On 10/22/2008 my dear friend Rande Laiderman lost her determined and courageous fight against cancer. Rande, who was 54, will be remembered as an inspiration by all who knew her. My friend Robbie Pastor told me that in Kansas City MO tonight artist Maxwell dedicated his final song ‘ This Woman’s Work‘ to Rande. I am honored that she was my friend; she was one of those people who touched so many lives in a positive way. Rande was Prince’s personal chef for many years.  Memorial services will take place at 12:00 noon Sunday October 26^th at Temple Israel in Minneapolis MN

Hucky

Dear Visitors and Fans of True Prince Stories,

I have had several individuals contact me who are disappointed to see that I have not posted any new stories or interviews to the website. I want to assure you of a few things: First, it is not because of all the legal brouhaha over “Prince” websites; he is not in opposition to my postings. Secondly, it’s not for lack of content, or my sincere enjoyment in sharing the stories and catching up with friends and colleagues from the “good old days!”

It really comes down to the fact that I am maintaining several other websites, all of which have paid for themselves. True Prince Stories has a great deal of traffic, but no income to sustain the ongoing content I have been providing. It is my hope to find advertisers or sponsors who can help “keep the lights on” so I can continue to keep the website fresh and stocked with entertaining and provocative stories and interviews. Up to this point, I have been paying for administrative assistance out of my own pocket.

Just as soon as I can figure out a way for True Prince Stories to become self-sustaining, rest assured I will be back with more content. It has been a real pleasure to hear from some of you again after all these years, and to see that visitors have been enjoying the website.

Sincerely,

Harlan “Hucky” Austin

I know this is not Prince News, but this is ridiculous

Where’s the outrage?

The Michael Vick dog fighting news gained mass television news coverage, but yet here we have a clear case of brutality against a human and not a peep about it on television news outlets. His brutality towards dogs is indeed horrible, but where is the same outrage for the mistreatment and brutality against a fellow human being? This is the most horrific act of racial hatred I’ve heard in a very long time. It saddens me to think that such evil exists today. What I want to know is, why hasn’t this story aired on the national news? This is ridiculous, this story happened sometime in September and I am now just hearing about this.
Read Story Here: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3590598

One of the funniest things I can recall is when Big Chick decided to design uniforms for all of the bodyguards in the entourage. I still cringe when I think about it. He designed suits that were double-breasted, purple satin with white belts. We looked like little school patrol boys. All the guys argued and complained and told him we really didn’t want to wear those uniforms. He insisted we put them on. So, we’re all standing there, when Prince comes in to rehearsal. He takes one look at all of us and FALLS out laughing…

Read more: http://www.bodyguardcareers.com/2007/08/02/big-chick-bigger-than-life/

It was 1984, I was 21 and I knew everything.

Cuddin’s, I was working for Prince who, at that time, was still an up-and-coming major recording star. I’d already traveled to New York, and now I was staying in Los Angeles. When I first arrived in L.A., I vividly remember driving on Santa Monica Boulevard. I was 220 pounds of muscle and bravado, I had a lot of money in my pocket and I was behind the wheel of a brand new, red Porsche 944 Turbo–and George Burns pulled up at the light next to me, in a Cadillac Seville. I know my kids will be asking, “Who’s George Burns?” But back then, George was the embodiment of California celebrity, and I knew my parents would be thrilled to hear that I saw him, sort of up-close and personal. I was blown away.

I was in L.A. because “Purple Rain” was scheduled to premiere there. The city was abuzz with excitement. I remember Donna Mills flirted outrageously with my good buddy Bob Brooks at the afterparty. Beautiful cars, beautiful people, money, money, money. And always warm. It was obvious to me, a world-wise young man of 21, that L.A. was the greatest place on earth. Paradise. Prince once said to me “Why is it that people don’t like Minnesota?” I had to laugh. His experience of Minnesota was pretty much May to October–the best six months out of the year. Come zero-below wind-chill, monster snowfalls and black ice, he is lodged in the land of palm trees and string-bikinis! Of course he loved Minnesota! There’s no place like it… in the summertime.

Prince’s entire entourage stayed at the Westwood Marquis. In preparation for the “Purple Rain” premiere, the hotel was filled with celebrities who had arrived to attend what was promising to be the hottest ticket in town. In fact, before the screening, I recall stepping out of my room into the hallway and seeing Peabo Bryson. Now, of course, I did a double-take because I hadn’t expected to see him. He apparently feared I was a crazy fan or would be asking for his autograph or something, and promptly dropped his eyes and actually tried to cover his face! It struck me as funny–so I told Prince about it. Well, wouldn’t you know it, later that same day I was on the elevator with Prince on the way back to his room, and Mr. Bryson steps onto the elevator. He looked at me and realized I was with Prince…and Prince promptly averted his eyes and tried to cover his face. After we exited the elevator, Prince gave me his notorious devilish little smirk. I still laugh about that!

Mann’s Chinese Theatre (the famous Grauman’s Chinese, built in 1927) was hosting the premiere and, in preparation, had decked the place out with purple accents, including a “Purple carpet”. I remember Peewee Herman rode up in a go-cart. Stevie Nicks, Eddie Murphy, Little Richard, John Cougar, Lionel Richie and a host of other celebrities walked the Purple carpet, eagerly anticipating the screening. Warner Bros. had a custom Purple Limousine deliver Prince to the theatre and when he disembarked, looking his glam-rock-funk best, the crowd went absolutely CRAZY. That whole night, and the weeks surrounding that time were assuredly the most exciting and interesting of my young life as a bodyguard. continue reading this entry »