Has there been any word about Prince getting ownership of the master recordings from his work at Warners? He once stated in an interview that he was extremely interested in obtaining them. He went on to say that if he could not get ownership that he was going to re-record them. It was the interview from BET a few years ago. I was just wondering what happened because he (Prince) seemed to be very hyped about this at that time.

I haven't heard, so I guess they're still in exile. But this brings up a question I have. Paul McCartney owns the rights to Buddy Holly and Jackson
has part ownership of The Beatles, has Prince ever bought the rights to any other artists songs? Would that go against what he's fighting for? I could see him going after Sly's stuff or Brown's maybe if nothing else to keep 'em from being used in Nike ads.

I was looking for the reference to Chuck Berry in the lyrics to Jughead, funny, it's supposed to be about managers, but really this bit is as much about owning your own masters, yet it was after this, after the D&P album, that Prince signed his big deal with Warners - failing in the process to secure the rights to his masters! He can't argue that he was unaware of the situation...

Tony, you were excellent (That's what I'm sayin')
What you need is a manager (That's what I'm sayin')

For what?
Money minders are like parasites
They pose as wheelers and dealers for your rights
And most companies say that you need em!
But I've kicked back, observed, and watched 'em bleed 'em
Artists young and old
Where'd this unwritten law come from anyway?
That years after the contract you should till be gettin' paid?
Boy, I'll go broke and hit the skids
Before I take care of a rich sucker's kids
Hell, a contract ain't no pension plan,
Years after this my kids are still gonna make the grand.
And you laugh at my brother Little Richard
When he says you ain't gave him nothing.
Hell, that ain't no joke.
His songs are still sellin'
That man could die broke
So fellow artists, push for yours
And watch for Mr. Money Minder, as we settle the score.

I doubt very much Warners will just hand over a cash cow for nothing. And Prince doesn't want to have to pay for something he feels is his by right.

If Prince bought the rights to other artists' songs, probably for millions, and then handed the rights over to the original artists - well, it would be very noble, but he'd basically have lost millions in the process!

And those artists would probably just sell those rights back to a record company that could properly distribute the music anyway!

Wasn't it Chuck Berry who gave the rights to a song away in exchange for a new Cadillac? I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.

metalorange said:

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I don't think Chuck Berry gave the rights to his songs away. Chuck owns some Beach Boys songs because they copied some of his songs and his famous for managing himself and handling his money very well after spending time in prison for unpaid taxes.

laurarichardson said:

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Bit of a paradox there - he handled his money very well - but he went to prison for unpaid taxes!

Perhaps it was Jerry Lee Lewis I was thinking of. I know it was one of the pioneers of rock n' roll.