Publication: New York Magazine [NY]
Date: November 4, 1996
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Title: "Name's Not Prince, But He Is Funky"
Written By: Staff

Not since Edward VIII abondoned the throne has a man thrust off a title as eagerly as Prince is now attempting to. The rocker, long with the Warner Bros. label, just signed a distribution deal with EMI-Capital records, and according to industry insiders, it was a most unorthodox document. Not only did the purple performer insist that no one call him by his dreaded former moniker, but sources say he requested that his contract stipulate that any employee who calls him Prince be fined for the transgression. Those in the know don't seem at all surprised at the artiste's quirky demand. He did, after all, insist on being named a vice-president of A&R at Warner Bros. when he began his unhappy stint there. Says one music exec, "The more brilliant an artist is, the more individual the understanding of how business is conducted." Londell McMillan, an attorney for the controversial star, says, "Prince was signed to Warner Bros. The unpronounceable symbol is signed to EMI. It's one of those artistic, aesthetic things I respect. I deny that there's (any fine levied) in the contract, but we do have a respectful acknowledgment."

And for you fashion mavens out there, the clothes (the long, black coat) The Man wore on the Today Show and Lettermen were by Ev & El, a local New York fashion duo who are just getting their name known. PEOPLE ran a piece on them and mentioned the connection as did The Daily News.