The Greatest Night Of My Life: Starring KD Lang, Wendy Melvoin and Ellen DeGeneres.

There is no greater song than Prince’s “Purple Rain.” From the eponymous album and movie released in 1984, the track peaked at #1 on the charts. Originally written as a country ballad intended for Stevie Nicks, Prince later showed it to the members of his band The Revolution at the end of a rehearsal and said “I want to try something before we go home. It’s mellow.” Based on the initial ringing chords of the intro from guitarist Wendy Melvoin (who wrote the song with Prince) <EDIT: my friend Gary Helsinger has pointed out that Wendy did NOT co-write the song. Thanks, nerd>, the epic ballad soared with its impassioned and screaming vocal gymnastics, gospel choir, and hand-waving-in-the-air-at-the-stadium perfection. The guitar solo at the end is genius — just three notes, over and over. Breathtaking in its minimalism. He’s holding WAY back, and it’s pure simplicity and magic. Also, THEY RECORDED IT LIVE. Whole thing. Just added some strings at the end and tweaked the mix. Think about that. No one does that. Prince did.

Now the story takes another direction. But they will both meet up. Don’t worry.

In 1995, word got quietly around that I could play piano a bit. I’m not a piano player really, but I can fake it. I am proud to say I can play (and sing) Depeche Mode’s “Somebody,” The Eagles’ “Take It To The Limit,” and some assorted Billy Joel (he rules by the way, and if you think otherwise, you’re wrong). But I am nooooooot a pro. I did play in a few bands though as a piano guy for a while here and there. I played in Anna Waronker’s (ex-of That Dog) SUPER awesome band with and her husband Steven McDonald (hi guys! Miss you) AND her brother, who if you know how good he is, you know how good we were. Come to think of it, go look up Anna’s solo work on Spotify. It’s wonderful.

Anyhoo — around that time I was asked to fill in for a band called The Murmurs as a keyboardist for one show only. Great songs, great people, and they were big enough to fill the El Rey in Los Angeles. We rehearsed a few times, including the bubbly cover of The Three O’Clock’s “Jet Fighter,” and headed over to the show.

Now, the two female lead singers were dating Ellen DeGeneres and KD Lang, so I wasn’t surprised to see them in the backstage room before the show. I was pretty starstruck over KD Lang and just sat there nursing my vodka and soda staring. Pre-talkshow-Ellen was overly animated in the tiny area and jumped up and down on a couch (it was before the Tom Cruise couch-jumping incident by the way. That’s a fun point.).

Meanwhile, Wendy Melvoin was in the room as she came with KD. Guitar in hand, Wendy began mindlessly playing while we all drank and laughed. Quietly, KD asked, “Hey, does everyone know “Purple Rain?” Wendy snickered and starting playing the opening chords. The rest of us nodded. KD said “Let’s do a cover of it at the encore for tonight.” Mind you — KD and Wendy were not announced. We were just gonna spring it on them.

Sure enough, as we finished our set, out comes KD, resplendent in a classic suit, followed by Wendy. The next thing I heard were those glorious four chords that open “Purple Rain.” And I was standing next to the co-writer. I got goosebumps. Then KD started to sing.

I think KD has one of the most astonishing voices in modern history. Elegant, silky passion comes from her lips in glorious notes. For proof: Google “KD Lang live Hallelujah.” Her cover of the oft-covered Leonard Cohen song is nothing but pure heaven.

So there I stood, fumbling along with the keyboard to the chords of my favorite song ever…and then she sang. You have truly not lived a full existence on earth until you have heard her sing this song. She pushed Prince’s vocal to a new level. Delicate and sleek, her lilting voice transcended the song and became something else.

Then, out of nowhere as I’m thinking “HOW IS THIS FUCKING HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW??”, KD slid over to me and started crooning directly at me for a quick verse. Just me and her. Eyes matched. Then she slipped away and finished the song.

That was it. I was too drunk to say goodbye, so I don’t remember much after that, but I know that night was The Greatest Night Of My Life.