In my case, it's the over-hyping of his death that is a cultural curiosity. I try to learn from these things - about what our culture values.
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Prince's music
- Thread starter Gorn
- Start date
I feel the same way about Bowie.Interestingly, I am even less of a fan of Bowie than Prince. Prince did a song or two that I liked. I can't say the same thing about Bowie. I never "got" his schtick. But I confess that art is subjective.
I can think of a couple of politicians that captivate people. I'm still not impressed with them. Don't get me wrong. Marketing is a paying skill. Ask Taylor Swift.
I think Price was big with thirty-somethings, but not older people.
I saw SNL's intro of their show last week, where they said "Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson were the soundtrack of our lives..."
Meh. I wasn't a big fan of any of them. Probably Jackson had a half-dozen or more tunes that I really liked.
I think we like the music of our yout'.
I saw SNL's intro of their show last week, where they said "Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson were the soundtrack of our lives..."
Meh. I wasn't a big fan of any of them. Probably Jackson had a half-dozen or more tunes that I really liked.
I think we like the music of our yout'.
On a side note, one of my favorite campy lines: "If he has the time, Doctor. If he has the time."
I'd think 35-50, since he had most of his commercial success between 1982 and about 1993. I'm 45, which would have made me 11 to 22 during that period. I agree that we love the music of our youth.
Prince tends to appeal more to those who are on the feminine end of the spectrum. And while much of his music is now showing its age, when it first came out it was groundbreaking, futuristic and fresh. It fused a lot of what was going on at the time and turned it into something original and new. He was like a reincarnation of Jimi Hendriks or even Elvis Presley.. in the fact that he was a grand showman that used a guitar in a very sexually suggestive way that drove people wild. Many of us "players" forget about the showmanship aspect of our craft. Like it or not, it was there from the very beginning. Such things are the foundation of rock n roll. Its not all just about what you are playing on the guitar, its also about how you are playing it. Think Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendriks, and yes.. Prince. These guys made playing the guitar look interesting, easy and fun. And they did all that while pushing the limits of what is acceptable in society.
I like some Prince songs, the early stuff mostly. But I never bought one of his albums. And I dont think Prince cared if I was going to like or BUY his music, he did what he liked to do for those who are into it. I come from a rock, metal, punk/hardcore world. Yet nevertheless, I respect that kind of artistic integrity, its universal. Prince was trying to do something new. But dont let that fool you, he was a master of the core forces.
If you disagree with any of that, please watch this video:
Also, Prince's creativity went far beyond the music. He had a grand concept in his mind. It seemed to come together perfectly at the right time. There isnt much to even compare it to, everything considered. Perhaps Pink Floyd's The Wall and Michael Jackson's Thriller are similar. He is even referred to as a symbol.. Think about that for a minute..
When I was a kid, I thought Prince was the man. I've always admired him. He represented a new kind of freedom that wasnt rock or disco. It also wasnt black or white, or even male or female. And he always had an entourage of beautiful women, like Vanity (Denise Matthews), who I fell in love with as a kid when I saw a movie in the 80's called "The Last Dragon". Denise Matthew's has a very interesting (and dark) story by the way.. I believe she was also mentioned in a book by Motley Crue's bassist Nikki Sixx who was also in love with her, apparently. Im not sure Prince ever got over her or her death (just my speculation). She died recently, just a short time before Prince. They were both just 57 years old.
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I dont think I've ever met a woman (who was alive back then) that wasnt completely under Prince's spell. The ability to perform such alchemy is why I picked up a guitar in the first place.
While I am not a big fan of his music, I dont think its overrated. If anything, I dont think we have given Prince the respect he actually deserved, for all that he was. Such things are always more apparent once someone is gone. With rockstars and artists in general, many times the appreciation is much greater after they have passed. Think of Vincent Van Gogh for instance. The art transcends the existence.
Regardless, I think we can all agree that Prince had more than a song, he had a vision. And for that, I think that Prince will be remembered more as an artist than a musician. And I think that is absolutely valid. I also think that he would agree with my statement, happily..
RIP -Denise Matthews and Prince
I like some Prince songs, the early stuff mostly. But I never bought one of his albums. And I dont think Prince cared if I was going to like or BUY his music, he did what he liked to do for those who are into it. I come from a rock, metal, punk/hardcore world. Yet nevertheless, I respect that kind of artistic integrity, its universal. Prince was trying to do something new. But dont let that fool you, he was a master of the core forces.
If you disagree with any of that, please watch this video:
Also, Prince's creativity went far beyond the music. He had a grand concept in his mind. It seemed to come together perfectly at the right time. There isnt much to even compare it to, everything considered. Perhaps Pink Floyd's The Wall and Michael Jackson's Thriller are similar. He is even referred to as a symbol.. Think about that for a minute..
When I was a kid, I thought Prince was the man. I've always admired him. He represented a new kind of freedom that wasnt rock or disco. It also wasnt black or white, or even male or female. And he always had an entourage of beautiful women, like Vanity (Denise Matthews), who I fell in love with as a kid when I saw a movie in the 80's called "The Last Dragon". Denise Matthew's has a very interesting (and dark) story by the way.. I believe she was also mentioned in a book by Motley Crue's bassist Nikki Sixx who was also in love with her, apparently. Im not sure Prince ever got over her or her death (just my speculation). She died recently, just a short time before Prince. They were both just 57 years old.
Link Removed
I dont think I've ever met a woman (who was alive back then) that wasnt completely under Prince's spell. The ability to perform such alchemy is why I picked up a guitar in the first place.
While I am not a big fan of his music, I dont think its overrated. If anything, I dont think we have given Prince the respect he actually deserved, for all that he was. Such things are always more apparent once someone is gone. With rockstars and artists in general, many times the appreciation is much greater after they have passed. Think of Vincent Van Gogh for instance. The art transcends the existence.
Regardless, I think we can all agree that Prince had more than a song, he had a vision. And for that, I think that Prince will be remembered more as an artist than a musician. And I think that is absolutely valid. I also think that he would agree with my statement, happily..
RIP -Denise Matthews and Prince
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Interestingly, I am even less of a fan of Bowie than Prince. Prince did a song or two that I liked. I can't say the same thing about Bowie. I never "got" his schtick. But I confess that art is subjective.
I can think of a couple of politicians that captivate people. I'm still not impressed with them. Don't get me wrong. Marketing is a paying skill. Ask Taylor Swift.
You sure are prolific at sharing your dislike for his stuff. How many posts will adequately express your disdain?
I can't get that song Somebody's Somebody out of my head...Is the rest of Emancipation on a similar vibe ? 3 CD's of 12 tracks each...what a massive volume !
I get into all things Bowie. I have a ton of his catalog and can listen to it all day, but I own 6x more Prince than I do Bowie.Interestingly, I am even less of a fan of Bowie than Prince. Prince did a song or two that I liked. I can't say the same thing about Bowie. I never "got" his schtick. But I confess that art is subjective.
I can think of a couple of politicians that captivate people. I'm still not impressed with them. Don't get me wrong. Marketing is a paying skill. Ask Taylor Swift.
As Bowie was a chameleon, so was Prince. Bowie became more human with time, until his death. Prince exploded into pieces for everyone.
Ok. I don't know why I keep posting in this thread but I keep remembering great examples to share that help highlight why I found the man to be a musical genius. I'm going WAY back to before he was popular for these instrumental tracks recorded way back in 1977. Again, I'm amazed these haven't been taken down.
You want funky? You got funky!
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You want funky? You got funky!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Actually, I was talking about Bowie.
I do have a problem with the idolizing of pop stars. ANY pop stars. I have strongly favorite musicians. I also have a favorite movie star, politician, etc. I don't consider ANY of them worth the sort of stuff going on here.
And yes, I bristled at it when Elvis died.
And there is a reason I wasn't posting about this the day it happened.
Prince is 18 months older than I am. Trust me, lots of men my age, and little younger, we're trying to be like Prince. Prince pulled all of the women, what straight young dude wouldn't emulate the man with all of the ladies? Trust me, lots of very masculine men, wanted to be like Prince. Even Dr. Dre, when he was in the World Class Wrecking Crew, was into lingerie. I don't think Dre is feminine.
I found Bowie's small part in the movie "Band Slam" entertaining. It actually was a part of his humanizing, at least for me. But I love your last two sentences. Well put.
