Exceptionally rare handwritten rehearsal notes by Prince from his 1988 Lovesexy Tour, used for his performance at the Palatrussardi in Milan, Italy, on July 17, 1988. The notes, signed "Prince" within the text and penned in blue ballpoint on an off-white 5.75 x 8.25 sheet of Hilton International Milano guest stationery, provide detailed stage production and musical arrangements for the piano medley portion of the show, with lyrical cues noted.
This would be the first time on the Lovesexy Tour that Prince would perform the piano medley. This intimate portion of the show, typically performed as the first encore, would become a highlight of the tour. The medley, composed of six songs, would span five of Prince’s most popular albums from the 1980s: “Starfish & Coffee” (Sign O’ The Times), “Raspberry Beret” (Around the World in a Day), “Do Me Baby” (Controversy), “International Lover” (1999), “Condition of the Heart” (Around the World in a Day), and “When 2 R in Love” (Lovesexy).
Prince has provided several lyrical cues for direction. On “Raspberry Beret,” he references, “on ‘love’ hold note with:.” On “International Lover,” he has noted, “(one verse, 2 ‘Qualified’).” Most remarkably, on “When 2 R in Love,” he has penned the entire lyric fragment, “falling leaves will appear 2 them like slow motion rain,” followed by “Slow motion, Slow motion” and “Nothing’s forbidden.” Prince adds an edit to the end section of the medley, where he writes “get 2 Atlanta and Eric’s walking line quicker”—referring to trumpet player Atlanta Bliss and saxophonist Eric Leeds. He closes, by namechecking himself with, “4 end Piano lowers when Prince leaves it.” In fine condition, with a short tear to the top edge.
This document provides an extraordinary window into Prince’s artistry and meticulous hands-on style as a live performer. Today, the 1988-1989 Lovesexy Tour is widely considered a creative highpoint for Prince.
These notes come directly from Joel Bernstein, Prince’s former personal guitar technician, who explains in his accompanying letter of authenticity: “This letter is to authenticate Prince’s handwritten rehearsal notes for his show at the Pala Trussardi in Milan, Italy, on July 17, 1988. On stationary from the Hilton International Milano hotel, Prince has noted the detailed changes he wanted to make on the arrangements & choreography for six songs: 'Starfish & Coffee,' 'Raspberry Beret,' 'Do Me Baby,' 'International Lover,' 'Condition of the Heart,' and 'When 2 R in Love.' Prince played all of these songs in this order during this show, which was the only time he played these songs in this sequence. I worked with Prince from 1987 through 1991, as his personal guitar technician for concerts and recording, and occasionally as his photographer. This period included, Sign O’ The Times, Lovesexy, the Batman soundtrack, and My Name Is Prince. This is from my personal collection.”
Also accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL, and a letter of authenticity from Jeff Gold, the owner of Recordmecca and a former executive vice president/general manager of Warner Bros. Records, who worked closely with Prince during the 1990s and art directed numerous album covers for him, including Diamonds & Pearls, Love Symbol, and The Hits/The B-Sides.
