# Prince Headhunted Andy McKee for Stage Show

> Prince recruited Andy McKee to open his Australia tour with a 50ft cape and explosions, but McKee preferred playing Purple Rain instead.
- Title: Prince Headhunted Andy McKee for Stage Show · Guitar World
- Summary: Prince recruited Andy McKee to open his Australia tour with a 50ft cape and explosions, but McKee preferred playing Purple Rain instead. Prince initially…
- Keywords: prince, andy mckee, welcome 2 australia tour, purple rain, guitar world, acoustic guitar, Headhunted, Andy, McKee, Stage, Show
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/andy-mckee-playing-with-prince
- Published: 2026-10-06T15:36:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: prince, andy mckee, welcome 2 australia tour, purple rain, guitar world, acoustic guitar
## Prince recruited Andy McKee
Prince saw Andy McKee play his 2006 classic Rylynn and recruited him for his Welcome 2 Australia tour.
## Prince's planned spectacle
Prince wanted McKee to enter with a 50-foot cape that would unfurl on stage with projections turning into fire and explosions.
## McKee's discomfort
McKee felt the plan was too much for him and sent Prince a version of Purple Rain instead.
## Prince's reaction
Prince liked McKee's Purple Rain performance and dropped the fire and explosions plan for a simpler entrance.
## McKee's humility
McKee admitted he was too shy to do the 50-foot cape entrance and preferred playing Purple Rain.
## Key takeaway

Prince initially wanted Andy McKee to open his Australia tour with a 50-foot cape and explosions, but McKee chose to play Purple Rain to avoid the spectacle.