Purple Reigns: Kirk Johnson's Prince and The NPG Legacy
Channel: Musicians Reveal Podcast
Date: 2024-04-03

Prince and the NPG drummer Kirk Johnson sits down with "Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley" podcast for a special interview. 

Kirk Johnson (Drums)
Tours with Prince:  Jam of the Year Tour 1997/98 (Drums), Love 4 One Another Charities Tour (1997), Act I (1993), Diamonds & Pearls (1992), Nude Tour (1990) 

Albums with Prince: Diamonds and Pearls (percussion), The Gold Experience (programming), Symbol (percussion), Chaos & Disorder (percussion), Gold Nigga, Emancipation (drums/production), Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic and The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale. 

Although he was in Purple Rain, Kirk did not begin working with Prince until he became a member of the NPG in 1990 – first as a dancer and percussionist. He took over the drum chair in 1996, a role he filled periodically over the next two decades while also serving as Paisley Park’s estate manager. He worked with Prince up until the day that the artist passed away and, to this day, Kirk also works with the Prince Museum. 

He has also co-written/produced and played for multiple artists’ projects including Candy Dulfer, Chaka Khan, Judith Hill, Larry Graham, Boyz II Men, Jevetta Steele, El DeBarge, Monie Love, Tevin Campbell, Rosie Gaines, Mavis Staples, Nona Gaye, and Najee.

#kirkjohnson #prince #funk 

0:00 Intro
1:00 Recording with Chance Howard
2:00 Live Recordings
2:40 Kirk's Band at Jazzmines
4:00 Prince joining Kirk's band onstage
5:00 Comparision of playing in small and big venues
6:10 Kirk's drum setup in Prince's band and studio
9:00 Fitness
10:44 Kitchen Records Roster
15:00 Support of local musicians
16:10 Recording at Paisley Park with Prince
17:25 Growing up in Minnesota and fellow musicians
18:45 Prince's production influence on Kirk



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