Today is the 40th anniversary of the release of “Purple Rain” by Prince! So for today’s Forgotten 45 at 3:45, from that legendary album it’s “I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star”.
“Purple Rain” was Prince’s 6th studio album and the soundtrack to the hit movie of the same name. The film, which grossed $70 million in the U.S., starred Prince as The Kid, a talented but troubled musician in the Minneapolis area who escapes his abusive home life through his music.
“Purple Rain” was Prince’s first #1 and spent 24 weeks on the top of the chart with hits like “When Doves Cry”, “Let’s Go Crazy” and the title track, “I Would Die 4 U,” went to #8.
“Purple Rain” sold 13 million copies and earned Prince and The Revolution two Grammy Awards. Prince also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. The legacy continues with a new musical based on the movie in the works, it’s set for a 2025 pre-Broadway engagement at the State Theatre in Minneapolis from April 10 to May 11.
One of the all-time great albums, from “Purple Rain” it’s “I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star” today’s Forgotten 45.
