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Music News: Prince's friends share hilarious stories

Prince at First Avenue in Minneapolis
Prince at First Avenue in MinneapolisCourtesy of Daniel Corrigan

by Jay Gabler

December 08, 2016

For a year-end issue, GQ talked to many of Prince’s friends and collaborators, who shared stories ranging from hilarious to poignant.

Among the stories: protégé Kandace Springs describes Prince's bedroom ("kinda homey"), keyboardist Morris Hayes remembers Prince's runs to Caribou (he'd pay with a hundred-dollar bill and leave the change, in part because he didn't have any pockets to put it in), and dancer Misty Copeland remembers how Prince seasoned his eggs (Lawry's, like a typical Minnesotan).

Meanwhile, Prince's heirs are vetting potential organizations to take over the administration of the massive estate. The Bremer Trust, which currently administers the estate, agrees that a new administrator should be appointed. Recently, there have been disputes between Bremer and the family over matters involving Prince's intellectual property — for example, how his music should (or should not be) made available on various streaming services. (MPR News)

In MinnPost, writer Andy Sturdevant looks back on Minnesota's history with phone hotlines — including Prince's 1-800-NEW-FUNK, a 1994 merch sales hotline that Prince went so far as to write promotional jingles for.

The stork visits a Stone

Mick Jagger and his girlfriend Melanie Hamrick have welcomed a son. "Mother and baby are doing well," reports a spokesperson. For those keeping score at home: the child (name TBA) is the Rolling Stones frontman's eighth, and the boy's birth means that Jagger's great-granddaughter (born in 2014) now has a great-uncle who's younger than she is. (NME)

Jesus and Mary Chain confirm new album

It's officially official: the Jesus and Mary Chain have announced their first album in 18 years. Damage and Joy will be released on March 24, and singer Jim Reid says it's a truly collaborative effort. "In the last couple of years, we've buried the hatchet to some degree, and thankfully not into each other." Hear a first single, "Amputation," at Rolling Stone.

Insurance won't cover Midnight Rider losses

The producers of the abandoned Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider won't have their losses covered by insurance: a California federal judge has ruled in favor of the film's insurer, which said it wasn't liable because the picture's failure was due to criminal activity. The film's director pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass after a crew member was killed by a train while shooting a scene on private property. (Billboard)

PJ Harvey notebooks become BBC radio drama

A new five-part BBC radio drama was inspired by notebooks kept by PJ Harvey on a recent trip to Kosovo. On Kosovo Field will run on Radio 4 from Jan. 9-13. (Pitchfork)

Madonna sings Madonna

Madonna joined James Corden for an episode of Carpool Karaoke. She sang some hits, did a little twerking, and talked about her relationship with fellow '80s icon Michael Jackson. (Pitchfork)