My co-workers & I are debating the merits and influence of Prince and David Bowie. We even found a website comparing Ziggy Stardust to Purple Rain:
http://www.5years.com/pur...ardust.htm

We were also discussing Bowie in drag compared to Prince's more feminine looking phases.

Finally, they think Prince waxes (b/c of the Lovesexy cover). I say "airbrushed."


Please share your opinions...

Thanks!!

ps. did they ever perform together?
[Edited 3/8/05 7:34am]

i wrote that prince 'vs.' david bowie article.

i don't think it's among my best writing, but i had fun putting it together.

as someone who's a big fan of both, i'd never pit the two against each other in a battle of 'who's better' - i think they run parallel in a lot of ways, but they're also kinda apples & oranges, and they both scratch very unique musical itches.

i think what they have most in common is change - they're both constantly bucking their previous image or 'success' and moving forward with their ideas and projects. they both really dig on being innovative.

if you ask me who's 'better', i'll always say it's a toss-up, 50/50, right down the middle. there might be times when i'm in more of a bowie 'mode' than i am into prince, and vice versa, but when folks ask who my favorite recording artist is, i always say it's a tie between the two.

both brilliant artists...but i would say that , overall ,prince is the more talented.

blackboab said:

u mean WAY more talented

fartman said:

ThaCat said:

sorry...WAAAYYYYY more talented

fartman said:

come on you say that like Bowie aint got nothing on Prince, which is Bull, you obviously not a fan of him, so how can you really say Prince has way more talent, Bowie like Prince has brought innovative albums that are so different from each other and also Bowie is the Chamelon of music..

for me i say they were both on the same level, or creative talent. Prince may be more talented due to the many instruments he can play. its pointless any way to argue who is better on a Prince Forum!!

ThaCat said:

I always thought the song "The Love We Make" from Emancipation was lifted, if not very similar to "candidate" from Diamond Dogs. Or atleast that beginning...

ThaCat said:

sorry...wwwaaaaayyyyy more talented (II)

fartman said:

don't hate. bowie can't help it he can play sax and prince can't.

fartman said:

Music illiterate n00bs... How old are you 10?
It takes more talent to create new music styles like Bowie did than playing alot of instruments...

Neversin.

These days, I actually prefer Bowie.

I just stay away from his internet communities because I feel that changed my perspective on Prince somewhat.

HobbesLeCute said:

you're not missing much. the bowie internet community seems like nice folks, but in my opinion it's not all that engaging. or at least there aren't as many flame wars, bizarre sexual fantasies, or cases of general wingnuttery.

Neversin said:

hey if u had read my input i had mentioned the level of creative input Bowie had changed over years. hence him being called the Chameleon. anyway i cant play any instruments and i do think it takes a great degree of talent to play many instruments aswell as playing them good.,

One thing is certain - David Bowie is way more cool than Prince, and comes across much more sophisticated.

And: Prince never wrote such a stylish song as Young Americans.

Neversin said:

sorry wwaaayyyyy more talented (III)
just 4 music xperts as neversin

fartman said:

face it you only say it cause you don't like him!!
you wouldnt think that other wise..

if you appriciated both you could not jump to a conclusion.,

ThaCat said:

*FART*

both are genious, but prince is cooler and wilder

Prince's influence is undeniably far-reaching across musical genres, race, class, age and gender lines. Bowie's influence isn't as far-reaching.
[Edited 3/11/05 9:09am]
[Edited 3/11/05 9:09am]

Prince is obviously more talented as a musician (a player of instruments, that is), but I don't see Bowie releasing tunes like Poom Poom, Jughead, or including lines like "Give back the chains..." and on and on...

They're both great.

i always thought bowie was in part a model for prince as he was wearing eyeliner and 'feminine' clothing long before prince ever did. i mean come on, bowie was pushing the envelope back when prince was still day-dreaming about being in a band.

i think they're different but equally powerful in their own ways.

I don't like Bowie as an individual, but he is the superior in terms of sheer work; His catalog is better, but Prince is on his level and has many superior qualities.

what i like about bowie is when he plays that amazing solo on guitar at the end of "lets dance"...

That was Stevie Ray Vaughan
(i didn't know either since DB's pretending he's playing
but i read it here a while ago , i googled it ,it's true)
[Edited 3/11/05 15:39pm]

neronava said:

Oh, well that does it. Edge Bowie.

To answer part of the first question, YES, Prince and David Bowie once performed together at an aftershow. Ask Boris or Giotto for more info.

"This is Ground Control to Major Tom, U've really made the grade and the papers want to know whose shirts u wear..." David Bowie Rocks!!!! oh and that other guy is ok too.

David Bowie is awesome

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