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Thread started 05/25/07 6:04pm

meltwithu

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prince replaced alexander o'neal as frontman of the time cuz he was "too black"?

...according to the liner notes of AO's greatest hits cd..anybody else hear this before?
you look better on your facebook page than you do in person hmph!
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Reply #1 posted 05/25/07 6:22pm

administrator

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.
[Edited 5/26/07 11:44am]
Too bad she didn't saw that I was there, Nor any thoughts about me and showed false care, To her... all i am is... the March Hare
G L A M S L A M . O R G
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Reply #2 posted 05/25/07 6:41pm

KatSkrizzle

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He got booted cause he was a junkie...dude looked 50 at 25
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Reply #3 posted 05/26/07 3:20am

PurpleCharm

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Reply #4 posted 05/26/07 3:32am

TonyVanDam

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meltwithu said:

...according to the liner notes of AO's greatest hits cd..anybody else hear this before?


Those rumors were very false. Prince fired Alexander from The Time because Alexander wanted more money as well as more creative input.
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Reply #5 posted 05/26/07 4:42pm

woogiebear

TonyVanDam said:

meltwithu said:

...according to the liner notes of AO's greatest hits cd..anybody else hear this before?


Those rumors were very false. Prince fired Alexander from The Time because Alexander wanted more money as well as more creative input.


I REMEMBER HEARING THAT AS WELL.....ABOUT MONEY & SUCH. IT ALL WORKED OUT FOR THE BEST, THOUGH!!!!!
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Reply #6 posted 05/26/07 8:07pm

wlcm2thdwn

I don't believe that look at Jerome Benton and he's one of the greatest guys to work with Prince!
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Reply #7 posted 05/26/07 8:21pm

PurpleCharm

wlcm2thdwn said:

I don't believe that look at Jerome Benton and he's one of the greatest guys to work with Prince!

Jerome wasn't a front man. He is/was a side kick.
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Reply #8 posted 05/26/07 8:40pm

jaynoonan

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KatSkrizzle said:

He got booted cause he was a junkie...dude looked 50 at 25



LOL aint that the truth plus he was boring
"Paisley Park is in your Heart"
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Reply #9 posted 05/27/07 12:54am

prodigalfan

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please stop saying disparaging things about Alex.

he did get the same habit as Morris Day and Vanity too... but after he made it big. Also, I have always heard Alex was more into drinking than drugging.

How many of y'all had too much to drank, too often?? confused

Alexander was imo the best male singer to come out of the Prince camp. Morris was more of a novelty and entertainer, than a singer. Alexander was mentioned in the same breath as Luther, Freddie, Peabo, to name a few.
Not saying that he was as good as Luther, but his name would come up in discussion about R&B crooners. Never ever has Morris's name come up in any conversation about singing talent.

Have some respect for the talent or at least don't reveal your ignorance on the matter.
"Remember, one man's filler is another man's killer" -- Haystack
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Reply #10 posted 05/27/07 1:02am

prodigalfan

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TonyVanDam said:

meltwithu said:

...according to the liner notes of AO's greatest hits cd..anybody else hear this before?


Those rumors were very false. Prince fired Alexander from The Time because Alexander wanted more money as well as more creative input.


right, Alexander was a singer before he met Prince... just looking for his break just like Prince looked for his. Morris Day was a drummer, never a lead singer. Prince MADE Morris into a lead singer, actually singing and recording the lead vocals... and Morris copied Prince as close as possible. On several Time songs, you can still here Prince's vocals, with Morris singing over them.

Alexander I imagine did not want to copy Prince for every "Ohh", and "Ahh", he was an artist and wanted to interpret the song the way he felt. Most singers do that. Now if you want an act just short of Milli Vanilli type, than you have Morris Day and the Time.

Many other Time members also got fired for wanting to express themselves creatively as well. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who incidentally went on to SUCCESSFULLY produce the same Alexander O'Neal), Jesse Johnson...
They all wanted to express themselves creatively and got axed. Who is left in the Time today (from the early Time days)... Morris and Jerome... both "yes" men.
confused
"Remember, one man's filler is another man's killer" -- Haystack
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Reply #11 posted 05/27/07 4:22am

alwayslate

Not to take away too much from the Time -they were entertaining- but Prince created the group as a means to put out music that was "too Black" for Prince to perform himself.
And it ain't like Alex is the only person to say that Prince had a 'problem' with Black-ness. And Alex's drug habit or drinking habit or whatever could not have been worse than the habits of some people that Prince kept around for years. The reason for Alex's dismissal had to have been personal/ego motivated.
And it is kinda funny that the people who had the more 'controversial' firings (Alex, Jimmy, Terry) went on to have much independent success as opposed to those who only wanted to ride the Prince gravy train. It seems that Prince didn't care whether you or not you were talented, so long as you were obedient. Just look at all these dingbat women he had making records. I am sure Alex knew that his talent was worth more that Prince was willing to give.
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Reply #12 posted 05/27/07 10:40am

blackguitarist
z

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alwayslate said:

Not to take away too much from the Time -they were entertaining- but Prince created the group as a means to put out music that was "too Black" for Prince to perform himself.
And it ain't like Alex is the only person to say that Prince had a 'problem' with Black-ness. And Alex's drug habit or drinking habit or whatever could not have been worse than the habits of some people that Prince kept around for years. The reason for Alex's dismissal had to have been personal/ego motivated.
And it is kinda funny that the people who had the more 'controversial' firings (Alex, Jimmy, Terry) went on to have much independent success as opposed to those who only wanted to ride the Prince gravy train. It seems that Prince didn't care whether you or not you were talented, so long as you were obedient. Just look at all these dingbat women he had making records. I am sure Alex knew that his talent was worth more that Prince was willing to give.

Good post. It ain't no secret that P was color stuck. Perhaps Rick James saying back in 80 that P didn't want to be black may have had some credence. I generally think that P himself, didn't have a problem with being Black but I do feel he was color struck. As far as Alex not being picked cuz he was too dark,...nah. Alex wanted more money than P's management was willing to give up and he wasn't going to be up under P's thumb all of the time. Alex, Andre before, would have ended up kicking P's little ass. Really though, it worked out for the best. I don't believe The Time would have been nearly as popular with Alex as the frontman.
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Reply #13 posted 05/27/07 3:20pm

alwayslate

blackguitaristz said:


Good post. It ain't no secret that P was color stuck. Perhaps Rick James saying back in 80 that P didn't want to be black may have had some credence. I generally think that P himself, didn't have a problem with being Black but I do feel he was color struck. As far as Alex not being picked cuz he was too dark,...nah. Alex wanted more money than P's management was willing to give up and he wasn't going to be up under P's thumb all of the time. Alex, Andre before, would have ended up kicking P's little ass. Really though, it worked out for the best. I don't believe The Time would have been nearly as popular with Alex as the frontman.


I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.
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Reply #14 posted 05/27/07 5:41pm

babynoz

alwayslate said:

blackguitaristz said:


Good post. It ain't no secret that P was color stuck. Perhaps Rick James saying back in 80 that P didn't want to be black may have had some credence. I generally think that P himself, didn't have a problem with being Black but I do feel he was color struck. As far as Alex not being picked cuz he was too dark,...nah. Alex wanted more money than P's management was willing to give up and he wasn't going to be up under P's thumb all of the time. Alex, Andre before, would have ended up kicking P's little ass. Really though, it worked out for the best. I don't believe The Time would have been nearly as popular with Alex as the frontman.


I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.



nod
Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #15 posted 05/27/07 5:54pm

laurarichardso
n

alwayslate said:

blackguitaristz said:


Good post. It ain't no secret that P was color stuck. Perhaps Rick James saying back in 80 that P didn't want to be black may have had some credence. I generally think that P himself, didn't have a problem with being Black but I do feel he was color struck. As far as Alex not being picked cuz he was too dark,...nah. Alex wanted more money than P's management was willing to give up and he wasn't going to be up under P's thumb all of the time. Alex, Andre before, would have ended up kicking P's little ass. Really though, it worked out for the best. I don't believe The Time would have been nearly as popular with Alex as the frontman.


I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.

-----
Are you on something? "What Time Is It" is one of the best RnB albums of the 80's. The whold album kicks ass and I think Prince should have kept those songs for himself. In addtion, I don't know if P is colorstuck has far as music is concerned but, let's live in the land of reality an RnB band was not going to crossover in the 80's. The Time project was Prince keeping one foot in the RnB world while he made his cross over move with his music.

Nothing wrong with what he did considering it was the 1980's
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Reply #16 posted 05/27/07 8:22pm

blackguitarist
z

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alwayslate said:

blackguitaristz said:


Good post. It ain't no secret that P was color stuck. Perhaps Rick James saying back in 80 that P didn't want to be black may have had some credence. I generally think that P himself, didn't have a problem with being Black but I do feel he was color struck. As far as Alex not being picked cuz he was too dark,...nah. Alex wanted more money than P's management was willing to give up and he wasn't going to be up under P's thumb all of the time. Alex, Andre before, would have ended up kicking P's little ass. Really though, it worked out for the best. I don't believe The Time would have been nearly as popular with Alex as the frontman.


I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.

O.K., can't get with this. The first two Time albums were bangin'. All the way through, player. I'll take it even further out. The Time's first album, overall, is BETTER than the Controversy album. And that's with only 6 songs. I've always thought that. The Time's 3rd album was a joke, overall. There, P could have used Terry and Jimmy's thing. The comment u made about Alex being too black for P or The Time, I can't relate to that. The Time's whole thing, their whole sensibility, was "black". I didn't think u were talking about The Family. Alex wasn't "too black" for The Time, man. And again, as a showman, Alex couldn't fuck with The Time fronted by Morris. No way in hell. I've seen The Time on the Controversy tour and once on the 1999 tour. The Time were super tight and Morris was on point. Alex, I can't even imagine his big ass doing the dance steps The Time did. I don't think his chemistry would have fit with the rest of the members like it did with Morris. Alex a better singer? Of course. But that's it. Again, The Time was better off WITHOUT Alex and Alex was better off with out them.
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Reply #17 posted 05/27/07 8:26pm

alwayslate

laurarichardson said:

alwayslate said:



I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.

-----
Are you on something? "What Time Is It" is one of the best RnB albums of the 80's. The whold album kicks ass and I think Prince should have kept those songs for himself. In addtion, I don't know if P is colorstuck has far as music is concerned but, let's live in the land of reality an RnB band was not going to crossover in the 80's. The Time project was Prince keeping one foot in the RnB world while he made his cross over move with his music.

Nothing wrong with what he did considering it was the 1980's


I'll tell you what I am not on and that is that purple kool-aid. It is not even in the top ten of the best RnB albums of the 80s.
The whole decade? Come come now.

"What Time Is It" is an ok album to me. "777-9311", "The Walk", "Gigolos Get Lonely Too"- Certified bangers, "I Don't Wanna Leave You"- cute song; could take it or leave it.
You got at 50% great album there.
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Reply #18 posted 05/27/07 8:36pm

prodigalfan

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blackguitaristz said:

alwayslate said:



I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.

O.K., can't get with this. The first two Time albums were bangin'. All the way through, player. I'll take it even further out. The Time's first album, overall, is BETTER than the Controversy album. And that's with only 6 songs. I've always thought that. The Time's 3rd album was a joke, overall. There, P could have used Terry and Jimmy's thing. The comment u made about Alex being too black for P or The Time, I can't relate to that. The Time's whole thing, their whole sensibility, was "black". I didn't think u were talking about The Family. Alex wasn't "too black" for The Time, man. And again, as a showman, Alex couldn't fuck with The Time fronted by Morris. No way in hell. I've seen The Time on the Controversy tour and once on the 1999 tour. The Time were super tight and Morris was on point. Alex, I can't even imagine his big ass doing the dance steps The Time did. I don't think his chemistry would have fit with the rest of the members like it did with Morris. Alex a better singer? Of course. But that's it. Again, The Time was better off WITHOUT Alex and Alex was better off with out them.



Very true! See, I don't think Alex liked the whole bit with the band dancing while playing instruments and singing the way the Time did. I think he wanted a different type of band. The Time was definitely all about showmanship. That is why they were so popular and crossed over. At the same time... I LOVE Alexander Oneal and bought several of his CD's back in the day. I really liked his style. I loved both acts the way they were... I wouldn't have it any other way.
"Remember, one man's filler is another man's killer" -- Haystack
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Reply #19 posted 05/27/07 8:37pm

prodigalfan

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alwayslate said:


I'll tell you what I am not on and that is that purple kool-aid. It is not even in the top ten of the best RnB albums of the 80s.
The whole decade? Come come now.

"What Time Is It" is an ok album to me. "777-9311", "The Walk", "Gigolos Get Lonely Too"- Certified bangers, "I Don't Wanna Leave You"- cute song; could take it or leave it.
You got at 50% great album there.



giggle
"Remember, one man's filler is another man's killer" -- Haystack
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Reply #20 posted 05/28/07 4:44am

Rhondab

PurpleCharm said:




can I have some please.....
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Reply #21 posted 05/31/07 7:09pm

laurarichardso
n

alwayslate said:

laurarichardson said:


-----
Are you on something? "What Time Is It" is one of the best RnB albums of the 80's. The whold album kicks ass and I think Prince should have kept those songs for himself. In addtion, I don't know if P is colorstuck has far as music is concerned but, let's live in the land of reality an RnB band was not going to crossover in the 80's. The Time project was Prince keeping one foot in the RnB world while he made his cross over move with his music.

Nothing wrong with what he did considering it was the 1980's


I'll tell you what I am not on and that is that purple kool-aid. It is not even in the top ten of the best RnB albums of the 80s.
The whole decade? Come come now.

"What Time Is It" is an ok album to me. "777-9311", "The Walk", "Gigolos Get Lonely Too"- Certified bangers, "I Don't Wanna Leave You"- cute song; could take it or leave it.
You got at 50% great album there.

-----
Not 50% a 100% and most music critics agree with me.
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Reply #22 posted 06/01/07 2:43am

SoulAlive

blackguitaristz said:

alwayslate said:



I think they woulda been more successful with artistic imput from Alex, Jimmy and Terry. They surely would have had more memorable tunes outside of the singles they released. The Time's albums overall were not good. It was like 2 hit singles and then album-filler forgetable songs that were just throw-away Prince tunes. That's crazy to me since the Time's albums did not even have that many songs on them in the first place. But I mean Alex was not just too dark I meant he was also too black in the figurative sense.

O.K., can't get with this. The first two Time albums were bangin'. All the way through, player. I'll take it even further out. The Time's first album, overall, is BETTER than the Controversy album. And that's with only 6 songs. I've always thought that. The Time's 3rd album was a joke, overall. There, P could have used Terry and Jimmy's thing.



I agree!! The first two Time albums are AMAZING!! Those are the only Time albums worth owning,imo.'What Time Is It' is at least as strong as the '1999' material.I don't even listen to 'Ice Cream Castles' or 'Pandemonium'.Those albums are alright,with a few jams,but the first two albums are excellent.Alwayslate....I don't see how you can diss a classic album like 'What Time Is It' confuse "Two hit singles and throwaway Prince tunes"??? That entire album is SUPERB!! "I Don't Wanna Leave You"..."Wild and Loose"...."Gigolos Get Lonely Too".....come on,now!! I'll go one step further and say that 'What Time Is It' is the best album that Prince ever produced for somebody else.
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Reply #23 posted 06/01/07 12:57pm

brothaluv

wlcm2thdwn said:

I don't believe that look at Jerome Benton and he's one of the greatest guys to work with Prince!


I was just about to say that...and then there was Jesse Johnson who's every bit as dark as O'Neil. Alexander is clearly a better singer than Morris, but Day beats him in the charisma department. Day was more marketable as well.
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Reply #24 posted 06/02/07 1:07am

Sydney

The Time without Morris - forget about it! Morris (and Prince's) humour is such a massive part of what the time was all about and I never got this sense from a very forthright seeming Alexander O'Neal. Alex was cool but Morris was hilarious and a great dancer. The pass word is What?
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Reply #25 posted 06/03/07 3:01pm

bjt57

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I read somewhere that Alex quit because Prince controlled every aspect of the Time's output at that time.
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