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My Name is Prince at The O2 will be the first official exhibition of the music star, who headlined the Hop Farm Festival

He was a legend in his lifetime and his death in April last year shocked the world.

In Kent, some music fans were lucky enough to see the eccentric star perform when he played to 30,000 fans at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood back in 2011.

Now memories will be stirred and sights relived as the first official exhibition of the star, featuring his stage outfits, awards, guitars and even handwritten song lyrics go on show.

Prince headlines at the Hop Farm music festival Picture: Matthew Walker
Prince headlines at the Hop Farm music festival Picture: Matthew Walker

The world premiere of the exhibition, My Name Is Prince, opens at The O2 in London this weekend.

It will give fans the chance to get up close and personal with the music legend’s life and work and celebrate the legacy of one of pop music’s most influential figures, Prince Rogers Nelson.

Visitors will be able to see hundreds of never before seen artefacts direct from Paisley Park, his private estate in Minnesota.

Prince's diamond studded cane, part of the My Name is Prince exhibition Picture: Paisley Park
Prince's diamond studded cane, part of the My Name is Prince exhibition Picture: Paisley Park

Artefacts leaving Paisley Park for the first time for the exhibition include:

Clothing from the 1984/1985 Purple Rain tour and the 1988/1989 LoveSexy tour

Clothes from the 1990 film, Graffiti Bridge

The Gibson L6-S guitar that Prince used when he made his national television debut on American Bandstand in 1980, which he later used on the Prince and Dirty Mind tours

The original bass that was the inspiration for the Cloud guitar

The orange Cloud guitar made for his 2007 Super Bowl halftime performance, which was also used on The Earth tour the same year

The Purple Rain jacket Picture: Paisley Park
The Purple Rain jacket Picture: Paisley Park

A diamond studded cane from 2015

Clothing worn during the 2007 3121 shows, 21 nights at The O2 shows

A diamond vest worn during his 2013 V magazine shoot

The Raspberry Beret cloud suit from 1985

Prince’s siblings, some of who will visit London for its opening, said in a statement: “Our family is extremely honoured to have this exhibit at The O2, and we know Prince would be as well. He loved to share his work and life with his fans.

“We know him as a brother who became not only one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, but an entertainer and musician who was unlike any other. It’s only appropriate we share him and these amazing artefacts with the world now that he’s gone.”

A chain hat worn by Prince Picture: Paisley Park
A chain hat worn by Prince Picture: Paisley Park

Paisley Park’s director of archives, Angie Marchese, said: “At Paisley Park, Prince constructed and inhabited a creative reality that was wholly unique, allowing him to fluidly develop music and artistic works spontaneously and without limitation. He envisioned Paisley Park as one day being opened to the public.

“Through this exhibition, we are expanding his dream to share with a wider audience.”

DETAILS

My Name Is Prince will open at The O2 in London on Friday, October 27. Tickets cost £25 and £12 for children. It will be open from 9.30am to 7.30pm daily, but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The last day is Sunday, January 7, 2018.
For details look at facebook.com/mynameisprinceexhibition and to book tickets visit mynameisprince.co.uk

ABOUT PRINCE

Born and raised in the Minneapolis area, Prince sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the bestselling artists of all time.

With iconic songs including 1999, Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U, Kiss and Sign O’ the Times, he transcended musical barriers. He won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain, all of which are displayed in Paisley Park, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility. He was 57 when he died last year.

Prince's mic stand will be among the items on show at My Name is Prince at The O2 Picture: Paisley Park
Prince's mic stand will be among the items on show at My Name is Prince at The O2 Picture: Paisley Park

ABOUT PAISLEY PARK

Paisley Park was Prince’s private estate and production compound. Fans who visit today can tour the legendary, 65,000sq ft complex that served as the centre of the star’s creative universe.

Operated by P Park Management, guided tours take visitors throughout the extensive main floor of Paisley Park, including recording and mixing studios where he recorded, produced and mixed most of his hits; exhibit spaces that chart his films such as Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge and even see his private NPG Music Club, and soundstage and concert hall where Prince rehearsed for concert tours and held exclusive events and performances.
The tour also features thousands of artefacts from Prince’s personal archives, including his concert wardrobe, awards, musical instruments and concert memorabilia.

Paisley Park is in Chanhassen, Minnesota, 30 minutes outside the city. For details visit OfficialPaisleyPark.com

The Hop Farm Music Festival, Paddock Wood, with Prince headlining Picture Matthew Walker
The Hop Farm Music Festival, Paddock Wood, with Prince headlining Picture Matthew Walker
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