The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, glam rockers KISS, Prince, D'Angelo - Alan Leeds has had quite a life in artist management. Ahead of publishing his career memoir, he sits down with Sam Bleazard to discuss his seminal experiences in music.

INTRO

3mins - Childhood years, growing up and the effects of the Civil Rights movement

5mins - A 3-year old child fascinated by records spinning in a jukebox

6mins - Pete Seeger, Rock n Roll and the 'scratchy 45s'...and then soul music comes along.

7mins30s - James Brown! 'The composite of everything I'd liked in music...'

9mins - Career memoir coming out in November 2026... "It's got to be funky: my life in music"

10min30s - "Questlove calls me the Forrest Gump of the Funk..."

12mins - "Get the James Brown guy..."

14mins30s - Any particular qualities that kept Alan in the game when times got tough?

20mins - First exposure to James Brown the man, as opposed to the artist?

23mins - A (very) brief stint with Kool & The Gang...  

29mins - JB meets the Black Panther Party...and continues to hold court.

31mins30s - Processed hair out - Afro in... 'hugely significant at that time'.

34mins - Harder working than even James Brown?? 'What makes you say that?'

35mins30s - When Prince wanted to record, he just went downstairs...

37mins - Was Prince's obsession with music unhealthy at a point? "There's got to be other things in his life that'll suffer...but who am I to say?"

40mins - Prince was the diametric opposite personality type to James Brown.

42mins30s - Alan joins Prince mid-way through the 1999 'Triple Threat' Tour...and all is not well.

47mins30s - Alan finds he's dressed like an accountant, or the tax man?

51mins30s - Every tour has 'one of those nights...this was one of those nights'.

54mins30s - Malfunctions on-stage, conspire to create a huge anti-climax on 'Baby I'm A Star'...!

58mins - Alan has to rally the troops, a storm is coming.

60mins - Alan is summoned to see Prince in his room for a de-brief...before sharing news the artist doesn't want to hear.

64mins - Prince and his team fly to Dallas to watch the Jacksons Victory Tour.

How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!

The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.

LINKS

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