“Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince
Kelley: I had always kind of known Prince was out there and how important he was to the music industry, especially being known to help female artists get their break, but when I met him in 2011, it put things into a different perspective. I was working at a movie theatre as a manager and he came in for a late showing of a movie, I can’t remember which one. It was my job to escort him into the theater. He was super kind and a true gentleman.
5songpjct: This sounds like an only in Los Angeles type of job. What was that like?
Kelley: I absolutely hated working as a theatre manager for a big corporate theater chain. It was hard work, but working near Beverly Hills I met a lot of celebrities. Michael Jackson’s kids, the Beckhams, Seal and Heidi Klum. I got to introduce celebrities at Q&As like Patton Oswalt and Benjamin Bratt. I also got to give a tour to Edgar Wright. He was amazing. I totally fangirled.
5songpjct: I would have totally fangirled meeting Prince. What was it like being so close to an 80s icon?
I didn’t get too excited at first. I thought that I should have cared more than I did, but he really took me by surprise how much of a gentleman he was. Mid-western manners. He was wearing a tracksuit with sequins and platforms. With his platforms he was as tall as me in flats, He had a kind of charisma that I just wanted to hang out with him.
5songpjct: What made you choose this particular song?
Kelley: I always liked this song and “Seven” but I felt like this song really symbolized him for me.
I heard his music a lot around but never really had a song that I connected to until I really sat down and listened to “Let’s Go Crazy.” I had a crazy year, my mom passed away and it seemed like there was so much happening at that same time.
5songprjct: Did you ever see Prince in concert?
Kelley: I never saw him in concert. In fact, I haven’t gone to a lot of concerts that I wish I had.
DON’T FORGET the question of the week will be up on Facebook today at 2:00 p.m. PST. Tomorrow Kelley’s next pick.