Few Prince scholars know Prince's movements through two of his most prolific, momentous years — 1983 and 1984 — as Duane Tudahl, who spent 20 years meticulously researching and writing his encyclopedic book, Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984. By combing through logs at Los Angeles' Sunset Sound studios spending countless hours interviewing Prince's engineers, proteges, and bandmates, Duane was able to trace Prince's work day-by-day in an era when he was constantly demoing new material, much of which would go on to define the sound of the '80s.

Tudahl visited the Purple Current studios for a special edition of the Purple Hour with host Andrea Swensson. Together, the two authors had a blast having a "Prince nerd-off" and playing a mix of deep cuts and hits from the Purple Rain era, including B-sides and tracks from Prince's many protege projects like the Family, the Time, and Sheila E.

Duane Tudahl's Purple Hour Playlist

Let's Go Crazy
17 Days
She's Always in My Hair
Take Me With You
The Glamorous Life (Sheila E.)
My Drawers (The Time)
Yes (The Family)
Computer Blue ("Hallway Speech" Version)
Stand Back (Stevie Nicks)
The Ladder