I'd have to say that Prince has so much talent, there's

only a handfull that could compare..if that .....


Meaning multi-talented....Singing, dancing, instrument

playing....who else can do all these things well (besides

me, oh, I'm kidding!! jeez)

That is a REALLY good question...

I think there are few that are as "creative", but "talented"? hmmm....

Good question. I can't think of anyone. I need some help with that one, too. Maybe someone else can help.
In some ways, he's in a league by himself - singer/songwriter/innovator/performer/multi-multi-instrumentalist/dancer/producer/actor (I know he ain't winning many acting awards but Purple Rain is a classic).
There's a long list of talented stars who still can't do all that.

I dont think is anyone is as talented, overall. No one person can do all of the things he can do on his level. But in certain areas, there are a lot.

Bass - Larry Graham
Songwriting - Hard to say, not many people have written the number of song's as he has Maybe Sly Stone

Guitar - George Benson

Dancing- Lots
Singing- Lots.....list too long to mention.

My opinion...after really thinking it over, not to many.

Good question

Difficult question because people have different talents. Prince of course is talented, but he got that way by studying other artists and then adapting and combining what he learned from them.

It could be argued that James Brown is more talented than Prince. JB's showmanship in his heyday was incredible. Prince was definitely influenced by JB's Famous Flames band with the funk nasty horns, dancing girls, and sexy dance music. JB's music, his wild outfits, wild permed hair styles also influenced Prince. Prince studied JB's music and his style. So who is greater, the teacher or the student?

Same for Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Prince studied them, the way they played, the way they dressed and then adapted it for himself. Prince was intrigued by the Family Stone as an interracial band. Sly & the Family Stone influenced Prince to create The Revolution as an interracial band that would have blacks and whites, males and female musicians. Prince also learned from observing Stevie Wonder and Al Green.

Prince admired Sly and JB so much that once he had been in the business for a while and had become a respected musician, he was able to add band members from JB's camp (Maceo) and from Sly's camp (Larry Graham) for his own band. It has long been said that Prince is a sponge. He learns from and then absorbs what he admires in others.

So, it could be debated all day and we still wouldn't have an answer to whether Prince is more talented than his teachers -- James Brown, Hendrix, Sly, Stevie, Al Green, and a few others.

Fonkay31 said:

[This message was edited Tue Mar 19 13:09:47 PST 2002 by Fonkay31]

who is more talented than Prince? God.

Pound 4 Pound, all around at the highest level with the quality & greatness, all the while doing it with ease style & grace~ I would give it 2 Prince. He's a born musical genius & a man who has the sound of music 4 the future. Maybe many can't dig it or get into it now, but it takes a true visionary & leader 2 pave the way 4 a higher ground or level~ 2 many so called talents are doing his stuff or trying 2 B like Stevie or Marvin Or Donny Hathaway etc.....tryin 2 repeat the past recipes 4 a "quick hit" all the while never finding who they truly are as artist. Never willing 2 push that "comfort zone" Of "whats popular" enough 2 B that real cutting edge or break through artist. Theres been others who are in the music biz and who carry great respect & wisdom as major players behind the scences in all phases. They have no personal connection, who feel Prince on his many merits stands alone. Leave all personal feelings & B.S. aside & look at the many many, many, things he does on a A+ level~ I can't think of really anyone that can match his greatness or "deep depth" in so many departments. Not saying theres not other great artists or a genius like, Stevie Wonder but Prince gets my vote~

Well, among the artists today whose names we'd all recognize, I'd say no one.
Prince can jump from rock to funk to jazz to old school r&b in a heartbeat, sometimes within the same song. His musicianship is stronger than ever, and along with his sense of humor and more open relationship with his fans (well, those lucky few, anyway), there isn't anyone in popular music today who equals Prince's risk-taking, outspokeness and brilliant musical skills.
But there might be some unknown musician out there who could put Prince to shame. But I doubt it.
BTW, is it true Michael Jackson can't smile anymore?

There is only one that is greater than Prince!

....and that's KIRKY J!

'Nuff said!

I'm not saying I'm 100% with these answers...just some thoughts, so keep the flame on LOW, willya?

* Frank Zappa: Fantastic guitarist, was prolific as hell, made a few movies that were a little too obtuse to be commercially successful but still great fun, composed classical and jazz pieces, battled the PMRC, hosted a show on politics for CNN, hosted FOX network's late night talk show right before Arsenio Hall, spawned protegee Alice Cooper, authored a book...do I need to go on?

* Quincy Jones: What HASN'T he done? Film producer, music producer, businessman, musician, songwriter, composer, author, lots of other stuff I'm sure I'm leaving out because I'm not oh-so-familiar with him, but jeez louise, he's worn a few hats in his day, and worn 'em well.

* David Bowie: Beautiful voice, fantastic songwriter, prolific in his day (he used to put out an average of two albums a year throughout the '70s) innovator, composer (check out the instrumentals on "Low", "Heroes" and "Buddha of Suburbia"), actor, producer (produced Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, among others), musician (you thought he only sang, didn't you?), painter, art critic, photographer, web pioneer and someone who I damn well better look as good as when I'm 56, cuz lord knows I haven't done NEAR the drugs he has.

Interesting take (Batdance), like U said Prince was a sponge and he did soak up the likes of Stevie-Jimi-Al-James-Sly-Little Richard-Santana or any one else U want 2 add. His Teachers, if U break them down one by one in there primes not one could do all the things Prince can do in a single nutshell~ No disrespect 2 those artist, I love & dig them 2 the fullest as well~

* Stevie Wonder. Between "Music of the Mind" and "The Secret life of plants" Stevie has created music, which at many points tops that of Prince's most creative period (let's say 1985-188). Stevie plays all the instruments except horns and guitars, he is a magnificent songwriter and a singer of superb quality with a much better tone than prince.
* Duke Ellington. If there's anybody who deserves the title "Mozart of the 20th centuty" its Duke. For more than 40 years he has constantly evolved, created new incredible music that is still ahead of its time.
* Shuggie Otis. Son of Johnny Otis. He did only 4 records in the 70s, his first at age 18. Then he resigned because of depression due to being dropped by his label. The reason for the drop: Shuggie was too far ahead, too out there. He plays ALL instruments, sings ALL vocals, writes and produces ALL songs. I recommend to listen to Shuggie, there's soooo many things him and Prince have in common. Most of them is the very obscure arrangement style and harmonizing.
* John Coltrane. Yes, he was only a sax-player. He did not sing. Did not play piano, drums, bass --- at least on record. However, he mastered them all. But I can not think of any more ambitious and hard working artist as Trane. He was OBSESSED with the music, not with the show-biz. He focused and dedicated himself ONLY to the creation of music, to the point where its getting scary. After all, he's the only prominent musician who played himself to death (no joke. he didnt die of the drug abuse in his early years. he died because his body had to perform more than it was able to).
* Marvin Gaye. The singer supreme. Brilliant song-writer, keyboard-player, drummer.
* Miles Davis. Is there anything to say about a man who changed jazz five times in a space of 20 years?
*Carlos Wilson of Mandrill. Besides the fact that Mandrill probably is the most underrated and most influential group of the early 70s (War, Parliament, The New Birth, Earth Win & Fire used to OPEN for these guys), there's no band I enjoy more. Carlos is the mastermind, he composes the songs, sings lead vocals, plays rhythm guitar, timbales, bongos, congas, drums, trombone, flute, bass. If you have ever seen mandrill perform, especially carlos how and how he is mastering all the instruments AT ONCE, you will know what I mean.
*Wycliffe Gordon. with 25 he was band-director for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He plays more than ten instruments, writes movie scores and whole classical orchestra pieces. Now he is 30 and professor for jazz.

I would like to add a note on James Brown, because he was mentioned on this thread. JB is without a doubt the most influential artist in the history of soul music and I love him to death. But he sure is no good musician. JB's talent is in putting bands together, performing, dancing, singing. His drumming is okay, but his Keyboard-playing sucks. Sweet Charles once told me that he told JB back in the days to not mess with the black (minor) keys, because he would ruin it. Listen to JB play on the instrumental albums released on Smash records and you know what I mean. JB took advantage of his brilliant band directors such as Nat Jones, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Sweet Charles. But without them --- he would have been nothing.
Finally Prince. True, there's no BIG NAME I could think of in the 80s, 90s and now who could top him. He is an incredible guitarplayer, an okay-singer, okay-piano-player and a good drummer and bass-player. But for those of you who always talk about him playing more than two dozen instrumenst, can you explain me: WHAT INSTRUMENTS ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

The music industry for me isnt about whose more talented, its about hearing & apreciating someone elses take on music.

Prince is very talented to use that word & I wouldnt say other artists are better or worse than him, they are just different & thats what I look for.

All musicians are talented but some are better at capturing the soul

But thats just me.

There once was this cheesy little guy with a trademark moustache. he lived in his Muffin and made all sorts of spectacular and splendid sounds. Ranging from vacuum cleaners to the Grand wazoo. This dude had a mean guitar and could play other instruments too! he quarreled with his record company and regained his masters. He's not among us any more but his music and soul live on.....ladies and gentlemen may I intoduce the wonderful... FRANK ZAPPA.

kellyannemcclure is more talented than Prince. She can do 3 guys in one hour, take lewd photos with a German Shepherd and STILL find time to post at the Org! Amazing!

None in my book !

I have to say that I think there are a few better guitarists - Hendrix, Santana, Clapton?
And definitely some better actors.
I think some match him for songwriting - Lennon and McCartney anyone?

But as far as guitarist, singer, actor, pianist, scriptwritier, director, producer, drummer, whatever-elses goes, he must be top of the pile. And pound for pound he must beat anyone, seeing as he must weigh 5 stone wet-thru.

Batdance is absolutely correct....

Prince is a sponge....And what's so wrong about being a

sponge?....How else do do learn?

James Brown, Larry Graham, Stevie, Santana, Jimi, and any

others Prince learned from had to "sponge"from somebody too.

They weren't born with guitars in thier hands, or thier

talent ready for the world....They too had to be inspired

to be the "greats" they ultimately became.....

Everybody's replies are great and the artists they have

mentioned are brilliant in thier own right.....but, can any

of them do everything Prince does....some can do a little

better in maybe one area but, take that same individual and

place him or her in another....would they even know what to

do?.....It's not a bad thing to be a "sponge"

It takes phenominal talent to be able to play just 1

instrument well.....Prince played 22 at age 19!

Prince is keeping his pedecessors' talents alive through

him.....If it wasn't for Prince, where else are you going

to hear a new 'James Brown' inspired song?.not from James...

That's just one example, I'm sure y'all have plenty others

you can add to the list....and I'd love to read about them.


as for Michael Jackson, I think his ass would rip if he

2 smile

and HarleyQuinn why are you so mean to Kelly?







bgladthaturfree
[This message was edited Tue Mar 19 10:23:30 PST 2002 by jaikman]

Talent isnt something that can be measured, but I would say that as much as I think Prince is genius, I think Tom Jobim was one of the greatest geniuses of 20th century, and Stevie Wonder. Miles, of course was too. Of course there are more names, but these are the ones that come to my mind

Picasso was a sponge.
The beatles were sponges.
And in my bathroom is a sponge which is a sponge ...(justkiddingyouknow...)

sirnose said:

four words:

SPONGE
BOB
SQUARE
PANTS

Thanks Anxiety for saying
FRANK ZAPPA.
That's who I was thinking of.

I never like questions such as these because there is no way to answer them truthfully. However, I can say this: Prince is, to me, one of a group of artists I consider "mad geniuses." These quirky, prolific, undeniably great artists, to me, are (in no particular order):

Prince
Marvin Gaye
Miles Davis
Ornette Coleman
Paul McCartney
Brian Wilson
Frank Zappa
Bob Dylan

...and, as far as more recent music goes (past ten or so years), the two who immediately leap to mind as the most consistently brilliant and prolific are Mary Timony and Juliana Hatfield.

....i think there are a bunch of people who are equally as talented if not more talented than prince...

John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Frank Sinatra
Barbra Streisand
Stevie Wonder
Mozart and Beethoven (hey, u never know..they could have burned the midnight oil on the dancefloor..heheheh)
Judy Garland
Sammy Davis Jr.
Michael Jackson (hate all you want..but without Michael, there would be no Prince..respect!!)

and the list can go on and on and on and on.....

harmolodic said:

I agree and think it reflects more on what one is familar or comfortable with.

my list in no particular order.....

- Prince
- John Lennon & Paul McCartney (thank you, Sir George, for making their songs sound all the more wonderful.)
- Jimmy Page & Robert Plant (and why does everyone forget to put Jimmy on their guitar list? guess you don't get it and feel it.)
- Miles Davis ('nuff said)
- Duke Ellington ('nuff said)
- Antonio Carlos Jobim (his songwriting was beautiful and crafty.....besides, bossa nova helped evolve dance music)
- Henry Mancini (beautiful pop orchestration....wonderful music both simple and yet complex....led the way for composers like the phenomenal Danny Elfman and Jerry Goldsmith....okay, i'm waiting to be made fun of on this one for picking old Hank!)
- Joni Mitchell (people seem to forget her, too)
- Pete Townsend (wrote like 90% of the Who's genius material.....probably the most talented and diverse bands of that time, taking rock and roll to new heights)
- Sly Stone, Paul Simon, Gershwin, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones, just to name a few more that could make this list.

SkletonKee said:

please explain...the influence of Michael on Prince!???

I can agree with Miles, Sly, James, George (Benson and Clinton), Stevie, Curtis, Al and Jimi - okay maybe, just maybe!, without them (all of them!) there would be no Prince. But Michael? What eartshocking music invention did he give that you hear back in the music of Prince?

SkletonKee said:

Sinatra, Garland, Sammy, and Michael were for the most part performers and that was it. Wonderful voices and their acting wasn't bad either. Definitely would make a list in the top 25, 50, or 100.....but not top ten.

NPGJughead said:

AND STEVIE WONDER!!!! SHIT, HE'S ON MY LIST....THE OTHERS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM WOULD BUBBLE UNDER OLD STEVIE AND THE REST STATED ABOVE.

A peaceful wild, y'all!
T-O-DoubleD