Prince And Nile Rodgers Cover David Bowie At Essence Festival [Video]
Prince made a dramatic return to Essence this year. After passing on the festival for 10 years – his last appearance was in 2004 – he showed up for a nearly two-hour long set on Friday night. The Times-Picayune noted that prior to his emergence the venue was lit in purple and many fans donned the royal shade closely associated with the performer.
Before the once-only-known-by-an-unpronounceable-symbol music great took the stage for his own set, he joined Nile Rodgers for a cover of David Bowie’s classic 80s tune, “Let’s Dance.” The deep infusion of funk could be clearly heard in the amateur recordings of the performance, which slowly made their way on to YouTube. SPIN magazine’s assessment was that although Nile Rodgers produced Bowie’s original version of the song, “[t]he Purple One’s lead guitar fireworks give the live cut a special kind of spark.”
Check out the clip below.
The appearance at Essence was the latest in a series of festival performances this year for Rodgers, who is a legendary producer. His work in the 1980s included major hits not only for Bowie, but Madonna and Diana Ross. Most recently he collaborated with Daft Punk for their phenomenally successful 2013 release.
Prince was apparently in a visiting mood Friday night, as he joined not only Rodgers on stage but Janelle Monae, who also appeared on the festival’s main stage. Monae herself had recently paid homage to Bowie by covering his song ‘Heroes’ for an advertisement.
Prince’s set at Essence was not all he had in store for fans in New Orleans. After departing the stage at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome just before 1am, he eventually made his way to the House of Blues after party. The venue teased a surprise Prince appearance and the Purple One was said to be in the building at about 3am.
Liv Warfield, a member of Prince’s New Power Generation ensemble, had top billing at the venue – and started her gig at about 3:45am. She had already sung backup for Prince during his Essence set, and he returned the favor by appearing on stage with her at the House of Blues. The Times Picayune reports the Prince appearance was about five minutes long and happened at about 4am.
As the publication described it: “he appeared with his guitar – wearing shades, a shiny black shirt and a wide white collar and cuffs – and sat in with Warfield’s big band for about five minutes. Then, under the protective glare of his tuxedoed friend’s white light, he scampered offstage as quick as a bunny.”
For Prince fans, it may have been worth the wait.
[Images Courtesy of Press Here]
