I am not sure if I catch on why he is upset. It seems like he was close to Prince and wants respect from fans and people who were in the Prince camp but some are not feeling him. Since Prince passing this one and that one was close to Prince or was going to vist or talk to him. I would say to this guy is to speak your truth, at the end of the day people believe what they want. I always heard Funkenberry this and that over the years but never really knew how he got started with Prince. Hopefully this interview will clear the air as many people are unsure of him and he did know Prince in the recent years.

Purplestar88 said:

rogifan said:

Long rambling post. Omarr retweeted it. Obviously Prince really trusted this guy. I’m sure he’s a good guy and I know he’s had some serious health issues that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But there’s something about him that bugs me. I think maybe it’s the whiny voice and the woe is me I’m carrying the weight of the Prince Army on my shoulders routine. It gets old after a while. https://www.instagram.com...3Wt-NjMHM/

drfunkenberryThoughts: I was the go-between guy when it came to Prince. "Doc, tell Bobby Z. when he recovers from his heart attack, I want him to play drums on "Purple Rain" again." I'm using that as an example. It would be for other musicians and other things. Mostly, it was for the fans. That's how we came up with the #PrinceArmy then the #PurpleArmy. Being the go-between to heal his relationship with his devoted music Lovers. I never minded being the go-between. It was to help Prince out and help U. I'm grateful that he chose me. Right now, in this time, when there are voices everywhere, it's hard for U, the fans/Prince Lovers to know what voice to follow. IMHO, Prince showed his humbleness to allow a go-between to get a message across and ego was put aside for the greater good. I am trying to do what's best for Prince now as I was then. Same for the community. Being humble for the sake of what is best. The go-between was more important than I realized. If Prince would have asked me to tell Bobby Z. that message but I said U should tell him yourself, he might have or it might not have happened. I was happy to do it and help. Right now, I am the go-between guy behind the scenes again but it is harder now. I never knew how important being the go-between guy was until I asked someone to do it and there was resistance. I'm grateful that I had that opportunity for him and for U. It's all Love. Thank U for allowing me to be the go-between guy. I appreciate it. I do want what's best for the community and sometimes U have to get the "people" to help U. I've heard many things about myself. A lot are untrue. I did do an interview recently, something that I hate, but I had to be humble and put the ego aside. I want the air to be cleared. Hopefully the interview will see the light of day and many questions will be answered. I'm grateful for U. The ones who will read this or the Instagram pics, the tweets, or the podcasts but not share it, because, heaven forbid U like, share, or comment that something the diabolical Dr. Funkenberry wrote. That's almost as bad as being someone's friend in private but not in public. Much Love. I hope U understand where I'm coming from.

I agree, I listen to most of his podcasts but find his self-pity annoying, like he wants sympathy or something. It's like he's hanging on to the time he had with Prince too musch, he needs to let it go. A more positive attitude might help him.

rlittler81 said:

rogifan said:

Long rambling post. Omarr retweeted it. Obviously Prince really trusted this guy. I’m sure he’s a good guy and I know he’s had some serious health issues that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But there’s something about him that bugs me. I think maybe it’s the whiny voice and the woe is me I’m carrying the weight of the Prince Army on my shoulders routine. It gets old after a while. https://www.instagram.com...3Wt-NjMHM/

I agree, I listen to most of his podcasts but find his self-pity annoying, like he wants sympathy or something. It's like he's hanging on to the time he had with Prince too musch, he needs to let it go. A more positive attitude might help him.

He is a diabetic and that is one reason he sounds tired and his voice drags it does not negate what he has to say.

laurarichardson said:

I don't mind Funkenberry, I think he comes from a good place which isn't the case with everyone in the whole mess these days, but I suspect the amount of genuine new info he has to share amounts to around 3 paragraphs and he's been trickling it out for years.

rogifan said:

laurarichardson said:

He is a diabetic and that is one reason he sounds tired and his voice drags it does not negate what he has to say.

I wish he’d stop with the woe is me act. And stop with the cryptic BS, stop with the I know stuff but can’t say it because I think it will upset fans too much. We’re all adults we can handle it. Either say it or shut up about it. And if some Prince associates don’t trust him or whatever who cares? Why is it so important to him how he’s perceived by certain people?

Well like I said maybe he is going to come clean and get if off his chest. Who cares if associates get mad some went out of there way to not cooperate with the police so screw them.

rogifan said:

Long rambling post. Omarr retweeted it. Obviously Prince really trusted this guy. I’m sure he’s a good guy and I know he’s had some serious health issues that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But there’s something about him that bugs me. I think maybe it’s the whiny voice and the woe is me I’m carrying the weight of the Prince Army on my shoulders routine. It gets old after a while. https://www.instagram.com...3Wt-NjMHM/

drfunkenberryThoughts: I was the go-between guy when it came to Prince. "Doc, tell Bobby Z. when he recovers from his heart attack, I want him to play drums on "Purple Rain" again." I'm using that as an example. It would be for other musicians and other things. Mostly, it was for the fans. That's how we came up with the #PrinceArmy then the #PurpleArmy. Being the go-between to heal his relationship with his devoted music Lovers. I never minded being the go-between. It was to help Prince out and help U. I'm grateful that he chose me. Right now, in this time, when there are voices everywhere, it's hard for U, the fans/Prince Lovers to know what voice to follow. IMHO, Prince showed his humbleness to allow a go-between to get a message across and ego was put aside for the greater good. I am trying to do what's best for Prince now as I was then. Same for the community. Being humble for the sake of what is best. The go-between was more important than I realized. If Prince would have asked me to tell Bobby Z. that message but I said U should tell him yourself, he might have or it might not have happened. I was happy to do it and help. Right now, I am the go-between guy behind the scenes again but it is harder now. I never knew how important being the go-between guy was until I asked someone to do it and there was resistance. I'm grateful that I had that opportunity for him and for U. It's all Love. Thank U for allowing me to be the go-between guy. I appreciate it. I do want what's best for the community and sometimes U have to get the "people" to help U. I've heard many things about myself. A lot are untrue. I did do an interview recently, something that I hate, but I had to be humble and put the ego aside. I want the air to be cleared. Hopefully the interview will see the light of day and many questions will be answered. I'm grateful for U. The ones who will read this or the Instagram pics, the tweets, or the podcasts but not share it, because, heaven forbid U like, share, or comment that something the diabolical Dr. Funkenberry wrote. That's almost as bad as being someone's friend in private but not in public. Much Love. I hope U understand where I'm coming from.

What gets me is there are a few people within the associated camp that I know for a fact made it a point to stay away from Doc due to his proximity to P, but now are all trying to jump on his podcast or whatnot. Very disingenuous and unfair to him. If P trusted him enough to help him personally, it must be jarring to see the people who say how they knew of him and loved his work for P, knowing that while P was alive, they avoided him and P like the plague for their own career comparisons. Says a lot.

TrcikyChristopher said:

rogifan said:

Long rambling post. Omarr retweeted it. Obviously Prince really trusted this guy. I’m sure he’s a good guy and I know he’s had some serious health issues that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But there’s something about him that bugs me. I think maybe it’s the whiny voice and the woe is me I’m carrying the weight of the Prince Army on my shoulders routine. It gets old after a while. https://www.instagram.com...3Wt-NjMHM/

What gets me is there are a few people within the associated camp that I know for a fact made it a point to stay away from Doc due to his proximity to P, but now are all trying to jump on his podcast or whatnot. Very disingenuous and unfair to him. If P trusted him enough to help him personally, it must be jarring to see the people who say how they knew of him and loved his work for P, knowing that while P was alive, they avoided him and P like the plague for their own career comparisons. Says a lot.

This does not surprise me at all. Prince had vultures around him and I think he knew it and I believe t hat is the reason many got the boot of his inner circle. Wanting to jump on someone's podcast now and act all buddy is disgusting.

[Edited 9/11/17 7:02am]

rogifan said:

laurarichardson said:

He is a diabetic and that is one reason he sounds tired and his voice drags it does not negate what he has to say.

I wish he’d stop with the woe is me act. And stop with the cryptic BS, stop with the I know stuff but can’t say it because I think it will upset fans too much. We’re all adults we can handle it. Either say it or shut up about it. And if some Prince associates don’t trust him or whatever who cares? Why is it so important to him how he’s perceived by certain people?

Like a lot of folks these days, I think he overstates his importance, influence and relationship with Prince. I think he means well, but the need to be recognized as someone with the inside track is a bit over the top. The references to "if it is news to me it is news to you" stuff is illustrative of this point. Prince used him as one of many conduits of bits and pieces of information.

No one has a relationship with Prince any longer. No one is a spokesman. People should be careful who they align themselves.

Does he really think Prince didn't speak with Bobby Z directly?

laurarichardson said:

anangellooksdown said:

rogifan said:

laurarichardson said:

This does not surprise me at all. Prince had vultures around him and I think he knew it and I believe t hat is the reason many got the boot of his inner circle. Wanting to jump on someone's podcast now and act all buddy is disgusting.

[Edited 9/11/17 7:02am]

Dave Hampton has been on Funkenberry’s podcast several times, even co-hosting recently. Do you consider him a vulture?

Did I not say that Dave was vulture. He was on the Mike Dean podcast speaking about Lonnie and his antics. He really has been one of the only people to speak out about the nonsense that was going with Breamer and Lonnie. Something a vulture would never do in a million years.

[Edited 9/12/17 4:07am]

He sounds lost to me...

purplethunder3121 said:

Ridiculous. I consider myself a die-hard fan and had never heard of Dr. Funkenberry until he had some post in 2009 about Prince doing a show at Paisley Park. This nonsense that he was so important to the fan community is laughable.

motherfunka said:

Ridiculous. I consider myself a die-hard fan and had never heard of Dr. Funkenberry until he had some post in 2009 about Prince doing a show at Paisley Park. This nonsense that he was so important to the fan community is laughable.

Dr. Funkenberry was known as J7 on various Prince-related newsgroups, dropping little tidbits of info, etc. He's been around since at LEAST 1998 (which was when i heard of him). I'd venture to say that his connection to P started in one way or another at that point, even if as just a fan, then as mouthpiece of sorts.

motherfunka said:

Ridiculous. I consider myself a die-hard fan and had never heard of Dr. Funkenberry until he had some post in 2009 about Prince doing a show at Paisley Park. This nonsense that he was so important to the fan community is laughable.

He was around since the late 90s so you missed some info.

purplethunder3121 said:

rogifan said:

purplethunder3121 said:

He sounds lost to me...

Yes he does.

He had diabetics so he sometimes sounds out of it and his moods are probaly effected by it. He also hooked his star on to Prince for twenty years so I am sure this whole thing has been like a crash to earth for him.

I think he ought clear his mind of whatever he knows if anything and move on.

TrcikyChristopher said:

motherfunka said:

Ridiculous. I consider myself a die-hard fan and had never heard of Dr. Funkenberry until he had some post in 2009 about Prince doing a show at Paisley Park. This nonsense that he was so important to the fan community is laughable.

Dr. Funkenberry was known as J7 on various Prince-related newsgroups, dropping little tidbits of info, etc. He's been around since at LEAST 1998 (which was when i heard of him). I'd venture to say that his connection to P started in one way or another at that point, even if as just a fan, then as mouthpiece of sorts.

I'm not saying he wasn't around, I'm just saying his thoughts on his importance to the fan community is overblown. I know a lot of people who are life-long Prince fans who don't even know who he is.

laurarichardson said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Does he really think Prince didn't speak with Bobby Z directly?

http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/02/18/exclusive-prince-reaches-out-to-former-revolution-member-after-heart-attack/

Bobby's wife Vicki was contacted by funkenberry after this was posted & then his manager Kiran Sharma contqacted Vicki directly afterwards, so they were not in contact of the time of the heart attack, no.

Afterwards it appears they have been in contact a lot ever since. Prince told Funkenberry in 2014 that he likes being around Bobby because "he lives in the now. He had something happen to him to where he lives for today."

The photo attatched to the article was the first time we saw that photo and was then used in the tour book.

Funkenberry was posting as j7 and jseven on the org and other Prince sites since the late 90's. A lot of stuff from 2002-2008 was breaking news or sticky's. He would get the news out but also be very critical of Prince over high ticket prices (anyone remember the $312.01 Empire ballroom Vegas shows or the $1,321.01 VIP ticket prices for the Roosevelt?) or other fan concerns. In 2008, he "became" Funkenberry and stopped posting as j7 as housequake "outed" him for a story proving at the time Prince didn't have hip surgery. That was an ugly period on Housequake and here. After that incident though, Prince was obviously more involved with the Funkenberry site as TV appearances were anounced there or any projects.

He did do that on the org tho, telling us what songs he was going to play on SNL when we all thought it would be Black Sweat and letting us know to tune into that wreched American Idol and lo and behold, there was Prince performing on it. So he did things like that a lot for almost 20 years.

The thing is with social media, he would post something and people would lift it and post it themselves back on the myspace days and now Facebook and Twitter. So the news you were getting from someone on facebook or twitter was actually from him but uncredited. It still happens today when he posts tidbits of information.

He would bump heads I think with the moderaters here so being critical of him OldFriends4Sale is nothing new. I think Luv4U, BananaCologne, Anxiety, had to deal with him as the camp was having him contact them. I think that changed with CaseyRain in 2013 though?

I think the main thing is that Funkenberry downplayed his role with Prince while he was here. There were a lot of times Prince wanted him to come to Paisley Park or meet with him and he would turn him down. That somewhat boders on the line of genuine but also stupid because who would pass up those chances? So if I was him, I would have some regrets too especially when U see people who weren't close to Prince when he was here or bad-mouthing Prince when he was here trying to get chummy with Funkenberry who was considered a Prince mouthpiece.

So for almost 20 years Funkenberry either is j7 or 'berry has been involved in the purple world. Somewhat under the radar til Funkenberry. It's interesting because as j7 he was really liked on the org and the Prince community but as Drfunkenberry, although he was doing the same thing as j7, was considered as "too official" and was posted negatively about. Again, posted the exact same things but it rubbed people the wrong way.

I would be interested in that interview because for 20 years being a source when he was here and now trying to do Prince right when there is nothing to gain by doing so except for swatting away some vultures. In all honesty, the vulteres and everything have turned me off from everything. I do listed to his podcasts and Dean's but it is empty. I want new music. I do have a feeling though if we were to hear new music it might be made available on his podcast in the future. For now though, everything seems empty.

Prince trusted him it seems. That's good enough for me.

anangellooksdown said:

laurarichardson said:

He had diabetics so he sometimes sounds out of it and his moods are probaly effected by it. He also hooked his star on to Prince for twenty years so I am sure this whole thing has been like a crash to earth for him.

I think he ought clear his mind of whatever he knows if anything and move on.

This is true, Laura. You are very fair to people.

OldFriends4Sale said:

anangellooksdown said:

laurarichardson said: This is true, Laura. You are very fair to people.

I am fair to people who are fair. Think about that for a moment.