“We were like ‘Oh my God, we can’t wait for Michael to hear it.’ And then Prince erased the whole thing”: Prince recorded his own version of Michael Jackson’s Bad and then immediately deleted it

It’s long been speculated that Michael Jackson wrote Bad, the title track from his 1987 album, in the hope that he could perform it as a duet with Prince, and now Sheila E. has given further credence to that rumour while putting another twist in the tale.

Sheila E was a huge part of the Prince universe around that time - she recorded and toured with him extensively - and, speaking on The Jason Time, she recently recalled the time that she first heard Bad at Paisley Park, Prince’s Minneapolis studio complex.

“OK, I’m going to tell something I’ve never told,” she began, before launching into what turns out to be a pretty juicy story...

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And, if you want to get a rough approximation of what Prince doing Michael Jackson might have sounded like, here he is working 1979’s Don’t Stop 'Til You Get Enough into his performance of The Time’s Cool - a song that Prince also wrote - while on stage in Montreux in 2013. Also listen out to the nod to Stevie Wonder via the inclusion of the horn riff from Sir Duke right at the end...

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