“I immediately just went out to the newsroom and started showing people and saying, ‘I’m not gonna tell you who I think this is, but who do you think this is?,’” said Liddy of the film which didn’t have any sound. Each person he questioned recognized that little boy to be one person. Prince! When they were able to extract the audio to the film they could finally hear what the boy was saying. When asked if most of the kids were in favor of the picketing, he sweetly said, “Yes…I think they should get a better education too cause, um, and I think they should get some more money cause they work, they be working extra hours for us and all that stuff.” That prompted WCCO’s intrepid investigation to definitively identity the child who did not give his name on the film. They turned to Twin City historian and archeologist Kristen Zschomler who is also a mega Prince fan. In fact, Zschomler wrote a 100-page treatise outlining the superstar’s life. Even with all her painstaking research, Zschomler never knew any public childhood footage of Prince existed. “As far as video, I am not familiar with any. [It] doesn’t mean they don’t exist but I’m not familiar with any,” said Zschomler in the video. She was also convinced that the boy was Prince. She also recognized Lincoln Junior High School where Prince was a student in April 1970. But the person who really solved the mystery was Terrance Jackson, Prince’s friend from childhood who knew Prince Nelson (aka “Skipper”) from kindergarten. When they were teenagers, he was even in Prince’s first band, Grand Central. “That is Prince! Standing right there with the hat on, right? That’s Skipper! Oh my God!” exclaimed Jackson when he was shown the footage for the first time. When he heard the audio, Jackson began to cry. “That’s Prince, aka “Skipper” to the Northside.” As Jackson explained in the video, even back then, the 11-year-old was a great talent. “He was already playing guitar and keys by then, phenomenally,”added Jackson. Prince Rogers Nelson would go on to become one of the world’s greatest talents. A seven-time Grammy winner, he sold more than 100 million records and in 2004 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Even with all his success, he stayed deeply connected with his hometown. In the 1980s, he built his beloved estate and production compound, Paisley Park, in Chanhassen, Minnesota, where, in 2016, he died at 57. The video of a young Prince offers a special window to a compassionate artist. Even as a child he felt indebted to the community and the people who gave him so much. “Paisley Park is in your heart,” as the lyrics to the song “Paisley Park” go. And Prince remains in our hearts too. Next, 8 Videos That Showcase Prince’s Sense of Humor
