Dave Rusan was a young guitar tech - who'd never made a guitar before...in 1983 Prince needed one for a new movie he was making. Join us for pt 1 as Dave auditions for Prince's band and feels exhilarated by his chance to be part of music history.
How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson.Show Notes
Imagine if you'd never made a guitar before - even though you loved the instrument - and you're asked to make a guitar for a famous rock star, who's about to make a movie likely to put your home town on the map. Far from making him nervous, a young guitar technician from the Knut-Kupee music store in Minneapolis - Dave Rusan - decided quickly that it was a fabulously exciting challenge, 'exhilarating' as he describes it.
The guitar he went on to make, was Prince Rogers Nelson's iconic white 'cloud' guitar, which was used in the movie Purple Rain (and the subsequent tour) which made him a worldwide star.
Join us in part 2 when we hear more from Dave about Prince's guitar spec and design, his thoughts on the work that went into making the white cloud and also Wendy Melvoin's clear body guitar.
He tells us about sitting in on the Purple Rain tour rehearsals, we reflect on Prince's passing and his legacy...as well as posing some very guitar specific Qs to him, I ask him about The Prince Estate and the battle to keep the trademark on Prince's famous guitar.
Don't miss our next episode!
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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.
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.
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.
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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