Berry said:

The "fams" are the people who don't really look like they are having a good time because they are too busy looking for Prince and staking a place in line. They are the people that when Prince enters the room crowd up around him like he is Jesus bringing them the word of God.

The fans are the people in the back laughing and having a grand time. But unfortunately the "fams" are taking over the building and it is harder and harder to ignore the nonsense.

I've always respected your posts and opinions Berry but I have to ask have you ever been to Paisley Park? If you have not been to these shows you really cannot fathom what is actually going on at the Celebration and in a slightly less obtrusive way at the regular Paisley parties.

Also earlier in this thread I mentioned that I think people need to realize that Shabas is more likely talking about peoples actions as opposed to strictly about the word "fam".

If you want to refer to yourself as a "fam" more power to you, but don't pretend that a lot of these people that call themselves "fams" don't worship Prince as a God and their actions are immature at best and scary at worst.

chewymusic said:

Yes. They're all up in my mix acting like some unkempt bafoons. They're getting in the way of my enjoyment of a show by flyin around the room, trying to get as close to Prince as possible. Hanging on his every word, yet trying to shout out their own pathetic comments at any given chance. Tryin to get his attention, tryin to hold up signs for him to see, tryin to give him the gift they've been waiting all their lonely lives to give him, taking up time at soundchecks and parties with idiotic, obvious, or downright insane questions. All in all, they detract an untold amount from my experience at a show. The shows I've been to with fewer than 30 people have been undeniably the best. I think everyone should have the right to enjoy a show in an environment with cool, rational, level-headed people that have full use of their faculties.

A perfectly fammed-out answer. On AMP, I'd be calling you a Princeduck right now — if I were weak enough not to just say what I meant, Princefuck. I'm not hatin, but you went that route.

No.

Judgment is simply forming a conclusion from the pattern in my perceptions. I don't sit in judgment without evidence, and I don't deny my faults. But that's not the topic.

I am, but I would more if they weren't there.

As I said before I prefer the term (not title)
fam over the term fan.
That being said, the debate is futile since
there are at least two different definitions
of the debated term.
Prince be-bopped past me probably 50 times
during the 7 nites, and not once did I even
attempt to get his attention. As a matter of
fact, being 5ft8in tall, I was afraid I might
startle the little fellow.

BUT, when he starts to perform, the artist
and musician is as TALL as he needs to be.
It's all about the performance.
I never thirsted for the front spots.
I guess in your estimation, I do not qualify
for FAM-dom. But I like the term because I don't
follow any man FANactically, yet I feel a
kindred with the other people who find his
work exhilerating.

I was wondering where the author of this thread
got his definition. I could not find the term
defined in my dictionary. So wouldn't its meaning
be left to the perception of the one who coined
the term (though we know it is rooted in family)?

You are rightly annoyed with the people you
describe. However the term FAM has nothing to do
with any of that. People acted like that before the
term came into use...for real!

-

hey the c i do remember james and les. I used to call that guy graffitti bridge too. I think i was the one who came up with that name as a matter of fact. he was too funny. maybe we know each other. what a small world huh. help me narrow down the search as to which person you are.

In response to the original poster:

Intelligent post (always a refreshing thing). I hear you, and I relate.

I can't, of course, speak for anyone but myself.

For me, personally, I'm interested in the "musician" (being one myself), the "music," and the "musicianship." In other words, I'm interested in the product, the source of that product, and how the source goes about producing and presenting that product. Labels don't interest me, nor does Prince's creative affectations or propaganda.

If it floats Prince's boat to slap a label on me, well...there's nothing I can do about that, and he can just go ahead and knock himself out. I think his personal distaste with what society labels his customers, versus the alternative he came up with and appears to prefer, is entirely his own choice/solution/preference/thing and has no bearing or reflection on me. I just ignore the whole ball of wax, as I consider it all irrelevant with regard to me and my interest in Prince as an artist.

I believe that the whole reason Prince came up with the whole Fam name was to separate the fanatics from the fans because no one in their right mind would be fanatical about another human being. Digging prince is cool but when you forget who you are and consume your every waking moment devoted to prince thats when you become fanatical. But if you get up and go to work everyday and know who you are and can stand in the same room with prince and keep your wits about you, you are therefore called a fam or a friend. I guess its a respectable title for us all.

TRUNKS said:

If that is the case, why do you see so few people who call themselves "fams" acting that way or making comments that are not the worst form of obsequious drivel?

I am not saying that you are wrong, but it appears that the "fams" are the ones who blindly accept any and everything that Prince says, does, thinks or believes...

IceNine said:

I agree with you too.I had a friend who told me I wonder if these people believe in Jesus Christ as much as they believe in prince. I was just statting that I think thats what prince meant when he came up with the term fam. I have been around people who have kept their wits about themselves but say the dumbest things when the subject of prince comes up. they told me stories about dumb comments they made to him like i like your music and he walked away and have done stupid things like following his limo to a dead end street. I don't like titles but if it came down to it i would rather be a fam than a fan anyday. But i don't know about the rest of you but i can't just sit back and shell out cash to prince and his organization. He wants you to pay for everything,concerts, celebrations, music, membership,memorabillia, when does it stop I thougtht the music is supposed to be free. whats up with that.

Lovemachine: Yes I have been to PP. Last year and this year. I like being what "I" consider to be a fam. I was never once in the front at a show. Actually, you could find me in the back. I am short and I can get a much better view of the whole stage. At discussions, I sat relatively close. But mostly because I was by myself and there was a spot. I also happen to be friends with certain people and enjoy supporting them when they are up speaking about themselves.

You too may want to ask yourself, just how much do you "really" know? And how much is straight up speculation?!





I think this topic would have been much better if you had replaced the word "fam" with "freaks", because that's what I hear some of you describing...it certainly doesn't depict me or any of my friends and we are "Fams".

P.S.

I am a "Fam" and i do not believe in God. Nor do I think Prince is God. Or a prophet for that fact...

Berry said:

But there are so many people out there that act like he is a god or God. did you see the thread someone put up saying prince is his god paleeeze.But that type of behavior makes celebs think were all in the same bunch ya know

You guys should read what someone posted, WHAT PRINCE MEANS TO ME - talking about this same shit.

FAMS - people who think a pet name a celebrity rock god gives them will make them more endearing to him, so they call themselves that. And will give rock god more time than they probably give their own children/loved ones/work. ha! Also people who actually LOOK UP TO a rock god. (The term rock god is not used loosely here folks).

FANS - people who dont know what a FAM really is.
Also known as a casual fan with just Prince cds that have been released.

FANATICS, OBSESSIVE/COMPULSIVE - people who are broke buying Prince bootlegs and are 1/3 part FAM to 2/3 part FAN, but really mostly a MUSIC ENTHUSIAST with addictive personalities.

STALKERS - people who believe Prince is their baby's daddy, their daddy, or COULD potentially be their sugar daddy (MANI anyone?) These are 100% unfiltered FAMS who need to be on lock down and meds.

[BEGIN ALERT]
"The Obvious" is about to be stated in writing. If you are already well aware of The Obvious, or tend to be offended by The Obvious when it is put in writing, please proceed to the next post NOW. Thank you.
[END ALERT]

Trunks wrote:

"What's up with that" is that it's called the music BUSINESS.

Prince IS a business. Just about always has been, probably always will be.
[This message was edited Mon Jul 15 21:46:55 PDT 2002 by Soulitude]

Its not that we have to pay for the different events sometimes i think that the prices are a little outrageous. I know that prince is a business but it seem to me that before his break with warner bros. things seemed to be more reasonably priced. It seems that he has lost a lot of fans since everything cost a lot more these days. Does that make sence

I have observed the same thing, Trunks. I'm not surprised though. Dude has a business to run without a major record company backing him up. I'm sure the business/money savvy people here could explain the economics behind the kind of pricing changes we've seen since the Prince/Warner's split.

I am a fam and damn proud of it!

luv4u said:

yr cool.it's just those OVER THE TOP idiots that i think everybody's talkin about

luv4u said:

Thats good for you. I like prince too. but talking here is cool cause its free and we can be free to speak our mind. thank you solitude for understanding what i meant to say. He does have to make a living and keep the lights on at paisley park.

theC said:

btw i a FAN(music) not a FAM(prince follower)

I think that everybody has their own definitions of fan and fam. I have noticed in this thread that most people will always categorize themselves as being cool and not being fanatical. They always describe their own actions as being reasonable while its the always the actions of someone else that is fanatical.

In one person's eyes, following Prince's limo is fanatical, while in another person's eyes sitting out in the sun for hours waiting in line is fanatical. Or someone who sits outside a private Prince party for hours waiting to get in could be labled a fanatic. Or someone who makes a special costume to wear to a Prince event can be called a fanatic. Or someone who buys or makes a gift for Prince can be called a fanatic.

Someone else might say a fanatic is someone who jumps around, dancing wildly and clowning in order to get Prince's attention so he/she will be selected to dance on stage. To someone who does this, they are just having fun, but in another person's eyes it might look loony.

Or the people who crowd the front of the stage for every show can be labled fanatic. Or what about the people who own 400 Prince bootlegs, they, too, can be labled fanatics.

My point is that what is fanatical behavior to one person may not be fanatical in the eyes of another person. You may think you're being cool, but in someone else's eyes, your behavior may be just as fanatical as the people you're pointing at for being fanatical.

hey trunks i'm out of orgnotes,have 2 chat 2morrow Cya.

theC said:

see ya the c sent a message before this one posted.

peace and be wild

NikkiDarling said:

well i can tell you that i have waited in line to get into the club but i got in free by just being myself. security let me and my friends in cause they wanted to. And some of my friends were guys too. We had no costumes, no gifts, no slutty outfits, we were just club goers who went to hear the music and have a good time. sure we waited to see prince in person in the club. And as far as the fanatical behavior the people who told me these things said they were being dumb for doing what they did. I was not at the celebration, im not at every concert and i don't have all the albums. As far as fanatical behavior. what you do at home is your own business but what you put out in the street is for all to see. you think about that.

TRUNKS said:

this is my last post for today. I think we are all on the same page on this thread. We would all like to be considered a person who has respect for themselves and others and Prince. we even chatted with each other without calling names. I was glad to be a part of this disscussion.Nikkidarling its not that serious and we are all a little fanatical at times. peace and be wild.

welcum2thedawn said:

- Yes...to me, what bothers me more is that some people think he is perfect and dont open their minds for nothing else (and even get mad when you criticize NPGMC or Prince). And I know this because I could see both sides. When I started being a fan, in 93, I thought everything he did was marvellous and that ´Emancipation´ was a masterpiece (!). I even respected his ´name change´ decision.
Now I love his music, but I can separate things. I think albums like ´Rave´ and ´NPS´ are very weak, and I dont agree with lots of his attitudes, and I will always think that the NPGMC is a good idea, but has potential to be much better than it is.
On the other hand, there are people who love to criticize every single thing Prince does.
Oh, and if somebody loves creativity and great musicianship, please dont miss ´Joe´s Garage´ or ´You are what you is´ or ´Broadway the hard way´ by Zappa. I am discovering his music now, and these albums are great.

Oh GAWD... "fan", "fam" - who fucking cares??? Dig the music & don't step on my toe @ the show, 'kay?

U BETTA SHUT UR MOUTH, BRO!!!
I'M A VERY PROUD OF BEING A FAM, SO STOP TELLING BULLSHIT, U MUST B JEALOUS.
I BELIAVE IN HIS MUSIC AND THE MESSAGE HE PRAYS IN EACH AND EVERY SONG AIN'T 100% AGREE IN EVERY HE DOES, THOUGH.
BUT HE'S A HUMAN BEING AND HE CAN MAKE MISTAKES.
EYE LUV PRINCE.

MAY U LIVE 2 C THE DAWN, COZ I DO
BUT DID U DESERVE THAT PRIVILEGE? MMHH I DON'T THINK SO

FAMNAME: NEOPRINCE FROM URUGUAY-SOUTH AMERICA
HIS MUSIC'S WORLD WIDE, PUNK.
LONG LIVE 2 PRINCE AND THE NPG

Prince stands on the pulpit of the egg shaped watch tower and proclaims his rightiousness:

My sheeplike followers, we have gathered hear 2day 2 get thru this thing called my insanity. THRU when added with T becomes TRUTH when anagramonised. So we r gathered here 2day 2 get TRUTH this thing called my insanity. IN-san-IT-y! When broken down becomes IN IT. Eye used 2 do IT all the time, ALRIGHT! But now eye am IN IT all the time ALRIGHT!

As children of the RAINbow, we must rise. Can u have RAIN in ur bow? Was RAINman insane? DUSTin HoffMAN played RAINman. DUST is in the MAN who had RAIN! So all the RAINbow children must b DUSTy men! That is y we must go 2 the digiTAL GARDen. TAL GARD can b kind of word-played into TAILGUARD. This is an Americanism for BUMPER, as they say in EngLAND - or BUMPERLAND. So eye summise that the DigiTAL GARDen is in BUMPERLAND.

I there4 implore all the DUSTy men 2 go 2 BUMPERLAND 2 get TRUTH this thing called my IT. AlRIGHT!

Eye hope that has cleared up a phew! questions. Now FAMS of the world, get DUSTy and head 4 the land of BUMPER! 4 it is there that eye will give you my downloads and four or more CDs. Incidently, CD can b pronounced SEEDY. That is y eye am making lots of crap! 4 my SEEDS will grow in the CRAP eye make, and u, my DUSTy BUMPERS will rise with my membership fee!

Our Prince who art in Paisley
OTAN B thy name
Once king of cum
The cussings done
In the songs that r no longer clever.
Sell us this day our crappy download
and give us our laminate passes
as we forgive those who laminate ahead of us
lead us not into carnivorism
and deliver us to cereal
for thine is the Princedom, the show-off and the boring
4 eva and eva,
Carmen.

CalhounSq said:

Yeah, everyone. Just kick her in the head instead.