If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

Having gone to all three W2C shows, all three Purple After Jams, and the Andy Allo listening party, I tried to present a balanced review of all the shows I attended - the good and the bad. Yet, the deluge of hostile, negative, and misleading posts that I have seen regarding these shows highlights to me that some of the people need take a break from Prince or leave him alone entirely. It is obvious to me that several Prince “fans” have an idea of who and what Prince should be and their minds are closed to anything else. Their perception of everything he does is filtered through their negative beliefs of him. So no matter how much he tries to do something good or make a right from a wrong, they are unsatisfied. They act as if they created this man in a laboratory and have the right to control his every move. Some people openly hope he loses his JW faith so that they can get him to do the music they want to hear. Some dog his religious and political beliefs with disturbing vitriol. Others don’t like his choice of charities – forget the fact that he is even donating money to charities and helping people out. Really? People hate Larry Graham – a musical legend – because they think he took their Prince away from them. At some point, Prince stopped being human to these people. They want him to be their personal marionette. If he doesn’t do something the way they want it when they want it, he is the scion of Satan. I have never seen anything like this with other artists. I can go to the Santana fan site and see people who are unhappy with certain musical or career moves that he makes. However, there is still a genuine love and respect for him as an artist. It is never anything like this.

Why is it that whenever someone tries to say a positive word about Prince they are referred to as purple Kool-Aid drinking “stans,” and they are mocked for not jumping on the Negative Nancy/Whining Wendy/Psycho Sid bandwagon. It is hilarious to me that I can take breaks from this site for months and return to see the same posters posting negative remarks about everything Prince does. How completely pathetic is that? I could care less about the vast majority of artists out there. As such, I have never visited their fan sites. Yet, some people here have made bashing Prince part of their daily grind. Who does that?

These same people who constantly bash him still listen to albums, watch and listen to bootlegs, read concert reviews, etc. only to tear them and the people who enjoy them apart. What is so funny about these Prince bashers is that they are the sources of some of the most inaccurate information that I have seen. Some of them would have you believe that the W2C shows were a complete disaster; that Prince has lost it; that he just took everyone’s money; that people stormed out; booed, etc. These are some of the same people who predicted that half the arena would be empty and that he wouldn’t be able to do multiple dates in Chicago. Because he proved them wrong, they attempted to mislead folks about what really happened. Thank God I was there. I know what happened at every event.

Actually, if one ventures outside the warped minds of some of these “Prince fans,” you will find that people cannot stop talking about the shows – in a good way. I live in Chicago and people keep telling me how much fun that had at the shows. I went to Ticketmaster to read reviews from people who actually bought tickets and attended the shows, and most of the reviews were between 4 and 5 stars for all the shows. There were several 1 to 3 star votes for Monday’s shows, but overall the reviews were very good. Some of the very things that people complained about on this site were listed as favorite moments by reviewers on Ticketmaster. Yet, some Prince “fans” are still drenching folks in the same old tired bitter downpour that they have been spewing for the last 10 years.

Like I said, it is completely healthy and normal to disagree with things that he does and to share an honest, rational critique or opinion about his music, concerts, style, related artists, etc. It can be a lot of fun to share different perspectives on an artist that people have a shared appreciation for. After all that is what “fans” of an artist do. However, some Prince “fans” have strayed so far left of right that they need an intervention. If you are over Prince, then be over him. It’s cool. However, what reason do you have for still following him only to constantly bash him? Seriously, you need to look into the mirror and ask yourself what compels you to spend so much of your time and energy on someone you cannot stand? If the Prince train has reached its final destination for you, leave the station. After seeing the reactions to the W2C shows, one thing I know is that someone else will gladly take your seat. So, why not go spend your time and energy an artist that you respect and appreciate? It’s ok. To quote another Orger, “You look better gone.”

Like I said on the other thread in site discussion http://prince.org/msg/3/388025

Folks do it on the MJ thread.....

Folks do it in associated artists forum towards every protege.

Those spewing negativity could be trolls or just wanting a flame fest maybe.

Everything cannot be all positive. Got to take the positive with the negative.

I'm sure other artists get bashed on other sites as well in net land.

What's new?

Oh please.

The so-called "haters" on this site are likely the biggest fans.

Hate is the love redirected, with all the passion and extremism in tact.

If they didn't love him so much they wouldn't hold him to such high standards. In essence, they esteem him more highly than people who accept anything and act like the shit is amazing.

I can't stand to see mediocre output from a genius praised. It minimizes the genius. Just stop.

luv4u said:

Like I said on the other thread in site discussion http://prince.org/msg/3/388025

Folks do it on the MJ thread.....

Folks do it in associated artists forum towards every protege.

Those spewing negativity could be trolls or just wanting a flame fest maybe.

Everything cannot be all positive. Got to take the positive with the negative.

I'm sure other artists get bashed on other sites as well in net land.

What's new?

I can agree with you that it takes all types to make the world go 'round. I also fully acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that opinion will not always be agreeable with whatever Prince is doing. That's perfectly fair. I think that what bellanoche is getting at is not a question of positive vs. negative or likes/dislikes. I think there is a segment of Orgers that constantly spew hateful remarks at a discussion just because they are probably dreadful individuals who have nothing better to do. There are some people who have never said one nice (or even peaceable) thing to anyone on any thread in the two years I've been a member. And yes, that is yet another unfortunate trait of any fan site.

But there is a point to what bellanoche is saying. Take Madonna for instance. You will not find me anywhere near a Madonna fan site. I like several of her songs, but I don't have an even moderate regard for her as an artist. I thought everyone who spent $375 to see her in concert truly needed medication. However, when she was in Chicago (just days before Prince), I did not log on to the Madonna fan site and post message after message about what I can't stand about her. She just doesn't mean that much to my life. So one does kind of wonder--if you really can't stand much of what Prince does, what would draw you to a Prince fan site? It's a reasonable question.

bellanoche said:

If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

Having gone to all three W2C shows, all three Purple After Jams, and the Andy Allo listening party, I tried to present a balanced review of all the shows I attended - the good and the bad. Yet, the deluge of hostile, negative, and misleading posts that I have seen regarding these shows highlights to me that some of the people need take a break from Prince or leave him alone entirely. It is obvious to me that several Prince “fans” have an idea of who and what Prince should be and their minds are closed to anything else. Their perception of everything he does is filtered through their negative beliefs of him. So no matter how much he tries to do something good or make a right from a wrong, they are unsatisfied. They act as if they created this man in a laboratory and have the right to control his every move. Some people openly hope he loses his JW faith so that they can get him to do the music they want to hear. Some dog his religious and political beliefs with disturbing vitriol. Others don’t like his choice of charities – forget the fact that he is even donating money to charities and helping people out. Really? People hate Larry Graham – a musical legend – because they think he took their Prince away from them. At some point, Prince stopped being human to these people. They want him to be their personal marionette. If he doesn’t do something the way they want it when they want it, he is the scion of Satan. I have never seen anything like this with other artists. I can go to the Santana fan site and see people who are unhappy with certain musical or career moves that he makes. However, there is still a genuine love and respect for him as an artist. It is never anything like this.

Why is it that whenever someone tries to say a positive word about Prince they are referred to as purple Kool-Aid drinking “stans,” and they are mocked for not jumping on the Negative Nancy/Whining Wendy/Psycho Sid bandwagon. It is hilarious to me that I can take breaks from this site for months and return to see the same posters posting negative remarks about everything Prince does. How completely pathetic is that? I could care less about the vast majority of artists out there. As such, I have never visited their fan sites. Yet, some people here have made bashing Prince part of their daily grind. Who does that?

These same people who constantly bash him still listen to albums, watch and listen to bootlegs, read concert reviews, etc. only to tear them and the people who enjoy them apart. What is so funny about these Prince bashers is that they are the sources of some of the most inaccurate information that I have seen. Some of them would have you believe that the W2C shows were a complete disaster; that Prince has lost it; that he just took everyone’s money; that people stormed out; booed, etc. These are some of the same people who predicted that half the arena would be empty and that he wouldn’t be able to do multiple dates in Chicago. Because he proved them wrong, they attempted to mislead folks about what really happened. Thank God I was there. I know what happened at every event.

Actually, if one ventures outside the warped minds of some of these “Prince fans,” you will find that people cannot stop talking about the shows – in a good way. I live in Chicago and people keep telling me how much fun that had at the shows. I went to Ticketmaster to read reviews from people who actually bought tickets and attended the shows, and most of the reviews were between 4 and 5 stars for all the shows. There were several 1 to 3 star votes for Monday’s shows, but overall the reviews were very good. Some of the very things that people complained about on this site were listed as favorite moments by reviewers on Ticketmaster. Yet, some Prince “fans” are still drenching folks in the same old tired bitter downpour that they have been spewing for the last 10 years.

Like I said, it is completely healthy and normal to disagree with things that he does and to share an honest, rational critique or opinion about his music, concerts, style, related artists, etc. It can be a lot of fun to share different perspectives on an artist that people have a shared appreciation for. After all that is what “fans” of an artist do. However, some Prince “fans” have strayed so far left of right that they need an intervention. If you are over Prince, then be over him. It’s cool. However, what reason do you have for still following him only to constantly bash him? Seriously, you need to look into the mirror and ask yourself what compels you to spend so much of your time and energy on someone you cannot stand? If the Prince train has reached its final destination for you, leave the station. After seeing the reactions to the W2C shows, one thing I know is that someone else will gladly take your seat. So, why not go spend your time and energy an artist that you respect and appreciate? It’s ok. To quote another Orger, “You look better gone.”

[Edited 10/2/12 11:24am]

"Having gone to all three W2C shows, all three Purple After Jams, and the Andy Allo listening party..."

"As a teacher of critical thinking..."

"As a teacher and journalist..."

In other words, "I am smarter than all of you, so just shut up."

Well, you know what? I happen to be an award-winning (former) journalist. I've been a professional writer for 30 years. I studied music (seriously) for a decade. I've been a Prince fan since 1980 (and I was already a grown-up then - not some kid listening to her parents' records on the sly). And I have seen numerous Prince concerts, dating back to 1984. As such, my opinion is every bit as valid as yours - however much you might dislike it, personally.

In defending Prince, you, yourself, turned into the hater. Superior? I think not.

Some people just like to hate. They may be using this site as a way to vent their daily frustrations when they normally may not have one.

They also may just be doing it to stir up arguments for the sake of having them.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, be it positive or negative. Just don't let anyone's opinions affect how you view Prince, or anything else for that matter. The new song for example, I dig it. Sure it's not his best but definitely not his worst. That's all, in my opinion, but there'll always be people who won't agree with you. I laugh at alot of the trolling that goes on here because alot of it is funny, but it won't change me at the end of the day.

I'm jealous you got to go to all those shows, BTW. Any of them have a "Gold" performance?

SynthiaRose said:

Oh please.

The so-called "haters" on this site are likely the biggest fans.

Hate is the love redirected, with all the passion and extremism in tact.

If they didn't love him so much they wouldn't hold him to such high standards. In essence, they esteem him more highly than people who accept anything and act like the shit is amazing.

I can't stand to see mediocre output from a genius praised. It minimizes the genius. Just stop.

Sounds like Fatal Attraction. Fun.

I understand where the OP is coming from and I also agree with Genesia

But the last time I saw Prince was in 2011 and he was doing Little Red Corvette (an awesome reworking that we all know by now I might add) and then Adore... I nudged Pej and said "This shit is awesome to see. Just think, there are morons on the org right now bitchin n moanin' about Prince " as we watched the spectacle. At that moment every criticsim or what have you was just emptied.

So I began to think that you can type all day long about something or someone but it doesnt mean dick unless you have the personal experience, witness it, etc etc. That most of the fevered critics here really havent seen Prince in years, or even decades.

That's not to say that seeing him live etc erases any future criticisms or negative experiences that may come to pass but it does effect ones objectivity I believe.

skywalker said:

SynthiaRose said:

Oh please.

The so-called "haters" on this site are likely the biggest fans.

Hate is the love redirected, with all the passion and extremism in tact.

If they didn't love him so much they wouldn't hold him to such high standards. In essence, they esteem him more highly than people who accept anything and act like the shit is amazing.

I can't stand to see mediocre output from a genius praised. It minimizes the genius. Just stop.

Sounds like Fatal Attraction. Fun.

Exactly. And Im not kidding about it either.

skywalker said:

SynthiaRose said:

Oh please.

The so-called "haters" on this site are likely the biggest fans.

Hate is the love redirected, with all the passion and extremism in tact.

If they didn't love him so much they wouldn't hold him to such high standards. In essence, they esteem him more highly than people who accept anything and act like the shit is amazing.

I can't stand to see mediocre output from a genius praised. It minimizes the genius. Just stop.

Sounds like Fatal Attraction. Fun.

"I won't be ignored, Prince".

Purpleaxxe1972 said:

skywalker said:

Sounds like Fatal Attraction. Fun.

"I won't be ignored, Prince".

Seriously? You guys sound like fucking idiots.

It guess when the critics decide they want to fuck and kill Prince maybe you'll have a point.

Until then the parallel isn't there and nothing about my post was psychotic or unreasonable at all.

SynthiaRose said:

Seriously? You guys sound like fucking idiots.

It's the org, not mensa.com

rdhull said:

SynthiaRose said:

Seriously? You guys sound like fucking idiots.

It's the org, not mensa.com

[Edited 10/2/12 13:05pm]

A Purple cocktail

4 the deaf, dumb and blind

A curious mix of nonsense

.......and scared 2 speak your mind

A JW convert

Swaying and praying u move

2 the beat of a maestro

........who seems 2 have lost his groove

Graycap23 said:

A Purple cocktail

4 the deaf, dumb and blind

A curious mix of nonsense

.......and scared 2 speak your mind

A JW convert

Swaying and praying u move

2 the beat of a maestro

........who seems 2 have lost his groove

Really?

bellanoche said:

If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

If you love Prince so much, why do you give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?

It's the same problem so many religious people seem to have: if your beliefs are so strong, then why are they so threatened by what someone else says?

BartVanHemelen said:

bellanoche said:

If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

If you love Prince so much, why do you give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?

It's the same problem so many religious people seem to have: if your beliefs are so strong, then why are they so threatened by what someone else says?

I have to agree with you Bart, a lot of religious people really don't accept a different point of view.

That was a very well-written post! In fact, I believe I would call it superior to 99% of the posts on this site!

Pay no attention to the haters - either those of Prince or you. They are trolls. Nothing more, nothing less. You'd be hard-pressed to ever find a positive word written by any of them, about anything.

If you have to acknowledge them, be it only to laugh at them.

BartVanHemelen said:

If you love Prince so much, why do you give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?

It's the same problem so many religious people seem to have: if your beliefs are so strong, then why are they so threatened by what someone else says?

Bart, I have a serious question for you. In fact, it's basically your question flipped around.

You obviously hate Prince, and you have for about as long as I've been reading your posts on this site (10 years? 15 years? Longer?).

You've whined about the exact same issues for this entire time, and not once has Prince ever acknowledged you, or done anything you've ever demanded he do.

Haven't you got the message yet? Why are you still singing the same song when you have to know that Prince will never, ever sing along?

BartVanHemelen said:

bellanoche said:

If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

If you love Prince so much, why do you give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?

It's the same problem so many religious people seem to have: if your beliefs are so strong, then why are they so threatened by what someone else says?

come off it man. We all know that you have a sick obsession with Prince. It is indeed like a "Fatal attraction" situation. That some folks defend your obvious nerousos is beyond me. John Lennon was killed by a "fan" so yes it happens. Really if some fan attacked Prince and it turned out to be you how many of us would really that suprised?

[Edited 10/3/12 4:21am]

Genesia said:

bellanoche said:

If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

Having gone to all three W2C shows, all three Purple After Jams, and the Andy Allo listening party, I tried to present a balanced review of all the shows I attended - the good and the bad. Yet, the deluge of hostile, negative, and misleading posts that I have seen regarding these shows highlights to me that some of the people need take a break from Prince or leave him alone entirely. It is obvious to me that several Prince “fans” have an idea of who and what Prince should be and their minds are closed to anything else. Their perception of everything he does is filtered through their negative beliefs of him. So no matter how much he tries to do something good or make a right from a wrong, they are unsatisfied. They act as if they created this man in a laboratory and have the right to control his every move. Some people openly hope he loses his JW faith so that they can get him to do the music they want to hear. Some dog his religious and political beliefs with disturbing vitriol. Others don’t like his choice of charities – forget the fact that he is even donating money to charities and helping people out. Really? People hate Larry Graham – a musical legend – because they think he took their Prince away from them. At some point, Prince stopped being human to these people. They want him to be their personal marionette. If he doesn’t do something the way they want it when they want it, he is the scion of Satan. I have never seen anything like this with other artists. I can go to the Santana fan site and see people who are unhappy with certain musical or career moves that he makes. However, there is still a genuine love and respect for him as an artist. It is never anything like this.

Why is it that whenever someone tries to say a positive word about Prince they are referred to as purple Kool-Aid drinking “stans,” and they are mocked for not jumping on the Negative Nancy/Whining Wendy/Psycho Sid bandwagon. It is hilarious to me that I can take breaks from this site for months and return to see the same posters posting negative remarks about everything Prince does. How completely pathetic is that? I could care less about the vast majority of artists out there. As such, I have never visited their fan sites. Yet, some people here have made bashing Prince part of their daily grind. Who does that?

These same people who constantly bash him still listen to albums, watch and listen to bootlegs, read concert reviews, etc. only to tear them and the people who enjoy them apart. What is so funny about these Prince bashers is that they are the sources of some of the most inaccurate information that I have seen. Some of them would have you believe that the W2C shows were a complete disaster; that Prince has lost it; that he just took everyone’s money; that people stormed out; booed, etc. These are some of the same people who predicted that half the arena would be empty and that he wouldn’t be able to do multiple dates in Chicago. Because he proved them wrong, they attempted to mislead folks about what really happened. Thank God I was there. I know what happened at every event.

Actually, if one ventures outside the warped minds of some of these “Prince fans,” you will find that people cannot stop talking about the shows – in a good way. I live in Chicago and people keep telling me how much fun that had at the shows. I went to Ticketmaster to read reviews from people who actually bought tickets and attended the shows, and most of the reviews were between 4 and 5 stars for all the shows. There were several 1 to 3 star votes for Monday’s shows, but overall the reviews were very good. Some of the very things that people complained about on this site were listed as favorite moments by reviewers on Ticketmaster. Yet, some Prince “fans” are still drenching folks in the same old tired bitter downpour that they have been spewing for the last 10 years.

Like I said, it is completely healthy and normal to disagree with things that he does and to share an honest, rational critique or opinion about his music, concerts, style, related artists, etc. It can be a lot of fun to share different perspectives on an artist that people have a shared appreciation for. After all that is what “fans” of an artist do. However, some Prince “fans” have strayed so far left of right that they need an intervention. If you are over Prince, then be over him. It’s cool. However, what reason do you have for still following him only to constantly bash him? Seriously, you need to look into the mirror and ask yourself what compels you to spend so much of your time and energy on someone you cannot stand? If the Prince train has reached its final destination for you, leave the station. After seeing the reactions to the W2C shows, one thing I know is that someone else will gladly take your seat. So, why not go spend your time and energy an artist that you respect and appreciate? It’s ok. To quote another Orger, “You look better gone.”

[Edited 10/2/12 11:24am]

"Having gone to all three W2C shows, all three Purple After Jams, and the Andy Allo listening party..."

"As a teacher of critical thinking..."

"As a teacher and journalist..."

In other words, "I am smarter than all of you, so just shut up."

Well, you know what? I happen to be an award-winning (former) journalist. I've been a professional writer for 30 years. I studied music (seriously) for a decade. I've been a Prince fan since 1980 (and I was already a grown-up then - not some kid listening to her parents' records on the sly). And I have seen numerous Prince concerts, dating back to 1984. As such, my opinion is every bit as valid as yours - however much you might dislike it, personally.

In defending Prince, you, yourself, turned into the hater. Superior? I think not.

Wow. This must have really hit a nerve with you. There is a difference from having opinion and just being completely negative. We all know there are people on this site that act as if Prince is the devil. that is entirely different then disliking certain songs, albums, etc. I don't think the OP was alluding to someone like you.

tricky99 said:

BartVanHemelen said:

If you love Prince so much, why do you give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?

It's the same problem so many religious people seem to have: if your beliefs are so strong, then why are they so threatened by what someone else says?

come off it man. We all know that you have a sick obsession with Prince. It is indeed like a "Fatal attraction" situation. That some folks defend your obvious nerousos is beyond me. John Lennon was killed by a "fan" so yes it happens. Really if some fan attacked Prince and it turned out to be you how many of us would really that suprised?

[Edited 10/3/12 4:21am]

Good replies Rodeoschro and Tricky, you raise a vital point. One of our politicians got gunned down once, because someone hated his attitude towards something the killer believed in. While love and hate might be close, anger is the emotion more likely to lead to aggression than over endearing love.

RodeoSchro said:

BartVanHemelen said:

If you love Prince so much, why do you give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks?

It's the same problem so many religious people seem to have: if your beliefs are so strong, then why are they so threatened by what someone else says?

Bart, I have a serious question for you. In fact, it's basically your question flipped around.

You obviously hate Prince, and you have for about as long as I've been reading your posts on this site (10 years? 15 years? Longer?).

You've whined about the exact same issues for this entire time, and not once has Prince ever acknowledged you, or done anything you've ever demanded he do.

Haven't you got the message yet? Why are you still singing the same song when you have to know that Prince will never, ever sing along?

Good question....Bart please enlighten us.

My personal view is that Bart or people like Bart see Prince like a painting from his prime and therefore expects Prince to have the same creativity and fame as he did say in 1988, but knowing that we all change and due to the nature of impermanence this is unrealistic. No-one ever stays the same.

I feel that exploring some Buddhist principles about the nature of impermanence and attachment and craving would help him and others like him. In a way his seeming hate is actually an attachment and therefore a form of (dependent) love. He's angry because he's not getting the 'high' that Prince once gave him.

As fans we all get frustrated at times with his business practises and decisions as we know what he is capable of, but we also have to accept people are free to be themselves. If P did exactly what we wanted he would be nothing more than a mere robot which is not would have given rise to his creativity in the first place. He would not truly be 'free' or Prince then.

[Edited 10/3/12 4:54am]

bellanoche said:

If you hate Prince so much, why do you still follow him and his music?

Having gone to all three W2C shows, all three Purple After Jams, and the Andy Allo listening party, I tried to present a balanced review of all the shows I attended - the good and the bad. Yet, the deluge of hostile, negative, and misleading posts that I have seen regarding these shows highlights to me that some of the people need take a break from Prince or leave him alone entirely. It is obvious to me that several Prince “fans” have an idea of who and what Prince should be and their minds are closed to anything else. Their perception of everything he does is filtered through their negative beliefs of him. So no matter how much he tries to do something good or make a right from a wrong, they are unsatisfied. They act as if they created this man in a laboratory and have the right to control his every move. Some people openly hope he loses his JW faith so that they can get him to do the music they want to hear. Some dog his religious and political beliefs with disturbing vitriol. Others don’t like his choice of charities – forget the fact that he is even donating money to charities and helping people out. Really? People hate Larry Graham – a musical legend – because they think he took their Prince away from them. At some point, Prince stopped being human to these people. They want him to be their personal marionette. If he doesn’t do something the way they want it when they want it, he is the scion of Satan. I have never seen anything like this with other artists. I can go to the Santana fan site and see people who are unhappy with certain musical or career moves that he makes. However, there is still a genuine love and respect for him as an artist. It is never anything like this.

Why is it that whenever someone tries to say a positive word about Prince they are referred to as purple Kool-Aid drinking “stans,” and they are mocked for not jumping on the Negative Nancy/Whining Wendy/Psycho Sid bandwagon. It is hilarious to me that I can take breaks from this site for months and return to see the same posters posting negative remarks about everything Prince does. How completely pathetic is that? I could care less about the vast majority of artists out there. As such, I have never visited their fan sites. Yet, some people here have made bashing Prince part of their daily grind. Who does that?

These same people who constantly bash him still listen to albums, watch and listen to bootlegs, read concert reviews, etc. only to tear them and the people who enjoy them apart. What is so funny about these Prince bashers is that they are the sources of some of the most inaccurate information that I have seen. Some of them would have you believe that the W2C shows were a complete disaster; that Prince has lost it; that he just took everyone’s money; that people stormed out; booed, etc. These are some of the same people who predicted that half the arena would be empty and that he wouldn’t be able to do multiple dates in Chicago. Because he proved them wrong, they attempted to mislead folks about what really happened. Thank God I was there. I know what happened at every event.

Actually, if one ventures outside the warped minds of some of these “Prince fans,” you will find that people cannot stop talking about the shows – in a good way. I live in Chicago and people keep telling me how much fun that had at the shows. I went to Ticketmaster to read reviews from people who actually bought tickets and attended the shows, and most of the reviews were between 4 and 5 stars for all the shows. There were several 1 to 3 star votes for Monday’s shows, but overall the reviews were very good. Some of the very things that people complained about on this site were listed as favorite moments by reviewers on Ticketmaster. Yet, some Prince “fans” are still drenching folks in the same old tired bitter downpour that they have been spewing for the last 10 years.

Like I said, it is completely healthy and normal to disagree with things that he does and to share an honest, rational critique or opinion about his music, concerts, style, related artists, etc. It can be a lot of fun to share different perspectives on an artist that people have a shared appreciation for. After all that is what “fans” of an artist do. However, some Prince “fans” have strayed so far left of right that they need an intervention. If you are over Prince, then be over him. It’s cool. However, what reason do you have for still following him only to constantly bash him? Seriously, you need to look into the mirror and ask yourself what compels you to spend so much of your time and energy on someone you cannot stand? If the Prince train has reached its final destination for you, leave the station. After seeing the reactions to the W2C shows, one thing I know is that someone else will gladly take your seat. So, why not go spend your time and energy an artist that you respect and appreciate? It’s ok. To quote another Orger, “You look better gone.”

[Edited 10/2/12 11:24am]

That's ..."could not care less...". Just like to point that out as it glared at me from your post.

As for the critical comments thrown his way does it really matter? I don't like to use the term "hater" as it's about as sad as using "trendy" or owning a filofax. Yes some people vent their frustrations here but I tend to skip over them. On occasion I may find myself guilty of it but I tend to check myself. I also feel embarrassed when I gush over something he's done only for time to change my opinion and give me a more balanced perspective. It's being human I guess. Some people are mature enough to think before they speak, others, like me, just blurt it out and then think, "bugger".

As for Prince's thoughts on it? Who knows. I'd hazard a guess and say that after so many years in the business he's fully aware of how fanatical fans can be and knows which comments to ignore, which to try to understand and which to feel proud of. Not everybody is on the same leg of the journey. Hell, some people aren't even on the same path: more lost in the woods and heading for the cliff.

The trouble we have here is that it is a dedicated site full of partially dedicated people. Non fans do not come here and in the same way I don't visit knitting sites, anti-abortion sites, MJ sites or George Clooney.com. If I did I guess I'd expect to find some polarised opinions and some sat nicely in the middle. Either way, when I click off and go and live my real life none of it really matter too much.

Or does it? I walk away from my Mac and the things I've read and seen have shaped me. KCool makes me think there are mad people out there and makes me feel guilty for bullying him with words and put-downs (I'm sorry), whereas Eyejester shows me the way I would like to be (should be in fact). Listening to snippets here and there of Prince's work leaves me feeling that he and I are now too different. Couple this with comments I read how he is "ova" and perhaps I might start to think that is the case. Strangely I don't like to fuel comments and posts like this as they may be self-fulfilling. Daft I know but the demise of Prince's career, ability and energy is linked intrinsically to my own life. Him growing older is a sign of me growing older. It brings us closer to the final day and further from our childhood memories. It's easy to dwell on the downside of that.

I'm going to stop now as I have no idea where I am going with this (as usual) and it's probably miles off topic. On a side note I cut my hand cleaning a glass today. No plasters so I have a tissue rolled up and selotaped to my hand. It still hurts, there was a lot of blood. But it's good that it's still flowing. Funny thing life and the things we waste our time doing as it slips by. No second chance. No answers. No real reason. But we sure as hell hang on for dear life terrified of losing it.

Welcome to the internet, you fucking amateurs.

And suggesting Bart is on par with David Chapman should be a ban. The ad-hominem attacks on this site are always delivered by the mealy mouthed morons whose sole purpose in life seems to be licking the heels of a faded and forgotten 80's diva.

And lol at anyone who actually read that dippy opening post.

Wall said:

And suggesting Bart is on par with David Chapman should be a ban. The ad-hominem attacks on this site are always delivered by the mealy mouthed morons whose sole purpose in life seems to be licking the heels of a faded and forgotten 80's diva.

And lol at anyone who actually read that dippy opening post.

And what of those like you and Bart whose sole purpose is to criticize of a supposed faded and forgotten diva? Thats whats pathetic (and dangerous) because at least the artist is known a one of the greats and many folks still praise classic artists such as The Stones, Stevie, U2 etc. regardless of their current standing. But to follow them to berate, moan, and criticize: not mentally sound.

And you read the opening post as well.

And a Chapmanesque accusation is quite apt. Ask Selenas family etc etc etc. Folks can comment on others behavior in aggression like you calling people 'fuckers' etc for years and Barts continual belittling of others but one can't comment on how he/you/your ilk come across?

Pussies.

RodeoSchro said:

That was a very well-written post! In fact, I believe I would call it superior to 99% of the posts on this site!

Pay no attention to the haters - either those of Prince or you. They are trolls. Nothing more, nothing less. You'd be hard-pressed to ever find a positive word written by any of them, about anything.

If you have to acknowledge them, be it only to laugh at them.

This.

I dig Prince or else I would not be here. I don't expect him to be an marionette, but he needs to stop these Gestapo tactics, especially when it comes to YouTube. Or maybe I am missing something with him