Respectfully submitted by:
Michael Oakvik
Prince Bodyguard 1984 – 1988 (Purple Rain, Parade, Sign O’ The Times, Lovesexy)
http://www.myspace.com/moakvik

It was Wednesday, September 10^th, 1986 and we were going home!

Prince and the Revolution, had just wound up the Parade Tour and were about to depart Tokyo, Japan for Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Everything was going smoothly until…

What, do you think we’d give away the story that easily?

Not a chance. First we must go back to the beginning…

The setting is Tokyo, Japan. For those of you who don’t know, the economy in Japan was simply BOOMING, with 1986 being the near peak! There were no signs of the upcoming stock market crash that, in hindsight, seemed inevitable.

The economy in Japan was doing exceptionally well, and there was a lot of money being spent. Combine this with customary Japanese tradition of gift giving, and it was not uncommon for gifts of extravagance to be exchanged.

This is where our story truly begins.

While in Japan on tour, we spent a significant amount of time working with a promoter named Mr. Udo.

Mr. Udo was a very kind (and very traditional) Japanese man. So, when it became time for us to part ways, it was not surprising that he showered Prince and his management team with gifts.


What was surprising, though, was the sheer magnitude of the gifts that were given.

The smallest of gifts given by Mr. Udo were complete 35mm camera outfits (remember, this was 1986, so receiving a complete 35mm camera setup back then was the equivalent of receiving a top of the line DVD camcorder today).

The largest gift was intended to be given to the star of the tour, Prince, and as you can guess from the title of this story, it was a Rolex. Not just any Rolex for that matter; we’re talking about a Rolex that some say was valued at $15,000!!! (Once again, keep in mind that this was 1986. In 1986, $15,000 could buy you a lot more than it could present day. For example, right now that $15,000 would make a nice down payment on a house. In 1986, that $15,000 would have PAID FOR THE HOUSE!).

The watch itself was not given directly to Prince, but rather to Mr. Steven Fargnoli, who was then given the task of presenting the gift to Prince. Easy enough, I’m sure he thought. Afterall, who would decline a $15,000 Rolex Watch!?

Prince.

His reasoning? The gift was far too extravagant. He instructed Fargnoli to return it to Udo with his thanks.

Unfortunately, it was not that easy. Steve knew something about the Japanese culture that apparently Prince did not. Namely, one does not refuse a gift; in Japanese culture, it’s an insult of the highest caliber to refuse a gift. It’s the proverbial slap in the face.

So, rather than infuriate Mr. Udo (and his Japanese associates) Fargnoli held on to the watch.

All was going well until he arrived at the Tokyo Airport…

To Be Continued on 05.12.2006.