I noticed that Sheila, Morris and to a lesser extent the Revolution are taking a bit of a beating here for exploiting P's death.

But couldn't they still exploit his death and discuss his flaws as well?

Instead, they are saying completely positive things about him. Is it possible that they are choosing to focus in on his better qualities because they feel a bit of guilt that they are making money off his death?

Could they still have loved the man (warts and all) and still make money off him (but justify it in their minds by doing so while saying only nice things about the dude.)

Can you still exploit someone that you love? Can you be too weak to turn down financial temptations while still loving the man you are exploiting? Can those seemingly contradictory emotions co-exist in the mind?

As for Sheila's tattoo, its important to remember that tattoos are permanent. Eventually, she may make a success of her own (doubtful, but who knows) but she is still going to have a permanent reminder of Prince on her body. Tattoos tend to be sincere for this reason.

[Edited 9/17/16 13:25pm]

purplerabbithole said:

I noticed that Sheila, Morris and to a lesser extent the Revolution are taking a bit of a beating here for exploiting P's death.

But couldn't they still exploit his death and discuss his flaws as well?

Instead, they are saying completely positive things about him. Is it possible that they are choosing to focus in on his better qualities because they feel a bit of guilt that they are making money off his death?

Could they still have loved the man (warts and all) and still make money off him (but justify it in their minds by doing so while saying only nice things about the dude.)

Can you still exploit someone that you love? Can you be too weak to turn down financial temptations while still loving the man you are exploiting? Can those seemingly contradictory emotions co-exist in the mind?

As for Sheila's tattoo, its important to remember that tattoos are permanent. Eventually, she may make a success of her own (doubtful, but who knows) but she is still going to have a permanent reminder of Prince on her body. Tattoos tend to be sincere for this reason.

[Edited 9/17/16 13:25pm]

Saying positive things about him is a commercial strategy. Who would sell anything were they to speak negatively about him.

I also believe they are grieving the loss of who made them famous, inspired him, and to whom they owe so much but they are artists thus seeking for public and making money.

So there is no way to know how they really felt about Prince. They could love him, hate him, like him or feel neutral about him. No way to know.

malbena said:

purplerabbithole said:

I noticed that Sheila, Morris and to a lesser extent the Revolution are taking a bit of a beating here for exploiting P's death.

But couldn't they still exploit his death and discuss his flaws as well?

Instead, they are saying completely positive things about him. Is it possible that they are choosing to focus in on his better qualities because they feel a bit of guilt that they are making money off his death?

Could they still have loved the man (warts and all) and still make money off him (but justify it in their minds by doing so while saying only nice things about the dude.)

Can you still exploit someone that you love? Can you be too weak to turn down financial temptations while still loving the man you are exploiting? Can those seemingly contradictory emotions co-exist in the mind?

As for Sheila's tattoo, its important to remember that tattoos are permanent. Eventually, she may make a success of her own (doubtful, but who knows) but she is still going to have a permanent reminder of Prince on her body. Tattoos tend to be sincere for this reason.

[Edited 9/17/16 13:25pm]

Saying positive things about him is a commercial strategy. Who would sell anything were they to speak negatively about him.

I also believe they are grieving the loss of who made them famous, inspired him, and to whom they owe so much but they are artists thus seeking for public and making money.

purplerabbithole said:

So there is no way to know how they really felt about Prince. They could love him, hate him, like him or feel neutral about him. No way to know.

malbena said:

Saying positive things about him is a commercial strategy. Who would sell anything were they to speak negatively about him.

I also believe they are grieving the loss of who made them famous, inspired him, and to whom they owe so much but they are artists thus seeking for public and making money.

I would agree with that theory but it is only my personal opinion on the matter. It is a difficult time when we cope with our greatest loss in different ways. Being defensive and protective of our beloved Prince is one of them.

I appreciate former and current members staying away from drama especially those whose relationship did not last.

I always have a problem when people say someone is exploiting someone's death or when associates come out and talk, pay tribute to that person. That's what you do. You talk about that person's life, your experiences with that person, maybe write a book about your time with that person. In Prince's case, you do tribute concerts, write songs, dedicate songs to/about him, etc. It's just what happens when someone famous dies. I believe most have the most genuine intentions. No one is really doing/has done anything outlandish.

I'm not buying this ideal that The Revolution, Morris Day, and especially Sheila E, are exploiting Prince's death. His death has affected us all (fans and friends alike) but the fact of the matter is no matter how much we may have liked or loved Prince, we are just fans and most likely never even held a conversation with the man(at any length), let alone have any kind of intimate, personal relationship with him. I'm pretty sure that at one point or another, Morris, Sheila, and members of the Revolution, were really close to Prince. I'm also pretty sure that each one of them have had personal experiences with Prince that us fans can only dream of having. And that does count for something. Especially considering that over the years, most of them have never really had any real harsh words towards Prince. Yes Morris has said some things but I've never heard him say anything hateful towards Prince.

So...personally i don't have a problem with anything that Sheila, Morris, or The Revolution have done to honor Prince's memory. I think its good that they are trying to keep Prince's legacy and memory alive. Even if that means performing as The Revolution, or selling tee shirts. Of course Prince's life and musical legacy deserves much, much more than that. My hope is that the people(musicians) who were closest to Prince can coordinate with each other and come up with some kind of lasting tribute(in concerts and in CD) to him. Something like a Prince(or "Minneapolis Sound") collective.

Anyway, I'm not saying that us fans aren't entitled to our opinions(we most definitely are) but for me to think that Bobby Z, Dr Fink, Sheila E, etc are trying to gain something from the death of the man that they spent years in the trenches with? Well, for me that would be to think the absolute worst. And I'm not going there with those particular people. I might go there with some lesser associates but not with the one's that were mentioned in the op.


As i alluded to before. I'm sure those people are going through it. And personally i think they deserve a little benefit of the doubt.

Now, having said all that. I do think that us fans absolutely need to do what we can to make sure that the people who are associated with keeping Prince's legacy alive(family, musicians, record label, etc), do things with as much integrity as possible.


Prince put too much heart and soul into his music to have it done in any other way.

[Edited 9/19/16 13:32pm]

I don't think anyone is exploiting Prince's death... except Questlove. Everybody else is just doing what they do for a living.

I think these artists work for a living, and unless it is a Prince image/song/tribute thing, then I don't think it takes advantage of Prince. It is merely a way they always made their money... the only change is how people are scrutinizing them because of Prince's death. These people will not stop working or change their lives because someone they know has died.

Another factor to take into consideration is "who". If it is a former associated artist/former relationship with whom contact was severed and publicly made aware of it, it is harder to accept. On the other hand, if it is a current member or anyone Prince clearly appreciated, it is unlikely they will be regarded as opportunists in this grieving time.

malbena said:

Another factor to take into consideration is "who". If it is a former associated artist/former relationship with whom contact was severed and publicly made aware of it, it is harder to accept. On the other hand, if it is a current member or anyone Prince clearly appreciated, it is unlikely they will be regarded as opportunists in this grieving time.

If we base all of our criticism on WHO the person is, it will create bias. Thinking this way is at the nature of bias, and no matter what a person does, they are damned either way because we write them off simply based on who they are and not their actions. I choose to judge people by what they do, not who they are.




What we do know are two things:
1- Prince never mentioned any ex-girlfriends/associates, he would always say he moved on and never looks back. This is why many like me were surprised (pleasantly so) about Prince mentioning Ms. Denise Matthews and reminiscing about their past with a funny little story about how he had Chick throw her in a pool. Prince never talks about exes and never seems to deal with any of them. They basically all are in the same boat despite their non-comfirmable claims of speaking to him almost daily or on a regular basis. Few exes are honest and say they have nothing to do with Prince and some just clam up.


2- Many ex associates are in the business of entertainment. They made their money this way in the past and it was NOT about making money off Prince, the same standard applies. The exception being marketing Prince's likeness/symbols/songs/memorbilia to gain monies after his death.

3- They are all guilty of #2 except maybe two of them, who also bitch and moan on social media that they are not doing what everyone else is doing. They know who they are.

paintedlady said:

purplerabbithole said:

I noticed that Sheila, Morris and to a lesser extent the Revolution are taking a bit of a beating here for exploiting P's death.

But couldn't they still exploit his death and discuss his flaws as well?

Instead, they are saying completely positive things about him. Is it possible that they are choosing to focus in on his better qualities because they feel a bit of guilt that they are making money off his death?

Could they still have loved the man (warts and all) and still make money off him (but justify it in their minds by doing so while saying only nice things about the dude.)

Can you still exploit someone that you love? Can you be too weak to turn down financial temptations while still loving the man you are exploiting? Can those seemingly contradictory emotions co-exist in the mind?

As for Sheila's tattoo, its important to remember that tattoos are permanent. Eventually, she may make a success of her own (doubtful, but who knows) but she is still going to have a permanent reminder of Prince on her body. Tattoos tend to be sincere for this reason.

[Edited 9/17/16 13:25pm]

I think at this time they only want to discuss his good attributes because they are being respectful and that is what they want to remember and want everyone else to remember. I think they loved him. Sure they may be making money off the situation. That could be viewed as distasteful, but I truly think they did love him. About the tattoo, I think she wants a permenant reminder of what he meant to her not only for her but others to see as well because she felt that strongly for him.

blondie1147 said:

purplerabbithole said:

I noticed that Sheila, Morris and to a lesser extent the Revolution are taking a bit of a beating here for exploiting P's death.

But couldn't they still exploit his death and discuss his flaws as well?

Instead, they are saying completely positive things about him. Is it possible that they are choosing to focus in on his better qualities because they feel a bit of guilt that they are making money off his death?

Could they still have loved the man (warts and all) and still make money off him (but justify it in their minds by doing so while saying only nice things about the dude.)

Can you still exploit someone that you love? Can you be too weak to turn down financial temptations while still loving the man you are exploiting? Can those seemingly contradictory emotions co-exist in the mind?

As for Sheila's tattoo, its important to remember that tattoos are permanent. Eventually, she may make a success of her own (doubtful, but who knows) but she is still going to have a permanent reminder of Prince on her body. Tattoos tend to be sincere for this reason.

[Edited 9/17/16 13:25pm]

I think at this time they only want to discuss his good attributes because they are being respectful and that is what they want to remember and want everyone else to remember. I think they loved him. Sure they may be making money off the situation. That could be viewed as distasteful, but I truly think they did love him. About the tattoo, I think she wants a permenant reminder of what he meant to her not only for her but others to see as well because she felt that strongly for him.

IF you love someone and they die you will not do something that goes against their will- He really just died and the timing for some of this is in bad taste

[Edited 9/19/16 3:51am]

malbena said:

paintedlady said:

If we base all of our criticism on WHO the person is, it will create bias. Thinking this way is at the nature of bias, and no matter what a person does, they are damned either way because we write them off simply based on who they are and not their actions. I choose to judge people by what they do, not who they are.




What we do know are two things:
1- Prince never mentioned any ex-girlfriends/associates, he would always say he moved on and never looks back. This is why many like me were surprised (pleasantly so) about Prince mentioning Ms. Denise Matthews and reminiscing about their past with a funny little story about how he had Chick throw her in a pool. Prince never talks about exes and never seems to deal with any of them. They basically all are in the same boat despite their non-comfirmable claims of speaking to him almost daily or on a regular basis. Few exes are honest and say they have nothing to do with Prince and some just clam up.


2- Many ex associates are in the business of entertainment. They made their money this way in the past and it was NOT about making money off Prince, the same standard applies. The exception being marketing Prince's likeness/symbols/songs/memorbilia to gain monies after his death.

3- They are all guilty of #2 except maybe two of them, who also bitch and moan on social media that they are not doing what everyone else is doing. They know who they are.

Don't actions and words define who someone is? . We remember people for what they did or did not do and see the accordingly. This sure explains appreciation for artists or lack of thereof.

Actions and character define who you are, but we must be careful to rush to judgment solely based on who a person is. We must judge actions only.

Many people here judge these associates as if they have the real story, I know many here do not have facts and merely speculate based on misinformation.

Truth be told, I myself did not like specific associates, but I do not know them personally. I judge the character of those Prince people on how they react to accusation, and try to place myself in their shoes. Many of these people have moved on and don't hold grudges, and I would like to judge them THAT way.

Now... as far as I can see, ALMOST ALL of the asscociates Prince worked with are absoluely doing at least one project that is directly making money off of Prince's death. Taste (good or bad), should they or not, why they do or not, is up to intrepetation and not be be taken as truth, because we do not know the full story and 1/2 of the story is lost due to Prince's passing. So all we can do as fans is watch with a bag or popcorn how this unholy free-for-all unfolds.

A win-win for fans who need to speak on Prince and all things of Prince because of sentiments.... and the associates who have a stories to tell. Sooner or later, they all will tell their stories whether they want to or not, otherwise someone will tell it for them because the vultures are circling to make money.

Vashtix said:

blondie1147 said:

I think at this time they only want to discuss his good attributes because they are being respectful and that is what they want to remember and want everyone else to remember. I think they loved him. Sure they may be making money off the situation. That could be viewed as distasteful, but I truly think they did love him. About the tattoo, I think she wants a permenant reminder of what he meant to her not only for her but others to see as well because she felt that strongly for him.

IF you love someone and they die you will not do something that goes against their will- He really just died and the timing for some of this is in bad taste

[Edited 9/19/16 3:51am]

Mayte's memoir is said to have been shut down by Prince before his death. Whether it is a confirmed statement or not, it leaves a bad feeling among fans.

I can't look at his former proteges and bandmates performing his music as "exploiting his death". It might be because for the musicians, their best way of communicating with him is/was probably through music. I'm only a fan. I can't knock those who feel the need to write memoirs or get tattoos in memory of him. I'll never know or understand the depth of their relationships with him or the grief they're dealing with everyday. Hopefully, whatever they do helps them cope with this in the long run and honor his legacy in the most positive way. If some aren't sincere, it's for them to sort out amongst themselves at some point.

Let's face it some of them probably weren't pulling in much $$$ before P's death. Now that he's gone, well ... $$$ ... SAD!

Let them make money while they can. I can tell you the one thing I found distasteful had nothing to do with anyone Prince worked with. I received a catalogue from a pen shop and a new pen set is called "Purple Reign." The pens are purple in color. The man has been gone for only months ... Just a way to make a fast buck. Anyway, write the books, sell the records, go on tour ... If anyone comes near where I live, I'll go.