Graycap23 said:

Wow Gray you must feel strongly about it to speak your mind that way. I know you take a lot of heat on the Org. but I have to give you props for being up to the task.

BlaqueKnight said:

what irks me is this whole attitude about control that so many people have here. i wonder what it's about... they accuse LG of controlling P, but in reality, THEY would like to be the ones to control him or at least exert some influence on him, because they're always saying "P should do this and NOT that..."

i find it strange because it's an attitude i simply cannot relate to. the fun about prince's music, to me, is the surprise element. what's he going to do next?

Wow, interesting comments. I always liked Larry Graham because I grew up with his music in my home, the Sly and the Family Stone Days, and my sister's boyfriend was a bass player, so Larry's music has always been in our home. Larry has opened doors for a lot of musicians and is still respected by many in the industry that know what real music is all about.

As far as his association with Prince as a personal friend, I don't like to get into Prince's personal life at all, because that's Prince's business, and I respect that. But in my opinion, even if Larry became more of a close friend of Prince, during one of the most vulnerable times in Prince's life, when Prince lost his child, well, you can't blame Larry for being there to give him moral support, seems like it was something Prince or anyone would need who had a loss in their family.. real and true friends around them. It's difficult when you lose a child, and I could relate to that as I lost a nephew who only lived for 6 weeks, and it was devastating for my sister and the rest of our family, but this isn't about me, I'm just giving an example. I'm sure we've all one time or another have experienced loss of a loved one, but when you lose a child, it is an extremely devastating experience and you need as much love and support from family members and real and trusted friends that wouldn't leave you in your moments of despair, and continue to be your friend during the good and bad times in your life, not just be there for the good times.

As far as Larry being a big influence on Prince's involvement with the JW religion, I don't know, I just don't feel anyone can force you to get involve in something you're not happy to be a part of. In the past we lost many great musicians, to drugs, depression, and violence (some members of the Temptations, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, even Elvis, etc).I'm just glad we still have Prince and his music to love and appreciate and didn't lose Prince to anything like drugs or violence. Sure I miss the 1980s and 90s Prince, who wouldn't? but I was much younger then and my values have changed, so I really don't think I would have been playing "Darling Nikki" in the house, around the time I was raising my son . Besides, people change when they get older and have a different view on life.

With someone like Prince, many people will surround him and call themselves his friends, because of who he is and the connections he has in the music industry. So I guess it would be hard for him to just trust anyone and just call them a close and true friend. If he didn't think Larry was a true friend, I seriously doubt if Prince would be giving him thanks publicly, as some fans have heard him say, for being a friend and guiding him in what Prince considers the right direction in his life.

You guys know that being a famous musician like Prince, there's a lot of people (snakes if you will) that will always want something from him or basically use or be seen with him, to get what they want out of him, because of who he is for their own selfish reasons. So imagine how hard it is for him to trust anyone so easily. Example:..former Paisley Park employees.....you have people that worked for him there, either got fired or left and go to Prince-related fan sites and do a "tell all" about Prince, so it's only natural that he is careful who he considers his friends.

I believe Larry keeps the "snakes" out of Prince's life and that's why there are some people that seem to display bad feelings or jealousy towards Larry's association with Prince. But since I don't know Prince or Larry personally---and this is just my opinion-- as far as Larry influencing Prince in everything thing he does, including musically, I doubt that, advice is one thing, but Prince has a mind of his own. Seems like Prince calls the shots on his own life, which is his right to do so, of course with the help of his belief in a higher power which he lets us all know about.

It's really all about the music though,the music the two of them have given us and graced us with over the years and continue to do so, and not so much about who Prince or Larry associates with in their personal lives. So as far as Larry Graham is concerned..well, he is alright with me, as long as he keeps singing "One in a Million" and keep playing those funky bass lines..

..and Blacqueknight, I'm no fanbot... (hey stop throwing apples and peaches at me j/k. ).. just giving my opinion that's all.


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"Life is not about fighting for Black or White rights, It's about fighting for Human rights, because one's right to be human is not defined by skin color " -- 2elijah
[Edited 12/12/06 17:52pm]

Wow 2elijah! You are so on point with your post. Added to some realism to this subject.

and you're right Blaqueknight, folks do need to get out of his personal life and enjoy the music.
[Edited 12/4/06 11:20am]

People have their own reasons for saying whatever they say and you always have to consider the source IMO.

What I find most interesting about this entire thread is that I haven't seen any response whatsoever from the original thread starter and this thread has been going for many days now. Hmmmm.

What's also interesting is that some of the same folks who realize that it's inappropriate to comment on his "personal life" in this thread don't hesitate to comment on his marriage, his women, other band members and even his private parts, in other threads. Let's be consistent, okay?

At the end of the day, none of this is reason enough to get personal and start calling people names whether it's Prince, Larry or each other.

For the record, I don't know enough about LG to have an opinion about him one way or the other. Knowing "of" someone is not the same as "knowing" them.

wonder505 said:

Thanks Wonder and Blacqueknight!


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"Life is not about fighting for Black or White rights..it's about fighting for Human rights, because one's right to be Human is not defined by skin color" -- 2elijah
[Edited 12/5/06 7:41am]

Elijah, i absolutely LOVE your signature!

txladykat said:

Hi Tx!

Why thank you Txlady! Hope all is well with you and yours!!! ((Hugs))






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"Life is not about fighting for Black or White rights, It's about fighting for Human rights, because one's right to be human is not defined by skin color " -- 2elijah
[Edited 12/11/06 9:36am]

XxAxX said:

what about george clinton? he's become a not very talented cheezer, bah! evil, probably smells worse than me. Still a heavy name to drop eh!?

Sometimes I think we have him to thank for Prince putting himself out there more so in the long run it is probably a good thing they ran into each other. What is more interesting to me is that Prince would actually follow what Larry told him. But then again, maybe Prince needed a father figure and/or spiritual mentor at that moment. It was also a way for Prince to get closer to Sly or the idea of what Sly was about. But Larry just acts like an ass. If he didn't I bet people would like him more.

just how does larry act like an ass? Ithink I remember seeing a moment on the rave concert where he mimics p. and is rewarded with a dirty look from the man. I found it quite funny though.
[Edited 12/15/06 14:45pm]

Silkilove said:

I am not a old skool fan of Larry, but I am an old skool fan of Chaka.
Please, do some homework before stating that Chaka does not have an extensive catalog.
She did not put out as much music as Prince... but who has???
chaka could sing a 2 hour set, and not repeat or prolong any selection.
Her years as lead singer of Rufus featuring chaka khan, way before prince wrote I feel for you would fill the night. And her career as a solo artist... thru the fire, Ain't nobody, I'm everyone woman... is just off the top of my head.

thedribbler said:

i think the man doesn't take himself too seriously, that's all.

prodigalfan said:

excuse me but you have entirely misquoted me. that is not what i said at all.

this is the only comment i have made about why people arnot fond of larry graham:

not true. i grew disturbed with him ONLY AFTER listening to him play 2 songs, "thank you for letting me be myself" and "everyday people" EVERY SINGLE TIME he took the stage over a period of two-three years.

that mindset is scary, for a musician, imo. which is NOT to say i dislike larry, he's a nice man. but i think he contributed to his own downfall among fans

ps: and from the report i read mr graham is STILL playing "thank you for letting me be myself...."