Publication: Minneapolis Star Tribune [US]
Date: April 19, 1996
Section:
Page Number(s):
Length:
Title: "Paisley Park Apparently Shuts Down; Most Of Staff Is Laid Off"
Written By: Jon Bream [et. al.]

The front doors remain open, but Prince apparently has closed Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen as a rental facility for the time being. Most of his studio staff was laid off last week, and clients were called this week to cancel booked studio time.

"I am surprised and I'm not surprised," said engineer Tom Tucker, who received a cancellation call Tuesday for a jazz recording project scheduled for next month. Tucker, who had been Paisley's director of studio operations for five years until January 1995 and still got called for Prince projects, was told the studios were going to be remodeled.

"It's been coming for a while," he said. "[Prince] let the band go last month. One thing leads to another. He's been tlkaing about making big changes, wiping the slate clean and starting over. He's always trying new people; it's part of his deal."

Prince's New York publicist issued a statement Wednesday from his director of operations, Juli Knapp-Winge.

"Paisley Park is moving in a new direction as it prepares for the challenges of the 21st century and the aggressive corporate goals we have set for ourselves," she said. "In keeping with this, we are bringing on board a staff who can enhance the advances we have already made corporately, operationally and creatively. While we regret the loss of some talented individuals, we are excited about the new direction of the company and look forward to an exciting and aggressive future for Paisley Park."

Store, Club Also Closed

Prince has also closed his New Power Generation souvenir store in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.Although a sign in the window says, "Closed for remodeling," the space at 1408 W. Lake St. has been rented to Rick Olinger of neighboring Gabriela's Vintage Clothing and Jewelry. Olinger said he plans to open a furniture shop there in mid-May.

Prince's mail-order merchandise line, 1-800-NEW-FUNK, was answered Wednesday by a recording that said, "We are currently restructuring our shipping department." Callers were referred to a number in the 612 area code to place orders, and calls to that number were answered by a recording machine.

His nightclub in Miami closed in February, said a guard who answered the phone there Wednesday. "I don't know when they're going to reopen," he said.

Paisley's switchboard operator said the studio was open, and a man at the desk Wednesday said he knew nothing about the studio closing. Several cars and trucks were parked in the lot.

Although some sources said the studio will be remodeled, Paisley Park has not applied for any building permits, said a Chanhassen city official. The studio has applied for a reduction in its tax assessment; it is valued at $5.02 million.

The 64,000-square-foot multimedia complex was built in 1987 for $10 million. It features 2 recording studios, a sound stage, a small recording studio, a small rehearsal space and offices. Among the artists who have recorded there are R.E.M., the Replacements, Fine Young Cannibals, George Clinton, and Bonnie Raitt. The 12,000-square-foot sound stage has been used for many video, commercial, and movie projects, including "Grumpy Old Men," and many artists, including the Bee Gees, Barry Manilow, and Steve Miller, have rehearsed for their tours there. It was converted into a nightclub/community center for several months last year.

Prince's payroll apparently has been pared to a receptionist, the two people who run his day-to-day business, his personal recording engineer and an outside team of accountants. Last week he even laid off his longest-term employee, Paisley's chief engineer, who had been with Prince for 12 years. Longtime drummer Michael Bland called Paul Westerberg, a Minneapolis garage-pop hero, two weeks ago to offer his services after being terminated; Westerberg hired him for his new band.

One by one, Paisley staffers were called into a meeting with the payroll clerk and terminated last week, said one dismissed employee who requested anonymomity because of a confidentiality agreement.

This week Prince reportedly has been recording an album at Paisley featuring his wife, Mayte Garcia-Nelson, a former dancer in his band. They married Feb. 14 and are expecting a baby this fall. Prince has typically tied up one of the 2 main studios and offered the other for rent. Among the artists who have recorded there recently are Westerberg and folk singer John Gorka.