anangellooksdown said:

I just had another thought. As for getting married etc., I don't know that P had a way to meet women except through mentorship or music and many of those people aren't young, and he loved teaching them everything he knew about the business and music. Even church wasn't a great option I don't think since he was traveling a lot, and many of those women probably were to strictly religious for him. That's why it ended with Bria, who BTW I heard got divorced? That could be false, not sure.

Well,some of the relationships probably evolved over time as they were making music and touring.From what I understand,Prince first saw Andy in the audience at one of his shows at the Forum and invited her onstage to dance with him.Andy's friend at The Africa Channel invited her to come with him to attend the after party at Prince's home where they were formally introduced.She said they connected right away and he invited her to sit in with the band,then later sing with him at the Troubadour and then asked her to join the NPG.It all happened very quickly with them.Someone that worked at the Forum said she saw Prince and Andy go past them holding hands and get into a waiting car the last night of his residency. It seems they were already dating before the show at the Montréal Jazz Festival where they were photographed leaving their hotel together.Their relationship seemed to unfold naturally and it didn't seem forced.I don't think either of them were looking to meet someone as When Stars Collide and R&R Affair suggest..I believe in early 2013 he started things up again with Lala,whom he met in 2008.He kept their relationship private and never made mention of her online or otherwise.She's also older-in her mid-thirties,though she looks a lot younger.I had heard he ended things with Bria for other reasons,one being Lala and other rumors as well.I also have heard Bria is divorced but no confirmation from her.I'm not sure Prince intended to marry again.He seemed to date around after Andy and Lala.I remember him saying in a interview,I think with RS that he would leave it up to God.

[Edited 9/12/17 10:00am]

[Edited 9/12/17 10:00am]

Strawberrylova123 said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Yes,Andy's been quiet and respectful to his privacy.Her tribute post seemed to be her way of confirming it and the picture of them said enough.I noticed her sister commented on her FB post,saying "Its better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all."They did seem to share something special,I agree.Andy did admit in a recent radio interview while in Australia that most of her songs are about him and she still draws from their time together for inspiration.She also said they wrote many songs together and some ended up on AOA and Phase 1 and 2.It does seem they still had unresolved feelings and were on each other's minds.I wonder when he put her picture up in the Galaxy room? People first mentioned it to her last January after they attended the P&M at Paisley.The pic is from the Superconductor lyric book for the song Yellow Gold, I believe but I wonder why he chose that photo.Maybe it had special meaning to them.

[Edited 9/11/17 8:04am]

Yeah she had her hand on his heart, thats a very romantic gesture

I agree. It's sweet the way he's holding her arm,hugging it to his chest.

[Edited 9/11/17 15:16pm]

Andy's song Long Gone seems to tell the story of what happened to their relationship...it is a beautiful song

80tomato said:

Andy's song Long Gone seems to tell the story of what happened to their relationship...it is a beautiful song

She said she wrote it with Prince at PP after listening to Fire and Rain and they were inspired to make a similar song.It is beautiful and I love P's acoustic guitar on it.I believe her song Don't Ever Say is about their breakup.After he passed,she posted a picture of herself with the caption "Your'e the only one who's seen my scars".a line from the song.I think the lyrics of Long Gone seem to tell of what was to come.

80tomato said:

Andy's song Long Gone seems to tell the story of what happened to their relationship...it is a beautiful song

Wonder why he was screw up so many relationships? What was really wrong with him that he was still acting like this in his 50s. I hate saying this but guys that are single in their 50s with no kids or love ones do not last long.

He was going to have problems if he had beat his issues with drugs or joint pain.

laurarichardson said:

80tomato said:

Andy's song Long Gone seems to tell the story of what happened to their relationship...it is a beautiful song

Wonder why he was screw up so many relationships? What was really wrong with him that he was still acting like this in his 50s. I hate saying this but guys that are single in their 50s with no kids or love ones do not last long.

He was going to have problems if he had beat his issues with drugs or joint pain.

I am surprised you say that Laura. His childhood was a mess or far from a stable family model. I do agree that his fate would have been different (longer even) if he was in a healthy relationship.

Rev said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

80tomato said:

Andy's song Long Gone seems to tell the story of what happened to their relationship...it is a beautiful song

She said she wrote it with Prince at PP after listening to Fire and Rain and they were inspired to make a similar song.It is beautiful and I love P's acoustic guitar on it.I believe her song Don't Ever Say is about their breakup.After he passed,she posted a picture of herself with the caption "Your'e the only one who's seen my scars".a line from the song.I think the lyrics of Long Gone seem to tell of what was to come.

Thanks for the info ...it just seemed in Long Gone that other women were taking up his time and that she knew she had to be strong and leave the relationship even though her heart was saying no

80tomato said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

She said she wrote it with Prince at PP after listening to Fire and Rain and they were inspired to make a similar song.It is beautiful and I love P's acoustic guitar on it.I believe her song Don't Ever Say is about their breakup.After he passed,she posted a picture of herself with the caption "Your'e the only one who's seen my scars".a line from the song.I think the lyrics of Long Gone seem to tell of what was to come.

Thanks for the info ...it just seemed in Long Gone that other women were taking up his time and that she knew she had to be strong and leave the relationship even though her heart was saying no

That was his MO; even with the wives it appears he never stopped having more than one woman friend at a time; mention an era and names start coming from various women he was associating with and these are just the ones we know. I am sure he had his private life women too- he seemed to keep public/private apart. LOVE Prince but I get the feeling these younger women were not very experienced and dating, limos, and all beautiful trappings, traveling with him and what his mere presence did to anyplace he was had to be intoxicating but it is not love. However I am sure he was charming and being the sexy gent he was- these 20 somethings fell hard wearing rings, clothes, recordings, wash-rinse-repeat. Long line of those same things with beautiful women for decades. Andy should have known. He did not keep it secret - it was a template it seems- Prince 101.

[Edited 9/12/17 15:45pm]

Lots of theory ...through out. So don't attack me ...

Andy probably knew the image but maybe thought she could change him or hold on to him longer, or was advertedly or inadvertedly using him while having a whole myriad of complicated feelings about the man, his talent, and his fame. We can't really know what Prince or any of these women felt deep down. I never figured it was as simple as lust or money for Prince or the women.. I think it was a complicated combination. I also think many ex-girlfriends had a peace of his heart.

Here's the deal. I think a lot of people think that had Prince found the perfect compatible woman of his age and experience, he would have been happy and faithful and his priorities would have changed. But the reality is that no woman like that would live his vampiric workaholic lifestyle. They would demand his time away from music. they would demand he work normal hours. they would have interests that weren't music and rock star antics. Women of independent established means wouldn't fit into his life style. He wouldn't be able to offer them much in terms of advice, career advancement. And if Prince was as insecure deep down as I suspect he was, he probably would be a bit intimidated by that. I think his friendships with strong women stayed mostly strong because they never ventured into romantic territories (for that long anyway). Look at Mavis, Patti, Chaka, even Sheila...all older woman and his equals in many ways but with the exception of a brief romance with Sheila years ago they stayed friends the longest.. I suspect he was also good friends with Larry Graham's wife. (Maybe, had Prince never broke Susannah's heart, he and Lisa and wendy would have been a little better friends. NOt that there wasn't a bond, but at times, it had its down moments and distance.)

NOw, one could argue that he was too self centered to give up his fame and the adulation of fans for one woman.. But music defined him. What was he without it? He built his relationships around it. It constituted his self worth. It was the way he got the women in the first place. It was consistently there for him. It couldn't abandon him or grow tired of him or argue with him.

Lisa said that being a perfect rock star caused him to prune away parts of his humanity. Now, that quote might imply a lack of warmth or feeling. Maybe, that is what she meant. But what I chose to believe is that music was his way to connect to others and without it, he would have been hard pressed to know how to deal with the world, his own issues, and even his feelings but unfortunately, music was like a double edged sword for Prince. In some ways, it helped him to connect. IN other ways, it was a place to hide. It both emboldened and imprisoned him. It became the foundation of his life and almost as a necessity had to come first. But I suspect it wasn't enough of what he needed. BUt, he probably felt he couldn't give it up for a woman. But Prince was also lonely, romantic and restless without companionship. Even if deep down he might have known how unsustainable his relationships always were, maybe for brief moments he felt like they could endure, that these ambitious women would just stay his personal proteges forever..)

Don't get me wrong. Prince had a superficial side and he liked beautiful girls. And I am sure he was tempted (as was his ego). It probably made him feel younger at times. But I think at times, he felt older (the lyrics to Time indicate that.) A beautiful woman with talent he was weak in the knees for. And he was controlling. But at the same time, he was a bit controlled by his obsession with some of these women-- they were as much his inspiration as they were his clay. I do think he loved the women he was with in his own way.. but his love came with lots of conditions and baggage. I sometimes wonder if Prince knew that these relationships were doomed almost by definition, but that if he left them with the beginnings of careers and or paths to the fullfillment of their dreams, it wouldn't sting so bad and he wouldn't have to feel as guilty when he drifted away to protect himself from being left.

Generally, young people were better at keeping up with Prince as employees and lovers (not because they were better or more hard working than older folks but because they didn't have families and other responsibilites to take care of.) People with nothing to lose could take more risks by taking on his life style for a little while. I remember wondering -- would I ever had worked or been involved with Prince if there had been the opportunity? My answer had always been "Nope, but I would love those late night phone calls like Tamron Hall used to answer and to play ping-pong with him whenever he wanted." And then i realized something ---that had I had been young, unattached to kids and responsibilites and able to run back to the support of my parents if things went wrong, I might have taken on the venture just to meet and hopefully bond with someone as fascinating and talented as him. But I would hopefully do it with my eyes completely open. This might be why people like Andy, Bria, Lala, and even maybe Jusith who have made that attempt and had their hearts broken mended relatively quickly. This generation knew going in that Prince was probably going to be a challenge but they had nothing to lose and knew the trip made it worth it. That doesn't mean they don't delude themselves once he hooks them in. But overall, she and others had to have known to proceed with caution. Remember, her brother said on facebook that he toured with them also to make sure she was treated well.

Back to Tamron Hall, many of us thought that relationship would have been good for him. But I think she wouldn't have fit into his lifestyle and she knew it. That's why she said "you don't date Prince". They were friends who flirted and that was good for them. Romantic love is obviously a complicated thing in any one's life...there is a lot of conditions placed on it. Romantic love when fame, workaholic tendencies, possible addictions, and artistic temperments are involved--well, that's pretty complicated.

Too bad, he never had kids.That kind of love is easier to understand and more pure in many ways.

The way I see it is that the only way Prince would have had lasting romantic relationships would have been if he put music aside for quite a while and just focused on being a family man. If he became like the mostly retired musicians who occasionally dabble in reunions etc. If he had found a way to cope with life and the world without constant music flowing through it. That would have taken a great deal of possible therapy and support for that to happen (if it was possible at all.) Because I think it was "all or nothing at all" with Prince.

Vashtix said:

80tomato said:

Thanks for the info ...it just seemed in Long Gone that other women were taking up his time and that she knew she had to be strong and leave the relationship even though her heart was saying no

That was his MO; even with the wives it appears he never stopped having more than one woman friend at a time; mention an era and names start coming from various women he was associating with and these are just the ones we know. I am sure he had his private life women too- he seemed to keep public/private apart. LOVE Prince but I get the feeling these younger women were not very experienced and dating, limos, and all beautiful trappings, traveling with him and what his mere presence did to anyplace he was had to be intoxicating but it is not love. However I am sure he was charming and being the sexy gent he was- these 20 somethings fell hard wearing rings, clothes, recordings, wash-rinse-repeat. Long line of those same things with beautiful women for decades. Andy should have known. He did not keep it secret - it was a template it seems- Prince 101.

[Edited 9/12/17 15:45pm]

[Edited 9/12/17 17:02pm]

NO attacks I like a real discussion. Let me say I think Prince had deep, life long friendships with women who were his contemporaries. Kim Upshur and Denise. He was not lacking. I believe both of those losses effected him in 2016 and ushered him a bad time emotionally for him. Kim first and Denise next. It was a double whammy. I think those people were in his private life that none of us nor his bands nor his entourage and employees were privy to ; I think he compartmentalized his life. I think he had real boundaries and they boxes of his life did not cross.

This facscinates me about Prince.

purplerabbithole said:

Lots of theory ...through out. So don't attack me ...

Andy probably knew the image but maybe thought she could change him or hold on to him longer, or was advertedly or inadvertedly using him while having a whole myriad of complicated feelings about the man, his talent, and his fame. We can't really know what Prince or any of these women felt deep down. I never figured it was as simple as lust or money for Prince or the women.. I think it was a complicated combination. I also think many ex-girlfriends had a peace of his heart.

Here's the deal. I think a lot of people think that had Prince found the perfect compatible woman of his age and experience, he would have been happy and faithful and his priorities would have changed. But the reality is that no woman like that would live his vampiric workaholic lifestyle. They would demand his time away from music. they would demand he work normal hours. they would have interests that weren't music and rock star antics. Women of independent established means wouldn't fit into his life style. He wouldn't be able to offer them much in terms of advice, career advancement. And if Prince was as insecure deep down as I suspect he was, he probably would be a bit intimidated by that. I think his friendships with strong women stayed mostly strong because they never ventured into romantic territories (for that long anyway). Look at Mavis, Patti, Chaka, even Sheila...all older woman and his equals in many ways but with the exception of a brief romance with Sheila years ago they stayed friends. I suspect he was also good friends with Larry Graham's wife.

NOw, one could argue that he was too self centered to give up his fame and the adulation of the many for one woman.. But music defined him. What was he without it? He built his relationships around it. It constituted his self worth. It was the way he got the women in the first place. It was consistently there for him. It couldn't abandon him or grow tired of him or argue with him.

Lisa said that being a perfect rock star caused him to prune away parts of his humanity. Now, that quote might imply a lack of warmth or feeling. Maybe, that is what she meant. But what I chose to believe is that music was his way to connect to others and without it, he would have been hard pressed to know how to deal with the world, his own issues, and even his feelings but unfortunately, music was like a double edged sword for Prince. In some ways, it helped him to connect. IN other ways, it was a place to hide. It both emboldened and imprisoned him. It became the foundation of his life and almost as a necessity had to come first. So, he probably felt he couldn't give it up for a woman. But Prince was also lonely, romantic and restless with companionship (even if he deep down might have known unsustainable his relationships always were maybe for brief moments he felt like they could endure, that these ambitious women would just stay his personal proteges forever..)

Don't get me wrong. Prince had a superficial side and he liked beautiful girls. And I am sure he was tempted (as was his ego). It probably made him feel younger at times. But I think at times, he felt older (the lyrics to Time indicate that.) A beautiful woman with talent he was weak in the knees for. And he was controlling. But at the same time, he was a bit controlled by his obsession with some of these women-- they were as much his inspiration as they were his clay. I do think he loved the women he was with in his own way.. but his love came with lots of conditions and baggage. I sometimes wonder if Prince knew that these relationships were unsustainable and that hearts would be broken but if he left them with the beginnings of careers and a fullfillment of their dreams, it wouldn't sting so bad and he wouldn't have to feel as guilty.

Generally, young people were better at keeping up with Prince as employees and lovers (not because they were better or more hard working than older folks but because they didn't have families and other responsibilites to take care of.) People with nothing to lose could take more risks by taking on his life style for a little while. I remember wondering -- would I ever had worked or been involved with Prince if there had been the opportunity? My answer had always been "Nope, but I would love those late night phone calls like Tamron Hall used to anser and to play ping-pong with him whenever he wanted." And then i realized something ---that had I had been young, unattached to kids and responsibilites and able to run back to the support of my parents if things went wrong, I might have taken on the venture just to meet and hopefully bond with someone as fascinating and talented as him. But I would hopefully do it with my eyes completely open. This might be why people like Andy etc who have made that attempt and had their hearts broken mended relatively quickly. Her generation knew going in that Prince was probably going to be a challenge but they had nothing to lose and knew the trip made it worth it. That doesn't mean they don't delude themselves once he hooks them in. But overall, she had to have known to proceed with caution. Remember, her brother said on facebook that he toured with them also to make sure she was treated well.

Back to Tamron Hall, many of us thought that relationship would have been good for him. But she wouldn't have fit into his lifestyle and she knew it. That's why she said "you don't date Prince". They were friends who flirted and that was good for them. Romantic love is obviously a complicated thing in any one's life...there is a lot of conditions placed on it. Romantic love when fame and artistic temperments are involved--well, that's pretty complicated.

Too bad, he never had kids.That kind of love is easier to feel and more pure in many ways.

The way I see it is that only way Prince would have had lasting romantic relationships would have been if he put music aside for quite a while. If he became like the mostly retired musicians who occasionally dabble in reunions etc. If he had found a way to cope with life and the world without constant music flowing through it. That would have taken a great deal of possible therapy and support for that to happen (if it was possible at all.) Because I think it was "all or nothing at all" with Prince.

Vashtix said:

That was his MO; even with the wives it appears he never stopped having more than one woman friend at a time; mention an era and names start coming from various women he was associating with and these are just the ones we know. I am sure he had his private life women too- he seemed to keep public/private apart. LOVE Prince but I get the feeling these younger women were not very experienced and dating, limos, and all beautiful trappings, traveling with him and what his mere presence did to anyplace he was had to be intoxicating but it is not love. However I am sure he was charming and being the sexy gent he was- these 20 somethings fell hard wearing rings, clothes, recordings, wash-rinse-repeat. Long line of those same things with beautiful women for decades. Andy should have known. He did not keep it secret - it was a template it seems- Prince 101.

[Edited 9/12/17 15:45pm]

Vashtix said:

80tomato said:

Thanks for the info ...it just seemed in Long Gone that other women were taking up his time and that she knew she had to be strong and leave the relationship even though her heart was saying no

That was his MO; even with the wives it appears he never stopped having more than one woman friend at a time; mention an era and names start coming from various women he was associating with and these are just the ones we know. I am sure he had his private life women too- he seemed to keep public/private apart. LOVE Prince but I get the feeling these younger women were not very experienced and dating, limos, and all beautiful trappings, traveling with him and what his mere presence did to anyplace he was had to be intoxicating but it is not love. However I am sure he was charming and being the sexy gent he was- these 20 somethings fell hard wearing rings, clothes, recordings, wash-rinse-repeat. Long line of those same things with beautiful women for decades. Andy should have known. He did not keep it secret - it was a template it seems- Prince 101.

[Edited 9/12/17 15:45pm]

i think andy is sweet and genuine and has been a class act about being mature and private and maybe i have forgotten what it is like to be that young.

but with the internet and all that you can research and put yourself in the know and arm oneself.

i feel like i wanna say "baby what did you expect". it was a template i have to agree, however exciting it was you had to know after the 2nd marriage that there wasnt a track record for longevity.

purplerabbithole said:

Lots of theory ...through out. So don't attack me ...

Andy probably knew the image but maybe thought she could change him or hold on to him longer, or was advertedly or inadvertedly using him while having a whole myriad of complicated feelings about the man, his talent, and his fame. We can't really know what Prince or any of these women felt deep down. I never figured it was as simple as lust or money for Prince or the women.. I think it was a complicated combination. I also think many ex-girlfriends had a peace of his heart.

Here's the deal. I think a lot of people think that had Prince found the perfect compatible woman of his age and experience, he would have been happy and faithful and his priorities would have changed. But the reality is that no woman like that would live his vampiric workaholic lifestyle. They would demand his time away from music. they would demand he work normal hours. they would have interests that weren't music and rock star antics. Women of independent established means wouldn't fit into his life style. He wouldn't be able to offer them much in terms of advice, career advancement. And if Prince was as insecure deep down as I suspect he was, he probably would be a bit intimidated by that. I think his friendships with strong women stayed mostly strong because they never ventured into romantic territories (for that long anyway). Look at Mavis, Patti, Chaka, even Sheila...all older woman and his equals in many ways but with the exception of a brief romance with Sheila years ago they stayed friends the longest.. I suspect he was also good friends with Larry Graham's wife. (Maybe, had Prince never broke Susannah's heart, he and Lisa and wendy would have been a little better friends. NOt that there wasn't a bond, but at times, it had its down moments and distance.)

NOw, one could argue that he was too self centered to give up his fame and the adulation of fans for one woman.. But music defined him. What was he without it? He built his relationships around it. It constituted his self worth. It was the way he got the women in the first place. It was consistently there for him. It couldn't abandon him or grow tired of him or argue with him.

Lisa said that being a perfect rock star caused him to prune away parts of his humanity. Now, that quote might imply a lack of warmth or feeling. Maybe, that is what she meant. But what I chose to believe is that music was his way to connect to others and without it, he would have been hard pressed to know how to deal with the world, his own issues, and even his feelings but unfortunately, music was like a double edged sword for Prince. In some ways, it helped him to connect. IN other ways, it was a place to hide. It both emboldened and imprisoned him. It became the foundation of his life and almost as a necessity had to come first. But I suspect it wasn't enough of what he needed. BUt, he probably felt he couldn't give it up for a woman. But Prince was also lonely, romantic and restless without companionship. Even if deep down he might have known how unsustainable his relationships always were, maybe for brief moments he felt like they could endure, that these ambitious women would just stay his personal proteges forever..)

Don't get me wrong. Prince had a superficial side and he liked beautiful girls. And I am sure he was tempted (as was his ego). It probably made him feel younger at times. But I think at times, he felt older (the lyrics to Time indicate that.) A beautiful woman with talent he was weak in the knees for. And he was controlling. But at the same time, he was a bit controlled by his obsession with some of these women-- they were as much his inspiration as they were his clay. I do think he loved the women he was with in his own way.. but his love came with lots of conditions and baggage. I sometimes wonder if Prince knew that these relationships were doomed almost by definition, but that if he left them with the beginnings of careers and or paths to the fullfillment of their dreams, it wouldn't sting so bad and he wouldn't have to feel as guilty when he drifted away to protect himself from being left.

Generally, young people were better at keeping up with Prince as employees and lovers (not because they were better or more hard working than older folks but because they didn't have families and other responsibilites to take care of.) People with nothing to lose could take more risks by taking on his life style for a little while. I remember wondering -- would I ever had worked or been involved with Prince if there had been the opportunity? My answer had always been "Nope, but I would love those late night phone calls like Tamron Hall used to answer and to play ping-pong with him whenever he wanted." And then i realized something ---that had I had been young, unattached to kids and responsibilites and able to run back to the support of my parents if things went wrong, I might have taken on the venture just to meet and hopefully bond with someone as fascinating and talented as him. But I would hopefully do it with my eyes completely open. This might be why people like Andy, Bria, Lala, and even maybe Jusith who have made that attempt and had their hearts broken mended relatively quickly. This generation knew going in that Prince was probably going to be a challenge but they had nothing to lose and knew the trip made it worth it. That doesn't mean they don't delude themselves once he hooks them in. But overall, she and others had to have known to proceed with caution. Remember, her brother said on facebook that he toured with them also to make sure she was treated well.

Back to Tamron Hall, many of us thought that relationship would have been good for him. But I think she wouldn't have fit into his lifestyle and she knew it. That's why she said "you don't date Prince". They were friends who flirted and that was good for them. Romantic love is obviously a complicated thing in any one's life...there is a lot of conditions placed on it. Romantic love when fame, workaholic tendencies, possible addictions, and artistic temperments are involved--well, that's pretty complicated.

Too bad, he never had kids.That kind of love is easier to understand and more pure in many ways.

The way I see it is that the only way Prince would have had lasting romantic relationships would have been if he put music aside for quite a while and just focused on being a family man. If he became like the mostly retired musicians who occasionally dabble in reunions etc. If he had found a way to cope with life and the world without constant music flowing through it. That would have taken a great deal of possible therapy and support for that to happen (if it was possible at all.) Because I think it was "all or nothing at all" with Prince.

Vashtix said:

That was his MO; even with the wives it appears he never stopped having more than one woman friend at a time; mention an era and names start coming from various women he was associating with and these are just the ones we know. I am sure he had his private life women too- he seemed to keep public/private apart. LOVE Prince but I get the feeling these younger women were not very experienced and dating, limos, and all beautiful trappings, traveling with him and what his mere presence did to anyplace he was had to be intoxicating but it is not love. However I am sure he was charming and being the sexy gent he was- these 20 somethings fell hard wearing rings, clothes, recordings, wash-rinse-repeat. Long line of those same things with beautiful women for decades. Andy should have known. He did not keep it secret - it was a template it seems- Prince 101.

[Edited 9/12/17 15:45pm]

[Edited 9/12/17 17:02pm]

that was well put too!!! this is a dang thoughtful thread with lots of possible angles. thank you!!

80tomato said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

She said she wrote it with Prince at PP after listening to Fire and Rain and they were inspired to make a similar song.It is beautiful and I love P's acoustic guitar on it.I believe her song Don't Ever Say is about their breakup.After he passed,she posted a picture of herself with the caption "Your'e the only one who's seen my scars".a line from the song.I think the lyrics of Long Gone seem to tell of what was to come.

Thanks for the info ...it just seemed in Long Gone that other women were taking up his time and that she knew she had to be strong and leave the relationship even though her heart was saying no

You're welcome.Yeah,when I first heard the song,I wondered if the lyrics were Prince's way of telling her what would happen down the line.Also in Don't Ever Say Andy originally wrote,"You're making this harder than it needs to be,I know you said it would happen eventually".In a new song she was writing last year,she wrote "I always thought We'd have more time,that our love would age just like fine wine.You always said We'd be like ships in the night,I doubted You then but it seems You were right."If that's about Prince,it seems he was preparing her.She did say after their first breakup that Long Gone was near to her heart at the time and that sometimes You love someone but it hurts too much to stay in the situation.That was said in an interview while touring in Europe in 2013.

purplefam99 said:

purplerabbithole said:

Lots of theory ...through out. So don't attack me ...

Andy probably knew the image but maybe thought she could change him or hold on to him longer, or was advertedly or inadvertedly using him while having a whole myriad of complicated feelings about the man, his talent, and his fame. We can't really know what Prince or any of these women felt deep down. I never figured it was as simple as lust or money for Prince or the women.. I think it was a complicated combination. I also think many ex-girlfriends had a peace of his heart.

Here's the deal. I think a lot of people think that had Prince found the perfect compatible woman of his age and experience, he would have been happy and faithful and his priorities would have changed. But the reality is that no woman like that would live his vampiric workaholic lifestyle. They would demand his time away from music. they would demand he work normal hours. they would have interests that weren't music and rock star antics. Women of independent established means wouldn't fit into his life style. He wouldn't be able to offer them much in terms of advice, career advancement. And if Prince was as insecure deep down as I suspect he was, he probably would be a bit intimidated by that. I think his friendships with strong women stayed mostly strong because they never ventured into romantic territories (for that long anyway). Look at Mavis, Patti, Chaka, even Sheila...all older woman and his equals in many ways but with the exception of a brief romance with Sheila years ago they stayed friends the longest.. I suspect he was also good friends with Larry Graham's wife. (Maybe, had Prince never broke Susannah's heart, he and Lisa and wendy would have been a little better friends. NOt that there wasn't a bond, but at times, it had its down moments and distance.)

NOw, one could argue that he was too self centered to give up his fame and the adulation of fans for one woman.. But music defined him. What was he without it? He built his relationships around it. It constituted his self worth. It was the way he got the women in the first place. It was consistently there for him. It couldn't abandon him or grow tired of him or argue with him.

Lisa said that being a perfect rock star caused him to prune away parts of his humanity. Now, that quote might imply a lack of warmth or feeling. Maybe, that is what she meant. But what I chose to believe is that music was his way to connect to others and without it, he would have been hard pressed to know how to deal with the world, his own issues, and even his feelings but unfortunately, music was like a double edged sword for Prince. In some ways, it helped him to connect. IN other ways, it was a place to hide. It both emboldened and imprisoned him. It became the foundation of his life and almost as a necessity had to come first. But I suspect it wasn't enough of what he needed. BUt, he probably felt he couldn't give it up for a woman. But Prince was also lonely, romantic and restless without companionship. Even if deep down he might have known how unsustainable his relationships always were, maybe for brief moments he felt like they could endure, that these ambitious women would just stay his personal proteges forever..)

Don't get me wrong. Prince had a superficial side and he liked beautiful girls. And I am sure he was tempted (as was his ego). It probably made him feel younger at times. But I think at times, he felt older (the lyrics to Time indicate that.) A beautiful woman with talent he was weak in the knees for. And he was controlling. But at the same time, he was a bit controlled by his obsession with some of these women-- they were as much his inspiration as they were his clay. I do think he loved the women he was with in his own way.. but his love came with lots of conditions and baggage. I sometimes wonder if Prince knew that these relationships were doomed almost by definition, but that if he left them with the beginnings of careers and or paths to the fullfillment of their dreams, it wouldn't sting so bad and he wouldn't have to feel as guilty when he drifted away to protect himself from being left.

Generally, young people were better at keeping up with Prince as employees and lovers (not because they were better or more hard working than older folks but because they didn't have families and other responsibilites to take care of.) People with nothing to lose could take more risks by taking on his life style for a little while. I remember wondering -- would I ever had worked or been involved with Prince if there had been the opportunity? My answer had always been "Nope, but I would love those late night phone calls like Tamron Hall used to answer and to play ping-pong with him whenever he wanted." And then i realized something ---that had I had been young, unattached to kids and responsibilites and able to run back to the support of my parents if things went wrong, I might have taken on the venture just to meet and hopefully bond with someone as fascinating and talented as him. But I would hopefully do it with my eyes completely open. This might be why people like Andy, Bria, Lala, and even maybe Jusith who have made that attempt and had their hearts broken mended relatively quickly. This generation knew going in that Prince was probably going to be a challenge but they had nothing to lose and knew the trip made it worth it. That doesn't mean they don't delude themselves once he hooks them in. But overall, she and others had to have known to proceed with caution. Remember, her brother said on facebook that he toured with them also to make sure she was treated well.

Back to Tamron Hall, many of us thought that relationship would have been good for him. But I think she wouldn't have fit into his lifestyle and she knew it. That's why she said "you don't date Prince". They were friends who flirted and that was good for them. Romantic love is obviously a complicated thing in any one's life...there is a lot of conditions placed on it. Romantic love when fame, workaholic tendencies, possible addictions, and artistic temperments are involved--well, that's pretty complicated.

Too bad, he never had kids.That kind of love is easier to understand and more pure in many ways.

The way I see it is that the only way Prince would have had lasting romantic relationships would have been if he put music aside for quite a while and just focused on being a family man. If he became like the mostly retired musicians who occasionally dabble in reunions etc. If he had found a way to cope with life and the world without constant music flowing through it. That would have taken a great deal of possible therapy and support for that to happen (if it was possible at all.) Because I think it was "all or nothing at all" with Prince.

[Edited 9/12/17 17:02pm]

that was well put too!!! this is a dang thoughtful thread with lots of possible angles. thank you!!

I agree! Even Andy said in a recent interview that he lived,breathed and slept music.That he was constantly creating.She joked that she asked him if he ever just wanted to just take a vacation and take a break sometime but she said that was who he was.She also said in a recent FB Q&A that when she was at Paisley they were writing and recording almost nonstop.She seemed to be in awe of how constant the creative process was.

anangellooksdown said:

I am "speculating" in a compassionate way and it is my attempt to make some sense of things. I admitted it was theory, never stated it as fact. I would rather think that P had these insecurities and weaknesses than just dismiss him as a selfish horndog with talent that flowed through him like a vessel like so many people on this board do on a frequent basis.

I honestly think some folks would prefer him to have been a tough bastard with no weaknesses than a mostly decent but lost man who was sometimes lonely and vulnerable.

It doesn't make P less of a man or standup guy if he happened to have some issues like most human beings do.

rogifan said:

anangellooksdown said:

((((PurpleFam, Laura, Rogi, everyone on this thread and everyone who loves P)))) This hug is for you. [Edited 9/11/17 10:54am]

(()) back. Honestly though a lot of words from people not on the inside doing a lot of psychoanalysis on Prince. Don’t like it. Maybe some day Andy will decided to talk. Until then I’m not going to speculate on what was going on between her and Prince.

That's a wonderful post purplerabbithole! Thank you.

purplerabbithole said:

Lots of theory ...through out. So don't attack me ...

Andy probably knew the image but maybe thought she could change him or hold on to him longer, or was advertedly or inadvertedly using him while having a whole myriad of complicated feelings about the man, his talent, and his fame. We can't really know what Prince or any of these women felt deep down. I never figured it was as simple as lust or money for Prince or the women.. I think it was a complicated combination. I also think many ex-girlfriends had a peace of his heart.

Here's the deal. I think a lot of people think that had Prince found the perfect compatible woman of his age and experience, he would have been happy and faithful and his priorities would have changed. But the reality is that no woman like that would live his vampiric workaholic lifestyle. They would demand his time away from music. they would demand he work normal hours. they would have interests that weren't music and rock star antics. Women of independent established means wouldn't fit into his life style. He wouldn't be able to offer them much in terms of advice, career advancement. And if Prince was as insecure deep down as I suspect he was, he probably would be a bit intimidated by that. I think his friendships with strong women stayed mostly strong because they never ventured into romantic territories (for that long anyway). Look at Mavis, Patti, Chaka, even Sheila...all older woman and his equals in many ways but with the exception of a brief romance with Sheila years ago they stayed friends the longest.. I suspect he was also good friends with Larry Graham's wife. (Maybe, had Prince never broke Susannah's heart, he and Lisa and wendy would have been a little better friends. NOt that there wasn't a bond, but at times, it had its down moments and distance.)

NOw, one could argue that he was too self centered to give up his fame and the adulation of fans for one woman.. But music defined him. What was he without it? He built his relationships around it. It constituted his self worth. It was the way he got the women in the first place. It was consistently there for him. It couldn't abandon him or grow tired of him or argue with him.

Lisa said that being a perfect rock star caused him to prune away parts of his humanity. Now, that quote might imply a lack of warmth or feeling. Maybe, that is what she meant. But what I chose to believe is that music was his way to connect to others and without it, he would have been hard pressed to know how to deal with the world, his own issues, and even his feelings but unfortunately, music was like a double edged sword for Prince. In some ways, it helped him to connect. IN other ways, it was a place to hide. It both emboldened and imprisoned him. It became the foundation of his life and almost as a necessity had to come first. But I suspect it wasn't enough of what he needed. BUt, he probably felt he couldn't give it up for a woman. But Prince was also lonely, romantic and restless without companionship. Even if deep down he might have known how unsustainable his relationships always were, maybe for brief moments he felt like they could endure, that these ambitious women would just stay his personal proteges forever..)

Don't get me wrong. Prince had a superficial side and he liked beautiful girls. And I am sure he was tempted (as was his ego). It probably made him feel younger at times. But I think at times, he felt older (the lyrics to Time indicate that.) A beautiful woman with talent he was weak in the knees for. And he was controlling. But at the same time, he was a bit controlled by his obsession with some of these women-- they were as much his inspiration as they were his clay. I do think he loved the women he was with in his own way.. but his love came with lots of conditions and baggage. I sometimes wonder if Prince knew that these relationships were doomed almost by definition, but that if he left them with the beginnings of careers and or paths to the fullfillment of their dreams, it wouldn't sting so bad and he wouldn't have to feel as guilty when he drifted away to protect himself from being left.

Generally, young people were better at keeping up with Prince as employees and lovers (not because they were better or more hard working than older folks but because they didn't have families and other responsibilites to take care of.) People with nothing to lose could take more risks by taking on his life style for a little while. I remember wondering -- would I ever had worked or been involved with Prince if there had been the opportunity? My answer had always been "Nope, but I would love those late night phone calls like Tamron Hall used to answer and to play ping-pong with him whenever he wanted." And then i realized something ---that had I had been young, unattached to kids and responsibilites and able to run back to the support of my parents if things went wrong, I might have taken on the venture just to meet and hopefully bond with someone as fascinating and talented as him. But I would hopefully do it with my eyes completely open. This might be why people like Andy, Bria, Lala, and even maybe Jusith who have made that attempt and had their hearts broken mended relatively quickly. This generation knew going in that Prince was probably going to be a challenge but they had nothing to lose and knew the trip made it worth it. That doesn't mean they don't delude themselves once he hooks them in. But overall, she and others had to have known to proceed with caution. Remember, her brother said on facebook that he toured with them also to make sure she was treated well.

Back to Tamron Hall, many of us thought that relationship would have been good for him. But I think she wouldn't have fit into his lifestyle and she knew it. That's why she said "you don't date Prince". They were friends who flirted and that was good for them. Romantic love is obviously a complicated thing in any one's life...there is a lot of conditions placed on it. Romantic love when fame, workaholic tendencies, possible addictions, and artistic temperments are involved--well, that's pretty complicated.

Too bad, he never had kids.That kind of love is easier to understand and more pure in many ways.

The way I see it is that the only way Prince would have had lasting romantic relationships would have been if he put music aside for quite a while and just focused on being a family man. If he became like the mostly retired musicians who occasionally dabble in reunions etc. If he had found a way to cope with life and the world without constant music flowing through it. That would have taken a great deal of possible therapy and support for that to happen (if it was possible at all.) Because I think it was "all or nothing at all" with Prince.

[Edited 9/12/17 17:02pm]

rogifan said:

I do want to add that most of Prince's girlfriends and wives had more to offer than just beauty, youth and being impressionable. They came with their own distinctive traits and varying degrees of independence, vulnerabilites and strenghts. He was more of a gardener than a sculptor. He didn't just mold them like clay. He saw the seeds in them and wanted to be the one to make them blossom. He broke their hearts and pushed them, even manipulated them but they were inspirations/obsessions to him while he was able to fit them into his lifestyle and I do think he loved them in his own way and was swept up in a romantic high (until the limitations of making long term romantic relationships work in his world became too apparent to ignore..)

Possible qualities (beyond beauty, youth, and impressionable personalities)

1.) Vanity--charisma, free spiritedness, ambition, painful family histories in common.

2.) Sheila--Experience, talent, humor, hardwork

3.) Susannah--family bonds, interest in art and music, intelligence

4.) Anna Fantastic--ambition, British background

5.) Nona--family history, a darkside to her personality that he might have related to, mystery,singing talent

6.) Mayte,--Mysticism, Egyptian connection, fearlessness as a dancer, humor, hardworker, lack of apparent malice

7.) Manuela--lack of musical ambition, intelligence, subtlety, charitable endeavors, religious flexibility (For lack of a better word)

8.) Bria Valente--intelligence, religious conviction, singing talent

9.) ANdy Allo--lyricism, humor, bubbly vibes, naturalism, artististic independence, warm singing voice

10.) Lala escarzega--dancing ability, intelligence, humor

Honorable mention--Kim Basinger--glamour,intelligence, sexual open-mindedness (LOL),

I don'tknow what he saw in Carmen Electra other than her looks and ambition. I don't know anything about Judith HIll other than her talent (which seems formidable).

Vashtix said:

rogifan said:

(()) back. Honestly though a lot of words from people not on the inside doing a lot of psychoanalysis on Prince. Don’t like it. Maybe some day Andy will decided to talk. Until then I’m not going to speculate on what was going on between her and Prince.

I am not doing a psychoanalysis. I am calling it from what it appears he did over the decades from Vanity to Susannah to Sheila to Troy to Nona to his wives to Bria and so on. . .it is what it is-any one in any infatuation with him had to know this including Andy. He was who he was so all the he broke my heart should have been expected. Life is accepting people as they are where they are.

[Edited 9/12/17 19:59pm]

[Edited 9/12/17 20:15pm]

I don't expect Andy to talk anytime soon.A friend of hers asked during a recent radio interview if she had ever kissed Prince and she became flustered and wouldn't answer the question and said she pleaded the fifth.She sometimes will answer questions from fans that are not too personal.You can see that she prefers to talk about their professional relationship,though even then she is sometimes reluctant.She was asked during a FB Live Q&A she did yesterday if she could sing U Will B today for her FB mini concert and she nicely said no.She said she didn't know if she was ready yet to sing it and that it's such a personal duet and said she had great memories of them singing it together and recording the version on her FB.Then she looked a bit upset,saying she was going to stop talking about it.That song has seemed to be a tender spot for her since summer 2013,so I imagine it is even more so now.She did reveal happily that her favorite Prince song of the moment is Sticky Like Glue and that she loves every song they did together.Also that she still has the 1973 yellow Fender Strat that Prince presumably gave her in 2011.

[Edited 9/12/17 20:03pm]

purplefam99 said:

Vashtix said:

That was his MO; even with the wives it appears he never stopped having more than one woman friend at a time; mention an era and names start coming from various women he was associating with and these are just the ones we know. I am sure he had his private life women too- he seemed to keep public/private apart. LOVE Prince but I get the feeling these younger women were not very experienced and dating, limos, and all beautiful trappings, traveling with him and what his mere presence did to anyplace he was had to be intoxicating but it is not love. However I am sure he was charming and being the sexy gent he was- these 20 somethings fell hard wearing rings, clothes, recordings, wash-rinse-repeat. Long line of those same things with beautiful women for decades. Andy should have known. He did not keep it secret - it was a template it seems- Prince 101.

[Edited 9/12/17 15:45pm]

i think andy is sweet and genuine and has been a class act about being mature and private and maybe i have forgotten what it is like to be that young.

but with the internet and all that you can research and put yourself in the know and arm oneself.

i feel like i wanna say "baby what did you expect". it was a template i have to agree, however exciting it was you had to know after the 2nd marriage that there wasnt a track record for longevity.

In Superconductor, that I believe they co-wrote, she sang,"I don't want to know about your past,no need to know about mine till I can see if your words and actions match up and rhyme" The song seems to be about their relationship and how they were unbothered what others thought of it.When I heard the song,I felt they were saying they pretty much knew the relationship wouldn't make it but that they were having so much fun together they were going to give it a go anyway.Andy even calls it a" bad romance."The song is about touring and making the people happy.It did seem they were on a rush back then and living in the moment,enjoying the excitement of being on the road and I'm sure Prince was enjoying showing the world and new sights to her and perhaps seeing them through new eyes.Some people thought the novelty would wear off and she'd be gone after the tour ended but they were still together by the next year..I remember,after the Australia tour ended, Prince flew to Sacramento where he spent two weeks with Andy and her family.They were seen around town together.Then they went to LA where they finished work on her album.Andy joined him for Welcome 2 Chicago in September.In October they appeared on Jimmy Kimmel together and Andy did a few performances on her own.They performed at the Sayers club later that night where they also aired the videos for Rock and Roll Love Affair and People Pleaser.That was their last public performance I think.It appears he brought Lala around either at the end of 2012 or early 13,having her dance in the videos for Screwdriver and Extraloveable.

Andy was working for Prince and he was promoting her, trying to propel her career,and put out more of his music. Anyone that knows anything about public relations and marketing knows that whatever product is being put out there for public consumption, has to be promoted. If Andy and Prince appeared to be together, it was good for Andy and especially the music that was being put out because the content of the lyrics. However, the lyrics, sharpie hearts, and encouraging glances across the stage, and whatever other cutsy, flirty things they did, does not necessarily reflect the REALITY of whatever was going on with them which could've been nothing more than professional mentoring. Seeing is NOT always believing. Life is full of illusions.

purplegirl00 said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

purplefam99 said:

i think andy is sweet and genuine and has been a class act about being mature and private and maybe i have forgotten what it is like to be that young.

but with the internet and all that you can research and put yourself in the know and arm oneself.

i feel like i wanna say "baby what did you expect". it was a template i have to agree, however exciting it was you had to know after the 2nd marriage that there wasnt a track record for longevity.

In Superconductor, that I believe they co-wrote, she sang,"I don't want to know about your past,no need to know about mine till I can see if your words and actions match up and rhyme" The song seems to be about their relationship and how they were unbothered what others thought of it.When I heard the song,I felt they were saying they pretty much knew the relationship wouldn't make it but that they were having so much fun together they were going to give it a go anyway.Andy even calls it a" bad romance."The song is about touring and making the people happy.It did seem they were on a rush back then and living in the moment,enjoying the excitement of being on the road and I'm sure Prince was enjoying showing the world and new sights to her and perhaps seeing them through new eyes.Some people thought the novelty would wear off and she'd be gone after the tour ended but they were still together by the next year..I remember,after the Australia tour ended, Prince flew to Sacramento where he spent two weeks with Andy and her family.They were seen around town together.Then they went to LA where they finished work on her album.Andy joined him for Welcome 2 Chicago in September.In October they appeared on Jimmy Kimmel together and Andy did a few performances on her own.They performed at the Sayers club later that night where they also aired the videos for Rock and Roll Love Affair and People Pleaser.That was their last public performance I think.It appears he brought Lala around either at the end of 2012 or early 13,having her dance in the videos for Screwdriver and Extraloveable.

I know everyone is tired of hearing about drugs but this is the reason I do not buy that he had a drug problem for years. Something happend in 2013 to the 2014 time period. Even La La has been very adament that nothing was wrong with him when she was around.

Regardless what their relationships ,Prince did introduce me to some good musicians to focus on , Andy and Kandace Springs especially, which is dificult for me these days as there are sooo many good ones out there and so little time

purplerabbithole said:

I do want to add that most of Prince's girlfriends and wives had more to offer than just beauty, youth and being impressionable. They came with their own distinctive traits and varying degrees of independence, vulnerabilites and strenghts. He was more of a gardener than a sculptor. He didn't just mold them like clay. He saw the seeds in them and wanted to be the one to make them blossom. He broke their hearts and pushed them, even manipulated them but they were inspirations/obsessions to him while he was able to fit them into his lifestyle and I do think he loved them in his own way and was swept up in a romantic high (until the limitations of making long term romantic relationships work in his world became too apparent to ignore..)

Possible qualities (beyond beauty, youth, and impressionable personalities)

1.) Vanity--charisma, free spiritedness, ambition, painful family histories in common.

2.) Sheila--Experience, talent, humor, hardwork

3.) Susannah--family bonds, interest in art and music, intelligence

4.) Anna Fantastic--ambition, British background

5.) Nona--family history, a darkside to her personality that he might have related to, mystery,singing talent

6.) Mayte,--Mysticism, Egyptian connection, fearlessness as a dancer, humor, hardworker, lack of apparent malice

7.) Manuela--lack of musical ambition, intelligence, subtlety, charitable endeavors, religious flexibility (For lack of a better word)

8.) Bria Valente--intelligence, religious conviction, singing talent

9.) ANdy Allo--lyricism, humor, bubbly vibes, naturalism, artististic independence, warm singing voice

10.) Lala escarzega--dancing ability, intelligence, humor

Honorable mention--Kim Basinger--glamour,intelligence, sexual open-mindedness (LOL),

I don'tknow what he saw in Carmen Electra other than her looks and ambition. I don't know anything about Judith HIll other than her talent (which seems formidable).

Vashtix said:

rogifan said: I am not doing a psychoanalysis. I am calling it from what it appears he did over the decades from Vanity to Susannah to Sheila to Troy to Nona to his wives to Bria and so on. . .it is what it is-any one in any infatuation with him had to know this including Andy. He was who he was so all the he broke my heart should have been expected. Life is accepting people as they are where they are.

[Edited 9/12/17 19:59pm]

[Edited 9/12/17 20:15pm]

i like your list purplerabbithole. i agree that they are all neat people i really don't dislike

anyone of them on a whole. i like them all. you know faults and all. just like i do Prince.

purplegirl00 said:

Andy was working for Prince and he was promoting her, trying to propel her career,and put out more of his music. Anyone that knows anything about public relations and marketing knows that whatever product is being put out there for public consumption, has to be promoted. If Andy and Prince appeared to be together, it was good for Andy and especially the music that was being put out because the content of the lyrics. However, the lyrics, sharpie hearts, and encouraging glances across the stage, and whatever other cutsy, flirty things they did, does not necessarily reflect the REALITY of whatever was going on with them which could've been nothing more than professional mentoring. Seeing is NOT always believing. Life is full of illusions.

indeed that should always be remembered.

[Edited 9/13/17 7:39am]