In late February 2016, a press invite entered my inbox in regard to a Prince show that would take place at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California. Because I was located in Atlanta at the time, I would have one day to find a way to catch a flight across the country to see the greatest living legend of our generation.
Without hesitation, I booked a flight to the Bay Area. I knew that you couldn’t hesitate when it came to Prince. He was an artist who would make an impromptu appearance at times and disappear without notice. If there was ever an opportunity to witness him live, you jumped because you never knew when it would happen again.
When I arrived at the Paramount Theater in Oakland for his “Piano and a Microphone” tour, the line for the 7 p.m. show wrapped a block around the corner an hour before showtime as dozens of Bay Area fans took photos with the illuminated marquee board, which highlighted Prince’s arrival. It made the dream real.
Inside, a projection of a kaleidoscope of colors was positioned behind a piano, a seat and a microphone, which was lit by a Fluorescent purple light. It was all that Prince would need on this special evening.
Sporting his signature Afro and a purple outfit, Prince sat at the piano and began to take concertgoers on a journey through his story. He played a riff of “I Would Die 4 U” before discussing memories of his childhood. “I grew up in Minnesota just wanting to be like my father,” he said. “I loved my mom, my Bible, and my music. Just like my father. … But no one should learn love from two people fighting. We need a new story. Because the old one doesn’t work anymore.”
Prince transitioned into “Take Me With You” as the crowd sang along in joy, “I don’t care where we go, I don’t care what we do, I don’t care pretty baby, just take me with you.”
Prince controlled the mood at all times and slowed things down by saying, “Hold on baby, you’re moving too fast,” before singing a melodic version of “Little Red Corvette.” He transition into “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” and also did an improvisational beat box and a Thelonious Monk-style jazz piano riff during the song.
On the Ray Charles cover, “Unchain My Heart,” Prince showed the emotions and unrelenting pain of lost love, “I’m under your spell like a man in a trance, but I know darn well, that I don’t stand a chance,” he sang.
Prince also touched on the issues of Black oppression today with “Black Muse” where he paid homage to Kendrick Lamar by saying, “Like Kendrick says, we gonna be alright.”
Other hits that Prince performed included “Thieves in the Temple,” “Raspberry Beret,” and “Diamonds & Pearls.” Prince exited the stage twice before coming back for encore performances of “So High,” and “Purple Rain.”
Prince’s “Piano and a Microphone” show was like an intimate jam session among friends. He could pack any stadium in the world, but he was now more interested in speaking directly to fans.
The news of his untimely passing has shocked the nation because, similar to Michael Jackson, Prince never made it to the age of 60. But his music touched a generation and will always stand the test of time.
During his performance in Oakland, Prince made it a point to talk about the value of storytelling. We’re all fortunate that Prince was able to tell his story — and our story — through music.
