Prince's Dressing Room Ban: Madonna and Bruce Springsteen Denied Entry
In a surprising revelation that highlights Prince's unique approach to fame, his longtime drummer Bobby Z has disclosed that the music icon once barred two of the world's biggest stars—Madonna and Bruce Springsteen—from entering his dressing room. The anecdote, shared in a new interview with The Guardian, offers a glimpse into the private world of the "Purple Rain" singer, who passed away in 2016.
"Off Limits": The Backstage Ban That Stunned Stars
Bobby Z, who played with Prince for years, recalled a "hilarious moment" when Madonna and Bruce Springsteen visited backstage after a show. Despite their superstar status, Prince's dressing room was strictly "off limits" to them. "They had to use the band's toilet," Bobby Z remembered, emphasizing the singer's firm boundaries. This incident underscores Prince's discomfort with meeting other celebrities, unless he was a genuine fan.
According to Bobby Z, Prince often felt "bashful or embarrassed" around fellow stars, even though he was a major icon himself. "There could be huge stars and he just wouldn't give them the time of day," he added. For instance, besides a brief handshake with Elizabeth Taylor, Prince showed little interest in chatting with most celebrities. However, there was an exception: when he met David Bowie at Paisley Park, his longtime home and studio, it was a "warm moment" because Prince felt they were equals.
Tributes from the Banned: Springsteen and Madonna Honor Prince
Despite being barred from his dressing room, both Madonna and Bruce Springsteen paid heartfelt tributes to Prince after his untimely death at age 57. Days following the tragedy, Bruce Springsteen, known as "The Boss," opened his Barclays Center concert in Brooklyn with a cover of "Purple Rain," as reported by Vanity Fair. Meanwhile, Madonna took to Instagram to share a photo of herself with Prince, commemorating their collaboration on "Love Song" for her 1989 album 'Like a Prayer.'
These gestures highlight the respect and admiration that fellow musicians held for Prince, transcending any past slights. Bobby Z's reflections not only shed light on Prince's reclusive nature but also celebrate his legacy as a artist who valued authenticity over celebrity camaraderie.
As the entertainment world continues to remember Prince a decade after his passing, stories like these remind us of the enigmatic personality behind the music—a man who, in Bobby Z's words, "didn't matter whether you're the Queen of Pop or The Boss" when it came to guarding his private space.
