GRAY LOVE from Prairie Prince Colours and Passions
WATCH Gray Love video by Michael Cotten
GRAY LOVE credits
Prairie Prince – Kitchen Utensils, Traps, Vocal, Bowls
Chris von Sneidern – Samples, Guitar, Bass
Michael Holman – Vocal, Background Vocals
Nick Taylor – Background Vocals
John Ferenzik – Guitar Solo
Neil Hamburger – Joke (Gray)
GRAY LOVE is a unique Colour and Passion collaboration with the Great Michael Holman of Graffiti Rock fame, along with long time musical partner Nick Taylor, both members of the 80’s industrial noise group Gray with Jean-Michel Basquiat. The message is the Love and Respect for the many facets of the colour, the word and the Passion of Gray. The video includes film footage of Holman’s history in New York City, edited and directed by Michael Cotten. The inclusion of John Ferenzik on guitar and Chris von Sneidern on bass and samples COLOUR the track ‘GRAY LOVE.’
Gray Love lyrics
Gray
I’m in a gray mood
Gray. Gray matter
Gray doesn’t care if it’s stuck in the middle
It doesn’t matter if it’s caught between black ’n’ white
It holds on to neutral ground and doesn’t put up a fight
Between hot and cold, it’s like, lukewarm water, gray water, from an industrial landscape
Digging, digging, dig, dig?
What’s the matter gray, are you in the way today?
Timeless, sophisticated, emotionless, gray… the way of gray
Way ahead of white, not far behind black, practically in the middle, depending on the shade of gray
Gray power, gray elegance, Payne’s gray industrial decor, compromise, intellect and cool
Colour of business
Gray mood caught in a gray area
The colour of truth
The soul of all colour
Gray lives matter
Gray Gray. What do you say?
I’m gray, I’m that colour, that vibe, that intonation
I’m that feeling, that urge, that connotation
You feel me? Of course you do, sometimes
At some time or another my sister, my brother
you’re going to feel me feeling gray
I’m everything and nothing
I’m all of it
I’m absence and presence
I just don’t quit
I’m gray
I might inspire or maybe destroy, your call my girl, my boy
I build and then muttle
I ostracize then cuddle
I’m gray
Gray
In the end we’re all gray, just trying to find our way
I’m gray, are you?
I’m hard, cold, brittle, old
I’m rusted, broken, cranky, funky busted
I’m a machine, a spare part lost in translation
I’m an entire factory full of machines ground to a halt amid imagination
Gray, gray, what do you say?
It doesn’t matter I’m gray
Prairie Prince COLOURS and PASSIONS – Available on vinyl, CD and Digital
Prairie Prince joins Bob Lefsetz for a deep‑dive, no‑filter conversation—tracking his music and art journey from the early days to now, with behind‑the‑scenes stories from Colours and Passions, his debut solo album.
Todd’s band for the Damned If I Do tour features Gil Assayas (Keys), Bruce McDaniel (Guitar), Prairie Prince (Drums), Bobby Strickland (Horns), and Kasim Sulton (Bass).
US Tour Dates 2026:
June 11 – Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL
June 12 – Des Plaines Theatre – Des Plaines, IL
June 14 – Vibrant Music Hall – Waukee, IA
June 16 – Majestic Theatre – Dallas, TX
June 17 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
June 19 – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts – San Antonio, TX
June 20 – Golden Nugget – Lake Charles, LA
June 22 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA
June 23 – The Parker – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
June 25 – Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
June 26 – Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
June 28 – Circle Square Cultural Center – Ocala, FL
June 30 – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
July 01 – Carolina Theatre of Durham – Durham, NC
July 03 – The Caverns – Pelham, TN
July 05 – KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH
July 06 – Riviera Theatre – North Tonawanda, NY
July 08 – Community Arts Center – Williamsport, PA
July 09 – Warner Theatre – Washington, DC
July 11 – Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PA
July 12 – Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PA
July 15 – Patchogue Theatre – Patchogue, NY
July 16 – Tarrytown Music Hall – Tarrytown, NY
July 18 – Bally’s Twin River Casino – Lincoln, RI
July 19 – Cabot Theater – Beverly, MA
August 8, Sat Englewood, NJ – Bergen PAC
August 9, Sun Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
August 11, Tue Ocean City, NJ – Ocean City Music Pier
August 12, Wed Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theater
August 14, Fri Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
August 15, Sat Newport, KY – MCL Pavilion
August 17, Mon Kalamazoo, Mi – Bells Beer Garden
August 18, Tue Saginaw, MI – Temple Theatre
August 20, Thu Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Theatre
August 21, Fri Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater
August 23, Sun Ft. Wayne, IN – Clyde Theater
August 25, Tue Minneapolis, MN – Uptown Theatre
August 26, Wed Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre
August 28, Fri Louisville, KY – Brown Theater
August 29, Sat St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
EUROPE 2026
September 6, Sun Revislate, IT – Campo Sportivo
September 9, Wed London, UK – Cadogan Hall
September 10, Thu Bristol, UK – Bristol Beacon
September 12, Sat Manchester, UK – Opera House Manchester
September 13, Sun Glasgow, SCT – Theatre Royal Glasgow
September 18, Fri Aaburg, DK – Skraaen
September 19, Sat Helsingor, DK – Kulturvaerftet – The Culture Yard
September 21, Mon Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso Main Hall
We love the Tubes around here so we’re breaking one of our rules of not dipping into bands we’ve already covered on the show. There’s a very good reason for this. Drummer Prairie Prince is a lot more than the Tubes’ drummer. His long and storied career includes Todd Rundgren, Chris Isaak, Brian Eno, Jefferson Starship, Journey, David Foster and tons more. Prairie just released his first solo album, Colours and Passions, which is more of an ambitious art project than a collection of songs. Inspired by a 1966 album by jazz/spoken word artist Ken Nordine, the album is poetry and spoken word pieces about colors put to music as only an artist like Prairie can do. He joins us this week to discuss the creation of the album and to share stories from his long and diverse career. He’s one of a kind. Enjoy! — The Hustle
Watch Prairie Prince unbox Colours and Passions. The ambitious project—ten years in the making and featuring 50 musicians, 20 drums, across 14 tracks—pays homage to spoken word legend Ken Nordine’s landmark 1966 album “Colors.”
Double album on white & black vinyl with a 16-page booklet featuring original artwork by Prairie Prince.
AVAILABLE on Vinyl, CD, and digital.
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Featuring guest appearances by Michael Cotten, Roger Steen and Rick Anderson of The Tubes, Todd Rundgren, Chris von Sneidern, Hugh Cornwell, Ross Valory, Buckethead, Ralph Carney, Cyril Jordan, Jello Biafra, Neil Hamburger & many more celebrated musicians.
SAPPHIRE PRIDE, the fifth single from the long-awaited album PRAIRIE PRINCE COLOURS and PASSIONS, is available on your favorite platform.
Stream the single now.
SAPPHIRE PRIDE credits
Prairie Prince – Vocal, Traps, Log Drum, Bamboo, Water Gong, Wave Drum
Chris von Sneidern – Samples
Jennifer Burnes – Bass Guitar
Jim Thomas – Guitar
Diana Mangano – Siren Vocal
Ralph Carney – Tenor Sax, Vocal
The True Story of SAPPHIRE PRIDE
After my dear sister Helen passed from many years fighting nuclear palsy/Parkinson’s disease, there was a wake and send off for her out under the Golden Gate Bridge into the wide Pacific per her last request. Family and friends boarded a memorial craft supplied with flower petals and her ashes, to scatter out in the wind and down into the Sapphire sea. This track is an ode to her legacy and embraces the grand love and admiration for my sister with her love for the Colour Sapphire (her birth stone) and the mighty blue ocean. Passions were many and deeply attributed in her personality. Pride dominated them in her strength and dedication to work, art, research, and family. Continuing the composition’s theme around water, the pride of the ocean, and my early admiration for surf music where I honed my early drumming techniques listening to Dick Dale and The Ventures. I engaged my colleagues Jennifer Burnes and Jim Thomas from the Mermen to collaborate on the finale of the suite; recorded by Chris von Sneidern in his tiny Tape Vault Studio crammed together like in a submarine. In one if my many travels to exotic destinations, a trip to the South Pacific Island of Bora Bora was arranged by Dana Magnin, the new bride of our host, the self-proclaimed king, Tautu Tautaha whose mother was once a Tahitian queen. The drumming experienced there inspired homage in Polynesian rhythms used with pride in connecting the sections of this composition. The piece is about the ever-changing oceans, salvation of sea life, and all that encompass it. Song and cries of whales can be heard here. For the late Ralph Carney of Tom Waits fame, homage is made with his voice and horn of a sea shanty past.
SAPPHIRE PRIDE Lyrics
Sapphire
Azure
Powder blue
Ultramarine
(oh, ah, ooh, ah)
Pride blue
Helen lives amongst the waves
Sapphire ripples and mermaids’ nipples bounce and bob to the beat
The ancient Tahitian call, Rapa Nui
Bora Bora 2020
Tautaha, Tautu, Tautaha
Rose petals drift ashore to rest on sapphire glass and
To command orders from the Royal Navy horn, revelry for miles
The osprey floats in the air on a prayer
Olympic range of azure smiles on her sapphire soul
Bowling with Ralph Carney, down at the Pacific Sea Bowl
Prairie Prince!
(Primal scream)
BOB WEIR
Beautifully Made in America
1947-2026
My poster is part of the Limited Edition Bob Weir Poster Set produced by Haight Street Art Center.
The special poster set release features 19 incredible artists paying tribute to the life and legacy of Bob Weir.
This limited-edition series channels the spirit of San Francisco’s psychedelic poster tradition. Each artist brings their own lens to Weir’s decades-long journey of sound, community, and cultural impact. Poster size: 12.75 x 17.25
Artists in the series:
Stanley Mouse
John Seabury
Dennis Larkins
Caitlin Mattisson
Jennae Bennett
Alexandra Fischer
John Mavroudis
Michael Dolgushkin
Gary Houston
Prairie Prince
Chris Gallen
Darrin Brenner
G+P Sargent
Wendy Wright
Dennis Loren
Christopher Peterson
Chris Shaw
Carolyn Ferris
Gregg Gordon
Actor Fred Hechinger, a self‑professed Robin Williams fan, commissioned a custom airbrushed FACE TEE inspired by Williams’ iconic 1970s onstage look.
Join me on TalkShopLive, Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 7pm ET for an interview about my debut solo album “Prairie Prince Colours and Passions.”
The ambitious project—ten years in the making and featuring 50 musicians across 14 tracks—pays homage to spoken word legend Ken Nordine’s landmark 1966 album “Colors.”
We’ll talk about the making of the album, the songs and some of my friends that played on it including Todd Rundgren, Journey’s Ross Valory, Dead Kennedys Jello Biafra and Buckethead to name a few.
I’ll be answering questions from you. And as my way of saying thanks for buying, each CD & vinyl purchased will come with an autographed insert from me.
Thursday, March 5 at 7pm ET on TalkShopLive. Colours and Passions – see you there!
“COLOURS AND PASSIONS” – A DECADE IN THE MAKING TRIBUTE TO KEN NORDINE’S “COLORS” — RELEASE DATE MARCH 20, 2026
AVAILABLE on Vinyl, CD, and digital.
10 years, 50 musicians, 20 drums, 14 tracks, Colours and Passions, the debut solo album by acclaimed drummer Prairie Prince takes up where the original record by spoken word legend Ken Nordine left off.
DENVER, CO / SAN FRANCISCO, CA – February 2, 2026 – After a lifetime behind the drums for some of rock’s most iconic acts, Prairie Prince steps into the spotlight with his debut solo album, “Colours and Passions,” releasing March 20, 2026, on Label 51 Recordings. The ambitious project—ten years in the making and featuring 50 musicians across 14 tracks—pays homage to spoken word legend Ken Nordine’s landmark 1966 album “Colors.”
Recorded at the historic site of Wally Heider’s Studios in San Francisco, where Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young captured their classic sounds, “Colours and Passions” represents an imaginative fusion of percussion artistry and collaborative improvisation. Each track explores a specific color and its emotional resonance, creating what Prince describes as an almost Jungian journey through the collective subconscious.
“I started off with drum tracks and then added different percussion,” Prince explains. “I would have other people put some bass or some guitar and tried to follow whatever melodies they made up on top, trying to make songs you could actually sing. Chords and keys I don’t know much about—I’m a drummer.”
THE JOURNEY FROM WORD JAZZ TO COLOURS AND PASSIONS
Prairie Prince first encountered Ken Nordine’s work as a youth through his older sisters, who introduced him to the Chicago voiceover artist’s beatnik-era spoken word albums “Word Jazz” and “Son of Word Jazz.” Nordine’s original “Colors” featured thirty-four individual tracks, each devoted to a specific color. Prince’s “Colours and Passions” concentrates on fourteen shades that spoke directly to the drummer’s imagination and experience.
The recording process, interrupted by the pandemic, unfolded organically over more than a decade. Much of the album was improvised on the spot, with Prince’s percussion work serving as the foundation for contributions from an extraordinary roster of collaborators including Todd Rundgren, Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Ross Valory (Journey), Chris von Sneidern (The Flamin’ Groovies), members of The Tubes, and gonzo guitarist Buckethead.
The album will be accompanied by drawings of the drums used on each track, created by Prince himself—a visual artist as accomplished as he is a musician.
A LEGENDARY CAREER BEHIND THE KIT
Prairie Prince’s résumé reads like a who’s who of rock history. Beyond his work with The Tubes and the Todd Rundgren band, he was the original drummer in Journey and belonged to Jefferson Starship for several years. As one of Northern California’s most sought-after session drummers, he has recorded with Chris Isaak, Tom Waits, George Harrison, Dick Dale, and countless others.
With his creative partner Michael Cotten of The Tubes, Prince has designed and built stage sets for Bette Midler, Billy Joel, and NSYNC. The duo worked with choreographer Kenny Ortega on the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Super Bowl XXX halftime show with Diana Ross, Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” show, and numerous Las Vegas spectacles. Their mural of flying record albums hovered over the A&M Records lot in Hollywood for many years.
SINGLES ROLLING OUT TO ALBUM RELEASE
Label 51 Recordings has been rolling out singles from “Colours and Passions” in advance of the March 2026 album release:
The fourth single, “FLESH TERROR,” tackles themes of racial violence and segregation with a tempo that gradually accelerates from largo through presto, climaxing with a musical implosion. The track features Chris von Sneidern on samples, Bobby Strickland on flute, and Buckethead on acoustic and electric guitar, with comedian Neil Hamburger making a surprise appearance.
About Label 51 Recordings Label 51 Recordings is reimagining the music industry through artist-first principles and community-driven ownership models.
Fan Ownership Opportunity Label 51 Recordings is currently conducting a fan-funding campaign on Wefunder, offering fans the opportunity to become actual co-owners of the label. Unlike traditional crowdfunding rewards, investors receive equity stakes in the company, aligning their interests with the label’s success. The campaign represents a new model for independent music, where fans can directly support and benefit from the artists they believe in.
“We’re building something different – a label where artists keep their masters and fans can own a piece of the company,” Zicklin said. “It’s about disrupting the traditional music industry model and creating genuine partnerships with both artists and music lovers.”
For more information about investing in Label 51 Recordings, visit https://wefunder.com/label51recordings.
Contact: Andy Zicklin | Label 51 Recordings | andy@label51recordings.com |www.label51recordings.com
For high-resolution images, additional information, or interview requests, please contact Label 51 Recordings.
PRAIRIE PRINCE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
ORANGE JOY, the third single from the long-awaited album PRAIRIE PRINCE COLOURS and PASSIONS, is available on digital audio platforms and video.
Subscribe to Prairie Prince’s YouTube channel.
Video produced by Michael Cotten.
This song is dedicated to the memory of Jesse Gress – long-time partner in music, wonderful guitar player, and ardent lover of Bossa Nova music.
ORANGE JOY credits
Prairie Prince – Vocal, Traps, Quira, Timbales, Bass Drum
Chris von Sneidern – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Michael Cotten – Keys, Samples, Synth
David James – Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals
Ross Valory – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Eric Levy – Keys, Synth
Diana Mangano – Vocals
Charlie Prince – Laughs
Neil Hamburger – Joke (Orange)
The True Story of Orange Joy
Since the beginning of my awareness of colour, I’ve always preferred the colour Orange over Yellow. Not that I don’t have respect for Yellow as a colour (see and hear ‘Yellow Excitement’ track 4 on my up-and-coming album, Prairie Prince’s Colours and Passions). In an early colouring book assignment, my teacher requested a box that held Jack to be coloured Yellow; I filled the square Orange and was reprimanded for not following directions. I’ve had a mental block about the incident ever since. Orange gave me a sense of Joy and warmth that has also never left me in my love for Latin music that evokes the sun’s hues and heat of its rhythms. With this track my intention was to imagine being in a place so serene and lovely, relaxing on a shore in a hammock somewhere under a canopy of fronds, making love to a slow steady Bossa groove. Suddenly accelerating in tempo and building in intensity, with inclusion of a new joyful location such as a theme park, turning the mellow rhythmic passion into rubato time, encouraging mucho hip movement in a burst of joy. The third section of the suite segues into a cranking bateria viva allegro timbale finale and ultimate Joy. The track began by recording vocals and background vocals to my traps and percussion. Michael Cotten joined the project with amazing keyboard and sample contributions. Mike has also created and directed the video for Orange Joy. Next collaborations were Ross Valory from the band Journey, on bass guitar, and Eric Levy from Night Ranger, on keyboards and synthesizers. Ross delivered a vocal tribute to Paul Lynde (Wonderful!) David James of The Beth Custer Ensemble, and Diana Mangano from Jefferson Starship, recorded keyboard, bass, and guitar, along with the choral background vocals in Spanish and joyful laughter. My pop, Charlie Prince, can be heard laughing and expounding with pride and joy on this musical roller-coaster ride. Lastly, Chris von Sneidern plays acoustic guitar throughout the track and ends with a final scorching Santana-esque guitar solo and hit it out of the park! This song is dedicated to the memory of Jesse Gress – long-time partner in music, wonderful guitar player, and ardent lover of Bossa Nova music. — Prairie Prince
An All-Star Band explores the music of DAVID GILMOUR’s Pink Floyd. Acclaimed musicians come together for this heavy psychedelic lift of audacious and beloved songs.
ONE WORLD is Todd Rundgren’s Japanese fan club, and Prairie Ladies is a subgroup within it. When Todd performs in Japan, the fan club hosts events and performs his songs. I’m honored that Prairie Ladies have singled me out by performing a Tubes song when we gather in Japan. ONE WORLD also publishes a newsletter, and issue #129 featured a review of my solo album Prairie Prince Colours and Passions.
We’re playing two shows in Japan in March 2026, and I look forward to seeing the fans—especially the Prairie Ladies.
Mar 23, 2026 Mon – Tokyo, Japan – NHK Hall Tokyo
Mar 25, 2026 Wed – Osaka, Japan – Zepp Namba
FLESH TERROR, from the long-awaited album PRAIRIE PRINCE COLOURS and PASSIONS.
Available on Vinyl, CD, and digital
FLESH TERROR credits
Prairie Prince – Vocal, Click, Traps, Dumbek
Chris von Sneidern – Samples
Buckethead – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Bobby Strickland – Flute
Neil Hamburger – Joke (Black, White, & Red, Flesh)
The True Story of FLESH TERROR
Initially and truly inspired by Ken Nordine’s take on his version of the color “Flesh” verse, I expounded the idea more about racial commentary and violent issues caused by misunderstanding the reasons for segregation between humans and the colour of people’s skin. In the climate turmoil created by supremacy and racism, the track begins with a tempo largo, ever so gradually increasing in beats-per-minute thru presto, climaxing with implosion of the Hall of the Mountain King, hence the current state of the union. Beginning the track with full traps and percussion, to an accelerating click track, Chris von Sneidern worked the samples, while Bobby Strickland played the flute with terrifying authority screams. Brian Carroll (aka Buckethead) introduces the track, plucking a tender ode on acoustic guitar, then accompanying interpretations of terror with fierce calisthenics on his renowned electric tears guitar, all the while wearing his masked disguise within the recording vault of terror. The observance of Trump in the lyric is obviously a statement of my disdain for the man and his loss of respect for humanity in his own towers of hell, placing all the blame on him.
FLESH TERROR Lyrics
FLESH
THE COLOUR OF FLESH
FLESH
BLACK, YELLOW, RED, WHITE, ROSE MADDER
FLESH TERROR
THE OUTSIDER, THE ONE WHO DARES TO BE DIFFERENT
THE CLIMATE OF TERROR
A CHILD DIES UNEXPECTEDLY
HAVOC BREAKS OUT
THE BLAME HAS TO BE LAID ON SOMEBODY
SCREAMS THE FLUTE
OUT OF ORDER! OUT OF ORDER!
ALL HOLES SPITTING ALARM
100 DAYS
1,000 DAYS
A MILLION DAYS
BILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DAYS
LIVING IN THE TOWER OF TRUMP TERROR!
RESIST! RESIST THE HELL ON EARTH
INSIST, INSIST ON TRIBAL BIRTH
TAKE THE BODY TO THE RIVER
DROWNED IN FEAR AND TERROR
ALL COLOURS OF FLESH
FLUSH OUT!
BLACKOUT
YELLOW IS NOT SO MELLOW
IN THE FIGHT
DEEP RED SKIN NEVER SEE THE LIGHT
ALL FLESH
ALL FLESH
ALL THE FLESH
ALL COLOURS
ONE FLESH
(COUGH)
WHAT’S BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER?
THE LYRIC SHEET TO JOHN LENNON’S PLASTIC ONO BAND ALBUM
HA HA
YEAH
JUST ANNOUNCED!
2 shows in JAPAN in March 2026.
Mar 23, Mon – Tokyo, Japan – NHK Hall Tokyo
Mar 25, Wed – Osaka, Japan – Zepp Namba
ORANGE JOY, the third single from the long-awaited album PRAIRIE PRINCE COLOURS and PASSIONS, available NOW.
This song is dedicated to the memory of Jesse Gress – long-time partner in music, wonderful guitar player, and ardent lover of Bossa Nova music.
ORANGE JOY credits
Prairie Prince – Vocal, Traps, Quira, Timbales, Bass Drum
Chris von Sneidern – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Michael Cotten – Keys, Samples, Synth
David James – Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals
Ross Valory – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Eric Levy – Keys, Synth
Diana Mangano – Vocals
Charlie Prince – Laughs
Neil Hamburger – Joke (Orange)
Video: Michael Cotten
The True Story of Orange Joy
Since the beginning of my awareness of colour, I’ve always preferred the colour Orange over Yellow. Not that I don’t have respect for Yellow as a colour (see and hear ‘Yellow Excitement’ track 4 on my up-and-coming album, Prairie Prince’s Colours and Passions). In an early colouring book assignment, my teacher requested a box that held Jack to be coloured Yellow; I filled the square Orange and was reprimanded for not following directions. I’ve had a mental block about the incident ever since. Orange gave me a sense of Joy and warmth that has also never left me in my love for Latin music that evokes the sun’s hues and heat of its rhythms. With this track my intention was to imagine being in a place so serene and lovely, relaxing on a shore in a hammock somewhere under a canopy of fronds, making love to a slow steady Bossa groove. Suddenly accelerating in tempo and building in intensity, with inclusion of a new joyful location such as a theme park, turning the mellow rhythmic passion into rubato time, encouraging mucho hip movement in a burst of joy. The third section of the suite segues into a cranking bateria viva allegro timbale finale and ultimate Joy. The track began by recording vocals and background vocals to my traps and percussion. Michael Cotten joined the project with amazing keyboard and sample contributions. Mike has also created and directed the video for Orange Joy. Next collaborations were Ross Valory from the band Journey, on bass guitar, and Eric Levy from Night Ranger, on keyboards and synthesizers. Ross delivered a vocal tribute to Paul Lynde (Wonderful!) David James of The Beth Custer Ensemble, and Diana Mangano from Jefferson Starship, recorded keyboard, bass, and guitar, along with the choral background vocals in Spanish and joyful laughter. My pop, Charlie Prince, can be heard laughing and expounding with pride and joy on this musical roller-coaster ride. Lastly, Chris von Sneidern plays acoustic guitar throughout the track and ends with a final scorching Santana-esque guitar solo and hit it out of the park! This song is dedicated to the memory of Jesse Gress – long-time partner in music, wonderful guitar player, and ardent lover of Bossa Nova music. — Prairie Prince
ORANGE JOY lyrics
Knock, Knock
Who’s there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad we have something to drink besides Fanta?
Ha ha, yeah
BE SURE YOU GET THE REAL THING, 100% PURE ORANGE
AAAHHHH
BATARIA NARANJA
BADA DA DA
AAAHH
ORANGE IS THE JOY I FEEL WHEN I GAZE INTO HER EYES
ORANGE IS THE JOY WHEN I LOOK INTO HER EYES
ORANGE IS THE JOY WHEN I LOOK INTO HER EYES
AS SHE LOOKS OUT THRU THE ORANGE SUNRISE
THERE IS A TANGERINE REFLECTION OF ME THERE
AND THRU HER HAIR HER EYES THEY DO TELL ALL
A STRANGEST WAY TO COLOUR HER CARE
ORANGE IS THE COLOUR, THE COLOUR I SEE
AS WE DANCE AND ROMANCE IN THE SUN
OH JOY, OH BOY – BATARIA NARANJA BADA DA DA
BADA DA DA BADA DA DA
ORANGE SKY ENDLESS IN MY EYE
ORANGE JOY AAHH
BEAUTIFUL GIRL, MOTHER OF PEARL, DAUGHTER OF JUNE
JOYFUL IN HER HEART, WALKIN’ IN THE HEAT
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, DANCIN‘ ON HER FEET
(REPEAT)
SENSATIONAL, BEAUTIFUL IN HER SONG AND DANCE
TOO BRILLIANT TO BE ELEGANT
WONDERFUL DELIGHT WITH NO END IN SIGHT
HAPPINESS AND JOY BOY OH BOY OH BOY
(REPEAT)
JOYFUL IN HER HEART, WALKIN’ IN THE HEAT
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, DANCIN’ ON HER FEET
WONDERFUL DELIGHT WITH NO END IN SIGHT
HAPPINESS AND JOY, BOY, OH BOY, OH BOY
AAHHH
CARROT AND PUMPKIN DANCIN’ THE SAMBA
ORANGINA
SAFFRON RUNAROUND RED AND YELLOW MAMBO
ORANGINA NARANJA, ORANGINA NARANJA
ORANGE STANDS ON ITS OWN BETWEEN YELLOW AND RED
NEON RED BROUGHT NEARER TO HUMANITY BY YELLOW
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE OF INTERNATIONAL FEEL
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE JUMPSUIT APPEAL
ORANGINA NARANJA
THAT’S MARVELOUS
THAT IS WONDERFUL
(LAUGHS)
DON’T YOU JUST LOVE SHOW BUSINESS?
(LAUGHS)
THAT’S JOY!
TRASHWHITE ANGER, the second single from the long-awaited album PRAIRIE PRINCE COLOURS and PASSIONS, available now.
Watch the official TRASHWHITE ANGER video featuring Todd Rundgren,
Video by Hans Shoop. more
Full Record Release (Vinyl, CD & Digital) availabe from Label 51 Recordings more
The True Story of TRASHWHITE ANGER
It began by asking Todd Rundgren if he would collaborate with me on a Colour and Passion for my record. He thought about it and considered a few colour choices but then realized that TRASHWHITE might be an option in the colour spectrum.
We decided to work on a song depicting the multitudes of feelings and characteristics of such a colour and all things that come with it. A title like one found in a house paint chip catalogue, TRASHWHITE associates more with an array of passions (anger, racism, violence, embarrassment, supremacy) rather than with an actual hue on the wheel of colour; TRASHWHITE points at various shades on the scale of natural colours, complementary and non.
Todd scripted his lyrics to my basic track of drums, adding guitar and synthesizer along with a poignant vocal delivery. Chris von Sneidern engineered and sang BGVs. Jason Scheff from the band Chicago played bass guitar and contributed his endorsement for the project with a gleeful performance. Raging slide guitar solos along with authentic hillbilly pickin’, played by Joe Dileo, capture the threat and immediacy of the track. Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys and his cohorts chanted and declared TRASHWHITE war with reckless abandon throughout.
I spewed out my lyrical discontent interspersed with acknowledgements about conditions in our uncertain society, along with a pumping dance groove, asking the listener to stand up and shout! Kick out the jams MF!
TRASHWHITE ANGER
Prairie Prince – Vocal Chorus, Background Vocals, Traps, Hambone Slap
Chris von Sneidern – Background Vocals, Samples
Todd Rundgren – Vocal Verses, Guitar, Synths, Sequencer
Jason Scheff – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Joe Dileo – Slide Guitar, Guitars
Jello Biafra – Vocal
Mikel “Squirrel Man” Ross – Cracker Vocal
Trashwhite Chorus:
Prairie Prince
Anne-Marie Anderson
Ralph Spight
Mikel Ross
Jello Biafra
Kurt Schlegel
TRASHWHITE ANGER Lyrics
TRASHWHITE, SOMETIMES KNOWN AS ANGRY WHITE
AFRAID THE OTHER COLOURS ARE PUSHING HIM TO THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE CANVAS WHEN HE
WANTS TO BE, NO, DESERVES TO BE AT THE CENTER
TRASH, TRASH, TRASHWHITE
ACT LIKE AN ASS
AIN’T GOT NO CLASS
AIN’T GOT NO TASTE
YOU GONE TO WASTE
KELSO DUMPSTER DIVER
ECO SHUCK ‘N JIVER
CLEAN UP TO BE A SURVIVOR
KEEP TRASHWHITE SHADE ALIVER
TRASHWHITE, FROM A LONG LINE OF SHADY WHITES
EACH A LITTLE LESS WHITE, BUT STILL DREAMS IN
WHITEWASH, BUT LIVES A BASTARD OF PURE LIGHT
OF TRUE WHITE, IVORY AND ALABASTER WON’T BE SEEN
WITH TRASHWHITE THEY KNOW IT EMBARRASSES HIM, JUST AS THEY ARE
EMBARRASSED TO BE AROUND HIM
TRASH, TRASH, TRASHWHITE
SKIDROW CRACKA UNGRATEFUL SMACKER
TRASHWHITE IS THE COLOUR
TOO STUPID TO LIVE
BAD TO THE BONE
NO SOCIAL ORDER ZONE
LOW DOWN RASCALS
PAINTING THE WHOLE DOWNTOWN
WHITE!
BECAUSE TRASHWHITE IS NOT THAT COMFORTABLE WITH
OTHER COLOURS, OR WITH IDEAS THAT
MAKE HIM WONDER, IF HE WAS NOT CREATED THE MOST
WONDERFUL HUE OF ALL
BUT TRASHWHITE IS HERE TO STAY
IMPERVIOUS TO ANY CAMPAIGN TO MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS
SHADE. BECAUSE IF THERE’S ONE THING
IN HIS FAVOR, YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE WHITE TO BE
TRASHWHITE
Y’ALL BOYS SEEM TO LIKE TA COME AROUND HERE ‘N TALK A
A LOT O’ SHIT. DON’T MAKE ME COME GET ALL
MY BOYS AND COME DAR ‘N SORT Y’ALL OUT…
WE AIN’T GOT MUCH ELSE TO DO BUT SIT
AROUND WORRYING ABOUT WHAT Y’ALL FIXIN’ TA DO
TRASH, TRASH, TRASHWHITE
ALABASTARD
WHITEHOUSE DISCO ‘KEEP IT SIMPLE’
DON‘T STOP, DON’T STOP
WALKING ‘CROSS A 40 ACRE FIELD
RATTLESNAKE BIT ME ON MY HEEL
TURNED AROUND TO DO MY BEST
STEPPED INTO A HORNET’S NEST
CHICKEN IN A BREAD-PAN PIC’N OUT DOUGH
STEP BACK CHICKEN, AND PIC A L’IL MO
TRASHWHITE HAMBONE WHERE YOU BEEN?
PAINTING THE WHOLE DOWNTOWN
TRASHWHITE … RASPBERRY RED, LEMON YELLOW
THREAT LEVEL ORANGE!
CAN’T SOMEBODY FIND ME A CONSPIRACY I CAN BELIEVE IN
… AND PRAY TO THE MAN IN THE TINFOIL HAT
BLACK HORROR, the first single from the long-awaited album PRAIRIE PRINCE COLOURS and PASSIONS, available NOW on all digital platforms.
BLACK HORROR credits
Prairie Prince – Vocal, Traps 1
Chris von Sneidern – Guitar, Samples
Roger Steen – Guitars (Lead Solos)
Rick Anderson – Bass Guitar 1
Atom Ellis – Bass Guitar 2
Trey Sabatelli – Traps 2
Cyril Jordan – Guitar
Joe Mirante – Vocals, Guitar Feedback
Neil Hamburger – Joke (Black)
Full Record Release (Vinyl, CD & Digital) from Label 51 Recordings … coming in early 2026. more
Black Horror
It all started at 4 years old, watching King Kong at the drive in movies; the fear, the horror. My Pop reciting and reading from Edgar Allen Poe, “the mask of the red death,” “the raven,” “the black cat,” all-consuming intrigue and terror. What at first, I closed my eyes and plugged my ears, became an obsession. Monsters ruled my world with masks, models, movies, ghost stories, and fake blood. My clubhouse and underground fort became a haunted house and a tomb for anything monstrous, creating a frightful era in early warped entertainment. To encapsulate the dark side of my love for the colour BLACK and the PASSION for horror in a recording, along with a visual companion, via video, the expression has no limits. Seeking out members of the Tubes band and some musician friends to record my vision. we all shared adoration for evil ways and set out to capture a true bloody red, in Black and white epic journey through the heart of darkness … mine. Stop, Look, and Listen … If you dare!! Ha, Ha, Ha!SIDE NOTES:
TWO DRUMMERS: Myself and Trey Sabatelli
TWO BASS PLAYERS: the late Rick Anderson and Atom Ellis
THREE GUITARISTS: Roger Steen, Chris von Sneidern, Cyril Jordan
FEEDBACK GUITAR/ VOCALS: Joe Mirante
Haunted mind games abound
witches spells cast
Monster lore chillingly told
Endless Madcap Laughing
Church Bells ringing
Coffins creaking
Sod stones knocking
Banshees wailing
Madmen screaming
Wolves howling
Mummies rotting
Phantoms lurking
Neil Hamburger joking … the Colour Black … Paint it Black!— Prairie Prince
HEART with Special Guest TODD RUNDGREN
Todd Rundgren
Gil Assayas (Keys)
Bruce McDaniel (Guitar)
Prairie Prince (Drums)
Bobby Strickland (Horns)
Kasim Sulton (Bass)
Aug 10, Sun – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Aug 13, Wed – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
Aug 16, Sat – Prescott Valley, AZ – Findlay Toyota Center
Aug 18, Mon – Loveland, CO – Blue Arena
Aug 19, Tue – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater
Aug 21, Thu – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Aug 24, Sun – Moline, IL – Vibrant Bank Arena
Aug 29, Fri – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
NEW DATE –
TODD RUNDGREN “STILL ME, (STILL WE)” TOUR DATES
August 22, Fri – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
August 26, Tue – Charlottesville, VA – Paramount Theater
August 27, Wed – Raleigh, NC – Meymandi Concert Hall
TODD RUNDGREN – EURO ME/WE Tour
Oct 22, Wed – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique
Oct 24, Fri – Maastricht, NL – Muziekgieterij
Oct 28, Tue – Birmingham, England – The Alexandra
Oct 29, Wed – London, England – The Palladium
Oct 31, Fri – Stockholm, SE – Nalen
Nov 2, Sun – Utrecht, NL – Tivolivredenburg
Nov 4, Tues – Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio
All linked theaters take you to the venue’s event page or can be purchased via Live Nation Ticketmaster.
Todd Rundgren Bands in Town
Prairie Prince’s set will include a live performance of tracks from his upcoming release Colours and Passions plus a few surprises.
Label 51 Recordings Presents…David J and Comrades (David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets), Victor DeLorenzo (Violent Femmes) and multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners), Mojave Phone Booth, Rain Parade, Prairie Prince, Frightwig, Screaming Bloody Marys
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
Doors: 5:00PM | Show: 6:00PM
Make Art, Not War.
Watch Prairie jam on the “Guernica” drum set he painted, in front of The Tubes Bros. 5 Star Freak Show! backdrop backdrop he painted, in front of a rug he painted.
More >
Drummer and Artist Prairie Prince on the “Guernica” drum set he painted, in front of The Tubes Bros. 5 Star Freak Show! backdrop backdrop he painted, in front of a rug he painted.
Video by Chris von Sneidern
MUSIC’S VISUAL LEGACY art show runs from March 28 thru April 3, 2025 at the Historic SF Galvanizing Works Bldg. – 1170 Harrison Street, San Francisco, Ca. Contact the artists to schedule an Appointment to View the art show.
Make Art, Not War.
Featuring inspired artwork from 19 artists, this memorial poster set is a stunning tribute to the life and music of Phil Lesh, legendary bass guitarist of the Grateful Dead.
Artists: Caitlin Mattisson, Gary Houston, Darrin Brenner, Chris Peterson, Carolyn Ferris, Mike Dolgushkin, Wendy Wright, Dennis Loren, Prairie Prince, Gregg Gordon, John Seabury, P&G Sargent, Chris Gallen, John Mavroudis, Jennae Bennett, Stanley Mouse, Dennis Larkins, Alexandra Fischer, Chris Shaw
The Phil Lesh Memorial poster set is a sealed edition of 19 limited edition posters, offset lithograph prints, each poster is 12.75” x 17.25”. The sets are being released for sale at the Moonalice Store and are now available. Available as a SET only.
100% of the proceeds from the set’s sales will be donated. The Lesh Family has selected UndueMedicalDebt.org
My poster is #9 of 19.
“MUSIC’S VISUAL LEGACY” GEORGE MEAD AND PRAIRIE PRINCE
Historic SF Galvanizing Works Bldg. – 1170 Harrison Street, San Francisco
Show Runs March 28 thru April 3, 2025 BY APPOINTMENT.
To make an inquiry about Prairie Prince’s artwork or to schedule an appointment to view the art show, please email the artist.
Bay Area artist George Mead, who mythologized the entire A-list of rock stars in his massive hand-painted billboards outside Tower Records stores, is delving back into the mythology of contemporary music; and the album art that branded it.
His oversized hyper realist paintings of LP cover art from legendary performers like the Beatles and Rolling Stones, the Who, the Eagles, and many more bring a fresh perspective on the art form: as iconic, culture-altering milestones they bring inspiration and identity to millions of music aficionados to this day who often associate as much with the visual art as with the music itself. George will be showing over 40 LP cover paintings as well as numerous other paintings at discounted prices.
www.georgemeadart.com
Bay Area artist Prairie Prince, drummer, painter and Renaissance Revolutionary.
Prairie’s artwork and creativity seems to have no limitations with size or scope. He is well known for his work as the drummer for The Tubes (among many others), and a top session player for dozens of well-known recording artists. Prairie is also known for his prolific design and painting skills for set design with major music tours, murals, posters, and more. Prairie will be displaying three large stage backdrops he painted for The Tubes tours, along with a number of metal sculptures he created.
As a big fan of the Beatles growing up into the wide open culture of the 60’s, I am pleased to have brought some of their incredible and inspirational music to the stage this year and last.
With my cohorts in tow we conquered a fairly grueling (weather-wise) tour of 15 dates in early 2025 and 20 or so in 2024.
I’d like to thank our team of Musician Beatles wannabes; Kasim Sulton, Steve Kimock, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Gil Assayas, Andy Forgie, and Mark Rashotte.
Our crew; Hans Shoop, Larry Levin, Delacy, Gabe, Emmett and Michael Gaiman for their expertise and dedication.
Thank all of you that came out to see us perform and hope to come back with more Beatles music in the not too distant future.
Peace and Love,
Prairie
Heart Rod by Prairie Prince
Mixed Media Sculpture
Featured in MEDICINE., an art show curated by Amandalynn at Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Closing reception on January 2, 2025.
Amandalynn and Prairie Prince
I was introduced to Nicky by his new wife Linda, who was a friend of mine in San Francisco. It was 1972, and I was asked to join Nicky and his recording company of elite English musician friends, including George Harrison, Klas Voormann, Mick Taylor, Ron Wood, Ronnie Lane, Chris Spedding, Ray Cooper, Andy Fraser, and Harry Nilsson.
As a session player Nicky had played on all of their records over the years. We recorded at Apple studios on Saville Row in London for a couple of months, and then at Mick Jaggers’ home, Stargroves, in the English countryside. It was an experience of a lifetime and the memories are never lost when hearing the music. Nicky was a kind and loving friend who took me under his wing and showed me the true value of being a professional musician and recording artist early in my career. He is a legend in the annals of rock history, recording keyboards for so many of the great musical artists of our time. — Prairie Prince
The Session Man, a 90-minute documentary feature film, tells the story of Nicky Hopkins, the highly gifted and prolific session pianist, and unsung hero. The Session Man will be released in North America on November 5, 2024 on TVOD/PPV on Amazon Prime and on additional major platforms.It will also be available on DVD in late 2024.
Nicky not only played with The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, he also played on solo albums of all four members of the Beatles in the early part of a stellar career that spanned over 30 years. During that time, he contributed to over 250 albums and a vast number of single releases.
Nicky’s legendary piano riffs and wonderful musical motifs helped ordinary tracks become extraordinary and iconic. So many of them remain popular today. The generations that followed the Golden Era of Rock And Roll soon discover those iconic tracks that made Nicky Hopkins a legend amongst his peers – tracks like Revolution by The Beatles, Like A Rainbow, Sympathy For The Devil and Angie by the Rolling Stones, Jealous Guy by John Lennon from his Imagine album and You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker.
Nicky’s story is told in the film by Albert Lee, Antonia Cipollina, Arthur Rochester, Benmont Tench, Bill Wyman, Billy Nicholls, Bro Paul Brown, Chris Kimsey, Chris Welch, Chuck Leavell, Dave Davies, Glyn Johns, Graham Parker, Gray Levett, Greg Phillinganes, Harry Shearer, Helen O’Hara, Jack Casady, Jim Keltner, Joe Tansin, John Goddard, Jorma Kaukonen, Julian Dawson (Nicky’s biographer – author of And on Piano… Nicky Hopkins), Keith Richards, Merrell Fankhauser, Mick Jagger, Mike Hurst, Mike McCartney, Moira Hopkins (Nicky’s widow), Morgan Fisher, Nils Lofgren, Paddy Milner, Pete Edmonds, Pete Sears, Pete Townshend, Peter Frampton, PP Arnold, Rory Kaplan, Sarah Sleet (CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK), Shel Talmy, Slim Jim Phantom, Terry Reid and Tom Speight.
The Session Man’s narrator, Bob Harris, former presenter of the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, had no hesitation at the end of the film in confirming that, “Nicky Hopkins’ contributions made him rock and roll’s greatest session man.”
As the day approaches for America to hold on to our democracy and do the best and most positive action for this country of ours, I urge everyone to STAND up and VOTE, and SHOUT for our rights to be real Americans and good human beings! Thank you for caring.
peace and love,
Prairie
