EPISODE · Sep 12, 2025 · 32 MIN
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.
from How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson. · host John McKie, Gavin Calder, Sam Bleazard
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, relationships changing around him, and a triple album is scheduled. 9mins - "If I was Director General of the BBC I would have Sign O The Times on every Christmas!" And being jealous of people seeing the Sign O The Times concert movie for the first time. 11mins30mins - Wanting to make a much broader book about Prince's career "I don't really know the guy that made this record..." 15mins - Prince's competitiveness but also his love of sports, and turning the hurt of childhood into something positive, life fulfilling and an inspiration to millions. 17mins - 'Sunset Sounds [recording studio] is like its own character in the book...', the cream of 1980s pop and rock play basketball with each other in the courtyard. 20mins - Prince, before and after 1987... 22mins - "Do you have a different feeling about Prince now? Having written the book..." And banning the word 'genius'. 24mins - Viewing Prince with a critical eye...'are you a fan or are you a journalist?' 26mins - Sam goes on a quest to find Prince... 29mins - The artist not being self-critical... 'well, good for Prince...' 30mins30s - Not playing the entertainment industry game. 'When everyone else zigged, he zagged...' Tune in for part 2 when we discuss John's favourite Prince stories in the book, the Crystal Ball project, Minneapolis, and the legacy of Sign O The Times, the album and movie... 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
John McKie is the former editor of Smash Hits and Q Magazine in the UK, with a background in journalism. Having first seen Prince live in 1990 on the Nude Tour, he wrote about the album Sign O The Times for the BBC, shortly after the artist passed away. Following a chance conversation with one of his peers during lockdown, he decided to write a biography about Prince. That was 5 years ago, and now, over 200 interviews later, he is due to publish Prince: A Sign Of The Times, in September 2025. Join us for part 1 of this exclusive interview, just days before John's book is published.
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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.
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