Prince plays surprise UK gig
Prince played a surprise gig in London tonight (May 10).
The singer, who was in town this week to launch a series of gigs at the O2 Arena later this summer, made the most of his trip staging the show at KOKO.
Taking the stage at around 11.30pm, Prince performed a set that mixed classics, instrumentals, new tracks, covers and songs that showcased his band.
Kicking off initially with just his brass section performing a instrumental version of 'Get Off' the singer made his entrance wearing all back except for his white hat and white high heel shoes.
Though frustrating at times in his song selection - the set was driven by an rhythm and blues flavour that saw him experiment and just jam at times - Prince ensured the fans had something to shout about including 'U Got The Look', 'Kiss', 'Cream', 'Let's Go Crazy' and an impassioned version of 'Nothing Compares To U' in his set.
Explaining why he staged a British show, which watched by a packed audience including Damian Hurst, David Furnish, The League Of Gentlemen, David Walliams, Pete Burns, Maxi Jazz and Abi Titmuss among others, Prince told the crowd:
"People asked me why we're here doing this in London. There's nothing happening in America!"
He also surprised the crowd who had spotted the hints in the listings suggesting the Royal Crown Revue were due to play the venue, by including several covers.
This started with an instrumental version of 'Play That Funky Music White Boy' which Prince led on guitar, before one of his backing vocalists took the lead on Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy' and Amy Winehouse's 'Love Is A Losing Game'.
Praising the British singer, who he as expressed a desire to work with, Prince declared: "Respect to Amy Winehouse, respect! What a voice!"
With more instrumentals then following as Prince intermittantly left the stage, including a version of 'Sometimes It Snows In April' while he was off the stage.
Prince then concluded the gig by taking the stage to echo his earlier comments about the UK with short speech.
"You're doing it, it's not me! You produce the energy," he told the crowd. "I told my band it was happening in London, now they know." |
Tabloid Hell: Scary Spice goes to court
Spice Girl Mel B has filed a petition in a Los Angeles court that could force actor Eddie Murphy to cough up thousands of dollars in child support.
A paternity test taken by Murphy in June proved that he is the father of Melanie Brown's four month-old daughter Angel Iris Murphy Brown, although the 'Shrek' star has yet to "legally acknowledge" that he is the father.
In court, Brown stated that the baby was mutually planned and conceived by her and Murphy during their four-month relationship. She is seeking "reasonable child support".
Brown also has an eight year-old daughter named Phoenix Chi, while Murphy has five children with ex-wife Nicole Mitchell. He recently became engaged to producer Tracey Edmonds.
The Spice Girls recently announced they are reuniting for a world tour which is set to earn the five women millions of dollars each. |
Linkin Park singer stalked
A woman has admitted stalking Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington - using US government computers to obtain his personal information.
Former laboratory worker Devon Townsend accessed the singer's e-mail account and mobile phone voicemail, intercepting messages and pictures between January and November of 2006.
She also called Bennington's wife and threatened her, investigators told a court in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Townsend could be jailed or fined heavily when she is sentenced.
In a plea agreement she said that she was able to see the family's photographs and travel plans, as well as information about a home they had purchased.
She also read messages sent between Linkin Park's record company and lawyer, and also viewed their recording contract.
Townsend admitted: "On at least one occasion, knowing that Chester Bennington was in Arizona I travelled to Arizona solely for the purpose of trying to see him.
"While I was there, I monitored Chester Bennington's voicemails as a means of trying to locate where he might be eating." |