SPECIAL THANKS TO BLAIS @THE_MJVAULT for the dope Thumbnail.
Every episode of PURPLE THRILLZ is a road map of ambition drawn by these two iconic musicians. For Michael Jackson...he grew an ambition to break free from the constraints of Motown's restrictive formulaic production style. The ambition to evolve as an individual performer without the limitations of the family group. Michael's time in New York filming the Wiz in the summer of 1977 exposed him to the NYC club scene. Then to the true Wizard Quincy Jones. The collaboration that sprung from their hookup can't be overstated.
Prince has said that after high school he worked as a caddy in Minneapolis for a time. Furthermore that he looked for jobs that he could be interested in. He knew that music was where he lived. Where his true identity could be centered. Once he understood this truth about himself, he knew that he had to go HAM on his work ethic. The impact that his prolific career has had is massive.
The ultimate manifestation of their ambitions was that within a year of each other, they released the seminal recordings, "Thriller" and "Purple Rain". These albums had hits, huge hits! Beat it, Billie Jean, Thriller, Purple Rain, Let's go crazy, and When Doves Cry!
In the 80's the two musicians began what looks like a series of pranks. The 1st time was the infamous James Brown incident. Prince's tour manager is positive that there was something fishy happening there. Next was the massive Jacksons Victory tour. Prince was a guest of the brothers and definitely made his presence felt. Finally there was the recording of we are the world in January of 1985. This historical recording was one of the most historic gatherings of pop royalty in history. Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Huey Lewis, Steve Perry, Hall & Oates, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Ken Keagen, Dan Aykroyd, Bette Midler, Latoya Jackson, the Jacksons, the Pointer sisters, Lindsey Buckingham, and many others got together to form USA for Africa. The group was gathered for famine relief but there were shenanigans afoot. Prince found himself at Carlos & Charlies. It got messy.
What happens when you produce the work of your life at the age of 25? When you are set for life financially, but you're young enough to have tons of creative life in you and you have no limitations placed on you. This is a dangerous place to exist. Prince and Michael Jackson took different routes in solidifying their respective legacies.
