ICYMI: Celebrating 40 Years of Purple Rain in a Prince news roundup

ICYMI: As the world mared four decades since the release of Prince's iconic album Purple Rain, a series of commemorative events and special releases were announced to honor this landmark in music history. A Celebration 2024 festival commenced, offering fans a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Prince's legacy through performances by The Revolution, Morris Day, the New Power Generation, and other special guests. This festival continued through Monday, June 24th, and also featured a preview of an upcoming Purple Rain musical.

NPG Records and Paisley Park Enterprises, in collaboration with Warner Records, have unveiled a new Dolby Atmos remix of the album, which is now available for streaming on various digital service providers. Prince had said of the album and film: "I think Purple Rain is the most avant-garde purple thing I’ve ever done. Just look at [the singles] ‘When Doves Cry’ and ‘Let’s Go Crazy.’ Most Black artists won’t try a groove like that. If more would, we’d have more colorful radio stations."

This latest version of Purple Rain has been meticulously remixed from the original multitrack master tapes by Chris James, a former engineer for Prince. The remix is said to offer listeners a more immersive and surround-sound experience, presenting Prince’s work with enhanced spatial depth while maintaining the integrity of the original songs that have left an indelible mark on pop culture. Continuing the anniversary celebrations, Warner Bros. Discovery reissued a 4K restoration of the Purple Rain film on June 25th.

This cinematic gem, originally released in 1984 alongside the album, also had a limited run in select theaters starting July 3rd. Later this year, fans can look forward to an "audiophile Blu-ray" version of the remastered album, promising an even more refined auditory experience for collectors and audiophiles alike.

Paisley Park Enterprises expressed their excitement about these releases, stating,
"As we begin what will be a year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain, we are thrilled to present Prince’s masterpiece in Atmos, providing an immersive, surround auditory experience of Prince’s legendary album. This highly crafted release will present Prince’s iconic work with a greater sense of space and depth while preserving the beautiful songs that have shaped pop culture and touched the lives of countless fans around the world."

A Prince "jukebox musical" also in the works

In addition to these celebrations, earlier this year, news emerged that Ryan Coogler, known for his work on Black Panther, is set to produce a new jukebox musical movie featuring Prince’s songs. This project adds to the ongoing legacy of Prince, ensuring that his music (often said to embody the spirit of making art, not just content) continues to inspire and reach new audiences. Purple Rain, both the album and the film, marked a turning point in Prince's career and in music history, and also established him as a sex symbol.

The album topped the charts for 24 consecutive weeks and has since been certified 13x Platinum by the RIAA. The title track and other singles like "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" became anthems of the 1980s, showcasing Prince's genre-defying talent. The accompanying film, while a commercial success, also solidified Prince's image as an artist who blurred the lines between music, film, and fashion.

This 40th-anniversary celebration not only highlights the enduring impact of Purple Rain but also cements Prince’s status as one of the most influential music artists of all time.