BBC Four just had a really good docmentary on Bowie´s early years up to the Ziggy Stardust era. It is impossible to watch this and not see the similarities with Prince´s early yrs. Back in the mid 80´s, when I was the main Prince fan in my small town, a friend of mine suddenly became a huge Bowie fan, which I still think to this day was based more on being competitive than musical, seen as previous to the music, it was a football thing between Liverpool/Man Utd.

I mostly won this discussion easily back then, Prince/Bowie, and it naturally helped getting to know such a massive music catalogue like Bowie´s in musical terms, but watching this tonight makes me think, my Bowie friend never really did his homework, he could have kicked my arse regarding the similarities between the two...

Curious what you guys think...

[Edited 6/24/12 18:49pm]

Seems every musician alive or dead is/was prince's mentor.

Graycap23 said:

Seems every musician alive or dead is/was prince's mentor.

Mentor is most likely the wrong description, influence in artistic terms would probably be more appropriate...

What can I say, heres my 10 cents

there are a lot of similarities, but I don't think Bowie really influenced Prince much at all. He's never mentioned Bowie as an influence and I doubt if he was even very conscious of him until well into the 80s (A book I read about Bowie, mentioned Prince a few times).

I mean for instance, the rampant drug abuse of Bowie in the 1973 -77 period and his dabblings with bisexuality, satanism and Nazi insignia would never be things Prince would consider. Maybe the only real correlation comes in Bowies stream of ever expanding and amzing albums from 1970s Man who sold the world up to Scary Monsters in 1980s. Bowie the actor was the closest Prince came to him.

But I do agree, that in musical output both are very similar. A series of innovative and catchy albums with a new look and even sound (The rock of Ziggy, Plastic soul of Young Americans and minimalist synth pop of the Berlin period). In a lot of ways Bowie is the Caucasian Prince, and Prince the Black David Bowie. They both loved guitar solos, piano, drums and Bowie was notorious for the number of band members he had hired and fired from the start of his career. Also Bowie had a penchant for quirky lyrics like Prince. Ashes to Ashes and Up the Hill Backwards and Red sails could have been put on Parade.

Both had a huge breakout single (Space Oddity and I wanna be your lover) off their second album, released in a year ending in 9 (1969 and 1979), and their first album came out when they were 20 (David Bowie the laughing gnome in 1967 and For You in 1978). Both had to wait 3 years for their second huge hit which had a sexual tone to it (Starman 1972 and 1999 in late 1982 or Little Red Corvette if u like). Both had a classic album before their huge stardom (Hunky Dory and Dirty Mind or Controversy).

Both have had a series of career highlights (Ziggy Stardust, Station to Station, Low, Heroes, Scary Monsters) vs (1999, Purple Rain, Parade, Sign, The Gold Experience) and lowlights (Never let me down, pin ups, Tin Machine albums) (Graffiti Bridge, New Power Soul and Chaos and Disorder). Both had huge commercial comeback albums that were less pleasing to fans and purists of their music (The crowd pleasing Rock and Pop of Lets Dance and the crowd pleasing Rap, R and B of Diamonds and Pearls). Both albums have one real classic (Lets Dance and Cream), a huge ballad (China Girl and Diamonds and Pearls).

So there are your similarities, and the most important, many Prince fans are also David Bowie fans like me. I listen mostly to Bowie when I am not listening to Prince. I think Bowie is just brilliant.

I've thought a lot about this over the years because I hold both artists' music in high esteem. I think David was a trail-blazer that enabled Prince to come along at a later date and have his music accepted. But, I don't really see any similarities in the music itself if you subtract the androgenous image of both. I think Prince, of course, couldn't help but notice David... But, as a musical influence, I don't really hear it IMO. Both have a great legacy in music and I will always treasure their music that speaks to me...

Whitnail said:

Graycap23 said:

Seems every musician alive or dead is/was prince's mentor.

Mentor is most likely the wrong description, influence in artistic terms would probably be more appropriate...

Just to clear up any misunderstanding, I originally titled the thread "David Bowie...Prince´s real Mentor?" hence Graycap23`s reply.

that was a great nights viewing on BBC4. I can't begin to say how much I love Bowie - 2nd only to P. Really hope that all is well with him but suspect his health is poor or maybe he just wants to be out of the game.

Anyway my point is that Prince's career seems to have mirrored his so much, whatever P did Bowie did first - alter egos, sharp suits, use of jazz, yearly album release - each one more creative and challenging as the last!, 'borrowing of ideas' from band members lol!, ripping off band members !!, etc. The diference is that P is a 1 stop shop of genuis whereas Bowie was always a strong collaborator.

2 incredible artists who should be treasured.

funkyhead said:

that was a great nights viewing on BBC4. I can't begin to say how much I love Bowie - 2nd only to P. Really hope that all is well with him but suspect his health is poor or maybe he just wants to be out of the game.

Anyway my point is that Prince's career seems to have mirrored his so much, whatever P did Bowie did first - alter egos, sharp suits, use of jazz, yearly album release - each one more creative and challenging as the last!, 'borrowing of ideas' from band members lol!, ripping off band members !!, etc. The diference is that P is a 1 stop shop of genuis whereas Bowie was always a strong collaborator.

2 incredible artists who should be treasured.

That was pretty much always my main argument regarding the two of them as well, especially in terms of production musically.

I can well imagine that at some point in the late 70´s that Prince had a good look at what Bowie had done up to that point and realised its potential. It is well known that Prince was into the new wave scene in Europe at that time.

Prince´s genius is well documented and I personally think that one of his greatest talents is his ability to take someone elses idea, better it in some cases and make it his own.

I would also hope that Bowie is in good health but I got the impression from the last show that was aired that some of his past indulgences have caught up with him. Nonetheless, an absolute legend and one of my top 3 favourite artists of all time, who I regret not seeing live when I had the opportunity back in the 80´s.

I watched that documentary to, I couldn't help to notice a similarity between the two they both play many instruments and have very talented musicians at their sides, but also my mom even agreed they are the only 2 men who come to mind that can easily pass off androgyny & I never look at Prince and see man/women or black/white same goes for Bowie I think its brilliant that they can both pull on such feminine looks but still appear masculine

Reminded me to watch the docu, thanks

Adorecream said:

What can I say, heres my 10 cents

there are a lot of similarities, but I don't think Bowie really influenced Prince much at all. He's never mentioned Bowie as an influence and I doubt if he was even very conscious of him until well into the 80s (A book I read about Bowie, mentioned Prince a few times).

I mean for instance, the rampant drug abuse of Bowie in the 1973 -77 period and his dabblings with bisexuality, satanism and Nazi insignia would never be things Prince would consider. Maybe the only real correlation comes in Bowies stream of ever expanding and amzing albums from 1970s Man who sold the world up to Scary Monsters in 1980s. Bowie the actor was the closest Prince came to him.

.

Prince has credited Bowie in an interview, I even saw it recently (although I'm struggling to remember which interview it was, I'm afraid, but I have just got back from my third consecutive festival!). The interviewer was basically saying that Prince was fairly unique in his consummate artistic vision and Prince replied, "Well, there was also David Bowie". Its extemely rare for Prince to EVER namecheck another artist in comparison to him, so that has to be taken as huge props.

Also, its well-known that Prince thought Gary Numan was a genius and he wasn't the "cleanest" artist around either - so I don't think that Prince really considers what the artist's private lives are like, he's just interested in the music....as he should be!

Love them both. I think Bowie might have influenced Prince his image. Music not really, but image yes! Bowie is one of the most influential artists ever. I see a lot of artists that are inspired by him. especially in his image. Bowie is one of my most favorite artists ever. the man is a genius, love him.

Bowie has been an inspiration to many artists, not just Prince.

I hope Bowie is ok. I fear the bad news about him coming soon.

dJJ said:

Bowie has been an inspiration to many artists, not just Prince.

I hope Bowie is ok. I fear the bad news about him coming soon.

Why should there be any bad news? Hasn't his health been okay since the last heart attack?

[img:$uid]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/Shorty777/Prince/lollipop.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.spinner.com/media/2010/05/david-bowie-lollipop-eye-320.jpg[/img:$uid]

muirdo said:

[img:$uid]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/Shorty777/Prince/lollipop.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.spinner.com/media/2010/05/david-bowie-lollipop-eye-320.jpg[/img:$uid]

Now THAT shit is funny.

steakfinger said:

muirdo said:

[img:$uid]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/Shorty777/Prince/lollipop.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.spinner.com/media/2010/05/david-bowie-lollipop-eye-320.jpg[/img:$uid]

Now THAT shit is funny.

no it really is not.

read a really good article last night [sorry now can't find a link] about Bowie. seems he's just chillin' after the last tour and subsequent hear attack. He's enjoying being a dad to his 11 year old girl, doing the school run, reading and recovering. Rather like P he apparently feels he has nothing left to prove. It was a great article and gives me hope that he is at least leading a normal life and recovering well.

Mindflux said:

Also, its well-known that Prince thought Gary Numan was a genius and he wasn't the "cleanest" artist around either - so I don't think that Prince really considers what the artist's private lives are like, he's just interested in the music....as he should be!

novabrkr said: