Wally Safford

“Prince and the Revolution: Live” is a legendary concert filmed toward the end of Prince's “Purple Rain” tour in Syracuse, NY on March 30, 1985. The performance has Prince at the height of his powers, backed by the classic Revolution lineup of Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Matt Fink, Mark Brown, Eric Leeds, and Bobby Z. The 20-song set features: Let's Go Crazy, Delirious, 1999, Little Red Corvette, Take Me With U, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Do Me Baby, Irresistible Bitch, Possessed, How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore, Let's Pretend We Are Married, International Lover, God, Computer Blue, Darling Nikki, The Beautiful Ones, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U, Baby I'm A Star, and Purple Rain.

On June 7th, 1986, Prince celebrated his 28th birthday by performing for a packed crowd at Detroit’s Cobo Arena. The show was filmed and edited for later broadcast in Europe and Japan as promotion for his then-forthcoming 1986 Parade tour, which hit eight countries in less than a month. The Parade tour never officially hit the United States, with Prince deciding to test the show out on audiences in a handful of cities across the country before taking it abroad. Fortunately, videotapes of the Detroit show have been circulating amongst hardcore Prince collectors for years and have found their way onto the internet so you can witness what was arguably Prince’s funkiest tour to date.

In 1987, to capitalize on his growing success in Europe, Prince toured extensively to promote the album of the same name and sales increased accordingly. However, the United States remained resistant to his latest album, and sales began to drop; it was at this point that Prince decided to film a live concert promoting the new material, for eventual distribution to theaters in America. Featuring the band that accompanied Prince on his 1987 Sign o' the Times Tour, including dancer Cat Glover, keyboardist Boni Boyer, bassist Levi Seacer, Jr., guitarist Miko Weaver, drummer Sheila E. and former member of The Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink, the film sees the group perform live on stage (although "U Got the Look" is represented by its promotional music video).

A performance from Sheila E. filmed live at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Featuring a special appearance by Prince and the Revolution.

Prince’s final performance of the Sign O’ The Times Tour stage show and his only on-stage collaboration with jazz legend Miles Davis.

Parade Tour live at Isstadion, Stockholm on August 22nd 1986.

An annual award ceremony presented by MTV to honor the best in the music video medium.