EPISODE · May 4, 2026 · 1H 6M
The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, glam rockers KISS, Prince, D'Angelo - Alan Leeds has had quite a life in artist management. Ahead of publishing his career memoir, he sits down with Sam Bleazard to discuss his seminal experiences in music.
from How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson. · host Sam Bleazard, Gavin Calder, Alan Leeds
INTRO 3mins - Childhood years, growing up and the effects of the Civil Rights movement 5mins - A 3-year old child fascinated by records spinning in a jukebox 6mins - Pete Seeger, Rock n Roll and the 'scratchy 45s'...and then soul music comes along. 7mins30s - James Brown! 'The composite of everything I'd liked in music...' 9mins - Career memoir coming out in November 2026... "It's got to be funky: my life in music" 10min30s - "Questlove calls me the Forrest Gump of the Funk..." 12mins - "Get the James Brown guy..." 14mins30s - Any particular qualities that kept Alan in the game when times got tough? 20mins - First exposure to James Brown the man, as opposed to the artist? 23mins - A (very) brief stint with Kool & The Gang... 29mins - JB meets the Black Panther Party...and continues to hold court. 31mins30s - Processed hair out - Afro in... 'hugely significant at that time'. 34mins - Harder working than even James Brown?? 'What makes you say that?' 35mins30s - When Prince wanted to record, he just went downstairs... 37mins - Was Prince's obsession with music unhealthy at a point? "There's got to be other things in his life that'll suffer...but who am I to say?" 40mins - Prince was the diametric opposite personality type to James Brown. 42mins30s - Alan joins Prince mid-way through the 1999 'Triple Threat' Tour...and all is not well. 47mins30s - Alan finds he's dressed like an accountant, or the tax man? 51mins30s - Every tour has 'one of those nights...this was one of those nights'. 54mins30s - Malfunctions on-stage, conspire to create a huge anti-climax on 'Baby I'm A Star'...! 58mins - Alan has to rally the troops, a storm is coming. 60mins - Alan is summoned to see Prince in his room for a de-brief...before sharing news the artist doesn't want to hear. 64mins - Prince and his team fly to Dallas to watch the Jacksons Victory Tour. 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
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. In addition to his career in artist management, he is recognised as an award-winning writer and music archivist, receiving a Grammy Award for Best Album Notes in 1992 for his work on the James Brown compilation Star Time. Alan also penned the liner notes for the 1993 Prince box set The Hits/The B-Sides, and co-wrote The James Brown Reader with Nelson George. His music career began as a DJ, before he became involved with James Brown as his publicity director in 1969, and worked as Brown's tour manager from 1970 to 1973. Beginning in 1983, Alan managed tours for Prince during the peak of his commercial and artistic success, notably during the Purple Rain Tour. His work with Prince culminated in him being named as president of Prince's label Paisley Park Records in 1989. Alan's career as a tour manager continued with D'Angelo, managing the successful Voodoo Tour in 2000. This was followed by stints with a variety of other artists, including Raphael Saadiq and The Roots. He has also been involved in the curation of the James Brown: The Singles collections, and has spoken at events commemorating Brown's career and accomplishments. In his personal life Alan has a wife, Gwen, and a son, Tristan. His brother is saxophonist Eric Leeds. In 2020, Leeds released the biographical book, "There Was a Time: James Brown, The Chitlin' Circuit, and Me." We were delighted to welcome him as our guest, on the 50th episode of the show.
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The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, glam rockers KISS, Prince, D'Angelo - Alan Leeds has had quite a life in artist management. Ahead of publishing his career memoir, he sits down with Sam Bleazard to discuss his seminal experiences in music.
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