Prince Demanded $10,000 Flowers from Holland at Concerts

By Jill Brooke

Since this month is the fifth anniversary of the accidental overdose of “Purple Rain” singer Prince, we thought we would share this image of a purple rose and carnation.

There’s a reason – turns out that the singer was a big flower lover and once requested $10,000 – yes $10,000 – worth of flowers for his dressing room at a concert.

Furthermore, the flowers had to be sourced from Holland, one of the great flower suppliers of the globe.

Concert promoter Danny Zelisko – who has worked on Bruce Springsteen, Sir Paul McCartney and Queen concerts – shared this tidbit in his new book, “All Exce$$- Occupation, Concert Promoter.”

What flowers did Prince want? Roses and carnations. He was very specific.

The fact that Prince cited Dutch flowers does show his knowledge of beautiful blooms.  Although tulips are most associated with Holland, the country creates a variety of spectacular flowers. In fact, the tiny country produces 1.7 billion cut flowers a year which represents 60% of global trade and as one company says, makes the Netherlands the Silicon Valley of the flower industry.

Included in the types of roses it produces are the large 3-foot roses so favored by the Russian market.

Having covered the entertainment industry for many years as a CNN correspondent, I have heard of many odd requests from demanding celebrities. One wanted their M&M’s to be only two colors while another wanted a particular vodka.

But you can’t help but admire having the good sense when you are that successful to want to spend it on flowers. Who wouldn’t want that high upon seeing a room filled with beautiful fragrant blooms?

Prince’s love of flowers also spilled into his songwriting. And looks like there are more songs that will soon be released as well that were recently found.

 

Here are 7 Prince Songs Mentioning Flowers

From “Dreamin’ about U” –  “If the wind blew every petal from your precious red rose.”

From “All Day, All Night” – “Are these petals for some crazy flower?”

From “The Cross,” “Ghetto’s to the left of us, flowers to the right.”

From “Conditions of the Heart” – “I’m blinded by the daisies in your yard”

From “Around the World in a Day: – “Sharing ideas, a shower of flowers.”

From “Digital Garden” – Love like the rose in bloom.”

Petal on Prince and may you be showered with flowers wherever you are.

 

 

Jill Brooke is a former CNN correspondent, Post columnist and editor-in-chief of Avenue and Travel Savvy magazine. She is an author and the editorial director of FPD.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock