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Lot #5405
Prince: 1985 Purple Rain Tour 'Purple Bowl' Shirt

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Estimate: $200+
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Description

Rare white staff t-shirt from the last concert of Prince's iconic 1984-85 Purple Rain Tour, size L, featuring identical logos on the front and back: "Y-100-WEDR, Prince and the Revolution, Purple Bowl, April 7, 1985." The real name of the venue, "Orange Bowl," was partially struck through and changed to "Purple" as part of the marketing for the show. "Staff" is printed on the sleeve. In fine condition. From the collection of Prince’s former assistant and accompanied by a letter of provenance.

Prince's epic 98-show Purple Rain Tour brought him all around North America between November 4, 1984, and April 7, 1985. The massive shows were technical marvels, complete with fiber optics, lasers, fog machines, and Prince's memorable stage theatrics. Prince paid meticulous attention to detail, and sound checks were typically three hours long. By the time Prince and the Revolution rolled into Miami’s ‘Purple Bowl’ on Easter Sunday, a throng of 55,000 concertgoers were eager to hear concert staples like opener ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ ‘Baby, I’m a Star,’ and ‘Purple Rain,’ which had evolved into a nearly 30-minute-long spectacle. Further intrigue was added when, only five days earlier on April 5th, Prince’s manager Steve Fargnoli announced that the musician was planning on retiring from live performances following the tour, with Prince cryptically explaining: ‘I’m going to look for the ladder. Sometimes it snows in April.' The news made the ‘Purple Bowl’ the most coveted ticket of the tour, and led many in attendance to believe that they were watching Prince perform for the final time—a reported 35 people were treated at first-aid stations for fainting.

The Prince Estate is not affiliated, associated, or connected with RR Auction or this auction, nor has it endorsed, authenticated or sponsored the items available for auction. Further, The Prince Estate has not licensed any of its intellectual property to RR Auction.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Marvels of Modern Music
  • Dates: #571 - Ended December 12, 2019