Kamala Harris recounts her and husband Doug Emhoff's touching reaction after learning of Prince's death

During a recent interview with Howard Stern, Harris shared a touching story about how she and Emhoff reacted when they found out Prince had died
Kamala Harris shared a touching story about how she and her husband Doug Emhoff reacted when they found out Prince had died in April 2016 (Getty Images)
Kamala Harris shared a touching story about how she and her husband Doug Emhoff reacted when they found out Prince had died in April 2016 (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: It’s official! Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff are massive vinyl nerds. The Democratic presidential candidate and the Second Gentleman apparently can’t resist popping into local record shops - even during the chaos of campaign season.

The duo are also big music enthusiasts, and Harris opened up about just how much during a revealing chat with Howard Stern on his SiriusXM show on Tuesday, October 8.

During the interview, Harris shared a touching story about how she and Emhoff reacted when they found out Prince had died in April 2016.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) speaks to reporters after announcing her
Kamala Harris is a big Prince fan (Getty Images)

Howard Stern and Kamala Harris talk about Prince

Howard Stern kicked off the interview with a bit of nostalgia, playing his favorite Prince album - the 1989 'Batman' soundtrack. He queued up “Batdance,” knowing that Harris was a massive fan of the late singer.

Stern even went on to call the 'Batman' soundtrack Prince’s best work, noting that it held the No 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for six weeks.

But Harris disagreed. “No, 1999 I thought was spectacular. You can go back to his early days. Him on the guitar, there was just nothing like it," she said.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: Musician Prince is seen on stage at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Prince was honored with the Vanguard Award. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Musician Prince is seen on stage at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The Veep was adamant that Prince’s earlier work was where his true genius shined, adding, “Even you look at Bruno Mars today, who's just been influenced by Prince.”

But Harris recalled that emotions were high the night Prince died. Harris and Emhoff were in Los Angeles when they heard the news of Prince’s tragic death from an accidental fentanyl overdose at the age of 57.

Despite their differing music tastes — Emhoff is a Depeche Mode fan, while Harris grew up with hip-hop — Prince was the artist they both loved.

“The night he passed, Doug and I were in LA and actually just—he and I have very different musical tastes… [he's into] Depeche Mode, that's him, I grew up kind of hip-hop—but Prince is the one intersection where we both love, and we just played Prince all night long. We danced, we sang his songs, that was our little tribute,” Harris fondly recalled.



 

Politics, Formula One, and the Sphere

Of course, the conversation wasn’t all about music. Harris — who has been on a rigorous media tour ahead of the close presidential race with former President Donald Trump — delved into politics as well.

She was outraged over claims in Bob Woodward’s new book that Trump allegedly sent Covid testing machines to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the height of the pandemic. Harris said she thinks Trump is being played by his authoritarian pals.

“I grew up in the neighborhood,” Harris told Stern, “Some would say you’re getting punked if you stand in favor of somebody who’s an adversary over your friends on principles that we all agree on.”

While she didn’t reveal who she’d choose for her cabinet if elected, Harris did speak highly of former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney.

"I gotta win, Howard. I gotta win. I gotta win. And listen, but the thing about Liz Cheney, let me just say, she's remarkable," she said.

Harris also touched on some lighter topics, like her obsession with Formula One racing and her admiration for Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. But perhaps the most surprising part of the chat came when Harris revealed her experience attending U2’s mind-blowing opening show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Billboard reported.



 

“Oh my God, have you been to the Sphere?” Harris asked Stern, recounting her experience at the U2 concert. She humorously advised anyone planning to go, “Let me just say, basically everyone should go in with a clear head,” she said after Stern admitted that he’d been nervous about the overwhelming visuals.

Stern chimed in with a warning: “Like don’t be high,” to which Harris laughed and agreed, “Correct. Because it's a lot. Like there's a lot of visual stimulation," adding, "I love U2 and actually it was a surprise for Doug."

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The case centers on releasing audio recordings and transcripts of Biden's 2016–17 interviews with his memoir ghostwriter
20 minutes ago
Kennedy says the states must prove Medicaid payments were legitimate before more than $1 billion in federal funding is restored
33 minutes ago
Republican lawmaker says newly declassified intelligence warrants suspending every Chinese F-1 and J-1 visa issued by the US
51 minutes ago
As Democrats push for higher taxes on the wealthy, Trump argued the policy would drive rich residents to Republican-led states, leaving blue states
1 hour ago
Trump is reportedly pursuing a new legal route to revive his trade agenda despite advisers warning of economic and political fallout
2 hours ago
The Pentagon on Monday confirmed that around 100 US service members were injured in incidents and attacks originating from Iran since July 7
2 hours ago
Nancy Mace's exit leaves Darline Graham Nordone, Russell Fry, and Ralph Norman competing for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat in South Carolina
10 hours ago
Barack Obama argued debates over citizenship and belonging still shape US politics during a discussion on Reconstruction
11 hours ago
President Donald Trump said he discussed trade, defense, and energy with Prime Minister Andy Burnham during their first leaders' call
12 hours ago
Trump's proclamations argue that Canada discriminates against American autos, alcohol, and cheese relative to other trading partners
12 hours ago