JamFest

Prince’s Legendary New Year’s Eve 1987 Concert at Paisley Park

At JamFest, we celebrate the power and excitement of live music, bringing listeners performances that capture the energy, improvisation, and spontaneous magic of artists on stage. Every song we air is a live version, preserving the unrepeatable brilliance of musicians in the moment. Tonight, our Live Nuggets Radio Show dives into one of the most remarkable live performances in rock and funk history: Prince’s New Year’s Eve concert on December 31, 1987, at Paisley Park Studios, in support of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.

The Event and Its Significance

This concert marked the final performance of Prince’s Sign O’ The Times Tour stage show, an electrifying celebration of his 1987 double album. Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, provided the perfect venue: an intimate yet high-tech studio space where the boundaries between performer and audience blurred. More than a typical New Year’s show, it was a benefit concert, giving the event social importance while showcasing Prince at the peak of his creative powers.

The Band

Prince assembled a powerhouse ensemble for this final Sign O’ The Times performance, featuring a mix of virtuosos and dynamic performers: Sheila E. on drums and vocals, Levi Seacer Jr. on bass, Miko Weaver on guitar, Dr. Fink and Boni Boyer on keyboards, Eric Leeds on saxophone and flute, Atlanta Bliss on trumpet, and a trio of dancers—Cat, Wally Safford, and Greg Brooks—who added percussion, dance, and backing vocals. This lineup delivered a performance that was as visually spectacular as it was musically electrifying, fully representing the theatricality and innovation of the Sign O’ The Times stage show.

Miles Davis Guest Appearance

One of the most historic moments of the evening was the unplanned guest appearance by Miles Davis. For approximately ten minutes, Davis joined Prince and the band in an impromptu jam session, blending jazz improvisation with funk-driven grooves. The result was a groundbreaking fusion that merged two of the most iconic musical minds of the era, creating a spontaneous moment that fans still revere decades later.

Setlist Highlights

Prince delivered an extensive, high-energy set that showcased his musical versatility, lyrical wit, and electric stage presence:

• Sign O’ The Times – Opening with the politically charged title track set the tone for the evening.

• Little Red Corvette and Play In The Sunshine – Classic hits performed live with infectious energy.

• Erotic City and Housequake – Funky grooves that had the audience moving throughout the studio.

• I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man and Slow Love – Showcasing Prince’s emotive vocal delivery.

• Let’s Pretend We’re Married and Delirious – High-energy tracks with intricate live instrumentation.

• Hot Thing, If I Was Your Girlfriend, and U Got The Look – Funk, pop, and rock seamlessly fused in live performance.

• Auld Lang Syne / Purple Rain – A memorable New Year’s Eve moment blending tradition with one of Prince’s most iconic ballads.

• 1999 – The party anthem that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

• It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night – Closing the night on a euphoric high, leaving audiences exhilarated.

Archival Note

Although the concert was never officially released as a commercial album, high-quality recordings of the performance circulate among collectors and fans, earning a legendary status for the energy, musical interplay, and historic collaboration with Miles Davis. For those who tune into JamFest and our Live Nuggets Radio Show, these live recordings offer a chance to experience one of Prince’s most iconic and dynamic performances from the comfort of home, hearing every improvised flourish, extended jam, and vocal ad-lib exactly as it happened.

Prince’s 1987 Paisley Park New Year’s Eve concert stands as a testament to the magic of live music: spontaneous, electrifying, and impossible to replicate. At JamFest, we honor that spirit, celebrating performances like this every Tuesday night at 9PM EST, where every track is a live version, and the thrill of the stage is never lost.