I was (perhaps) unfairly bitching about the Revolution's non-involvement or acknowledgment of current tributes. But more unforgivable (IMO) is larry Graham's (after all, his influence might have alienated Prince from certain earlier associates). Where the hell is he? Or is he such a pariah that he was simply not invited. he was at the funeral with another currently absent associate--Sheila E. But very little has been seen of him. His facebook page is all self-promotion with a brief mention of a concert tribute he did to Prince in September. Or maybe, he doubts the sincerity of the tributes like other previous associates? Then, again, it should not be about what you think others are doing but about doing what is right to honor P himself.

Also, another question. I wonder what Graham and the JW's thought about his overdose. They probably forgive the 'sinner' but not the 'sin' kind of thing.

I was recently thinking about Larry Graham. Where IS he? Also, does anyone know how they were in recent years? I don't think I saw much of him in past 4-5 years but I could be wrong. Does anyone know?

I for one, grew to resent their friendship/ bond. The JW experience was very uncomfortable for enjoying the music. Musically The Rainbow Children was a masterful. The over the top religous dogma was so heavy handed..some songs are unlistenable.

Larry Graham has talent and has accomplishments. I would imagine like the other splintered groups, those weren't his peeps.

I hope people will have a mature conversation without getting this thread close due to religion bashing.

I wonder too what happen to Larry Graham and wonder if the family is now distancing themselves from him?

Me too. I am pretty much a secularist/deist..I believe there is probably some kind of "God" but I don't buy into organized religion. I am also very liberal socially. That being said, I also grew up in the bible belt and understand that people are rarely consistent in terms of her hearts and heads. I also don't think that the JW's are worse than other religious groups (except for maybe their exclusiveness). So, slamming on the JW's to prop up traditional Christianity doesn't sit well with me and oversimplifying P's long time relationships with people like Larry, Lisa and Wendy doesn't seem fair or particularly insightful either.

ladygirl99 said:

I hope people will have a mature conversation without getting this thread close due to religion bashing.

I wonder too what happen to Larry Graham and wonder if the family is now distancing themselves from him?

Is he sick?

morningsong said:

Is he sick?

I've wondered where Larry G is since April, as well. I checked his website, he's been touring as recently as Sept., but not weekly. My guess is the poor guy's just sad as sad can be. I think they were brothers/father/son and respected each other as artists. His absence in the media and at tributes, perhaps, is just a function of the depth of his grief. I hope he's ok.

This does seem sad I hope he's okay as well. We all bitch about how everyone is coming across so grubby with all these t-shirts and books and shows--- Maybe Larry was Prince's one true friend.

Maybe. I hope not his one true friend.

Superfan1984 said:

This does seem sad I hope he's okay as well. We all bitch about how everyone is coming across so grubby with all these t-shirts and books and shows--- Maybe Larry was Prince's one true friend.

purplerabbithole said:

No one said he did. Straying from hard-line Jehoviah Witness doctrine is not the same thing as swaying from his faith. Two hour conversations about faith, I imagine, usually indicate an examination of one's faith. Hardline doctrine doesn't usually allow any room for interpretation.

rogifan said:

This is what Prince told Ebony magazine in 2015 about why he chose to work with Joshua Welton:

EBONY: You’ve never had a producer. What made you choose Joshua Welton for Hit N Run: Phase One? Prince: His faith in God really struck a nerve. And you know how you can just feel that something’s gonna work and it feels right, it’s a good fit? I knew the band was going to work, I knew the relationship with him was gonna work. I check people out now to see how faith-based they are and how real they are about it. That goes a long way, I gotta tell you. Because I can trust them. I can give him the key and don’t have to worry.

And this is what Joshua told the BBC about his first encounter with Prince:

So how did you meet Prince? It was actually through my wife Hannah, who drums for 3rdEyeGirl. The first time I came out [to Minneapolis], Prince was rehearsing at a sound stage in Paisley Park. Now, rehearsal is a time when you get things locked in tight, and you perfect what you're working on but Prince goes, "on the one" and the whole band stops. Then he literally jumps up - because he's on the keyboards - and he goes "Joshua!", runs off the stage and gives me a big hug. And I'm thinking to myself, I really enjoy this guy already! Literally, right after that, we had this two-hour conversation about Jesus. And that was, for nine months, our relationship. I didn't do any music. I was really just supporting my wife. That was my main goal, making sure that I was there for her.

I don't think Prince ever really strayed from his faith.

[Edited 10/15/16 9:01am]

anangellooksdown said:

i don't think Prince and Larry were close over the last 4-5 years, but I'm not sure. Prince branched out from straight religion to opening his path up much broader, hence the third eye etc. It seems some religious ideas he did keep though. On a separate note, I feel Sheila and Prince's family might have had some sort of difference in opinion for her not to be at the Tribute. And no, she didn't say anything that I saw about the Tribute on that day or evening, she just posted video of herself warming up for her own concert.

Sheila was doing a show in Westbury, NY, on Oct 13. That's the reason she was not at the tribute. I'm not making a whole lot out of Larry not being there either. He did attend the service at PP 2 days after Prince died and the JW service. He was very close to Prince and he may be having a difficult time dealing with the situation.

purplerabbithole said:

No one said he did. Straying from hard-line Jehoviah Witness doctrine is not the same thing as swaying from his faith. Two hour conversations about faith, I imagine, usually indicate an examination of one's faith. Hardline doctrine doesn't usually allow any room for interpretation.

rogifan said:

This is what Prince told Ebony magazine in 2015 about why he chose to work with Joshua Welton: I don't think Prince ever really strayed from his faith.

[Edited 10/15/16 9:01am]

So what religious denomination is Joshua?

tmo1965 said:

purplerabbithole said:

tmo1965 said:

rogifan said:

anangellooksdown said:

I don't care if I never see or hear from Larry Graham ever again.

anangellooksdown said:

anangellooksdown said:

tmo1965 said:

Sheila was doing a show in Westbury, NY, on Oct 13. That's the reason she was not at the tribute. I'm not making a whole lot out of Larry not being there either. He did attend the service at PP 2 days after Prince died and the JW service. He was very close to Prince and he may be having a difficult time dealing with the situation.

Sheila was playing in west-who-gives-a-darn NY?? And that was more important than rescheduling to be with all those other artists who rescheduled to be in MN for the Tribute? I'm just not buying it. I think there was another reason she wasn't there. I'm not saying it was her fault or anyone else's, I'm saying it seems personalities might be involved.

Sheila E makes connections with the people who are excited to see her, I don't think it would be a good move to cancel a show because it's not somewhere with a spotlight on it. Every place matters, all the people matter. She did the right move.

Sheila E. at NYCB Theatre at Westbury

Come on OldFriends4Sale, must you always defend every 1980's Prince associate...LOL. Kidding.

You do have a point that every venue counts. But not offering good wishes to the public memorial does seem odd. But we don't know her motives. I think you made the point that many of her current shows were already scheduled. I am not big on her selling t-shirts and cruises but as long as it goes to charity than that is fine.

Question: How many of her Prince tributes/products are going to charity and how many are just for profit? Or are they partially a way to make a living and for charity?

BTW, I don't have a problem with the tribute being for profit as long as that profit goes toward the continued upkeep of Paisley, his catalogue and the distribution of Prince's music.

OldFriends4Sale said:

anangellooksdown said:

tmo1965 said: Sheila was playing in west-who-gives-a-darn NY?? And that was more important than rescheduling to be with all those other artists who rescheduled to be in MN for the Tribute? I'm just not buying it. I think there was another reason she wasn't there. I'm not saying it was her fault or anyone else's, I'm saying it seems personalities might be involved.

Sheila E makes connections with the people who are excited to see her, I don't think it would be a good move to cancel a show because it's not somewhere with a spotlight on it. Every place matters, all the people matter. She did the right move.

Sheila E. at NYCB Theatre at Westbury

Sheila E has always been big on raising money for charities. She usually gives the information for the shows she is doing the charities on. All her shows are not for charity, even though she may donate money to a charity. She still has a to live and pay her musicians singers etc

The cruise was already in place before Prince died though.

purplerabbithole said:

Come on OldFriends4Sale, must you always defend every 1980's Prince associate...LOL. Kidding.

You do have a point that every venue counts. But not offering good wishes to the public memorial does seem odd. But we don't know her motives. I think you made the point that many of her current shows were already scheduled. I am not big on her selling t-shirts and cruises but as long as it goes to charity than that is fine.

Question: How many of her Prince tributes/products are going to charity and how many are just for profit? Or are they partially a way to make a living and for charity?

BTW, I don't have a problem with the tribute being for profit as long as that profit goes toward the continued upkeep of Paisley, his catalogue and the distribution of Prince's music.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Sheila E makes connections with the people who are excited to see her, I don't think it would be a good move to cancel a show because it's not somewhere with a spotlight on it. Every place matters, all the people matter. She did the right move.

Sheila E. at NYCB Theatre at Westbury

FunkOnTheOne said:

Clearly I've missed something. Larry attended the Funeral and performed twice in the Autism Rocks tribute shows shortly afterwards. He was actually one of the first associated artists along with Morris to do so.

Yes, but he has practically disappeared since. No mention of him during the process of the Tribute concert and he didn't appear. He has been suspiciously absent and even more interesting, not even mentioned by the circle and associates. Makes me wonder.