Prairie Prince (born Charles Lempriere Prince, May 7, 1950 in Charlotte, North Carolina, US) is an American rock drummer and an accomplished painter, muralist and a graphic artist . He is a member of The Tubes and a founding member of Journey. He has also worked with Chris Isaak (on his first four albums), Todd Rundgren, Brian Eno, David Byrne, XTC, Tom Waits, Paul Kantner, George Harrison, Dick Dale, Glenn Frey, Richard Marx, Bill Spooner, Neil Hamburger, John Fogerty, Nicky Hopkins, Tommy Bolin, Phil Lesh, and former Tubes and Grateful Dead keyboardist Vince Welnick.As an artist he designed the album cover artwork for many artists including The Tubes, Todd Rundgren (1981 album Healing), Journey, Lyle Workman and Vince Welnick's 1998 album Missing Man Formation, among many others. Along with his creative partner and fellow former Tubes Michael Cotten, he has created numerous set designs for major artists including Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, N'Sync, Shania Twain, Styx, The Tubes, and Todd Rundgren. Prince and Cotten have often teamed up with choreographer Kenny Ortega on several major special events including the 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, Super Bowl XXX Half Time Show (which featured Diana Ross singing "Take Me Higher" as she was lifted from the field in a helicopter), Michael Jackson's "This is It" concert and Shania Twain's residency, SHANIA: STILL THE ONE, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.Prince collaborated with Ross Valory, bassist for and also a founding member of Journey, on a line of patented eco friendly, USA made hoodie shirts called MouthMan- where graphic designs of jaws and teeth on the sleeves form a mouth when the wearer "hugs themeslves"In 2006 he toured with The New Cars including Todd Rundgren, bassist Kasim Sulton (Rundgren's Utopia bandmate), and original The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes. He also continues to play with The Tubes and Todd Rundgren.He was a founding member of Jefferson Starship – The Next Generation in 1992 and appears on both their studio albums (the 1999 release Windows of Heaven and the 2008 release, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty), plus numerous live albums. Due to Prince's commitments with The Tubes and Todd Rundgren, he was sometimes replaced by other drummers during Jefferson Starship's tours. Most notable replacements included Trey Sabatelli, former Jefferson Starship drummer Donny Baldwin and Tony Morley among others. Prince announced in early 2008 that he was leaving the band on amicable terms and remains available for international performances.He continues to perform and tour with The Tubes and Todd Rundgren. He is a sought after session artist and recently played drums and percussion on all tracks of Chuck Prophet's 2012 release Temple Beautiful.
Founding member of Jefferson Starship - The Next Generation.
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Married to fellow Jefferson Starship member Diana Mangano. They first met when Diana joined the band in 1993, began dating in 1995, became engaged in 2001, married in 2004, and have one son, Nigel.
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Part of the New Cars. Was not, however, a part of the original Cars.
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Founding member/leader of the Tubes.
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Founding member of Journey.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Xanadu
1980
Member of The Tubes
Cher... Special
1978
TV Movie as The Tubes
Cracking Up
1977
as The Tubes
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Best of Chris Isaak
2006
Video musician
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Top of the Pops
1979
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Todd Rundgren: The Desktop Collection
1993
Video short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk
2017
Documentary completed
Himself
Haight Ashbury: The Beat of a Generation
2012
Documentary completed
Himself - Drummer, The Tubes
Western Music and Variety
2009
Video
Himself
Todd Rundgren: Arena Live
2008
TV Special
Himself - Drums
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2006
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
Todd Rundgren: Liars Live
2005
Video
Himself
Radio Active
1994
Video Game
Himself
Todd Rundgren: 2nd Wind Live Recording Sessions
1991
Video short
Himself
Red Hot Rock
1984
Video
Himself - Drums (segments "Sports Fans", "Mondo Bondage") (as The Tubes)