Prince plans US tour of spontaneous shows

Prince, never one to tie himself down to music industry practices, is planning a US tour. But how to find out where the shows are taking place is another question.
Prince's promoters announced Friday that the rock icon will bring his "Hit and Run" tour to the United States, which last year saw him play across Europe in a series of shows revealed at the last minute -- including two a night in both Paris and London.
The 56-year-old "Purple Rain" creator gave details about the Europe shows on Twitter. But in a problem for the US tour, he abruptly left social media in November.
Prince's promoters revealed only that his first US show for "Hit and Run" will take place on March 14 somewhere in Louisville, Kentucky.
The city may seem aptly random, but it is the hometown of Hannah Welton, the drummer of his all-female collaborating band 3rdEyeGirl, and the show will raise money for local charities.
The tour comes after Prince showed up with no prior announcement at last month's Grammys to present the Album of the Year.
Prince last year released two albums simultaneously -- "Art Official Age" and "Plectrumelectrum," the latter performed with 3rdEyeGirl.
The twin release marked Prince's return to the Warner Brothers label two decades after he famously protested his contractual terms by writing "slave" on his cheek and changing his name to the unpronounceable "love symbol."
Source: AFP