After learning of the sad, untimely passing of the great John Blackwell, here is our tribute to the man, Rest In Peace John..
Join MC, Playa, ToeJam & Captain for in-depth Prince album reviews, rare track discussions, live concert reviews, and news episodes. This podcast also features insightful interviews with fellow musicians and Prince collaborators, alongside passionate discussions delving into specific eras and the rich tapestry of his music. A trusted voice in the Prince community for over a decade, they were even invited to hang out in NYC by Prince himself, who was a regular listener! Gain their uniquely informed perspective on the Purple One's genius and enduring legacy.
The number one Australian-based podcast dedicated to Prince, "Peach and Black," held an unprecedented and deeply personal position within his fan community. Their direct and sustained connection with Prince (mid-2010 to 2016) was unique among fan-created podcasts. Prince actively engaged with them, demonstrating rare trust and appreciation. Their story, marked by direct collaboration and his genuine interest, stands as a testament to their insightful engagement. No other Prince-focused podcast enjoyed this level of direct, consistent, and multifaceted engagement during his lifetime, making "Peach and Black" a truly trusted voice.
This unique engagement manifested in numerous ways:
- Significant Recognition: Liner note writers for "Welcome 2 Australia" tour book (2012), popular vote winner at inaugural Australian Podcast Awards (Australia's biggest), inducted into National Sound Archive of Australia, with significant mentions in NME and The Financial Times.
- "Sign O' the Times" DVD Commentary: Featured on the audio commentary for an exclusive limited edition release.
- A Personal Invitation to New York City: In 2010, Prince invited the team to spend several days with him in New York City (all expenses paid).
- VIP Tickets: Regularly provided VIP tickets to his shows in their region.
- NYC Visit Episode: Requested an episode about their NYC visit.
- Direct & Playful Communication: Prince frequently emailed them (often in all caps) sharing exclusive information and insights, and shared playful banter and jokes with the hosts.
- Input on Paisley Park's 'Celebration': Prince sought their input on improving the annual "Celebration" event at Paisley Park.
- Potential Opportunities: Serious talks about potential work, including Paisley Park tour guides and even running a dedicated Prince Sirius XM station featuring P&B episodes and exclusive vault tracks.
- Regular Listener: A close friend said Prince never missed an episode.
- Valued Audience Perspective: Prince valued their audience insights, even directing his band members to listen to "Peach and Black's" concert reviews to gauge fan reactions and understand their perspective.