http://www.dailymail.co.u...ge_id=1773

At A mere 5ft 3in, Prince has always relied on the highest of heels to give him a lift.

But his penchant for platforms could have stacked the odds against him. At 47, he has been told he needs a hip replacement.

The singer believes years of strutting on stage (and energetic dance routines) have taken a toll on his joints.


"He used to wear high-heeled boots every day and doctors told him that may have contributed to his condition," a source told U.S. magazine the National Enquirer.

"Over the years he has battered his body so much that his joints, especially his hips, are causing him a lot of discomfort."

The singer has been told that only a full hip replacement will alleviate the pain and ensure he can keep dancing.

"Over time his condition will get worse and he'll have to have the surgery," another source told the magazine. "He's causing more damage by continuing to walk."

Prince, a Jehovah's Witness, is thought to be against having surgery because the religion does not allow blood transfusions.

He has been prescribed antiinflammatory drugs to help him cope with the condition.

He and his wife Manuela married in a Jehovah's Witness ceremony in Hawaii on New Year's Eve 2001. A year later, they were formally baptised into their faith in a private ceremony in Minnesota.

Prince's career spans 30 years and includes the hit albums Purple Rain, Diamonds and Pearls and Musicology.

In 2000, he adopted a symbol as his name and insisted on being referred to as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince in a bizarre act of rebellion against his record company.

As a Jehovah's Witness he has joined the faith's recruiting ranks, knocking on doors to spread the word.

In a recent TV interview in the U.S. he refused to answer any questions not about the faith.

"Jesus is more important than anything," he declared. "If we can focus on that, all of us, this chaos will cease."
[Edited 10/14/05 6:04am]

There's already about 50 of these.

I'm just glad I managed to get my comment in here before it got locked.

me to, this is a really hip topic
[Edited 10/14/05 6:06am]

hehe i should start getting reading the Prince forum a little more often eh

Mazerati said:

There's even a sticky thread. Very hip indeed.

Mazerati said:

what are you? some kinda hipster?

lilgish said:

He's positively pelvic.

my locks are like frito-lay potato chips. post all ya want - we'll make more!


http://www.prince.org/msg/7/163853