Michael Bland Reveals What It Was Really Like Playing with Prince (NPG Drummer, 2001)

Michael Bland reveals what it was really like playing with Prince at the height of the New Power Generation era.
In this rare 2001 interview, he shares untold stories from inside Prince’s band.
Best known as the powerhouse drummer behind Prince & The New Power Generation, Michael Bland joins Joe Kelley for a deep dive into one of the most iconic eras in funk and R&B.
Bland reflects on:
• Life inside Prince’s band
• The Minneapolis music scene
• His work with Sons of Almighty
• The mindset and discipline behind elite musicianship

This is a rare, unfiltered conversation with one of the defining drummers of Prince’s NPG era.
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Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley features in-depth interviews with legendary artists, Prince collaborators, and top session musicians—sharing the real stories behind the music.
From inside Prince’s world to the broader legacy of funk, R&B, and rock, each episode dives into the musicianship, moments, and untold stories that shaped the sound.