Don't Call It a Comeback

Whatever you call Prince's resurging popularity, don't use the C-word. ''People are calling this my comeback. Comeback? I never went anywhere!'' Prince, in fact, denies that his Grammy appearance, his oldies-packed tour, and the nationwide movie-theater simulcast of his Staples Center concert were part of an orchestrated effort to kick-start his career. ''I never stopped playing and recording. Never had a problem filling arenas. My appearance on 'Ellen' wasn't part of some master strategy. She asked if I would perform; I said yes.''

Back in Phoenix, concert starts an hour late, due, perhaps, to a certain interview ending right at showtime. As a result, Prince has to cut the acoustic set, which means no ''Little Red Corvette'' -- the song that brought the Staples Center crowd to its feet. But don't worry, Phoenix: You should take the whole last-time-for-the-hits thing with a grain of salt. ''Well, it is called the 2004ever tour,'' says Prince when pressed on the subject. ''And time is forever.'' So...probably not the last time? ''Probably not.''

Earlier, I asked Prince what the ''Little Red Corvette'' ovation at Staples meant to him. ''What I was thinking in that moment was, Without any real sacrifice, there's no reward. The affirmation of the Staples show was a blessing from God. You've read the magazines, the gossips. I'm not supposed to be here. But here I am.''

(This is an online-only excerpt of Entertainment Weekly's April 23, 2004, cover story.)