... These guys just won a webby, right? A though that's just occurred to me, probably occurred to many of you too - possibly much sooner than it occurred to me... I'm not so on the ball these days... ANYWAY...

These guys just won an internet award. CHANGE THE NAME OF THE WEBSITE AND KEEP TRADING. Surely it isn't that difficult? Contest whatever you have to contest otherwise, but stay online and keep trading... MORE IMPORTANTLY: stay online and let those who have PAID for membership REAP the REWARDS of that membership. (I think I'm right in saying NO-ONE has received a REFUND or an APOLOGY for taking their money to no end).

Or, is it just me?

Can U rephrase the question pls?

Rename the website, keep going, keep the contract with all the paid up members of the NPGMC and fight whatever it is he had to fight with regards the name of the site above and beyond ensuring his music gets to those that matter.

BoySimon said:

How about answer the thread rather than go semantic on me.

O, I C...

Well umm, I guess like any contract, it was drawn in his favour, meaning he had an 'out' fineprint and so on...It's not 2 say an official site is gone 4 good, just on hihateus 4 a while...
His music will find it's way 2 those 4 whom it matters, or vice versa, regardless

Right.

The only reason I ask is because I stumbled on a copy of an old British fanzine called Interactive Experience. They had a bunch of interviews that Prince had done around the 1997 Jam of the Year tour. He seemed to be suggesting two things, firstly that the internet was God, with regards the release of music (how prophetic) AND that the reason he was releasing an album of bootleg material (Crystal Ball) was because he was getting "100,000 orders at $50 a pop!" (I think it had something to do with money). This just makes me wonder why he hasn't simply renamed the moneymaking, and critically acclaimed website, and got on with producing and releasing music to those who are willing to 'pop' cash for it.

BoySimon said:

Because cash is history.

Perhaps it is now that he has some. Let's give it another five years of lean pickin's, just like he had in the 90s and we'll see how important the cash becomes.

Which doesn't answer my question. Why not rename the club and get it back out there for those who have joined to continue to experience?

BoySimon said:

R U knockin' this experience right here Boy!?

God no. Only been a 'music purchaser' at the NPGMC. Never been in a chatroom there. This place is just dandy as far as talking about Prince is concerned. I'd just like a place to go and buy his music from him.

For example. It's funny listening to Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado at the moment. This is a style of music, through the NPGMC, we've been able to access for nearly ten years. I just want to know what's going to be hip ten years down the line...

BoySimon said:

Boy, U soundin' like a spoilt brat.

Really? I thought I was asking for the contractual obligations Prince had to his fully PAID up club members be considered and acted upon.

If Prince stopped recording tonight, I'd have enough of his music to keep me going for the rest of my life. I'm not personally affected by whatever Prince does with regards NPGMC. I've no financial involvement at all. I'm merely expressing a thought. Prince, I would reasonably expect, should have been able to rename and continue. Simple as that really. Don't you think?

BoySimon said:

I understand my friend. Prince is certainly able 2 do just as U say, he's just not willing at the moment.
As a fully paid up member, what was Ur understanding of the agreement? I'm sure U'll find it differs with many people.
As 4 paying Prince directly 4 his music, a moderator on the late NPGMC had told me it cost something like a quarter of a million 2 fly him out 2 where I live 4 a private show... I should B able 2 afford that when I'm in my 60s, so I'm lookin g 4ward 2 a humble acoustic set.
Anything else, even live shows/tours involve a middle man, who ultimately facilitates Prince's appearance, unless it's at Paisley Park of course where he can draw on the endless pool of willing volunteers who cost him nothin (well maybe an ice cream or 2).

Was I a fullu paid up member? I think I joined... I must have,... anyway. I bought a few albums through the club. I think it was a marvellous way for P to get us his music. I'm surprised... or am I... that he hasn't acted smarter to get the club back up and running.

BoySimon said:

The best way 4 Prince 2 deliver us his music in my opinion, is LIVE and LOUD!

Prince 'fought' so long against the machine that was WB for the ability to release his music as soon as it was recorded. Patently, he has not done that.

Prince should think about the many dollars riding around in his bank account off the back of this 'bid for freedom' and pay US our dues.

BoySimon said:

Funny, I thought his struggle was more 4 ownership rather than release.
I think ur being unreasonable.

BoySimon said:

Do you really think they will rename the site and then let the members who paid for a LIFETIME membership in without charge?

BoySimon said:

Contractual obligations don't exist for Prince, only when they work in his favour. He has proven that time after time. I am suprised you are actually serious about this. Most fans have either given up on his business practices or decided to kiss his ass for ever more. You are an endangered species!

christos7 said:

I don't think so. Next to ownership it was definitly also about being able to release whatever and whenever he wants it. One album per year was not enough for him back then, but I guess nowadays that's fine again.

Boysimon, you sound like the guy that tried to start a petition for Prince to release music from the vault that he owns, just before the site closed down. I actually thought that was hilarious demanding somebody to give a person something that doesn't belong to them. I'm just saying, you just have to wait like everyone else for a new site to open again, if that ever happens.

I'm suggesting that Prince reopen the shop. Let us continue paying for the music. I'm just suggesting that it surely cannot be beyond Prince's internet people to get the site renamed and reopened. Unelss that's what he's done via msn spaces thang - again an odd marrying of Prince with a massive corporation.

Abrazo said:

I couldn't have said it better myself.I can imagine that when a few fans ask about their 25 dollars,they would probably get a reply like: That membership fee was for the lifetime of the NPG which no longer exist.
Hope there is a new site by the time of the next tour so the fans can get special seats instead of going through Ticketmaster.That's my concern with a new site.

BoySimon said:

You can suggest what you like, but in the end it's irrelevant.
Prince does what Prince want's to do... end of story.

NPGMC closed because Prince decided to close it.

BoySimon said:

free downloads please..

sacredwarrior said:

free (fr) Pronunciation Key Audio pronunciation of "freely" [P]
adj. fre·er, fre·est

1. Not imprisoned or enslaved; being at liberty.
2. Not controlled by obligation or the will of another: felt free to go.
3. Given, made, or done of one's own accord; voluntary or spontaneous: a free act of the will; free choices.

Let the man (and his music) B free... enough already...

BoySimon said:

I think that's one way of thinking about it, but people keep thinking that Prince CARES, and he doesn't.
[Edited 9/10/06 13:33pm]

Full Refund is not necessary. We had a share of the fun so that would be weird. To keep a site running for years with all the bandwidthuse for only 24.95 is strange too and was always too low imho.

The biggest prove of CONtracting was ofcourse the multi-million deal he had in the beginning of the 90-s. When the money landed on the bank he almost instantly started to fight Warner.
[Edited 9/10/06 13:38pm]
[Edited 9/10/06 13:38pm]

dualboot said:

"WE" had a share of the fun? I was still trying to get outta that 1st room and get from pt A to pt. B. (my credit card co. cancelled the $$, so no loss)
[Edited 9/10/06 15:44pm]