I'm not an economist, [and not being in the US, I don't know anything about kc, the sunshine band and Jeffrey Soffer], so sorry if this sounds a naive question, but isn't there such a thing as market prices?

A concert by Prince at the O2 Arena in London costs 31.21 pounds, a performance by Prince at a private party costs $2 million [for ex.], a private concert by a little known artist costs between $xx and $xx, and a concert by a world famous one costs 10-20 times more. Does that make any sense?
And there is such a thing as the 'elite market'. Here in Moscow there is the annual Millionaires' Fair showcasing luxury goods and services in various sectors and which is open to the public. I could walk around there for hours whining about how unfair and disgusting it all is. But then, there is a market for it.

No matter how cold and calculating it sounds, music is a business, therefore its participants play by the economic rules of that business. And no matter how romantic or spiritual some of Prince's ballads and thoughtful lyrics are, he too has to play by those rules. And I don't think it would make any sense, economic as well as image-wise, for him to cheapen himself by not aksing for fees in the top range - when he is charging someone in the elite market.

As for the moral aspect of participating in the economy of his business sphere in the most profitable way he can, that I think is a question of a personal order: something that's between himself and his conscience.

jeez. did people bitch and cry like this when he played at the kennedy wedding?

He played it at the main arena concert on 6 September, 2nd song, after opening with Let's Go Crazy! Brilliant!

Shame the rest of that show went downhill after that! I had an awesome view tho which made up for it.

He broke it out in London again and I was really chuffed

It is called making a living doing something you love and lot's of performers are doing it.

and all you naysayers...if you had the chance to attend such a party and see Prince play, would you have gone? And if you say no you're completely and utterly full of shit.

Well duh! I never said I wouldn't have gone. Hell, if I had a few million to throw around I'd have his ass perform at my party in February! The fact that he'd probably do it, is what bothers me!

So it's ok to partake in the event on your end-either by paying to see him at an exclusive party or simply attend an exclusive party...but he's the one who should be ashamed?

I watched Prince in a small run down theater in Chicago.
To me it was much better than a huge arena except for the fact that Tamar was the main act.
[Edited 12/19/07 16:22pm]

OK, so I have never posted here before, but I just had to ask why this is such a big deal? For those of you saying it is sad that he has sunk to this level...playing in an airplane hanger for uber rich pseudo fans, and that he never would have stooped to this 4 years ago. Have you already forgotten that he sold out 21 shows at the O2? Nope! You are trying to convince us that his star has faded? The only thing I'm trying to convince people of is to stop playing blind and start wondering why he is suddenly so hard up for cash and doing things that for the better part of his career he'd have never done to get it!

Was it a sellout to play the superbowl halftime show this spring? It was in the winter and quite frankly...yes...yes it was! Was it just plain sad that he opened up Paisley Park and asked people to "donate" money to L4OA charity every weekend for a whole summer? Since I don't live anywhere near Paisley Park, I wouldn't know but I'll ask around! Was it strange that he reduced himself to a "sideman" playing small theaters with Tamar? Yes...yes it was! Was it dissapointing that he played for a small group of fans at a small Macy's theater in minneapolis prior to his Target Center and 1st Ave gigs? According to the folks that were sweltering in the heat...apparently so! Was it "whoring" himself when he set up shop in Vegas? Oh hell yes! That was really when I started sensing something wasn't right!

Let's see if we can figure out some reasons that Prince might play the Turnberry Party...
1)He knows the guy Maybe
2)He wanted to make connections with some of the powerful people that were going to be there. Possibly
3)He wanted to showcase a performance/his band to industry folks You're really reaching here!
4)Lots and Lots of money Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner!
5)100 other reasons that we might not think about. I'm pretty sure that last reason just about sums it up!

Anyway, I'm going to go throw in a little Around The World In A Day and relax. I'm hoping someone on the Org can figure out what is really going on with Prince. Evidently this is the beginning of the end...but I'm not too worried. We'll just have to wait and see on that...but I'm going to do it listening to Miles, Marvin, Stevie and some real PFUNK thanks!

My replies are in bold.

Does that mean you're going to leave us and torture Miles.org, Marvin.com, and Stevie.org fans instead?

Uhhhh...no! I'm as good as a 3 hour fuck...when it comes to multitasking!!!
[Edited 12/19/07 19:32pm]

he too has to play by those rules.