Publication: Detroit Free Press [US]
Date: November 26, 1996
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Title: "Prince Cancels Plans For Detroit Show"
Written By: Brian McCollum

For the second time this year, Detroit has opened its arms to the artist formerly known as Prince only to embrace rejection: The purple one won't play the State Theatre this week, theater officials said Monday.

The Free Press reported the show was planned for Thursday, which would have required last-minute wrangling among promoters, the theater and the artist's camp.

State Theatre event coordinator Joe Nieporte said a concert had been discussed for Thanksgiving week, but plans were abandoned Saturday when the artist learned that the news had leaked. The former Prince "blew a gasket," Nieporte said, and called off plans to come to Detroit, which was to be a "surprise" stop on a tour of small venues in major markets.

"He got mad and that blows it," Nieporte said.

Nieporte acknowledged that he had talks with the singer's staff. Industry sources said contracts were written but not signed. On Friday, sources at the State said ticket details for a Prince concert might be available as early as Friday evening. On Monday, however, the State said no contract existed.

The concert would have marked a rare appearance from the elusive former Prince, who's riding a hot three-disc album that was released last week.

This makes the second time this year Detroit fans have gotten their hopes up. In March the artist announced he would play the Palace of Auburn Hills. Two days later the ticket sale was postponed; within a week the show was dropped, along with appearances in four other markets -- with no explanation.

"In his dealings, his people don't get real specific," said a concert-industry executive who asked not to be named. "You can't even get them to return phone calls."

Monday's announcement certainly left a host of disgruntled fans, with phone lines buzzing at the State Theatre and radio stations.

"I'm highly disappointed," said Warren Mattison, 25, of Detroit. "This was going to make my holiday."

The former Prince was secretive before a "surprise" show in Chicago last week, billing it as simply a record release party for the new "Emancipation."

Tickets for that late-night, small-club event even included the words "no performance scheduled," but the artist and his five-member band took the stage and played into the early morning.