"It's amazing what you can do if you try..." - join us for part 2 of our interview with Dave Rusan, who made Prince's iconic white cloud guitar for the movie Purple Rain.

How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson.Saturday, February 25, 2023

Show Notes

Dave Rusan was a young aspiring musician in his early 20s, who worked in his local music shop in Minneapolis repairing guitars. One day Prince's manager walked into the store and asked Dave's manager to tell him he had a unique assignment for him - make a distinctive, one of a kind guitar for a movie that Prince would star in. In part 2 of this unique interview, Dave tells us what it felt like as it dawned on him that he would become part of music history forever. Essential for lovers of Prince's music but also for music lovers and rock historians.

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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.

Born in Jackson Heights, New York, Alan Leeds is an American music industry legend, as a tour manager and production manager, he is best known for his work organising performances and concert tours for artists such as James Brown, Prince, KISS, Cameo, D'Angelo and Chris Rock.

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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.

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Apr 7, 2026

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.

Welcome to this very special 5th Anniversary episode of 'How Can U Just Leave Me Standing?' - the podcast where we go in search, of Prince. By talking to band members, artists influenced by the purple one, academics and fans, we shed further light on a unique musical legacy.

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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.

Mayte Garcia was born in Alabama to parents of Puerto Rican descent, growing up in various part of the United States, and in Germany (due to her father’s career in the military), and spent her summers in Puerto Rico with her extended family.

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