Genesia said:

anangellooksdown said:

Well? He is considered The Godfather of music

Considered by whom? James Brown is The Godfather.

Prince was the Godson.

[Edited 12/5/16 12:50pm]

PRNluv2 said:

laurarichardson said:

He was in his early 20s with a tremendous amount of responsiblity on his shoulders and we have heard people from his camp say that WB gave him shit all the time. I am sure he was not fun to be around all the time but those people complaining were not in his shoes. Even Mark Brown said he would not have made as long as he did in the industry if he was not tough. It is a tough industry.

There you have it! Imagine being twenty-something with huge recording and touring responsibilities, constant hiring of musicians and staffers, meeting payrolls, scheduled meetings with record label, interviews, running multi-millionaire studio PP, and working to constantly meet the demands of fans across the globe. Prince was ONE young man with all this responsibility and he handled it remarkably well.

Living on the road and rarely sleeping in your own bed, having bodyguard with you all the time with no real privacy, not having much time for a love life, but I think he came to understand the many sacrifices early on. Also, he allegedly felt he wasn't treated fairly by his label who extended certain other privileges to some other artists that Prince never saw... Okay, Prince went through a lot, even with the fame and fortune there were incredible sacrifices he made.

I would say that while on the stage and including rehearsals he wanted a peaceful environment to be able to focus on the music and the musicianship, to get their best work out of them and also keep down any drama. So, it makes sense that the best way to direct his band members was with very strict discipline where they talked less and and gave their best work. BTW, I would LOVE to be able to ask his drummer (JB) what his 15-year tour of duty was like!

I think another big issue is that so many of the band members had history with Prince. They made the mistake of thinking he was their friend, when he was really their boss.

Genesia said:

PRNluv2 said:

There you have it! Imagine being twenty-something with huge recording and touring responsibilities, constant hiring of musicians and staffers, meeting payrolls, scheduled meetings with record label, interviews, running multi-millionaire studio PP, and working to constantly meet the demands of fans across the globe. Prince was ONE young man with all this responsibility and he handled it remarkably well.

Living on the road and rarely sleeping in your own bed, having bodyguard with you all the time with no real privacy, not having much time for a love life, but I think he came to understand the many sacrifices early on. Also, he allegedly felt he wasn't treated fairly by his label who extended certain other privileges to some other artists that Prince never saw... Okay, Prince went through a lot, even with the fame and fortune there were incredible sacrifices he made.

I would say that while on the stage and including rehearsals he wanted a peaceful environment to be able to focus on the music and the musicianship, to get their best work out of them and also keep down any drama. So, it makes sense that the best way to direct his band members was with very strict discipline where they talked less and and gave their best work. BTW, I would LOVE to be able to ask his drummer (JB) what his 15-year tour of duty was like!

I think another big issue is that so many of the band members had history with Prince. They made the mistake of thinking he was their friend, when he was really their boss.

Maybe Prince was worried someone might outdo him on stage and wanted people to do what he said so he could be the ONE up there.

I listened to the interview LaurieRichardson posted. Jesse Johnson said: 'He was afraid we would outstage him". "We couldn't wear certain things, do certain things..."

malbena said:

Genesia said:

I think another big issue is that so many of the band members had history with Prince. They made the mistake of thinking he was their friend, when he was really their boss.

Maybe Prince was worried someone might outdo him on stage and wanted people to do what he said so he could be the ONE up there.

I listened to the interview LaurieRichardson posted. Jesse Johnson said: 'He was afraid we would outstage him". "We couldn't wear certain things, do certain things..."

What would that have to do with people being afraid to talk to him?

I can't remember where I read it, but I seem to recall that at some point, Prince said, "There can only be one boss - and that's me."

These folks always had the ability to go off and do their own thing if they didn't like what was going on or how Prince treated them. But they rarely, if ever, did. As my father is fond of saying, "People are exactly where they want to be. If they really didn't want to be there, they'd change their situation."

That's why I never put much stock in these stories of how awful Prince was to people. If he was that bad, why did they continue to work for him? It isn't as if he was holding a gun to their heads.

Genesia said:

malbena said:

Maybe Prince was worried someone might outdo him on stage and wanted people to do what he said so he could be the ONE up there.

I listened to the interview LaurieRichardson posted. Jesse Johnson said: 'He was afraid we would outstage him". "We couldn't wear certain things, do certain things..."

What would that have to do with people being afraid to talk to him?

I can't remember where I read it, but I seem to recall that at some point, Prince said, "There can only be one boss - and that's me."

These folks always had the ability to go off and do their own thing if they didn't like what was going on or how Prince treated them. But they rarely, if ever, did. As my father is fond of saying, "People are exactly where they want to be. If they really didn't want to be there, they'd change their situation."

That's why I never put much stock in these stories of how awful Prince was to people. If he was that bad, why did they continue to work for him? It isn't as if he was holding a gun to their heads.

You answered your own question. He wanted to be the boss and people were afraid to defy. They seem to have been confined in a rigid environment governed by Prince with a potential motive of not wanting to be outdone as I interpret the interview with Jesse Johnson.

Now, they can love someone but not always like the way he or she proceeds.

purplethunder3121 said:

malbena said:

Genesia said:

What would that have to do with people being afraid to talk to him?

I can't remember where I read it, but I seem to recall that at some point, Prince said, "There can only be one boss - and that's me."

These folks always had the ability to go off and do their own thing if they didn't like what was going on or how Prince treated them. But they rarely, if ever, did. As my father is fond of saying, "People are exactly where they want to be. If they really didn't want to be there, they'd change their situation."

That's why I never put much stock in these stories of how awful Prince was to people. If he was that bad, why did they continue to work for him? It isn't as if he was holding a gun to their heads.

You answered your own question. He wanted to be the boss and people were afraid to defy. They seem to have been confined in a rigid environment governed by Prince with a potential motive of not wanting to be outdone as I interpret the interview with Jesse Johnson.

Now, they can love someone but not always like the way he or she proceeds.

He "wanted" to be the boss? He was the boss. Who paid the bills? Who paid the band? Prince.

Working for Prince was no different than working for anyone else - defy the boss and you're gone. Nobody who heads a going concern like Prince Incorporated is going to put up with a lot of whining and complaining from the rank and file. Get with the program or get out. They all knew that - which is why they stayed put for as long as they could. They knew their boss at the Sears automotive department (which is where they would have been working otherwise) wouldn't put up with it, either. At least with Prince, they got to do something way cooler than selling tires.

And I seriously doubt Prince was afraid of being "outdone." What have any of those other people done that could hold a candle to what Prince did? Let me help you: Nothing. None of them are as talented. None of them worked as hard. Period. End of.

purplethunder3121 said:

Genesia said:

Considered by whom? James Brown is The Godfather.

Prince was the Godson.

[Edited 12/5/16 12:50pm]

James Brown is the Godfather of Soul.

Genesia said:

malbena said:

You answered your own question. He wanted to be the boss and people were afraid to defy. They seem to have been confined in a rigid environment governed by Prince with a potential motive of not wanting to be outdone as I interpret the interview with Jesse Johnson.

Now, they can love someone but not always like the way he or she proceeds.

He "wanted" to be the boss? He was the boss. Who paid the bills? Who paid the band? Prince.

Working for Prince was no different than working for anyone else - defy the boss and you're gone. Nobody who heads a going concern like Prince Incorporated is going to put up with a lot of whining and complaining from the rank and file. Get with the program or get out. They all knew that - which is why they stayed put for as long as they could. They knew their boss at the Sears automotive department (which is where they would have been working otherwise) wouldn't put up with it, either. At least with Prince, they got to do something way cooler than selling tires.

And I seriously doubt Prince was afraid of being "outdone." What have any of those other people done that could hold a candle to what Prince did? Let me help you: Nothing. None of them are as talented. None of them worked as hard. Period. End of.

Uh, I wouldn't say none of them.

morningsong said:

Genesia said:

He "wanted" to be the boss? He was the boss. Who paid the bills? Who paid the band? Prince.

Working for Prince was no different than working for anyone else - defy the boss and you're gone. Nobody who heads a going concern like Prince Incorporated is going to put up with a lot of whining and complaining from the rank and file. Get with the program or get out. They all knew that - which is why they stayed put for as long as they could. They knew their boss at the Sears automotive department (which is where they would have been working otherwise) wouldn't put up with it, either. At least with Prince, they got to do something way cooler than selling tires.

And I seriously doubt Prince was afraid of being "outdone." What have any of those other people done that could hold a candle to what Prince did? Let me help you: Nothing. None of them are as talented. None of them worked as hard. Period. End of.

Uh, I wouldn't say none of them.

Really? Name names.

Genesia said:

morningsong said:

Uh, I wouldn't say none of them.

Really? Name names.

Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam didn't do too bad for themselves.

He said somewhere that his homeboys were the only musicians he considered a threat. (paraphrasing)

Talent, status, confidence in your talent, fame, mystery, and power are a scary blend. Not much needs to be said or done if you have those ingredients.

I remember on a much smaller scale being afraid of my choir teacher and she wasn't even a mean person. She was just confident and talented and I wasn't sure I could even sing. My own insecurities made me fearful.

I am sure he used fear and pressure at times. But there were probably other times when Prince didn't need to do anything at all but just be PRINCE.

Being intimidated by your boss is always at least a small aspect of the employee/employer relationship. HOpefully as P got older that dynamic had less intimidation or more comradery involved.

[Edited 12/5/16 15:42pm]

[Edited 12/5/16 15:45pm]

FragileUndertow said:

Had to save this gif for later.
[Edited 12/5/16 15:56pm]

Genesia said:

PRNluv2 said:

There you have it! Imagine being twenty-something with huge recording and touring responsibilities, constant hiring of musicians and staffers, meeting payrolls, scheduled meetings with record label, interviews, running multi-millionaire studio PP, and working to constantly meet the demands of fans across the globe. Prince was ONE young man with all this responsibility and he handled it remarkably well.

Living on the road and rarely sleeping in your own bed, having bodyguard with you all the time with no real privacy, not having much time for a love life, but I think he came to understand the many sacrifices early on. Also, he allegedly felt he wasn't treated fairly by his label who extended certain other privileges to some other artists that Prince never saw... Okay, Prince went through a lot, even with the fame and fortune there were incredible sacrifices he made.

I would say that while on the stage and including rehearsals he wanted a peaceful environment to be able to focus on the music and the musicianship, to get their best work out of them and also keep down any drama. So, it makes sense that the best way to direct his band members was with very strict discipline where they talked less and and gave their best work. BTW, I would LOVE to be able to ask his drummer (JB) what his 15-year tour of duty was like!

I think another big issue is that so many of the band members had history with Prince. They made the mistake of thinking he was their friend, when he was really their boss.

YES...THIS^

Prince was FEARED because it would have been really easy to make yourself look like a fool around him...

I reckon people FEARED looking stoopid more than anything....

I saw a youtube clip.a group of Radio Jocks were sitting around discussing if they could ask him one uestion what would it be ?

None of them could come up with anything intelligent enough...it was hysterical and very telling about the unique person Prince was..

Ingela said:

FragileUndertow said:

Had to save this gif for later

u can find a few diffrent versions of the same gif here http://prince.org/msg/7/434206?pg=11

purplepoppy said:

thanks you too and for the idea

if i worked for Prince i might have feared contradicting him as well...

morningsong said:

Genesia said:

theys crazy then....dontcha think he liked being "challenged"?

luvsexy4all said:

theys crazy then....dontcha think he liked being "challenged"?

You got that right! Challenges contributed to his success.

luvsexy4all said:

theys crazy then....dontcha think he liked being "challenged"?

depends

FragileUndertow said:

Ingela said:

FragileUndertow said: Had to save this gif for later

u can find a few diffrent versions of the same gif here http://prince.org/msg/7/434206?pg=11

This made me laugh. Thank you, I needed to laugh.

P.S. And the first one too Ü

[Edited 12/6/16 8:23am]

morningsong said:

Of course he was an arrogant dick. Virtually all people who achieve greatness are challenged with hearing differing opinions.

XxAxX said:

if i worked for Prince i might have feared contradicting him as well...

Prince could be hard on his band. There are rehearsal tapes where he can be heard humiliating individual band members in front of the rest.

paulludvig said:

Prince could be hard on his band. There are rehearsal tapes where he can be heard humiliating individual band members in front of the rest.

Really? Truly humiliating them as opposed to teasing or ribbing? Cite examples, please.