PRINCE
“IT GOT VERY HOWARD HUGHES-ISH...”
Vanity label? Safe harbour for veteran heroes? Hit machine? PAISLEY PARK RECORDS was intended to be all of these things. So what happened? Label manager Alan Leeds tells all...”
PAISLEY PARK RECORDS
STEVE KAGAN/THE LIFE IMAGES COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES; JEFF KRAVITZ/FILMMAGIC, INC; JASON MENDEZ/GETTY IMAGES
HOW did Paisley Park Records begin?
It started just as an imprint – then around 1985, he struck the deal with Warners, which was technically a joint venture. The intention on their part was that he produce hit records for other artists. He had proven himself with the first two Time albums, the first Sheila E album and the Vanity 6 project . Warners were upset that The Bangles’ “Manic Monday” was on Columbia – it was a huge hit. They wanted everything under their umbrella.
How involved was Prince in Paisley Park?