First Avenue retrospective: Prince's 'Purple Rain' film turns 30

'Purple Rain'
'Purple Rain'
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We marked the 30th anniversary of the release of Prince's renowned album Purple Rain in June. But the fame of that album cannot be separated from the movie of the same name that Prince and the Revolution starred and performed in.

Directed by Albert Magnoli, the film gives Prince fans a visual reference to the songs they had started to love with the release of the album. In that spirit, The Daily Circuit marks the 30th anniversary of the film "Purple Rain."

The Daily Circuit's Tom Weber and Andrea Swensson of The Current curated a retrospective from First Avenue, where much of the movie was filmed. The documentary includes interviews with some of the names behind the film, including co-star Apollonia Kotero and Bobby Z, drummer for the Revolution.

Swensson also tells the story of visiting with Prince after being invited to Paisley Park last month, as the album anniversary was being marked. As we'll hear from Andrea, it turns out Prince isn't too keen on marking anniversaries like the album or film. In deference to him, our show will go on.

First Avenue will host a Purple Rain party Friday night. More information here.

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