Sam Bleazard

How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson.

Music EN ↓ 51 episodes

Prince Rogers Nelson was a cultural icon, ground-breaking artist and one of the most influential, prolific and revered musicians of his generation, inspiring diverse groups of people around the world. This show talks to people who have memories of the Purple one, and will include associates, bandmates and fans alike. Don't be 'alone in a world that's so cold' - join us! May U Live 2 C the Dawn...

Author

Sam Bleazard

Episodes

As President of Prince's Paisley Park Records, Alan Leeds tried to bridge a relationship between mercurial artist and major corporation. In the final part of the interview he also shares his favourite memories of various artists, including D'Angelo. 17.06.2026 55:28

INTRO 3mins - Alan takes on new responsibilities at Paisley Park - from 'off-road road manager' to Vice President of PRN Productions. 7mins - President of Paisley Park Records for 3 years 'until I left'. 10mins30s - Working with George Clinton and Mavis Staples on new records, in a challenging marketplace. 13mins - Differences of opinion on the joint venture with Warner Bros...and the need to prov...

Brazilian beaches in high heels, frenzied premieres in limousines and some general counsel for a genius. But behind the scenes, some very rare moments of vulnerability, "when the Emperor had no clothes", as Alan Leeds tells Sam Bleazard in part 2. 30.05.2026 54:45

INTRO 3mins - Persuading Prince not to go onto the beach in Rio in high heels? Easier said than done. 9mins - Prince has a rare attack of nerves approaching the Purple Rain premiere in 1984, Alan is on hand to maintain calm. 16mins - The Revolution are crestfallen at the end of the Purple Rain tour, how difficult was it for Alan at the centre of that dynamic? 24mins30s - Did Alan feel he got to kn...

The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, glam rockers KISS, Prince, D'Angelo - Alan Leeds has had quite a life in artist management. Ahead of publishing his career memoir, he sits down with Sam Bleazard to discuss his seminal experiences in music. 04.05.2026 1:06:57

INTRO 3mins - Childhood years, growing up and the effects of the Civil Rights movement 5mins - A 3-year old child fascinated by records spinning in a jukebox 6mins - Pete Seeger, Rock n Roll and the 'scratchy 45s'...and then soul music comes along. 7mins30s - James Brown! 'The composite of everything I'd liked in music...' 9mins - Career memoir coming out in November 2026... "It's got to be funky:...

Celebrating our 5th Anniversary Pt 1: Those who knew Prince in the late 1970s, from school days through to early band try outs in Minneapolis...we spoke to his first Manager, band members, but also writers who studied this crucial period. Essential. 07.04.2026 41:21

INTRO 2mins - Prince's High School days and local Talent Shows with Cousin Chazz Smith 3mins30s - Mark Brown (aka BrownMark) discusses growing up in Minneapolis, the club scene and a 'sense of segregation'. 5mins30s - Author and Journalist Neal Karlen shares his memories of Minneapolis in the late 1970s, and Prince's childhood mischief. 9mins - Chazz and Prince go exploring in the local neighbourh...

Xclusive interview with author, actor, dancer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Mayte Garcia, Prince's first wife and band member in the New Power Generation. "My measurements were the code to the Vault," she tells Sam. 24.03.2026 45:39

Intro 2mins - Catching up with Mayte, an eruption of rescue dogs... and a strict pet policy in the UK. 5mins - Mayte's motivation for the recent TEDx Talk 'Love Without Words: from Prince's stage to animal rescue.' 7mins30s - The need for silence in a modern age, and the silent language. 9mins - What were the main lessons from Mum & Dad? "They were very supportive, as a dancer..." 11mins30s - Inde...

Diamonds & Pearls Deluxe, reflections on Prince's live output and working with Warners on Tina Turner and David Bowie projects. Music industry brand consultant, author and journalist Jason Draper talks to Sam. 07.02.2026 43:41

INTRO 2mins30s - Did Jason get to hear any of the tracks in advance (of the Diamonds & Pearls super deluxe)? 4mins - Prince's punk period in the 90s, and creating a lot of interesting things...comic books, stage-shows and pressing his own CDS. 5mins30secs - From a Gett Off vinyl DJ pressing to The Undertaker on VHS, an artist begins to rebel. 7mins - Prince has to find other avenues to get his mus...

From freelance writing on Bowie and Beck for Record Collector, working for record labels, contributing to the liner notes for the Diamonds & Pearls Deluxe album, and working with the Prince Estate. Sam talks to Jason Draper. 01.02.2026 41:52

INTRO 2mins30s - "What led you to have the career you've had?" 25 years ago, Jason tells a friend at University that no one is going to give him money to be a music journalist. 4mins - "Finding a pathway to doing what I wanted to do..." Jason looks for work experience on Music monthlies, and picks up first freelance work at Record Collector. 6mins - Parents musical taste - 'were they big music lov...

"Prince was like a combination between Mozart, Charlie Chaplin and Michael Corleone". In part 3 Sam Bleazard discusses Prince's legacy with Hans-Martin Buff, and asks him why he chose to leave Paisley Park. 18.01.2026 28:45

INTRO 2mins30s - To what extent was Emancipation a high personal project for Prince and/or the album he was 'born to make'. 3mins30s - A rare apology from Prince... 5mins30s - Prince and the elders: Chaka Khan, Larry Graham & Maceo Parker. How did the dynamic change when his heroes were around? 7mins - Nobody's touching that guitar!? But nobody's saying no to The Queen! 12mins - Chaka clips Prince...

In part 2 Hans discusses Prince's acoustic album The Truth, stepping into The Vault while working on the fabled Crystal Ball project, and being a studio engineer for the 3-CD opus Emancipation. Essential listening. 11.01.2026 32:11

INTRO 2mins30s - Did Prince ever try to persuade Hans to join him on the road? 4mins - Were you aware that you were working on Prince's first acoustic album 'The Truth' at the time? 10mins - Any reason why Prince chose to do an acoustic album? Hans explains the Ani Di Franco influence. 14mins - Prince, Boys II Men, and 90s RnB. 16mins - The stuff that lit Hans' candle! 18mins - Learning the art of...

Hans-Martin Buff was Prince's sound engineer for 4 years. He talks immersive music, a Grammy nomination, Nirvana, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, and going to Prince School, before working with the purple one. Photo: Rankin for the Recording Academy. 02.01.2026 44:08

INTRO 2mins30s - Hans' musical family background 7mins - 'Made for immersive' music, and the ability to listen anywhere...on any headphones 9mins - Rave 2000 5.1 mix! 11mins - Catching lightning in a bottle vs sound quality 14mins - Prince's sound guys had it tough? 18mins - Minneapolis radio, and the programming in New York 20mins - How did Hans come to be on Prince's radar? Living and working...

In Part 2 of our exclusive interview, Grammy Award winning trumpeter and arranger Phil Lassiter shares memories of Montreux Jazz Festival 2013. He also reflects on Prince's legacy, band members, and his unique approach to sound. 20.12.2025 41:39

INTRO 2mins - Working on Andy Allo's material...and two horn sections in the mix! 4mins - "Regular is not a word I would ever use about Prince...he was very mysterious and difficult to read. But he understood how to be a leader." 8mins30s - Getting the group to be performance ready in Paisley Park. 11mins30s - Phil talks about Prince's former drummer Michael Bland. 13mins - Sound engineers and P...

Phil Lassiter's Philthy Texas Funk, Alabama Gospel, New Orleans Jazz & Nashville Soul, makes him an 11-time Grammy award winning horn and string arranger. But what was it like recording at Paisley Park, and playing live with Prince? Tune in now. 01.12.2025 44:20

INTRO 2mins - Developing a sound and working with major artists 3mins30s - A love of music that developed in childhood in a church background. 'I learned to read music in school, but I learned to play in Church.' 6mins - Music programme at St Louis with wind ensembles, marching and jazz bands. 'That was really a big step for me...' 7mins45s - Listening to Christian versions of what was on the radi...

In part 3 Lisa talks activism, Annie Lennox, MeShell NdegeOcello, April 21st 1985, Carousel, saying goodbye to Prince and whether The Revolution might play again. Bonus episode for the heads. 03.11.2025 35:47

INTRO 2mins30s - Working on two albums with Meshell NdegeOcello... 'I respected her greatly' 4mins30s - Lisa talks about ambitions that remain for the rest of her career - 'I'm always trying things, because I have a limited technical ability' 6mins - Working with Annie Lennox, and hoping to release an album soon! 8mins - Feeling frustrated by politics, racism and the extreme brutality in the world...

Were Prince & The Revolution In All Your Dreams? Lisa Coleman tells Sam Bleazard, 'it got bigger than we thought...we didn't expect to become the mainstream!' Tune in to Part 2 as she hangs on to Prince's creative coat tails in 1985. Essential listening. 28.10.2025 36:42

INTRODUCTION - 2mins 2mins30s - Bootleg tapes begin to circulate at High School 3mins30s - Lisa remembers recording All My Dreams at Sunset Sounds... 5mins - Steiner School Highland Hall recitals and morning prayers make it on to unreleased songs with Prince 7mins - 'Sometimes we hurt each others feelings...and it meant a lot to me. There was always some kind of repair immediately afterwards.' 1...

Emmy® Award winning composer & pianist Lisa Coleman, is one half of Wendy & Lisa. At 19, she joined Prince & The Revolution. She still records, works with others, and writes for film & TV. Her solo album, Collage, was released in 2019. This is her story. 21.10.2025 41:12

INTRO 2mins - Waldorf Salad in the early 1970s 3mins30s - Making music as a child with friends and neighbours 5mins - Born into music while growing up in Los Angeles 7mins - Early musical memories 8mins - Dissonance / discordance in music 10mins - Prince's Pop Life...'those chords...it's almost the wrong note every time!' 12mins - 'He knew I had that weird ear.' and Sometimes it snows in April 14m...

Ahead of the publication of his Prince biography, in part 2 of this exclusive interview, former editor of Smash Hits and Q magazine John McKie talks to Sam about the mythology of the artist, his recordings, his concerts, and ultimately his legacy. 17.09.2025 35:25

INTRO 2mins - Prince's working methods, a remarkable ability to complete songs...but also dip into his vault of recordings 4mins - Was Sign O The Times the last time that Prince didn't second guess himself artistically? 6mins - Prince's talent for mentoring musicians and artists across the board vs Madonna and MJ working with established producers and stars. 7mins30s - The mythology of The Crystal...

Former editor of Smash Hits and Q magazine John McKie conducted over 200 interviews to create a biography of Prince. He talks to Sam Bleazard about his extensive new book, but also the recent IMAX release of Prince's most famous concert movie. 12.09.2025 32:11

INTRO 2mins - Just back from seeing the concert movie from 1987 in London, lovingly restored on IMAX screens 3mins - "For me Sign O The Times is the high watermark..." 5mins - Living out a dream at Smash Hits & Q Magazine, as editor...after starting out in music writing and journalism. 7mins - How the book came to be written...John reflects on Prince saying goodbye to a successful band, relationsh...

In part 3 Sophie talks to Sam about Prince's French influences, Anna Fantastic coming to stay and in the 1990s receiving a very special invite, to a very special day. 12.03.2025 30:25

Intro 2mins - French influences in '85/86 and Prince's love of Nice and Paris 5mins - How much warning would you get before Prince arrived in Paris? 6mins30s - Anna Fantastic comes to stay... 9mins - Gathering photos of the Prince universe along the way... 11mins - Why the relationship came to an end, Prince moves to Spain and Sophie has a child. 13mins - Seeing Prince in concert in the late 90s,...

In part 2 Sophie Roux talks to Sam Bleazard about looking after Prince's Parisienne residence. For ten years at the height of his fame in the late 1980s, she explains what it felt like to have that unique responsibility. 16.02.2025 29:52

PART 2 - Sophie Roux talks to Sam Bleazard INTRO 2mins45secs - Were you nervous? Landing in Paris - just before Prince - to look after this apartment. 'I was a little nervous...but it was something special.' 3mins30secs - Any initial instructions on arrival? 6mins - Sophie tells us about her first interactions with Prince in Paris... 7mins30secs - Sophie's main responsibilities in Paris, from Bask...

Sophie Roux was studying set and costume design in Nice, France, when Prince decided to film a major motion picture there. What happened next, changed her life. This is part 1 of her story... 29.01.2025 28:43

Sophie Roux interview PART 1 INTRO 2mins - Where did Sophie's artistic journey begin...and how did she come to specialise in set and costume design? 5mins - a first sighting of Prince in Nice 1985... 6mins - Asking, and then getting to work on, Under The Cherry Moon...with local, and American crews 11mins - Designing elements for the UTCM film, including the logo, and getting to know Prince's work...

In part 2 of our interview with former Art Director Steve Parke, we discuss the first Paisley Park Celebration in 2000, magic moments and opportunities beyond his wildest dreams, but also a parting of the ways after 13 years. Essential listening. 22.12.2024 59:51

PART 2 2mins30s - The Paisley Park studios summer music festival 'Celebration' in 2000 7mins - Prince having extraordinary vision, and being the hardest working person in the building. 10mins - Prince asks Steve very personal Qs, on naming his son and his spirituality... 13mins30s - A Jeep or a BMW?? 14mins - A very magical moment with Prince... 18mins30s - Acoustic Prince 19mins45s - The recordin...

We talk to Steve Parke, who for 13 years was Prince's Art Director at Paisley Park. Fulfilling all of his boyhood dreams required tenacity, imagination and always thinking on his feet. 14.12.2024 47:36

INTRO 2mins30secs - how do you get from being a teenager on the school bus with your friends, with dreams of rock stars, to actually being at Paisley Park working as Art Director for Prince? 7mins - Coming up with a set design in 3 hours! 9mins30s - Coming full circle with Prince's best friend at High School, Andre Cymone... 11mins30s - Lovesexy t-shirt made in a hotel room - but how to get Princ...

In part 2 we talk to Omar about the ownership of his work and masters, his many creative outlets, the resurgence of vinyl, being a vessel for music, spirituality and carrying the torch for a new generation. 27.11.2024 32:41

In part 2 - we talk to Omar about the ownership of his work and masters, his many creative outlets, the resurgence of vinyl, being a vessel for music, spirituality and carrying the torch for a new generation. 2mins - Ownership of master tapes and adapting to the music industry as is now 5mins - Playing smaller venues, and keeping connected to communities... "where Prince was doing his after partie...

There's nothing like talking to Omar about Prince and his idol Stevie Wonder. In part 1 we discuss being hailed as a musical prodigy, influences, collaborators and the creative process. Not to be missed. 19.11.2024 29:40

INTRO 2mins - Learning his craft as a child, and a musical education, culminating at The Guildhall School of Music. 3mins - Always being comfortable with music as a craft...and having to choose over football. 4mins - First Omar composition...at 14? 5mins30s - Scholarship vs a record deal... 6mins - Music theory vs feel... 7mins - Things Omar's Dad taught him about music. 8mins30s - The Talkin' Lou...

Charles 'Chazz' Smith shares memories of High School years in Minneapolis, band battles, talent shows, parental advice and the influence of his cousin Prince growing up. 23.10.2024 33:46

INTRO to Charles 1mins30s - Reflections on Lincoln Junior High School, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis 2mins - Knocking on local doors in the neighbourhood just to listen 3mins - Hanging out in Sonny T's basement, and studying him 3mins30s - The MPLS drum beat: did Charles teach Prince? And influences... 4mins45s - MPLS fashions for young teens, dressing like Carlos Santana 5mins30s - Local schoolf...