How Prince’s $5,000 Gift to Warrant Changed Sunset Strip Rock History

In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of Sunset Strip rock in the late 1980s, the line between success and obscurity could be razor-thin. For Warrant, a band that would go on to briefly rule the Sunset Strip, a significant boost came from an unexpected source—Prince.

In the fall of 1987, the iconic musician Prince, always known for his keen ear and involvement in the music industry, offered Warrant a $5,000 gift to record a three-song demo for his label, Paisley Park Records. The catch? Prince would have the first right of refusal on whether to sign the band. It was an offer that seemed too good to pass up. But in hindsight, Prince’s involvement would take the band down a path that would shape their destiny in ways they never anticipated.

In a recent interview with AL.com, Warrant’s bassist Jerry Dixon recalled the events that led to the band’s connection with Prince. The band used the $5,000 to record a demo that included the track “Down Boys,” a song that would eventually help propel them into the spotlight. However, Prince ultimately decided not to sign the band. According to Dixon, the decision came after Prince saw live footage of Warrant’s performance. “This white kid can sing, and the band has potential, but motherfucker can’t dance,” Prince reportedly said about frontman Jani Lane.

Despite the rejection, Warrant wasn’t about to let go of the opportunity. They asked their manager if it would be possible to use the demo to shop to other labels. Prince gave his blessing, and the band took the demo to Columbia Records, which soon signed them. In 1989, Warrant released their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, which went on to achieve commercial success.

While Prince may have passed on them, Dixon believes the legendary artist likely found the outcome amusing. “He liked us, but maybe breaking a rock band wasn’t his label’s forte, I guess. There were a lot of those along the way.” It’s easy to imagine that Prince, who was known for making bold decisions in his career, might have laughed at the irony of how Warrant’s breakthrough came about.

Warrant’s success, fueled by their Prince-funded demo, became a defining moment in Sunset Strip rock history. They became part of the ’80s glam rock wave, with Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich going gold and their hit songs like “Heaven” and “Cherry Pie” making a lasting impact on rock culture. Prince’s brief involvement, while not directly shaping their future, set the stage for Warrant to achieve stardom and cement their place in the annals of rock history.

In the end, what might have seemed like a missed opportunity for Prince turned into a key moment in Warrant’s rise to fame, proving that sometimes, the smallest gestures can lead to the biggest changes in rock history.