STANDING WITH PRINCE /By Renée Westbrook
My softball coach at the time, John, was a music lawyer who knew everyone in the industry. When I asked him to show me the ropes, he agreed. He took me to a rhythm and blues revue at the Los Angeles Forum. He didn't tell me who was on the bill, but I love R&B so I was cool with it. We had great seats, second or third row. Before the first act finished their set, John insisted we go backstage./ When we got there, I immediately felt the backstage buzz. Pop Staples of The Staple Singers was at the craft services table with an orange peel covering his teeth, picking at the grapes he was about to eat when he finished the orange. Then John introduced me to Mavis Staples who took hold of my hand and didn't let go the entire time I was there. John wouldn’t tell me why we were there; he just said he was waiting for someone.
Booker T. and the MGs strolled in after their set, adding to the buzz as they enjoyed the craft services table. John stood in front of a pillar that faced the backstage entrance. Mavis and I faced John as we chatted and she squeezed my hand tighter. I could tell she was really nervous about something. /That’s when the backstage buzz turned into a dead silence. John abruptly stopped talking and looked towards the entrance. The reason for the silence was clear: Prince Rogers Nelson pimp-walked in with Kat on his arm. He held a Plexiglas cane and wore shoes with four-inch Plexiglas heels that matched the cane. His cream colored thrift store looking tuxedo with tails had wide 1970s lapels and makeup was smeared all over them.
As Mavis squeezed my hand even tighter, I thought to myself Wow. This guy looks a lot like - oh snap. It's Prince! It turned out John was there to broker a collaboration deal between Prince and Mavis. John introduced himself to Prince then Prince and Mavis said a few words to each other. By the time I remembered how to speak the English language again, Prince and Kat were gone. I didn’t get to actually meet him, but I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to stand with him.
