Before Controversy, before 1999, Purple Rain, Parade, Sign O The Times and Paisley Park recording studios... local Minneapolis based entrepreneur Owen Husney, knew Prince Rogers Nelson, before he became Prince. The one who became one of the greatest artists and musicians of our time. As his first manager Owen ensured that Prince was signed to a 3 album record deal, with a high degree of autonomy to produce his own work. This was unheard of in the mid to late 1970s. This is his story, and his reflections on a unique time in music history.
INTRO
2mins20s - Life experiences, in preparation for meeting Prince, working with stars and the need to avoid being a fan.
8mins - Is there anything you couldn't protect Prince from? No entourage, before the layers of fame and celebrity. 'He took the bus to my house...that's the Prince I loved.'
11mins - 'He was just a guy from North Minneapolis....I knew he was vulnerable.'
13mins - Courting controversy early on, and being able to deliver the goods.
14mins - PT Barnum, Colonel Tom Parker...and The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. 'Prince understood that...'
17mins30s - Did Prince have a neurodivergent condition?
20mins - "I saw that fire in his eyes..."
22mins30s - What moments did you like in Prince's later career? "For me it began with Dirty Mind, because he was taking chances..."
25mins30s - Owen's honest assessment of Prince's first album For You
29mins - Absorbing information from everyone around him.