Anyway we finish the concert and preparing to leave for the 930 club. This guy comes up and shakes his hand hard and he went off on the guy. So, JLC if you get to shake his hand make sure you don't make that mistake. And he always have hot female dancers with him.(trust me when I said it was hard to focus lol)
Posted by: jm220 | February 1, 2007 4:16 PM
Exaggeration of the history of mankind:
Don't hate 'cuz I'm a superstar and I married a superstar
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 4:17 PM
AMTTS- We'll know in just about 48 hours!
Posted by: 4-12 | February 1, 2007 4:19 PM
You need a goofy hat in your picture.
Posted by: Kim | February 1, 2007 4:24 PM
"I'm rolling with a team, that roll so deep
We in and out the club everyday of the week
And I make them hits, when the beat drop
That's when you here me say say hold up, stop"
LMAO! I can't believe something like 12 people actually bought this A**Clown's CD. For crying out loud, now those "lyrics" are taking up precious brain cells in my head!
Posted by: 4-12 | February 1, 2007 4:25 PM
Yo, Yo, Yo.....jm220, i needz some extra security cuz i'm blowin up kid......you dig?
Posted by: K-Fed | February 1, 2007 4:26 PM
My son was a mistake. Apologies to all.
Posted by: Mrs. Federline | February 1, 2007 4:33 PM
Dayung Kevin. Cayn't you jus leave it alone. You aint even talk american on your records. All that Portugese. You aint even from Portaviarta.
Posted by: Britney Spears | February 1, 2007 4:35 PM
yes I did personal security for about 10 years
i for one am shocked!
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 4:36 PM
i for one am shocked!
LMAO Dealer you have issues my frined.
Where is Lisa today?
Posted by: jm220 | February 1, 2007 4:42 PM
you know who i feel bad for?...the little girls who actually liked britney spears and wanted to be her and went to her concert. i mean i liked NKOB and marky mark. but atleast i didn't have to grow up with the stigma of having wanted to be her who turned out to be white trash, who can't talk, can't dress herself, marries a complete idiot(insults to all idiots like myself around the world).
at least i can excuse myself and say i'm tone deff and don't know music. what do these girls tell themselves? cindy? :p
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 4:44 PM
Here I am, jm220, I've actually been busy the last few days with WORK of all things!
I like Prince's music but he is such a little guy - about my size.....
Posted by: Lisa | February 1, 2007 4:45 PM
A truly stunning shake up to the 'Skins coaching staff today.
Posted by: 4-12 | February 1, 2007 4:45 PM
Ooo, ooo!
Here we can go and mention the celebrities we all love to hate here -
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2007/02/celebritology_101_stars_we_lov.html
Posted by: charlie | February 1, 2007 4:45 PM
lisa's mad at you for not coming to my SB thingie...
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 4:46 PM
I just saw Prince at his club in Vegas last Friday night. Best show I have ever seen, period. Two solid hours in a 500 person room, we were less than ten feet back from the stage.
Aside from the concert watching the four wannabe Night at the Roxbury dudes who tried to push up front five minutes before the show get mangled by security and tossed out before a note was played was pretty awesome.
Prince closed with "Nothing Compares 2 U", people were crying. Pretty awesome.
Posted by: Castor | February 1, 2007 4:52 PM
charlie, thank you for bringing it to our attention. that's not a small news. cuz i rember when gibbs came back and he was being interviewed either by the "fraud" or someone...that he came back because he "wanted to do something for Coy"...
unless i'm mistaken and there's another son still on his staff?
Posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 4:52 PM
I just wanted to make sure all was well with you Lisa. Since I haven't seen you in person or any pictures of you I can't say if he is or not. But he is really small and gives a hell of a concert. He had the 9:30 club rocking.
Cyn Cyty how are you doing?
Posted by: jm220 | February 1, 2007 4:52 PM
Well, I don't know Prince's exact height but he "appears" to be almost my size. I like my guys bigger. But the man does have talent.
Posted by: Lisa | February 1, 2007 4:58 PM
To sort of, kind of getting back to football. (Thanks for bringing it up 4-12!)
My thought this morning was - why don't we trade Archuletempastme and Brandon Lloyd plus another cap causualty (but not our #6!) to Chicago for Lance Briggs.
Posted by: charlie | February 1, 2007 4:58 PM
"marries a complete idiot"
posted by: dealer | February 1, 2007 04:44 PM
Whatz up wit dat? true thug life fo real! You best step!
Posted by: K-Fed | February 1, 2007 4:58 PM
the googles on the internets finds that %&^$@# is 5 feet 2 inches tall
Posted by: 4-12 | February 1, 2007 5:11 PM
charlie you must think the Bears are the Red Lancers. We are the only team that make dumb moves like that.
Posted by: jm220 | February 1, 2007 5:15 PM
Biggest news of the day....Jamison only out 3-6 weeks....better than the whole year
Posted by: T | February 1, 2007 5:15 PM
ugh...that's still rough. Just when the 'Zards looked like they were gonna break the whole season wide open. Hopefully dudes can step up in the meantime.
Posted by: Jeff Hayes | February 1, 2007 5:24 PM
jm220,
Hey, it never costs anything to ask. What have we got to lose.
Posted by: charlie | February 1, 2007 5:24 PM
Jamison ain't a spring chicken and he'll be back for the playoffs. A rest from the grueling season might be for the best.
Posted by: charlie | February 1, 2007 5:26 PM
4-12 I think he is a little taller than that. Like 5'4. Which explains why he is always wearing shoes with heels. But like I said he is really cool.
Posted by: jm220 | February 1, 2007 5:27 PM
Prince is a Class-A jerk. My ex bro-in law was a producer on one of his albums. Prince would get people out of bed and order them to the studio at 2am because he felt some creative genius. Then he would not show up until 5am, take a shower and have a snack, and then decide that he didn't feel like recording after all. Tosser!
Posted by: SMACK | February 1, 2007 5:32 PM
jm, Mrs. 4-12 LOVES Prince. She saw him several times in the '80s. I promised her I'll go see him with her next time he's in DC, even though the dude ain't my cup of tea.
Check out JLaC's next thread about the flag football game. Damn, we should all be in South Beach right now!
Posted by: 4-12 | February 1, 2007 5:33 PM
Prince has super skillz and shreds his guts out.
Posted by: Mr. Bob Dobalina | February 1, 2007 7:21 PM
"i mean i liked NKOB and marky mark."
dealer I will never look at you the same way again.
Posted by: LH | February 1, 2007 9:37 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Jason, you should be glad you didn't shout out "Freebird". Some a-hole shouts that out at every show. Okay, usually it's me, but that doesn't make it funny or okay.