Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ coat to be displayed for free at Minnesota History Center

It’s part of a parade of things to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Minneapolis icon’s movie.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
May 9, 2024 at 10:30AM
Prince in his "Purple Rain" outfit that will be on display at the Minnesota History Center.

The 40th anniversary of “Purple Rain” is coming this summer and Minnesota is all in to join the party.

To celebrate the 1984 movie that catapulted Prince to international stardom, the Minnesota History Center will showcase one of his iconic outfits from the film.

A purple trench coat with a studded right shoulder and white ruffled shirt will be on display in the lobby of the Gale Family Library at the History Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays May 9 through July 27. There is no charge to view it.

One of Prince's outfits from "Purple Rain" will go display at the Minnesota History Center. (Jason Onerheim)

The outfit was designed by Louis Wells, Vaughn Terry and Marie France. The Minneapolis music icon wore it during one of his performances at First Avenue in the movie.

The History Center acquired the outfit and other Prince memorabilia in 1987.

The movie, which was shot mostly in Minneapolis, and its soundtrack led to three Grammys and an Oscar and featured the hit songs “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain.”

There will be all kinds of other commemorative activities including concerts by the Revolution at First Avenue, a 40th anniversary book by podcaster Andrea Swensson and the annual Celebration at Paisley Park.

about the writer

about the writer

Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.

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