It was Spring 1978, my freshman year, when I first heard of Prince and “Soft & Wet.” Prince would be a high school senior. Different schools, in fact, I don’t know him. But like a big brother, Prince was there at every event in my life back then. And like a little brother, I followed everything he did. I bought every album and learned every song.

Prince, above everything else, or, if nothing else, is consistent. Like him, hate him or love him, Prince released material that earned a place someone’s chart. And in 1984, Prince created the ultimate soundtrack for my perfect summer.