The Prince Vault Opens

Inside the uncertain future of his deep archives.

- David Browne

Soon after prince signed on to star in 1984’s Purple Rain, he got to work writing songs. Before filming even began, he had more than 100 ready. He obsessively recorded over the next nine months, at his home studio and in front of audiences at Minneapolis’ First Avenue. “We rehearsed for six months, and he documented everything,” says guitarist Wendy

MELVOIN OF THE REVOLUTION. ONLY nine of those songs made it to the final soundtrack, and the unreleased material has tantalized fans for 33 years. Now, some of it will finally see official release. On June 9th, Warner Bros. will release an expanded edition of Purple Rain, with four discs including extended tracks, B sides, and a DVD of a March 1985 concert with the Revolution in Syracuse, New York (with a 20-minute “Purple Rain”). Most intriguingly, the set features a full disc of outtakes from the sessions. Some of them, including the full version of “Father’s Song” and the studio version of “Electric Intercourse,” have never circulated before.