Publication: Press Association Newsfile [U]
Date: March 4, 1995
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Title: "Less Than Royal Response For Ex-Prince"
Reviewed By: Mark Duffell

Pop superstar Prince was officially pronounced dead - and the Artist Formerly Known As Prince took the stage for the opening concert of his first British tour since his bizarre change of name.

Before last night's concert at London's Wembley Arena, a medley of Prince's old hits - including Batdance, Purple Rain and When Doves Cry - were played to a cheering audience on a large video screen. A "May He Rest in Peace" message then appeared, accompanied by the voice of the eccentric American star proclaiming: " Prince is dead, long live the new power generation."

With that ceremony over, the star - who now chooses to be known only by an unpronounceable squiggle - took the stage. Dressed in a gold suit and carrying a spectacular guitar shaped like the symbol he now uses as his name, the diminutive star strolled nonchalantly on stage through a red curtain.

But a very subdued audience was left largely disappointed as he performed only his more recent recordings made under his new title. The largest cheer of the night - aside from the roar which greeted the opening medley of Prince hits - was reserved for the rousing performance of The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, his recent No 1 hit. But his dwindling popularity was apparent by the large number of empty seats and a steady stream of fans leaving early, clearly disenchanted.

The star kept fans waiting for more than an hour, eventually beginning his two-hour set at 9pm. The subdued atmosphere continued throughout, relieved only for five minutes when he performed the hit 7 - which he recorded when he still called himself Prince. Afterwards, two fans who had traveled from Birmingham said they were "very disappointed". "He didn't do any of the old stuff and not many people know most of his new material," they said. "In the end it was just embarrassing."