The musical “angel” Prince was knocked out listening to
Prince was a virtuoso. Whether you like his music or not, there’s no arguing with that as the artist proved his power as a true, natural genius in so many lanes, on so many instruments and in so many different positions; on stage, behind the mic, in the songwriters’ room and in the studio. But that didn’t make him immune to intimidation.
Artists on a level like that tend to fall into two categories. On one side, you get the people who suddenly believe they’re above everyone. Being granted access to the god tier gives them a God complex that makes it so no other people, and especially no other artist, can touch them.
This is where you start to hear strange stories about musicians who seem to genuinely hate music, refusing to go to other people’s gigs or celebrate other people’s achievements, as they see their talent as an isolating thing and refuse to recognise the greatness in others.
But all the best stories in musical history come from the other side, where incredible artists are more than happy to share their love and praise for other incredible artists. That’s where you get heartwarming tales like Patti Smith sharing her love for Jimi Hendrix, Nick Cave talking at length and repeatedly about the vital impact that Leonard Cohen had on him, or Prince, happily gushing about a number of artists.
Throughout his life, Prince was never shy about these things. He wore his influences and heroes on his sleeve in a really beautiful way that honoured the talent of others and made no secret of the way other artists had greatly inspired him. Joni Mitchell was a key one as he talked a lot about even desperately trying to get in contact with her. Stevie Nicks was another, leading to a lifelong friendship between the two that turned admiration into an essential support network.
For someone like Prince, this must have been one of the best parts of fame. Not only was his own music being boosted and celebrated, but as his name became more and more known and respected, it led him to brush shoulders with bigger names he loved.
One day, it led Miles Davis to his door, giving Prince an experience he never forgot as he got to watch the jazz icon up close, witnessing just how naturally his musicianship came to him.
“I remember when Miles Davis came to my house,” Prince said in a 1997 interview, still barely able to believe that he’d been able to just hang out with such a talent. Then something surreal happened: “As he was passing by my piano, he stopped and put his hands down on the keys and played these eight chords, one after the other. It was so beautiful.”
Davis was never known for his piano playing; he was predominantly a trumpeter. But in that moment, watching him just casually touch the keys and manage to make something sound so beautiful, Prince was blown away by how easily it all came to him, seeing the exact same virtuosity there that people see in Prince, too. It’s natural, it’s effortless, it’s god-given even.
Prince almost couldn’t believe it, wondering how Davis could sound so good on an instrument that wasn’t even his main strength. “I was wondering whether he was playing games with me, because he wasn’t supposed to be a keyboard player,” Prince recalled.
But the talent was undeniable as he added poetically, “And when he was finished, I couldn’t decide whether it was him or an angel putting his hands on the keys.”
