Goodbye to Pepé Willie, an important figure for Prince’s career

He passed away last May 31, at the age of 76, years Pepé Williekey figure of the minneapolis music scene he had A fundamental role in launching Prince’s career.

Important presence in the musical context of Minneapolis since he moved from New York in the 70s, Pepé Willie had built a solid reputation as a reference point for anyone looking for advice or support in the world of music. WILLLI – nicknamed “Pepé” for the motivational speeches that she used to do – recruited Prince in her band 94 Eastto then help him build his solo career, destined to make history.

“The concert at Capri was a matter of life or death,” said Bobby Z, Prince’s drummer, in a new interview with the Star Tribune: “After the first album, we didn’t know what would have happened. Pepé spoke fluently the tongue of the business. It was a huge thing for all of us. He had a huge influence on us for a period. It was the glue.” Z added: “Prince’s story would not have gone as it went without Pepé. It has always been there for us. It was like a godfather”.

Also André Cymoneanother former member of the Prince band, Willie recalled: “For a while we went blindly, because Prince did not have a manager. Pepé was the bridge that brought him from point a to point B … when you slammed against a wall, you could always count on Pepé”.

In 2020, shortly after the publication of his autobiography, Pepé had told the “Star Tribune” of when he worked with Prince: “In the studio he absorbed everything,” he said: “I tried to keep his work rhythm, and I am a great worker. But I couldn’t be behind him. … He was a boy who really wanted to do it. I always admired his musical talent. He was a real genius”. However, he had also revealed that He and Prince have not been talked about since 2002: “The ‘Celebrity disease’ had taken”, “confessed Willie at the time:” He kept away from everyone. We called him ‘the solitary type’ “. Even if he earned something from the recordings of 94 East With Prince, Pepé has always reiterated: “I’ve never taken a penny as a Prince”.