Prince to get lifetime achievement Grammy. Here’s what his Canadian guitarist says working with him was like
Prince’s musical legacy continues to inspire many even almost nine years after his untimely death. The iconic artist, known for hits like Purple Rain, Kiss, and Little Red Corvette, is remembered as a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and a mysterious and unconventional pop culture figure. To Canadian guitarist Donna Grantis, he was not just a musical legend but also a bandmate and friend.
In 2012, Grantis was working as a solo artist and session musician in Toronto when Prince stumbled upon a couple of videos of her on YouTube. Two specific performances caught his attention, one being an original tune called Elektra at a PRS Guitars event in Stevensville, Md., and the other a rendition of Billy Cobham’s jazz fusion song Stratus at Toronto’s Orbit Room. Grantis, a graduate of McGill’s music program, had been studying Prince’s music for years, so when she received an email from Prince’s collaborator Joshua Welton inviting her to Paisley Park, she was ecstatic.
Upon her arrival at Paisley Park, Grantis was introduced to her future bandmates, Hannah Welton, and Eda Nielsen, and soon after, Prince himself walked in. The excitement was palpable as they started jamming together, with Prince’s presence as the other guitarist being mind-blowing for Grantis. This initial jam session eventually led to Grantis officially joining the band Prince and 3rdeyegirl.
Grantis not only contributed her guitar talents but also ended up writing with Prince. One of her compositions, Elektra, was rearranged by Prince and renamed Plectrumelectrum, becoming the title track of the album released in 2014. Recording Plectrumelectrum was a unique experience, with live-off-the-floor takes recorded in various locations around Paisley Park.
Playing live with Prince was always an unpredictable experience, with the band rarely sticking to a setlist. One memorable moment for Grantis was when Prince surprised her during a Toronto performance by signaling for her to take the iconic solo on Purple Rain. It was a special moment for Grantis, showcasing the trust and respect Prince had for her musical abilities.
As a fan, friend, and bandmate, Grantis learned valuable lessons from Prince, not just about music but also about life. Discussions on religion and spirituality were common, with Prince encouraging open dialogue and listening to different viewpoints. His question about using music to teach inspired Grantis’s current project, humanNATURE, where she combines climate crisis concerns with her musical talents.
Despite Prince’s tragic passing, Grantis prefers to focus on his life and musical legacy rather than dwell on the circumstances of his death. She believes that his music is the true testament to his brilliance and encourages everyone to celebrate his life by listening to all his work. Prince’s influence continues to resonate in the music industry, inspiring new generations of artists to push boundaries and create timeless music.
