I hope he will live for a few decades more. And I hope he is doing well, feeling good and feels free to do what he wants to do.

His songs and music and tours have influenced me emotionally. And when I felt low, his work was a way to feel better. So, he has functioned as an inspiration and source of joy for me. It made me feel supported during dark times.


However, I don't get your question. I mean, he's a musician and a star. So, I don't expect him to get emotionally involved with his fans. Especially not, considering the hate he gets over here. I think it's healthy to have boundaries between him and his fans.

I'm hopelessly intrigued by him, that's for sure. He's so enigmatic and wrapped up in his own luniverse that I often have to remind myself that he's just a man who does normal things when he's not being 'Prince'. I sometimes think, what does he do all day? He can't go out to places without getting harrased. He doesn't seem to have many real friends because everyone in his life comes and goes. I can't remember who said it but apparently he just sits on his computer all day, which is sad

I don't know why I thought of this, but somone posted a very rare telephone interview from the Controversy era a few months back were he seem particularly human and relatable. There difference with Michael is everyone knows so much about him outside of the music. Prince has never made any 'mistakes' so to speak. Everything we see of him is polished and in line with 'Prince' It's hard to articulate what I mean but I tried haha.

dandan said:

I'm hopelessly intrigued by him, that's for sure. He's so enigmatic and wrapped up in his own luniverse that I often have to remind myself that he's just a man who does normal things when he's not being 'Prince'. I sometimes think, what does he do all day? He can't go out to places without getting harrased. He doesn't seem to have many real friends because everyone in his life comes and goes. I can't remember who said it but apparently he just sits on his computer all day, which is sad

I don't know why I thought of this, but somone posted a very rare telephone interview from the Controversy era a few months back were he seem particularly human and relatable. There difference with Michael is everyone knows so much about him outside of the music. Prince has never made any 'mistakes' so to speak. Everything we see of him is polished and in line with 'Prince' It's hard to articulate what I mean but I tried haha.

Oh yeah defo. He's an interesting person. I think I'm more 'emotionally invested' in him around my favourite eras; Lovesexy and Graffiti Bridge. Do you lot not get that? Like if you have a favourite era, thats the part in his life that you feel most i don't know...connected to? During Lovesexy and GB he seemed more 'soft' and relateable to me.

Yes. I think he's gifted and sensitive. I think Prince puts everything in his music. EVERYTHING. Thats one of the things thats so compelling.

I've had some dear friends who have worked with Prince. They have nothing but great things to say...but they do say 'he's not like you and me' its 24/7 because Prince is 24/7 .....I have yet to meet him though.


But yes, I'm emotionallyinvested in him as a human being, he's very very human, very flawed, like all of us...I think he's kinder than most people give him credit for and expecting him to act like an average person is ridiculous. he's extraordinary in so many ways and was conscious enough and savvy and smart enough that he was able to flourish, and not end up dead too soon. so he's weird? he's the best kind of weird...there have to be extraordinary flaws as well - its a kind of karmic balance.

i want prince to be happy - but his search for happiness is what drives him, i think prince is only truly happy when he's playing and music is the only thing that doesnt disappoint him after a time.

as a fan as long as he's playing Im going to listen, he's never bored me because i'm invested in him emotionally as a person. i find his humanity is compelling.

[Edited 5/14/15 16:57pm]

Anyone that has been posting on this forum regularly for some time is certainly emotionally invested, it doesn't matter if you love or hate the music, the person, the look, the protégés, the movies, the videos or the live shows, or if you regularly feign indifference. Diagnosis: Emotionally invested.

When you discovered Prince's music at such a young age, and have continued to listen throughout your life (as I have), it's hard not to be invested. It almost feels as though he was right there with me during good times and bad times, and his (musical) presence in my life seems like an unconditional love and loyalty, like a parent or other relative. It'll always be there, like family.

[Edited 5/14/15 17:46pm]

jcurley said:

babynoz said:

So do you feel emotionally invested in Prince as a human being?

Unfortunately Yes I do. However I wish I didn't. It probably is almost an arrogant thing to say but I wish I could almost join people that wanna listen to mmm lets say Beyonce or even if you think you're credible like Coldplay(I know they're not but same with zU2 etc). Liking Prince has been like unplugging out of the Matrix n sometimes u just wanna be like that guy in the movie u betrays them coz he wants to at least feel like he can eat steak..So yes emotionally invested in Prince. However exhausted and you can only feel that way of you're invested. The guy is an utter genius and has brought a lot of beauty to the world. Whatever some people say I also think he has shown phenomenal level of integrity. He is almost cartoonistically messianic. However I think we all on here suspect he has those tendencies'

I totally get it. He is an extraordinarily charismatic and compelling man with an exquisite gift.

I absolutely hated that guy in the movie though....

Yes. Prince is just a very very interesting man with a very interesting life and career. And after having read biographies about everything from his childhood to his teenhood to his early demos to For You to Can I Play with U? to The Rainbow Children, I almost feel like I sort of know him. And even besides careerwise, all the time reading and poking fun of him with other orgers, listening to his music in all eras of my life, countless hours watching him thrill audiences as if I was there, reading about his humorous and colorful personal life, I really do feel like I know him. I don't, but there's definitely a weird sort of 'love' I got for the man, and it transcends just his music. I really do like Prince a lot.

Recently, I've started to give his newer music a chance. Lotus, AOA, Planet Earth, 3eg.. It's so easy to take advantage of it all and just say "Prince sucks, his afro looks horrible, AOA is trash, 3eg can't play" and then focus on the glory years, but it's really strange to think that Prince, like everyone else, can really just die at any second. And then what? His music would feel much emptier to me, it would be weird after spending years subconsciouly knowing he's alive and well/performing somewhere, to listen to his compositions and realize the man who made them is no longer on Earth. No more "rumors about upcoming projects", no more tours, no more eras... It's really weird. I know I sound like I'm TOO emotionally invested in him, but hell, maybe I am

And I agree with Militant and others about Michael jackson.. he really was an accessible person (moreso than Prince), and it makes me sad at times thinking of all that he had to go through. The way he was treated. And the tragic and sudden way his life had to end. It's very disappointing and there is certainly a difference when I watch his videos and know he's dead. Ah, life.

Yes, I do feel emotionally invested in him, for many different reasons. When I first saw him on MTV "Little Red Corvette", I said out loud, "He's one sexy man" and at the time I was married to an abusive and racist man. I found myself on the floor and being called a very foul name. I became a closet fan at that time. I'd only listen to him when my ex wasn't around. If he was around, I was changing the channel, changing the radio station. It was around the time of the concerts where he was being billed as The One, that I was finally able to start listening to his music openly and saw him perform for the first time. Because I knew he was this "superstar" that is what I expected to see onstage. Instead, there was something about him that pulled me in. I saw a man doing something that he loved, truly loved. I became intrigued and wanted to learn more about him, because for whatever reason, I felt completely drawn to him. I got internet for the first time (1998) simply because I wanted to look into Prince more deeply. It was around that time that I found his website Love4OneAnother, and I felt as though I found a kindred spirit. There were things on that site that I had always believed but could never articulate because I hadn't studied eastern teachings. When he would talk about having love for one another, and how that is the key, it was something I had always said to my friends. It was around that time that I also began truly exploring his music, music that had been out for years that was brand new to me and I was enchanted. I also met my very best friend on the Love4OneAnother site, who remains a very best friend to this day. My life has become more enriched, more fulfilled, and enlightened because of Prince and my original intrigue with the man I saw on the stage in 1998. The spiritual messages of his music have always touched me deeply, the depth of the man, his thoughts, I would love to investigate more fully and get into some serious and deep discussions with him. There is something so profound about Prince, something so deep, that I've remained intrigued with him for all of these years.

[Edited 5/14/15 20:12pm]

To some extent yes, in the sense that the works of this man have brought me so much joy and wisdom over the years, and that I have plunged so deeply into his body of work for 26 years out of the 38 I've lived that it'd be hard for me to have no sort of respect, affection and gratitude to that man. + i've read so much about him, his life and works, I guess u get to get a certain understanding of a person and a certain virtual intimacy with them when u do so much research on them. .

.

To some extent no, because I have never met him, will never meet him, and don't know him personally. No matter how deep I've plunged into his work and other people's accounts of his life and work, he's still a stranger to me, too, and he isn't even aware of my existence.

.

I don't think I could be "hugely upset" by P's death the day it happens (if I don't go first), because well I guess unless someone is really very very close to me I will feel some sadness for a moment when I learn they have passed even if I knew them in real life, but there's no way I will be like crying and depressed for weeks. But yeah I will certainly feel a pinch in the heart. Somehow life without expecting the next P album, following his artistic journey and latest news would be a bit different considering the time and passion I invest in this "hobby", and since I keep enjoying his music I'd certainly be sad to think that no matter how much old vault stuff we get, I will never know what he'd have done next.

Se7en said:

The news about his son circa 1996 was horrendous --

.

Did you even think about his responses about his child around that time?

Did you notice his performances? Any gaps, cancellations, etc?

Of course!

purplethunder3121 said:

dandan said:

I'm hopelessly intrigued by him, that's for sure. He's so enigmatic and wrapped up in his own luniverse that I often have to remind myself that he's just a man who does normal things when he's not being 'Prince'. I sometimes think, what does he do all day? He can't go out to places without getting harrased. He doesn't seem to have many real friends because everyone in his life comes and goes. I can't remember who said it but apparently he just sits on his computer all day, which is sad

I don't know why I thought of this, but somone posted a very rare telephone interview from the Controversy era a few months back were he seem particularly human and relatable. There difference with Michael is everyone knows so much about him outside of the music. Prince has never made any 'mistakes' so to speak. Everything we see of him is polished and in line with 'Prince' It's hard to articulate what I mean but I tried haha.

This is the stuff I like to see. Normal, daily activities. Makes you appreciate the times when he is the musician even more.

Se7en said:

S3V3N said:

Se7en said:

This is the stuff I like to see. Normal, daily activities. Makes you appreciate the times when he is the musician even more.

Looks like he'd rather be playing his guitar.

He does look kinda pissed off.

purplethunder3121 said:

oh when will the river dry of emotionally invested threads

s like a "ACT OF GOD" N another realm.Of all people who might b aliens,angels.if found out wasn't of this earth, would not b surprised,

MattyJam said:

I have been a massive fan for over 20 years, I own everything he's ever released and collect bootlegs like they're going out of fashion. But I don't feel an ounce of warmth towards Prince as a human being, the way I did towards Michael Jackson when he was alive. I was hugely upset by MJ's death and found it difficult to enjoy his music for some time after, yet I know I would never feel that way about Prince if he clogged it.

Is it because Prince comes across as aloof and indifferent to other peoples opinions?? He hasn't exactly done much to endear himself to his own fanbase. It is strictly about the music with Prince, and I feel that is true on both sides. The fans love his music and he loves making it, but I feel there's little connection that exists beyond the obvious supply and demand of artist/fan when it comes to Prince as a person.

Thoughts?

MJ was marketed (or marketed himself) as sweet and innocent. Prince was marketed (or marketed himself) completely differently. However, we don't know the real MJ any better than we know the real Prince.

I was really saddened by MJs death and would be quite saddened by Prince's death. I don't harbor many of the negative feelings about Prince that are expressed on this site, and I have been a "money-spending" Prince fan for over 30 years.

Prince is my Shadow side. He shows traits and characteristics such as groundbreaking creativity, following his own muse, being a pioneer and leader, being in total control of his career that I sometimes suppress.

pdiddy2011 said:

MattyJam said:

I have been a massive fan for over 20 years, I own everything he's ever released and collect bootlegs like they're going out of fashion. But I don't feel an ounce of warmth towards Prince as a human being, the way I did towards Michael Jackson when he was alive. I was hugely upset by MJ's death and found it difficult to enjoy his music for some time after, yet I know I would never feel that way about Prince if he clogged it.

Is it because Prince comes across as aloof and indifferent to other peoples opinions?? He hasn't exactly done much to endear himself to his own fanbase. It is strictly about the music with Prince, and I feel that is true on both sides. The fans love his music and he loves making it, but I feel there's little connection that exists beyond the obvious supply and demand of artist/fan when it comes to Prince as a person.

Thoughts?

MJ was marketed (or marketed himself) as sweet and innocent. Prince was marketed (or marketed himself) completely differently. However, we don't know the real MJ any better than we know the real Prince.

I was really saddened by MJs death and would be quite saddened by Prince's death. I don't harbor many of the negative feelings about Prince that are expressed on this site, and I have been a "money-spending" Prince fan for over 30 years.

yo i can't even THINK of Prince passing away...I start to cry even thinking about that...HUSH!

'Do you feel emotionally invested in Prince as a human being?'

...apparently...

No.

blackbob said:

i dont think myself and prince would get on as human beings...too many differences and i prefer to just admire his music and him as an artist...

.

but if he ever passed away then i would be devastated..he has been a huge part of my life and he is a one off imo...so he does mean a lot to me as an artist...more than anyone else..

Exactly how I feel.

purplethunder3121 said:

dandan said:

I'm hopelessly intrigued by him, that's for sure. He's so enigmatic and wrapped up in his own luniverse that I often have to remind myself that he's just a man who does normal things when he's not being 'Prince'. I sometimes think, what does he do all day? He can't go out to places without getting harrased. He doesn't seem to have many real friends because everyone in his life comes and goes. I can't remember who said it but apparently he just sits on his computer all day, which is sad

I don't know why I thought of this, but somone posted a very rare telephone interview from the Controversy era a few months back were he seem particularly human and relatable. There difference with Michael is everyone knows so much about him outside of the music. Prince has never made any 'mistakes' so to speak. Everything we see of him is polished and in line with 'Prince' It's hard to articulate what I mean but I tried haha.

why P riding a girl's bike?...

cool Dashiki tho

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Not anymore.

When I was younger I was more entranced by him than his music, honestly. I wanted to know everything about him, I dreamt of meeting him. Granted, I was an obsessive pre-teen. I think now I've kind of gotten over him as a human being. I don't think I could spend a night in Princetopia so nowadays I just wait around for his music. I can't remember the last time I waited with bated breath for the next Prince interview so I could just gawk at him in awe.

When Prince does pass on (though he gives me immortal vibes () I'm sure I'll feel just as sad about it as I did about Michael though.

But as someone said earlier, they way they were marketed and perceived are vastly different. I think, for the most part, we saw Michael as a really talented and sweet guy who was always put in the worst of situations or a victim of the tabloids. Whereas we've perceived Prince as some talented over the top weirdo who's just exceptionally talented and thinks himself a gift to earth.

yes, of course i wish prince well, and admire and respect him and his goals and message to the world. but the term "emotional investment" implies i want something in exchange for my feelings.

.

i don't anticipate that prince will ever say a word to me personally, nor get to know me so i will never get a 'return' on my 'investment'.

.

moreover, i'm pretty sure he'd rather not have a fan like me shove on up to him so out of staying back at a respectful distance i likely never will get to know dude as a human being.

.

that being said, i take it personally that he allows his fans to enjoy paisley park events and concerts. not many internationally famous rock stars are that generous to their fans. that's really the only 'personal' experience of the man i've had so i admit i love that part quite a bit

purplethunder3121 said:

dandan said:

I'm hopelessly intrigued by him, that's for sure. He's so enigmatic and wrapped up in his own luniverse that I often have to remind myself that he's just a man who does normal things when he's not being 'Prince'. I sometimes think, what does he do all day? He can't go out to places without getting harrased. He doesn't seem to have many real friends because everyone in his life comes and goes. I can't remember who said it but apparently he just sits on his computer all day, which is sad

I don't know why I thought of this, but somone posted a very rare telephone interview from the Controversy era a few months back were he seem particularly human and relatable. There difference with Michael is everyone knows so much about him outside of the music. Prince has never made any 'mistakes' so to speak. Everything we see of him is polished and in line with 'Prince' It's hard to articulate what I mean but I tried haha.

.

cool hair and a nice bike, too@!