By the time Prince was 18, he was a fully realized and accomplished artist who could walk into the Sound 80 studio in Minneapolis’s Seward neighborhood and write, produce, record, sing, and perform all the instruments on his demo tape, and then land a major recording contract with Warner Brothers by the time he was 19. How did Prince’s childhood in Minneapolis shape the artist he became?

Prince Rogers Nelson grew up in four different homes on Minneapolis’ Northside. As we visit the two houses which still exist, his neighborhood school, and the location where his first band started, we’ll learn how the Great Migration brought Prince’s ancestors to Minnesota, and how growing up in Minneapolis produced the specific experiences which enabled his musical career. We’ll learn about the instruments he learned and where; his early song-writing experiences; the neighborhood family and friends who became his first band mates…and how Prince’s exposure to various musical influences and key collaborators helped him create the unique “Minneapolis Sound” in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

This tour will walk approximately 2 miles and is ADA accessible.

Kristen Zschomler is a historian and archaeologist who researches, writes, and leads in person tours and tours through her innovated app Soundround Music Tours about places associated with Prince, the development of “The Minneapolis Sound”, and music history in the Twin Cities. Kristen’s wrote the nominations to get two Prince places recognized as historically significant through the National Register of Historic Places, preserving his legacy for future generations. Her current research interest focuses on Prince and dance, specifically his inspiration from and incorporation of ballet into his dance aesthetic.

*Please note: the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated or connected with “Prince’s Side of the Street: North Minneapolis Landmarks Walking Tour,” nor has it endorsed or sponsored “Prince’s Side of the Street: North Minneapolis Landmarks Walking Tour.” Further, the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson has not licensed any of its intellectual property to the owners of “Prince’s Side of the Street: North Minneapolis Landmarks Walking Tour.”*

Next Tour Date: Tuesday, June 4 • 6-7:30pm