What I love best about these type of "insider" interviews is the revelation of the human side of the subject.

Especially, Prince. He has spent so much energy trying to control and manipulate his image and projections that a fan can lose any sense of connection. People want to see the human side of other people. That may not be what makes us interested at first, but it is defintely what keeps one coming back. Think of any relationship you've had. Especially, long term. The musical relationship a fan has with an artist is just that, a relationship.

I have also thought how cool it would be for Prince to show up in jeans and a T-shirt on Jay Leno or Oprah and be an ordinary guy. I haven't walked in his shoes and I don't have his brain chemistry, but I think Prince would be suprised at the response he would get from fans and casual listners.

Mr. Leeds nailed the 90's inner turmoil and the late 90's early 2000's spiritual growth. The name change to a symbol was not about contracts, it was about spiritual growth. Prince's best music is still to come. Mainly because he has grown. Just like the rest of us because after all he is human.

Mr. Leeds comments on Prince's coming to grips on aging were interesting.

Truly exceptional interview!!! Thanks Mr. Leeds and BC
[Edited 12/27/05 19:06pm]

andyman91 said:

That's why you're paying big money to see an aftershow in 2002?

The last thing I want to see Prince do, is to get outside producers.

calldapplwondery83 said:

I am SO talking about his studio production now. Live he can still ressurect a stupid tune and make it a jam.

Outside producer Rick Rubin did wonders for Johnny Cash and just recently for chewed on and spit out Neil Diamond. As long as people go and do the job of helping Prince deliver ace quality music, I have NO problems with outside producers. Too bad Prince has, hehehe.

Bfunkthe1 said:

Good Morning, I enjoyed reading the Alan Leeds Q & A as he was on point as to the state of Princes music. but he lost me when he stated that Prince's views changed from the early days on things such as: Race, Religion and Sexuality, One would think kmaybe his views change as a result of getting older,I myself find that I no longer agree with certains things like before, is that saying I am not open-minded.

For example: I believe that homosexuality is wrong am I closed minded for saying that. HELL TO THE NAW!!! that means I am entilted to my beliefs and if you don't try to change me I won't try to change you. Some of us and even Alan I dare say, forget that we have this thing called FREE WILL, and If Prince decided as he got older that maybe, just maybe some of the things he did back in the day was not appropriate, then so be it,that does not however, mean he is close-minded. Sometimes I wonder about that saying: "The Older you get the Wiser you get? HMMMMM!!!!!

He is so right on about so many things. I particularly agreed with what he said about some artists not having the perspective to make the best decisions about how to present their material.

The One Night Alone box set was a great example. As good as it is, anyone who's been to a Prince concert knows it could have been much better. And It Ain't Over was particularly disappointing.

And the Rainbow Children. I love the record as is, but the public's inability to hear the amazing music tells me that he probably shouldn't have had Darth Vadar narrate it.

Prince is great for having his own vision and sticking to his own beliefs, but all artists should listen to outside opinions occasionally, and trust in other folks' talents (like film directors).

HamsterHuey said:

Prince doesn't need anyone to tweak knobs for him but he needs a Rick Rubin to tell him that his song needs a hook, melody, etc., despite the brilliant playing & arrangement.

Very cool!
Thanks for coordinating this. I'm going to print it out and add to my Prince file.

prince.org

Eye absolutely LOVE Alan's story n response 2 ?uestion 18.

The whole Q&A has left me yearning 4 Alan 2 write something more comprehensive on the man himself. Not only does Alan have an excellent way with words, n share a unique n thoroughly fascinating perspective on Prince, but eye love that he also comes across as a truly genuine, humble kinda guy.

Eye have a sneaking suspicion Prince will have read the transcript by now n eye'd b surprised if he hasn't, at the very least, gauged the responses here. 1 can only hope that the right buttons r b ing pushed 2 make Prince reCONsider his legacy and the somewhat sad state of affairs it is b ing left 2 die n.

A simple 'thank u' doesn't quite seem sufficient, but nonetheless, Alan, thank u.
U r an absolute legend around these parts!

love,
Anji

P.S.

Best of luck with D'Angelo. Given his predicament, y don't u give P a call this New Year?
There can b all kinds of musical alter-egos under 3121. Don't u wanna come?

setyrmindphree said:

Umm... I think Prince has pretty much set the record straight on this one many times. He changed to the symbol to get out of his record contract.....

For example, May 16, 2000 -- press conference
"On Dec 31, 1999, my publishing contract with Warner expired, thus emancipating the name I was given before birth, Prince, from all long-term restrictive documents. I will now go back to using my name instead of the symbol that I adopted as a means to free myself from all undesirable relationships."

Radio interview: April 2004 (Mojo from Detroit)
"The reason I changed my name was to get out of my contract. Once i told the record company that I wasn't going to go by Prince anymore, I gave them an unprouncable symbol to deal with. Now at that point, they really didn't know what to think of me."

altavista said:

I'm aware his explanations. Just not buying um. Don't think screwing with WB was the sole purpose. Legally, it would make no differnece. He knew that. Just because you change your name it does not provide an escape from a contract. Try that with a bank loan. I beleive he was searching spiritually and distancing himself from his past. Think how interesting it would be if you did not have a name. Wouldn't it change your feelings about yourself. Makes you look inside a little deeper. He questions the meaning of names quite a few times in songs. Just a personal opinion.
[Edited 12/28/05 14:17pm]

altavista said:

To be fair, there are just as many quotes of Prince saying 'his spirit' told him to change his name, and that it was all about a 'spiritual awakening'. I think it was a combination of everything. Even if he couldn't get out of his record contract by using a different 'name', it appears he had the notion he could record albums for Warner's under 'Prince' and independent music under the symbol name, which is what he originally intended for the 'Come' and 'Gold Experience' albums, of course Warner's believed he would keep the stronger material for his own albums.

"Jill Jones(whom I adore-a more talented lady than the album suggests)"

Tell 'em,Alan!

setyrmindphree said:

Uh, the name change to a symbol was ALL about contracts, nothing spiritual. Prince himself (when he changed his name back to Prince) even admitted that he only changed it so he record and release all the music he wanted to under a different name for contractual reasons.

altavista said:

LOL! I should've kept on reading this thread because this was my point exactly!! And, why would someone choose to not believe this after he's admitted that his first take, of it being spiritual, on it was wrong/a lie? If the person himself admits it was baloney, why try to hang on to a different, false excuse (and yes, this is directed towards setyrmindphree)?

alexnvrmnd said:

Where did he "admit" that his first take of it being spiritual was wrong or a lie. I'm actually not challenging you, I would be interested in reading or listening to what he said. Because I don't know, and would like to, did the WB conflict start before or after the name change? Wasn't the name change in '93 sometime?

metalorange said:

I agree, that's why I don't think it was all about business. If anybody does have a quote of him dismissing the spiritual importance please post

As I read the second paragraph in Question #20, I keep thinking...you mean to tell me that no-one was around to tell Prince that his music was wack in the 90s. He didn't have any friends to tell him to be himself and let the music flow.

I question this because this interview gives the impression that Prince was confused at times and didn't know which direction to take. Where were his friends/collegeus...OR....is Prince the type of person who just doesn't listen and takes advice well.

wonder505 said:

It's not an interview, it's a Question & Answer session - people would do well to remember that distinction before reading too much into things or taking them out of context.

Just a thought.

I agree wholeheartedly about the comments on Prince and hip-hop.
There are very few good Prince "rap" tunes ("18 and over" sticks out in my mind as the only really good one.)
I was sad to see Prince inject rap into his early 90's work.
Even back then, it was clear that Prince was so above it, and not very good at it.
I mean, come on man, you're a musical genuis. If I want guys who couldn't write an original melody or play an instrument to save their lives (excluding The Roots here), I'll turn to rap. But usually, I don't.

eugnj420 said:

So above it?
P digs the hip-hop art form.
And he had his own style.
Days Of Wild n e 1?

love

The 'act' of discarding the PRINCE name inevitably gave rise 2 spiritual growth. During those tumultuous years, the name 'change' can b viewed of as 1 of the pivotol factors that P held on 2, n that pulled him thru. Eye suspect he let go of the notion ONLY when he no longer felt he needed it's support.

love

.
[Edited 12/28/05 17:06pm]

Thank you Mr. Nana and Mr. Leeds & Orgers - for the questions

Thanks Alan, I can't wait for the book. I read Miles copeland's book about the Police, and it was great, and not exploitive.

Here's some of my favorite quotes-



haha

wonder505 said:

that last part
other people from that time period (i'm thinking 1991-1993)
tried to tell him
but.. he didn't listen

Wowugotit said:

no he doesnt.

anywoo i think that it is a great interview of alan leeds. so who's next matt fink or andre? what about brownmark?
[Edited 12/28/05 19:51pm]

Alan Leeds gets it. Prince lost HIS sound in the 90's by trying to incorporate what others were doing. When Emanicaption came out, a fellow Prince fan and keyboard player at that time for La Bouche told me he recognized several of the loops on that cd from libraries. I notice them everytime I played that cd after that.

I also agree that Prince seems to have refound his own sound the past three years and I'm hopeful we'll be seeing/hearing some good/great things from him again soon.

My feelings on this interview:

Good side - the stories about Prince in the purple limo during the Groman's publicity stunt and about Prince having a vision for a Lovesexy video and song were very insightful, and I got very wrapped up in them while reading.

Bad side - the whole deal about Prince not knowing the legacy he is leaving behind. He most certainly knows his legacy, and he is just doing what he can to make sure that he has a say in what legacy is left behind. Repackaging songs and live set, etc., is just rehashing the past. Like what they did to Jimi Hendrix - just saying that man's name makes me so mad. Look what they did to him.

Overall, good interview, but from someone who hasn't really kept up with Prince since parting ways, and therefore only a limited viewpoint.

MarcelJ said:

I can't completely agree with that. Prince of the 80's incorporated what others had done before him - funk, rock, soul, etc James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Family Stone, etc - into his music. Trying to incorporate sounds of the 90's was the same process. There aren't many 'true' rap songs by Prince, he mostly just incorporated elements into his style - a brave experiment, and something not many artists would even attempt. Whether he pulled it off or not is mostly subjective. I loved the 80s sound, but I also loved the completely different sound of the 90s.

setyrmindphree said:

Well, he admitted it by simply saying his reason for changing his name was for business or contracual reasons. That's pretty much saying "It wasn't what I said it was before" because before, all he said was that his reason for doing it was for something spiritual and some Higher Power told him what his name "really was". He didn't need to scream the words, "I admit I lied before about why I changed my name!" for him to still basically say his original explanation was not on the up and up. Again, I point to altavista's post of his quotes as proof. He only said it was spiritual to begin with so he could seem more ethereal, philisophical, spiritual, and mysterious (which is an aura he's been trying to project his entire career).