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Donald MacLeod remembers Prince’s impromptu gig at The Garage in Glasgow

Prince (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Prince (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

The musician performed an impromptu gig at The Garage nightclub in Sauchiehall Street back in 1995.

When the purple-clad maestro left in the early hours, he was accosted by a merry passer-by who shouted at the global superstar: “Hey, wee man, dae ye want a chip?”

According to promoter Donald MacLeod, who organised the gig, the anecdote has entered Glaswegian music folklore.

The Sunday Post columnist recalled: “Prince left by the front door when everyone was still in the club. The only person to see him leave was the wee guy eating his kebab supper.”

Prince – who died unexpectedly last week aged 57 – was performing a series of sell-out shows in Scotland at the time.

Word spread like wildfire that Prince was performing a guerilla gig following his show at Glasgow’s SECC.

“Against all advice the wee man himself pulls up at the back door in a maroon Rolls Royce,” said Donald. “When he walked across the stage the place went mental.”

Donald said Prince – believed to have amassed a £200 million fortune – wanted paid in cash before the gig had even started.

“His security asked me for £15,000 cash with no guarantee he would go on,” Donald added. “Also, I wasn’t to speak to him unless he spoke to me, and I was to call him ‘Symbol’ or the artist formally known as Prince.”

In the time since the legendary gig, thousands of fans have claimed they were there. And Donald isn’t surprised given how special a performer Prince was.

“Some 700 people saw his show that night but 700,000 say they were there,” added Donald. “He was a star in the true sense of the word and our thoughts and condolences go out to his loved ones and family at this terrible time. Nothing compared to Prince.”

The Purple Rain singer was found dead at his home in Minnesota. Reports suggest he overdosed on painkillers after suffering hip pain.


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