Prince Engineer Susan Rogers: THE INTERVIEW. Live From Sunset Sound 

The perfect storm. The perfect engineer at the perfect time with one of the greatest talents the world has ever seen. Susan, thank you for your service! 🫡

The comment on "untuned instrument" reminds me of a friend's story. Prince was in Detroit, and after a concert was playing pool at the hotel bar, but was coplaining it was too noisy for him. My friend's father invited him to his house to play pool there, and indeed, at like midnight these limos appear and Prince comes in with a few others and down to the basement he went to play pool. My friend was like 7 and didn't know who Prince was. His teenage brother would have been interested but was asleep (it was a school night). However, Prince picked up the brother's guitar, noted it was out of tune, and tuned it. So the brother woke up to a guitar tuned by Prince in his basement the next morning.

Just discovered Susan Rogers and fell in love with her mind and spirit. An amazing being. ❤

Incredible technical interview with so many personal touches. Thank you Susan for spending time with us!❤

I love that Susan acknowledged the tech crew as her final thank you. This is, hands down, THE best interview I have EVER seen. I have loved Prince ever since I was in high school. I remember roller skating in a roller rink with my besties to Controversy. I have never listened to a cassette more than I have Sign of the Times, and later Diamonds and Pearls. Those were my favorite Prince albums. I am so crazy about Prince that I talk to him and chant/pray for him, every day. THAT is how much he and his music mean to me! I just can’t thank you enough for such a beautiful, fascinating interview. My daughter is a musician about to release her first EP, and I can’t wait to share this video with her! I bought Susan’s incredible book the day it came out (nearly!). I wish I could study at Berklee and have her as a professor. I am from Boston and worked at Boston University. I listened to WBCN daily at work. One day the dj (I forget which one, but they were all amazing) announced that Prince would be giving a special (tiny) show AFTER his Worcester concert, in Boston, to raise money for a scholarship fund in honor of the fan who was struck by a car and killed, whilst waiting in line to buy a ticket to his concert, outside of Tower Records very close to Berklee. I tod my boss that I HAD to get tix for this show, and flew down to the Tickermaster outlet at Tower records, where that poor fan had lost his life. I was SO close to the stage that night at that club on Landsdowne- it may have been X, but my memory is pretty shot (cough cough). 😂 It was surreal. I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to see Prince perform in such an intimate setting, but all night I kept thinking about that poor soul who lost his life, and wasn’t able to see him that night. But I have a feeling they were with Prince right there, front and center, in spirit. 🙏💜🙏☮️ I miss you, dear Prince.

She is just awesome buying that book now

Love this series and will always make time to listen to Susan.

Ordered Susan's book.

I could listen to this woman talk all day - the fact that she worked on princes best work too makes her even more special - so intelligent and respectful for Prince too ❤ her comment about Madonna was interesting too - I always thought Prince didn’t rate Madonna very much so I’m glad that he recognised her as she is my fave artist after Prince ❤

AMAZING 🙏🏼

When Jesse said "Susan, turn the guitar up" on his "Love Struck" record, I knew she must have a good relationship with her artists.

I wonder what Susan thought behind that thin door when Prince was recording vocals for "Something In The Water", you know what part I'm talking about. 😅

Your next book could be titled, "Fresh Tape" ❤

great

💜💜💜

I've scrolled and scrolled but couldn't find a Steve Lukather comment 😂

I saw Prince play live 40 times from 1986 including 17 times on the Nude tour in 4 countries a nd I met him 3 times. Prince was my life at one point. I met my first girlfriend at a Prince concert, I met my 2 best friends at Prince concerts. I loved the man, he was a monster on stage, sublime on record and a beautiful energy in person

Is there a presence, voice, or human perspective more comforting and reassuring than Dr Susan Rodgers? Such an incredible artist.

Susan’s combination of emotion, intelligence and thoughtful expression make her, quite simply, one of the greatest interview subjects I’ve ever seen or heard. What an exemplary human. And, I might add, what a magnificent artist! Thank you, Dr. Rogers!

I have watched several of these interviews and they are amazing. Thank you. I have to admit I have teared up a few times because I miss Prince so much. This is history and everyone should tune in and learn. Peace and purple love 💜🥰💜

Came for the Prince stories, stayed for the neuroscience of creativity. Definitely going to order the good Doctor's book.

“In order to form memories you need to sleep…” Thank you doctor!

Her love for Prince's art is just amazing! Thanks for having Dr. Rogers on - no matter how many times you hear the stories, it feels like the first time. Her tears in talking about Condition of the Heart made me cry. It's good to see Duane as well. He works hard on his books. Hopefully, we can get Parade Deluxe and ATWIAD Deluxe editions and you can have Susan back. Thank you, Susan for the gentle pushback on some of the writing credits. You were there.

I was a freelance sound engineer during the late 80s and early 90s. Nothing special, very modest stuff. However, I can tell you from personal experience that female engineers were VERY unusual. Generally it was a very male oriented business. Dr Rogers is brilliant, and it’s wonderful that Prince and Sunset gave her the space to work and prosper in that role. 👍👍

Susan is an extremely intelligent and talented woman. No wonder Prince wanted her around him. She helped him facilitate his genius ideas about music.

I really like Doctor Roger's

1:35:20 Condition of the Heart brings Susan Rogers to tears. When Around the World in a Day debuted, I was a teenager experiencing my first broken heart. Listening to Condition of the Heart was my therapy.

What a life this woman has had…

Prince was definitely hyper creative. He would hardly play the same song the same way live. So I think if Prince recorded a song but wasn't creatively done with it he would take those ideas and put it into the live performances

Best interview to date Sunset ❗Thank you . Susan Rogers is so intelligent and it's easy to know why Prince liked her so much . 💜🕊💜

I grew up in the 70’s loving music and then came of age in the 80’s and Prince was mine, of my time bought with some of the first money I earned. Maybe the first artist that was mine as an accident of time and awakening. His music became so private to me and gave me the adrenaline to perform in sports. Being a gymnast is a solitary pursuit and you would need music through a Walkman to center you, isolate you and fire you up for performance or simply giving you courage for trick that will break or make you. No music from that time centered me for performing and it holds up 40+ years later, even if the my joints don’t, and the MS stole what was innate and second nature. Let’s Go Crazy would take me to places I feared to tread but gave me the adrenaline to fly in ways my body didn’t yet know. Life….and so much better with the rare souls of Prince.

The fact she managed to keep up with Prince in the most amazing period and record these albums is beyond wonder, she’s such a great person and just getting to know a bit about her has been such a gift.. thanks..x

Unfortunately batman /black album and lovesexy where his last best,he unfortunately hasnt added anything to the music since the early 90‘s as far albums goes ,as a live performer thats of course another story

i can listen to susan rogers days and nights.......the face she does when she remembers last time she saw prince: i completely melted

WOW!!!! I've watched a lot of great interviews and this one is one of the best!!!! The way Susan showed Prince that she was a master of her craft and deserved respect was fascinating!!! She used her obvious intelligence, knowledge, and passion to put us in the room with one of the most gifted musicians, producers, and songwriters in the history of music. As a bass player, I will always give Prince serious props as one of the best bassists and guitarists that I've ever heard! Prince was way ahead of his time with respect to giving women the opportunity to shine! He didn't care about gender or skin color. As long as you were a master of your craft, there was a place for you in his band and productions! Thank you for a fantastic interview!!!

Dr. Rogers is brilliant and articulate. She can communicate complex ideas so that non-musicians can understand what she is referring to clearly, I look forward to reading her book. I am not getting paid anything for writing this.

Tremendous stuff! Imagine if we had folks who worked so intimately with Bach or Mozart sharing stories and memories. Thanks for helping codify the work of a modern Mozart.

Susan was great at describing her experiences with Prince and giving we fans an insight on his brilliance, quirks and humanity. I have been privileged to have been born within the generation of James Brown, Michael Jackson and Prince. Prince diverse musical background, family background and skillset has intrigued me more than any other performer. RIP Mr Brillance!

I believe Sign O The Times was actually his third masterpiece. 1999, Purple Rain, Sign O The Times 🎶

Holy shit, Susan! I've never heard of you. Bad on me! You are an absolute pleasure to listen to! Thank you for doing this interview. Might be the best Sunset Sound interview yet! Blown away!

Love Susan Rogers, one of the greatest most talented audio engineers ever in recording music history. What a trailblazer and pioneer she is. Adore hearing about Prince’s Intuition, brilliance, intelligence and genius. One of a kind original individual and creator of music and lyrics. And Thank you Duane and Drew. 💜 🎶 🎵 🎙️🫡

Guys, not knowing that she was a full professor at berklee and not knowing that she is a PHD is flat out embarrassing. Do literally any amount of homework next time. In a world where woman are still fighting tooth and nail to be treated equally, to be surprised that she's a professor and PHD going into an interview like this is extra disrespectful. Simply knowing theoretically that woman can be professional and accomplished is not the same as treating them accordingly.

I could listen to Susan's sweet soft demeanor all day. I was a little too young to be a Prince fan at the time, but I'm learning. This video made me want to listen to all his records and buy the books mentioned. Fascinating. This Prince journey started recently for me because my band of talented musicians wanted to cover Let's Go Crazy, which I never heard prior. I knew he was a talented mega star, but never connected with his music until we played Let's Go Crazy. Thank you for sharing. Much respect.

I am overcome with such emotion. Thank you

Parade must have been extremely tricky to mix. The textures - the Revolution, Eric Leads jazz horn arrangements, and Claire Fischer’s dense orchestration, all had to be balanced, often within the same song. That’s not easy. Christopher Tracy’s Parade is a perfect example of the dense mixes Dr. Susan Rogers had to mange. That’s may be her most genius mix. It’s why she’s so respected. There’s never been anything quite like that before or after. Many musicians look to Parade, and SOTT too, as Prince’s most influential work. Purple Rain too of course.

Thank you Dr Susan a modest genius in your right Prince was so lucky to have you in his corner ❤💚.

The guitar solo on Purple Rain is one of the most incredible solos, ever.

What a pleasure to hear Susan again!! She’s a wealth of knowledge and Duane so happy you were able to participate in this amazing interview!!! 💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🙋‍♀️

It AMAZES me that Prince had 4 albums out in 1982; Vanity 6 album, The Time - What time is it album, and 1999 double album.

As a life long music fan and someone who was breathing when Prince broke on the scene, I have to say that watching the content on this channel is NEVER a waste of my time. The depth of this interview and the stories that Susan tells really helps us mere mortals understand the mindset of an amazingly creative human being. Keep up the outstanding work. We’re watching!

Susan Rogers is a 'National Prince" treasure that needs to be preserved. I would love for her to write a book on her time with Prince. She is the most interesting person to EVER come out of the Prince camp. She's a great interview.

Thanks for this interview!!

A phenomenal interview. And what a truly phenomenal woman. So glad this randomly popped up in my recommendations. 🙌🏻

Please have more episodes with Susan. Amazing interview !!!

Great interview! You can tell she liked him better with the Revolution than his growth as a musician wanting better musicians. It’s interesting because Peggy interview saw it as he evolved with getting better musicians and Susan saw it as he didn’t know how to value friendship. Kinda cold what she said about Sheila E. Sheila E already had a following she was with Lionel Ritchie and Carlos Santana. Prince had to be Prince and evolve, Wendy and Lisa wanted it more about them in my opinion. And his unfaithful caused issues since he was dating her twin and him not picking the songs they wrote and going in a different direction. Think her point about bringing up his childhood is unfair and not appropriate. Friendship had nothing to do with it, it was about him growing as a creative and the Revolution was not that high caliber of musicians. All this to say, I wish God would have let him finish his memoire.

Susan is a highly intelligent and articulate human being artist!!! Amazing how she fell into the job of being the Engineer for Prince!!!

Thanks for asking specifically about who wrote Manic Monday…. I questioned the fact that Appolonia claims to have written it and others she feels she’s owed credit for… Hmmm🤔

❤❤

Omg Duane is in this too Bonus!!!! Please tell him how very much All is hard work on those books is so very appreciated!!!!! I am so, so glad I bought and read them both. 😘💜💜💜

I can't say in words how amazing this interview is. Thank you so much for the time and the passion that you all have put into this. I can't wait for the next one ✌️😎

Thank you, Dr. Susan I was privileged to be her student and learn from her vast experience in both worlds, Neuroscience in Psychoacoustics and Music Production and Engineering. Will have those memories forever and will be always grateful to have crossed your path in my life. Thank you for everything.

I could listen to Susan’s stories all day. I also appreciate Duane’s comprehensive books

Someone needs to set the record straight. When David Z did his interview, he insisted that, "What you think is Prince playing a DI guitar, is actually him playing through a small amp, like a Fender champ." This statement was surprising, as the guitar on his early albums, especially Dirty Mind, sound like DI (almost to the point where one couldn't imagine it being otherwise). Also need clarity: Was it often the middle position on the Tele with the phase reversed?

I could listen to both of them for hours and not get bored

Thank you for this interview!! Love hearing more about Prince’s process and how he truly was a one of a kind artist!

Incredible. Has she written a book about this time period? Would be amazing to read it!

Awesome insight. Many thanks. I'm off now to listen to MORE of Prince. WITH HEADPHONES!

This was a beautiful conversation. Thank you Drew, Susan and Duane. Better than anything else

I would think it was hard or difficult being in a romantic relationship with Prince. He was so creative, always writing or in studios, rehearsals, interviews, appearances, tours and whatnot. How he found quality time (not just sex) for a woman is beyond me. Could be some of the reasons why his marriages didn't last that long. I think he was fascinating, especially so after hearing these stories.

Great Interview. Awesome to get to meet Susan and hear all the amazing stories she has about Prince, one of the Greatest musicians of all times.

I love how super articulate she is. I could listen to her talk for hours.

Prince has always been an influence on my own music. I think "Purple Rain" the song may be the greatest song of all time. Very powerful. Rip Prince🙏

Thanks for this video, I could listen for endless hours to people sharing their personal experience with Prince, one of the most unique, creative, successful and hardest working artists in music business ever

Prince is the whole reason I am involved with music. He’s the reason why I want to be an engineer. To work with magnificent brains and people like him. There will never be another Prince.

Wow! What a fantastic interview! Susan, thank you so very much for such wonderful, interesting and honest stories from a personal & fan perspective. It means so much to me to hear about the man who has meant so very much to me as fan. You have made my day!

Susan, Drew and Duane - Thank you so much for this detailed, colorful and emotional interview on working with Prince during his most productive and iconic studio years - A true masterpiece interview with the right people telling the true story, making it the no.1 reference interview for all future generations to come. 💕

So glad that Duane and Susan were able to coordinate this with their book promotions! One day, I hope to visit Sunset Sound and absorb the vibes...

Yanni tried to do another Live at Acropolis to top again and failed...depressions started....Prince knew that rabbit hole .... MJ tried with bad after Thriller but failed in his terms and was unhappy...Prince didnt care

Great interview!!! I always enjoy listening to Dr. Rogers and can all day, everyday. I also love that someone feels the same about his guitar skills. P doesn’t get the credit deserved for his mastery and kind of gets under my skin when you see Rollingstones Magazine rank him soooo low (not saying it matters in the big picture, but just saying). 🫡salute to Sunset Studies and the Podcast!

This was Amazing! I was sooo drawn in. Susan Roger’s recollections and storytelling abilities made me feel like I was a Fly on the wall reliving the memories. Thank you very much for sharing and giving us insight into those magical moments. Simply Amazing 🙏

One of the greatest gifts that music has given me…is the fact that Dr. Susan Rogers was an authentic and passionate fan of Prince’s before being hired. Imagine not knowing these stories 😢. I can’t thank Susan enough.

IMO, Love Symbol album is right up there with his best work. It's insane when you listen to it today.

This was superb! Thanks to all involved!

Dr. Rogers' description of hyper creative people really struck me. She describes the "gate" of the mind being broken, but honestly, I wouldn't want mine to be fixed.

Thank you for this incredible interview! I've followed Susan for years, these stories never get old. What an amazing person.

This was fantastic......i was a VIP Host at the Prince Expo in Amsterdam, but picking this true enginering genius her brain is a world on its own.Beautiful stories and cool to see Duane there cause he deserves a lot of credit for all the hard work he's been putting in those books.Reading his stuff still kinda freaked me out on his work ethics and there is always something new to discover on this guy, it never ends.......I think personally that he knew all along what was going on or was going to happen, the internet, the recordcompanies, the mastertapes and all of the subject he discusses in his music.....the mystery of the guy is as cool story as all of his collabs and recording.But to be honest......as a true fan im not waiting on re-issued albums, knowing there is a vault with all of his concerts ever played are recorded and a Revolution album and 10000000 of hours of live concert footage, thats what we want!!!!!!

Duane Tudahl's books are an incredible documentation of Prince's work process and life, intertwined, as they were.

I respect Susan immensely for not mentioning who that "famous musician" was that Prince essentially "blew off" but I would be lying if I didn't admit that I am am dying to know who that "famous musician" was... Although I do respect the fact that this "famous musician" might be embarrassed or it may bring back unpleasant memories if his identity was known.

“I would cut tape!!” Yes you did. And thank you for that!

This one and Peggy are so god damn good, it makes everything about Sunset Sound AMAZING!!!

I remember walking into work and being told Prince had died. I remember someone telling me Elvis died, just 40 years between. I miss Prince, the more I hear, the easier it gets to hear him and appreciate the godgiven talent

Susan is such a special soul to be able to get a chance to work with one of the greatest position of her lifetime.

I could listen and watch Susan ALL DAY.. What a woman... Just bought her book off the back of this..

54:12 way to kill the vibe, man. From emotion to gear :(

Did Susan ever work with Monte Wilkes, his live sound engineer at one point?

Susan is one of the coolest women alive. Change my mind.

Thanks for putting Prince's early years in perspective. Many people criticize him for some of his actions but they also forget he was still in his 20's and had so many responsibilities at such a young age. He did much better than most in handling so much so early.

WOW, just WOW.. thank you to everyone involved in bringing his music to the world.

I got Susan's book on Audible, and it is amazing. It will give you new perspective on your relationship with music, and the relationships with music of the people around you. Great read/listen

Great interview! I've listened to just about every Dr. Rogers interview and she's always a delight! At the 49:40 mark, Eric Dolphy had a similar quote about the fleetingness of music: "When you hear music, after it's over, it's gone, in the air. You can never capture it again."