Why Madonna, not Sheila E. Did the Prince tribute.

[gjohnson441496]

Bruno Mars would have been a good choice. Lenny Kravitz would be as well.

Either one of these for sure.

I was practicing/playing/learning a new song when my wife told me (for the second time) that the tribute to Prince was on. I had previously told her that I wasn't interested in watching it, but since she asked me A SECOND TIME to watch it I succumbed to her request (Billboard awards, American Idol, The Voice, whatever; they all SUCK!). Anyway, at first I was taken aback by the plastic surgery (Jeez Louise!), but eventually I was sucked in to the wormhole and a tear almost came to my eye... then Stevie Wonder showed up (*** is this???? Huh????). I regained my composure, left the room, and began practicing/playing my bass again. I'm beginning to wonder if the invention of television was a good idea.

 

[bluesblaster]

I gave up on most television, its so much crap its not worth my time. I'll read a book or watch a DVD. Aside from public TV its mostly just mindless drivel.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

Doesn't matter because David Grohl is gonna steal the camera time.

 

[bluesblaster]

Tempest in a teapot. The media keeps hoping the 'deceased artist' thing will really take the off. But beyond generating a lot of chatter on the net (here for example), it never turns into the big windfall for the labels that they hope it will be.

With all due respect towards Prince, he was a pop star. Not a national hero, or somebody who was a complete game changer in the larger scheme of things. From what I saw, he was a talented but temperamental recluse who could write a good song, and put on a spectacular stage show. So I prefer to keep it all in perspective. His death, while tragic - especially in light of how it probably was avoidable - is still what it is: the passing of a popular entertainer. So while I can sympathize and feel a certain sadness, as I would over any productive life cut short, I can't say I am devastated by it. Nor do I feel any desire to form a church around it like some of his fans apparently want to.

But that's me. I'm sure there are many who will disagree.

Nope, this was my feeling as well.

 

[Pyrat]

I never expected the "industry" to do justice to an ARTIST who spent many years calling them out for the injustices they do to ALL musicians. NO MATTER. Prince made music that will be listened to, danced to and enjoyed for as long as there are people...and THAT is what we got from him. I'm Blessed to have been a part of the Minneapolis music scene and to have been there to watch the highs and the lows and B one of the dancers...RIP and God Bless~

 

[1954bassman]

Why does what Linda Perry says matters ? She's not very relevant either, her last hit was 20 years ago.

Is she Joe Perrys wife?

 

[aborgman]

This is total disrespect.

It's tactless - but largely true.

The crazy thing is that in the wake of Prince's death, Sheila, The Time, and others are probably experiencing an upsurge in sales, and that would only increase with a Billboard appearance.

Sure - but they don't have a goal of making money for those folks... they have a fiduciary duty to maximize their own profits.

 

[aborgman]

If that is the only reason for a tribute, why bother?

Ummm... to make money.

 

[ToneMonkey]

I'm supposed to take something seriously that awards Justin Beiber the highest award? I suppose preteen and teenage girls loved it. Never stop never stopping!

 

[HaphAsSard]

Doesn't matter because David Grohl is gonna steal the camera time.

The Phil Collins of modern times...

 

[aborgman]

Exactly. You'd be surprised how much money the 'labels' make off Prince. Pre & Post death. And his estate will get very little from it. Disrespectful!

Not disrespectful... just contracts.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think Shelia E would be more like putting a backup singer on stage for his tribute. She's definitely a few tiers lower on the fame scale.

 

[schenknasty]

Prince is dead?!?

 

[BuffaloBob4343]

I loved the tribute because I love Prince and to me it wasn't about the presenters but the person who was being honored but would it have been nice to see Sheila, Morris, Wendy & Lisa, Jimmy & Terry and Dr Fink? of course but it didn't happen. The playing of Purple Rain was perfect and to see the crowd bathed in purple singing that song was something very special to me it was my final goodbye to a genius and musical tsunami. I won't watch another tribute I will leave him to rest in peace and pray the surving family does everything possible to keep his legacy alive.

Rest in Peace?? I doubt it. He was a tireless and prolific worker. Wherever he is, he's probably already recruiting his new band and planning his next tour!

 

[40Hz]

Not disrespectful... just contracts.

Yep. Any "respect" you'll ever get is written in ink and has a price assigned to it in your contract. Anything you assumed based on assurances and handshakes is only as good as the person who's making them.

At TB we say "pix or it didn't happen."

In the real world it's: "in writing, or there's no agreement."

But that's something that's been well known ever since the Beatles got very publicly screwed over by contracts Brian Epstein entered into on their behalf.

If a songwriter as saavy and popular as Prince gets his estate screwed over in this day and age, there's nobody to blame but the artist himself. This nonsense has gone on for so long in this industry, and is so well documented, that there's no excuse for letting yourself get suckered into a bad contract anymore. Musicians need to understand what they're signing - just like any other business person does. And negotiate for equitable terms. Calling yourself an "artist" doesn't change that.

 

[micguy]

One other reason Madonna did the tribute - didn't think of it 'til now. Both born in 1958. So was Michael Jackson, but whern asked to do the tribute, he didn't reply. Now when Madonna dies, well, I was also born that year. After my tribute, I'm sure most of you will be scratching your head wondering why me......

 

[jacolyte]

none of it is art; it's "entertainment." who cares.

 

[DWBass]

Tempest in a teapot. The media keeps hoping the 'deceased artist' thing will really take the off. But beyond generating a lot of chatter on the net (here for example), it never turns into the big windfall for the labels that they hope it will be.

With all due respect towards Prince, he was a pop star. Not a national hero, or somebody who was a complete game changer in the larger scheme of things. From what I saw, he was a talented but temperamental recluse who could write a good song, and put on a spectacular stage show. So I prefer to keep it all in perspective. His death, while tragic - especially in light of how it probably was avoidable - is still what it is: the passing of a popular entertainer. So while I can sympathize and feel a certain sadness, as I would over any productive life cut short, I can't say I am devastated by it. Nor do I feel any desire to form a church around it like some of his fans apparently want to.

But that's me. I'm sure there are many who will disagree.

Well I do disagree. He was a HERO to many artists who don't own their own music and get raped by record companies and distributors. He fought for all musicians to own their own music. He was definitely a game changer. He was who he was was because he refused to take it anymore. A man who was consumed with music. He was also a religious man. He was also a proponent of musicians learning the craft of making music playing instruments and not in studios copying and pasting on keyboards and computers. And it's funny how folks like Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin who shot themselves up with illegal drugs and a Cobain and Kath who shoot themselves in the head get more respect than Prince.

 

[jerry]

Why does what Linda Perry says matters ? She's not very relevant either, her last hit was 20 years ago.

She is a big producer these days [Pink] she has a lot of juice in the industry, and that's the key word when it comes to Billboard, industry.

 

[jerry]

Tempest in a teapot. The media keeps hoping the 'deceased artist' thing will really take the off. But beyond generating a lot of chatter on the net (here for example), it never turns into the big windfall for the labels that they hope it will be.

With all due respect towards Prince, he was a pop star. Not a national hero, or somebody who was a complete game changer in the larger scheme of things. From what I saw, he was a talented but temperamental recluse who could write a good song, and put on a spectacular stage show. So I prefer to keep it all in perspective. His death, while tragic - especially in light of how it probably was avoidable - is still what it is: the passing of a popular entertainer. So while I can sympathize and feel a certain sadness, as I would over any productive life cut short, I can't say I am devastated by it. Nor do I feel any desire to form a church around it like some of his fans apparently want to.

But that's me. I'm sure there are many who will disagree.

If you were around in the 80's, you know he changed the musical landscape and earned large respect for all sides of the musical community from Miles and jazz cats to rockers. Up there as one of the biggest/best artists to soundtrack my long life.