Incredible pairing of band and crew itineraries for the 1984-1985 Purple Rain tour belonging to Prince’s longtime personal assistant who served as the production coordinator for the Purple Rain Tour. The first is the “Alan Leeds Group” band itinerary, 25 total pages, 8.5 x 11, beginning on November 3, 1984, at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, and ending April 8, 1985, in Miami, Florida, with typed text below: “The Purple Heart Survival Ceremonies, May U Live 2 see The Dawn!!!” The itinerary lists arrival and departure times, concert dates, hotel and venue locations, and flight and travel arrangements, and is annotated and emended in pencil and ballpoint, with the most significant tour changes occurring in mid-to-late January 1985, with the January 17 show at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis crossed out and the subsequent next two hotels changed as a result. The last six pages of the itinerary are on PRN Productions letterhead, dated March 1, 1985, with subject line, “Revised itinerary—Leeds group,” and note: “Contrary to rumors, it now appears this tour will conclude in Florida on or about April 7 (Easter Sunday). The final series of dates are currently in negotiation and will be announced once finalized and approved.”
The second is the “Mugsy’s Group” crew travel itinerary, 16 total pages, 8.5 x 11, beginning on November 17, 1984, with a flight to Largo, Maryland, and ending on April 7, 1985, at Miami’s Orange Bowl, with typed text below: “Is This The End.?.?.?.?…” Like the first itinerary, this example lists standard times, dates, and accommodation details, but features considerably more handwritten notations and emendations, with the month of January again proving a logistical difficulty given the rescheduling of the Indianapolis concert. The bulk of the notations consist of contact names and numbers for various production and promotion firms, with several of the dates also bearing early morning concert call times for the crew; on the first night of the tour’s five-show stop at Atlanta’s Omni Coliseum, crew call times for setup are listed as follows: “1A—Rigg, 3A—Roof, 7A—Stage, 8:30A—Lights, 9:A—Ward, 10.A—Sound, 11:30—Band Crew/Props.” Also included are two 8.5 x 11 calendar sheets, listing rehearsal and setup times for band and crew from September 26 to December 3, 1984; and two printouts listing Purple Rain tour dates from November 4, 1984, until April 7, 1985. In overall very good to fine condition. From the collection of Prince’s former assistant and accompanied by a letter of provenance. The Purple Rain Tour represents the most successful and influential period of Prince’s prolific career. Comprising two extended legs and nearly 100 show-stopping performances, the North American tour sold an estimated 1.7 million tickets and marked the live debut of the Revolution as Prince’s full-time band. The historic tour was the largest Prince and his team had then yet attempted, and these itineraries provide unique insight into the meticulous detail and organization needed to make a successful, record-breaking tour.
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