EPISODE · Apr 7, 2026 · 41 MIN
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.
from How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson. · host Gavin Calder, Sam Bleazard, Charles Chazz Smith, BrownMark, Mark Brown, Lisa Coleman, Casci Ritchie, owen husney, neal karlen, Dave Rusan
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 neighbourhoods on the lookout for musicians and band members...they meet future New Power Generation member Sonny Thompson along the way. 15mins - First Manager Owen Husney talk about the 'original Prince'. "He was just a kid, he was 18 when I met him...he took the bus to my house." 17mins30s - "I realised what had to be done for him. He was just a guy from North Minneapolis...as much as I admired his talent, I knew he was vulnerable." 19mins - "Controversy creates awareness...", Owen and Prince prepare to do anything to get attention, studying P.T. Barnum and Colonel Tom Parker along the way. 22mins - Understanding the magic required to be a star. "He could see down the tunnel, he knew how talented he was..." 23mins30s - Guitar tech and Luthier Dave Rusan talks about his experience trying out for a very early version of Prince's group... at Del's Tire Mart. 29mins30s - Meeting Prince for the first time, as a cook in a local Minneapolis restaurant, and cooking him pancakes. "He looked like a rock star." 31mins30s - Dr. Casci Ritchie on The Life and Legacy of Prince's Fashion. "It's one of my favourite eras of Prince to look at, because he's really messy...and there's a relatability to it." 35mins - "He is figuring out things. He was always borrowing people's clothes." Prince obsesses about borrowing keyboardist Gayle Chapman's boots. 37mins - Founding member of The Revolution Lisa Coleman discusses her teenage years, how she got the gig, and came to meet Prince. "It sounds a bit like Introverts anonymous!" How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests! The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder. LINKS Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media. Email me at: [email protected] if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show. #prince4ever #love4oneanother
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What this episode covers
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. In this very special edition of the podcast, we feature highlights from various guests - and look back at Minneapolis in the late 1970s and early 1980s, hearing from those who encountered Prince as a child, as a teenager, and as a young man making his way in the music industry. We kick off this episode with Prince's cousin, Charles 'Chazz' Smith, with his memories of their school days together... And from school days through to early band try outs in Minneapolis... we also hear from Prince's first Manager Owen Husney, early band members such as Mark Brown aka BrownMark, but also writers and opinion formers who studied this crucial period in his life. Essential listening for all music fans. We would also like to say a huge thank you to all of our listeners in the last five years, in over 130 countries around the world, who have continued to tune in and download the show. From Paris to Detroit, from Bombay to Brazil - we can't thank you enough and really appreciate your support. Please click on subscribe, leave your review, and keep spreading the word. Whether your listening on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, JioSaavn or any of the great platforms out there. An extra special additional thank you also to all of our guests to date, but also to Gavin Calder for his original music and compositions - inspired by Prince - which have featured throughout this series.
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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.
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