‘I Wish He Were Still Here’: Lenny Kravitz Talks Prince, Paisley Park, and Memories That Linger

Lenny Kravitz, the multi-talented musician known for his eclectic sound and boundary-pushing artistry, has always been candid about the deep connection he shared with Prince. During a recent interview, Kravitz reflected on the unforgettable moments spent with the legendary Purple One, revealing his nostalgic longing for the times they spent together, even if it meant enduring the harsh Minnesota winters.

“I’m not a cold weather person,” Kravitz laughed, acknowledging that he now lives in the warmth of the Bahamas. “But for Prince, I made exceptions. I used to get so mad at him. He’d call me to come to Minnesota in the dead of winter. I’d never say no, but what the hell? It’s freezing and bleak!”

Their friendship began in 1990, soon after Kravitz’s debut album Let Love Rule introduced him to the world. The two instantly clicked, bonding over their shared love for music and their creative energies. Over the years, Kravitz frequently visited Paisley Park, Prince’s legendary home and studio, where they spent countless hours jamming, writing, and playing music together.

“I was influenced by him since high school,” Kravitz shared. “He was and always has been a great example of an artist.” Their deep connection inspired Kravitz not only musically but also in the way he approached his own creative process. Just like Prince, Kravitz often recorded his music largely on his own, playing multiple instruments and producing his work independently.

This influence can be felt on Kravitz’s latest album Raise Vibration, which is filled with the kind of genre-blending, boundary-pushing sounds that Prince himself would have admired. The album includes tracks like “Who Really Are the Monsters” and “Johnny Cash,” which are infused with the spirit of Kravitz’s personal experiences and the broader world around him. “There were things that needed to be said, and a certain energy I needed to put out for myself,” he explained. “We’re living in really trying times.”

Despite the success of his own music, Kravitz admits that he still feels the absence of his late friend. When asked about returning to Paisley Park, now a museum, Kravitz paused before offering a heartfelt response. “I don’t know,” he said. “It would be strange. I’m used to being there with him, with life in there… It’s always weird going back somewhere. But I am sort of a nostalgic person at times. I’ve been to my old house in LA, and it’s familiar but empty. After somebody has passed, their energy is not there.”

Kravitz’s reflection on Paisley Park is a testament to the profound impact Prince had on his life. While the museum stands as a tribute to Prince’s legacy, for Kravitz, the space will always hold a deeper, more personal significance. “I would do anything to have him be there. I wish I could be back in the cold, spending time with him,” he wistfully shared.

As Kravitz prepares for his upcoming performance at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, it’s clear that, for him, Prince’s influence and memory will always resonate deeply. While Paisley Park may be a museum now, for Kravitz, it will always be a place where music, friendship, and the spirit of a legend lived on.