Born in 1958, the same year as Michael Jackson, Prince broke through rock’s racist barrier at roughly the same time. His first attempt, like Jackson’s, was not successful. Although he was personally invited by Mick Jagger to open for the Rolling Stones at the LA Coliseum in 1981, when Prince took the stage in a see-through jacket, thigh-high boots, and black bikini pants, the headlining act’s 90,000-plus audience was not receptive.
Even though Prince’s setlist leaned toward the rock spectrum of his repertoire, with songs like “Bambi” and “When You Were Mine,” the audience booed, shouting racist and homophobic rants, then started pelting Prince and his band with food and bottles. Promoter Bill Graham jumped onstage, trying to calm the audience, but to no avail. By the fourth song, Prince was forced to leave the stage, understandably distraught by the experience.
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