PRINCE Tribute Concert Wish List; Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, & More

Prince www.wireimage.com

If you were expecting just PRINCE related artists for the PRINCE tribute concert October 13th at the U.S. Bank Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota, think again.

A source close to the family is stating they are trying to book Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and other big names for the tribute concert. This source told all to Rolling Stone.

The concert has already been rescheduled 3 times. The first was to happen on August 13th, the date Prince was in discussions to play before his untimely passing on April 21st. he would have been the first artist to play the arena. The second date was to be in late September but a few Prince related bands already had prior commitments. The new date, October 13th is what is in place now although tickets have not been put on sale yet and they plan on trickling the announcements of who will be performing at different times, so when tickets do go on sale, do not expect to know all the names of who will be performing at the tribute.

Back in 2001, Sheila E. put on a Family Jamm charity event that included performances by The Revolution, Madhouse, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Apollonia, (The original Time line-up was listed as well but backed out due to a money issue) The Family, and had introductions by Carmen Electra and others. I think this is what the hardcore fans want. Interestingly enough, artists who were performing, their names were trickled down and not announced all at once and despite the ending lineup being quite steller, the arena was less than half-full due to people not knowing who was going to perform til it was too late to travel and get a good plane ticket.

For more information on the Prince tribute and TV deal, click here!

An arena that big needs big names and they are trying to get it broadcast on TV and without those big names, a network may not want to pick it up. Randy Phillips, who used to manage Prince a short time in the 1990’s is trying to work out a TV deal. Phillips, who was the head of AEG until a few years ago, and was behind Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” shows at the O2 Arena in London, had a falling out with Prince over the Jackson shows. The reason? Prince performed 21 nights in 2007 at the O2 arena and Phillips promised Prince that record would always stay. Less than 2 years later, Jackson sold close to 50 concerts for that arena which would have broken Prince’s record. Michael Jackson passed before one show could be done so Prince’s record still stands but Prince was not cool that the record was even attempted. AEG even tried to hire Prince’s main bodyguard Trevor Allen, at the time to handle Michael. Allen declined. Until his passing, Prince worked with solely with Live Nation and independent promoters aside from a couple charity events that Prince agreed to do that AEG was involved with overseas.

Ken Elrich has also been contacted to help Phillips get a TV deal for tribute concert. “Kenny and I are willing to do something for him,” Philips tells Rolling Stone, who adds the concert should be produced this year, “or you’re going to lose the moment.”

It was announced yesterday that property that Prince owned would be sold to make money to pay for lawyers and other things. Paisley Park is not one of the properties being discussed. A TV deal would help out the family and relieve a little bit of stress to raise money while things get worked out. Right now, there are no plans to release any vault music or any reissues through Warner Bros. Records or Jay Z’s Tidal streaming service.

To reiterate, Prince associated bands have been contacted to perform but they want to fill the stadium and get a TV broadcast deal and they feel the interest will not be there unless there are bigger names involved. This is one of the many reasons the concert should have been put together quicker because as time has passed, more bigger names are needed, where a benefit concert in his name with associated artists and only a few big names would be needed. Also, let’s remember, you need the big name artists to take a very minimal payday and also sign away the rights for the TV special. That again would have been easier if the concert was done sooner to where you may have had big names waiving their fee. With everything that has been going on with the estate and Tyka Nelson, Prince’s only living blood relative, it has delayed the process and made events like this harder to happen in a shorter period of time. Harder, not impossible.

Some of the names wanting to be part of the tribute are different NPG bands through different era’s plus the Fonky Baldheads to name a few. As ticket info and performers get released, we will let you know and keep you updated. Thank you.-DocFB

Diagnosis: I know Stephen Hill wanted Bruno Mars to be a part of the BET Tribute in June but Bruno was finishing a new album was the reason Hill told me that Bruno would not be able to do it.

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  • Alicia
    Posted at 01:53h, 04 August

    I agree with Janie J. Coming at fans is not the way to go. Look. Someone important to us died. It’s painful. We all deal in our own way. Everyone needs to grieve the way that works for them and if that means not going? that’s fine. It might not be right for you. If that means going? That’s fine too. I don’t like coming out the gate with judgement. I also don’t like rumor mills. I’m a fan of Doc and appreciate what he does, but something about the way this story is being spun doesn’t sit right with me, neither do deleted comments. And honestly, Prince’s music needs to be passed on to new fans if his legacy is going to last and that’s important to all of us. Right?

  • Janie J
    Posted at 23:14h, 03 August

    Will also add we’re all here for the love of Prince, Doc, the fam all of us love Prince so lets remember that. Dissing fans is no good, we’re supporting your site in the end if people are pissed with you look at how you conduct yourself and how you come across some see the way you’re playing it, some are connecting the dots. You realized with the tweet you sent about the kid so it’s that kind of reflection you need. If so many say the same thing you need to look at yourself.

  • Janie J
    Posted at 22:40h, 03 August

    Why is the Doc deleting comments from everywhere? Hmmm…only sycophants welcome I guess. I really don’t think Prince would like his ‘friend’ talking about his family like this, he wouldn’t expect it from a ‘friend’, and you’re not exactly being respectful or discreet just fueling the rumor mill.
    Listened to your podcast: big deal, Prince said Lady Gaga would be just fine – he also dissed her hard on Twitter.
    You dissed Prince by suggesting he was in competition with Justin Timberlake, are you on COKE? Why big up JT by saying that when he had beef with your boy and ripped him off his whole career?
    Anyway Doc, tell us why Prince left no instruction about his music? It makes no sense.
    PS does this comment make me a troll?! I’ve been a fan of Prince for 28 years, I have read and appreciate the PRN camp RT you but I still think something is off. It’s not jealousy it’s just concern about who was around Prince and who is repping him now. Peace and Love.

  • Jade
    Posted at 13:14h, 03 August

    I personally don’t feel the desire or need to go to such an event to show my live and respect to Prince. Not to mention, Prince will not benefit from it, others will be lining their pockets.

  • Jade
    Posted at 12:49h, 03 August

    Right On, Michelle.

  • Sandra West
    Posted at 12:36h, 03 August

    If Randy Phillip’s Bloody Murdering Hands has anything to do with Prince’s Tribute in MPLS I will not be going! I will meet that MF Randy Phillips in HELL First!

  • Vashtidmsr
    Posted at 12:33h, 03 August

    If Randy Phillip’s Bloody Murdering hands has anything to do with Prince’s Tribute I wont be going, No Matter who performs! I will meet that man in HELL FIRST!

  • Michelle Basart
    Posted at 12:33h, 03 August

    If Randy Phillip’s Bloody Murdering hands has anything to do with Prince’s Tribute I wont be going, No Matter who performs! I will meet that man in HELL FIRST!

  • Michelle Basart
    Posted at 12:27h, 03 August

    I don’t think you are telling the whole truth so help u god.
    Randy Phillips Murdered MJ. That would be reason enough to end ties with that MF!

  • ScottyG
    Posted at 11:56h, 03 August

    You are right on! I love that idea. Also I have been in U.S. Bank Stadium and the video screens are huge so you could also stream in other artists around the world. Like Bono and U2 from Irreland playing “The Cross.”

  • AuntKimmie
    Posted at 09:57h, 03 August

    This is Prince we’re talking about. News Flash: this concert’s gonna sell out no matter WHO you get. I dont care who’s gonna be there, but if im able to go, i am. I would like to see folks he’s usually associated with..Chaka, Mavis, Lenny Kravitz; Foo Fighters (don”t forget the “Darling Nikki/Super Bowl connection); along with the Revolution, Dez, Andre Cymone, The Time, Apolonia 6, Jill Jones, Sheena Easton..Misty Copeland to dance. I would also like to see some Black Rock artists there besides Lenny, like Living Colour. Prince was a rocker who could SHRED ! BET Awards didnt feature that part of him at all (surprise, surprise). They missed the oportunity. I hope this concert doesn’t.

  • Alicia
    Posted at 02:56h, 03 August

    Myles Matisse… Exactly, I would put money on that being exactly how it goes down. Matching his closest people with the big names with all his closest being there. They always release this stuff in pieces. It’s just marketing. I don’t buy for a minute that this thing isn’t tied up solid already… contracts signed! If for no other than the ugly reason of a whole lot of money.

    Jade… Anytime Prince’s music is used in any way from this moment on, someone who is not Prince is going to get paid. So what do we do? It’s off limits now? It’s reality. It just feels like bullshit.

  • Alicia
    Posted at 01:47h, 03 August

    Bottom line is that nobody really wants it to be anybody but Prince. I plan I going into debt to get a ticket if that’s what it takes though BC it’s my way of grieving it. In fact, I will probably fall a little bit hard afterward like I did in April BC it won’t be him. But I’m not arrogant enough to say that people who want to go or watch it on pay per view are not “real friends of Prince” or didn’t really know him. People are still mourning this loss hard and quite frankly, I think it’s petty to act as though someone like Carlos Santana can’t love or play Prince at a tribute just BC he’s big name.

  • FunkTheJazz
    Posted at 23:01h, 02 August

    Jade, what do you mean by “already been done”? I haven’t heard any new material from the vault since Prince’s untimely death, not from the Estate anyhow. Personally, I think some unreleased music from the vault will help with the healing process more than a tribute concert, no one can do Prince but Prince and to hear some unreleased recordings would be almost like hearing his voice from the grave so to speak and help preserve his presence here amongst us all.

  • Jade
    Posted at 21:50h, 02 August

    Funk the Jazz, I’m sure that has already been done.

  • Jade
    Posted at 21:46h, 02 August

    Alicia, and I don’t believe Prince would invite the ones that worship satan (we know of many that do so); that is plain Disrespect to an Original artist of true genius & kindness. These people are simply capitalizing off Prince’s name and legend. It really isn’t for Prince’s fans (friends as he preferred to address them). Love 2 Love U Prince.

  • FunkTheJazz
    Posted at 20:46h, 02 August

    I would rather a album or some music be released from the vault, I’m sure many have good intentions with the tribute concert but watching/hearing other artist’s, no matter their credentials do Prince is difficult to digest.

  • Janie Jones
    Posted at 19:24h, 02 August

    Prince should be a big enough name alone to have this be shown on TV. Ever since he told the TRUTH about the music industry the powers that be have subtly got their own back in several ways.
    Lady Gaga has to be a joke right?
    BTW what’s the deal with comments on here- several not showing on the other page!

  • Myles Matisse
    Posted at 17:14h, 02 August

    I think The Revolution, NPG and 3Rd Eye Girl should be the house bands with all the many BIG names fronting them. Lenny Kravitz would perform with 3rd Eye Girl, Bruno Mars with NPG, Lady Gaga with The Revolution…you get the idea. The Time should perform as well as Sheila E, Chaka Khan, The Family (fDeluxe) and more.

  • Alicia
    Posted at 15:51h, 02 August

    This is a hack rewrite of the Rolling Stone article. A producer doesn’t shop anything to the network. A promoter does. 50,000 fans are going to be able to be a part of this BECAUSE of the big name people who will help fill and cover the cost of the stadium. You can’t afford to fill a stadium and not pull big names no matter how much I wish the Vikings would donate the stadium. Do you know the cost of 50,000 tickets at usbank? I personally would like to see JayZ there to thank Prince for everything he did for him and Tidal. He’s big name. Alicia Keys helped induct him into the Hall of Fame. She’s big name. This is total speculation about big names waving fees if approached earlier. I get it. I went wtf when I saw the name Lady Gaga, but you are just making up shit when the truth is we actually know very little about this yet. And Prince was about truth.

  • Jade
    Posted at 15:05h, 02 August

    Whitecaps, I was feeling the same. They should have only artists that Prince would have with him. Not these newer corporate manufactured puppets.

  • Whitecaps
    Posted at 14:30h, 02 August

    Lady Gaga? Not sure how Prince would feel about that didn’t think he was a fan. She’d ruin it with her devil worshipping antics. No thank you!

  • Whitecaps
    Posted at 14:29h, 02 August

    Lady Gaga? Not sure how Prince would feel about that didn’t think he was a fan. She’d ruin it with all her devil worshipping antics. No thank you!

  • Jade
    Posted at 12:44h, 02 August

    Even thus event and the ones orchestrating it seems tragicky FISHEY FOUL, someone once head of AEG whom had a falling out with Prince. Not to mention hiring that Dr. Murray who exercised extreme incompetence with Michael Jackson. I wonder who Prince would want to see there, not someone else’s selection. Turning into a Funny Farm, IMO.

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