I have a friend who you would think has lived in a cave all her life. She was kind of sheltered growing up. So, when it comes to Prince she is still in this phase:

Why does he sing like a girl?
Why does he dress like that?
He's black?
He's married?
He plays guitar?
He dances?
He's from Minneapolis? (where she lives)

So I lent her my DVD of Purple Rain so she can get an idea about Prince, etc. I still think that 20 some years later, Purple Rain is still the best and most accessible starting point for someone who has no idea about Prince, but wants to learn. I feel like it's got the basics that any new fan needs.

What do you think?
[Edited 4/1/06 22:33pm]

I think it depends on the age and tastes of a person, too. Someone who is about 11 years my junior that had never seen PR, was bored with it after about 10 minutes because the whole think was just "too 80s". They rather enjoyed watching a video collection, though (in this case, the one for D&P). Go figure...

Sure Purple Rain is a fun, great movie. The music is unbelivable!

jtfolden said:

It's very 80's--to most people I show it to that's part of the appeal.

[b]I think that may b a good starting point. But Price comes off really strange in that one, real effeminate, and spaced out....He's not like that, i think Maybe He was going 4 the acting angle....DAC

Purple Rain shows you how great of a live performer he is.

Of course it depends on the kind of fan you want to create. One who likes his looks, and the cinematic narrative of his life. That would be the wise choice for Prince's spindoctor - focusing on image and strategy.

But if you are like me:
No no, The uneducated Prince fan should begin with THE MUSIC. It's up to you which album - it is your friend.

From what you write: Let your friend listen to Purple Rain. The soundtrack.

mellow1 said:

Oh yeah. This will give them a little view of Prince. And the rest comes from research.

skywalker said:

Just let her borrow stuff, don't be pushy, don't force things on her, let the music speak for itself. She'll let you know if she likes it or not. And for the love of God, if she doesn't like it, just leave it alone, don't try to persuade her.

People don't like to have things forced on them, whether it's religion, music, or whatever.

padawan said:

Okay dad, thanks for the life lesson. Jeez. Calm down, I just lent her a DVD.

Since you've already lent her the DVD the decision is already made. It's cool and it's certainly where a lot of us jumped on the train.

Just do me one favor? Make sure she understands that the movie is NOT a straight-on biography. Don't let your newbie perpetuate the "his mama's Italian and his dad's a wife beater" fiction (among others). 20 years later and folks still take that movie as gospel truth, so give her a head's up, please!

Thank you!!!

skywalker said:

Look, son, I'm just watching out for you. Asking how to introduce Prince music to a female friend is an obvious cry for help.

Your mother would say the same thing.

Purple Rain is by far the best way to introduce someone to Prince.

If they end up digging him, immediately follow up with the Sign Of The Times concert movie (do NOT show then UTCM or Graffiti Bridge until they are solidly Prince fans).

Purple Rain has some of his best performances on film, the music is top notch, the story is imperfect and the acting so-so, but for a musical, it's very good.

padawan said:

Well, not to get too geeked out, but all you gots to do is check our usernames to see who should be calling the other things like "son". I wasn't asking about how to introduce Prince music female in particular-just sharing my thoughts that Purple Rain (the movie) is the best way. Thanks again.

skywalker said:

The "Sign o' the Times" concert film to me is the single greatest document of Prince's talent, Period. I would be comfortable showing someone that.

"Purple Rain" contains some stilted "acting" and ugly, dated and embarassing moments.Just because it put Prince on the map doesn't make it a good intro in 2006. The "SOTT" Concert film is pure musical performance by someone on top of their game!

warning2all said:

True. I think if you played just the musical scenes of PR it might be better, personally, I like how the story builds to the finale, but the acting is so bad, a newbie might find Prince to be a complete jerk. (which of course we know he isn't.

skywalker said:

Hey, no need to get defensive. Believe me, I know how introducing Prince music to new friends can be an ordeal. People have fairly strong reactions to him, so one has to be delicate when broaching the subject.

I remember one guy laughed in my face when I told him I dug Prince. Another guy got all hostile, dismissing Prince music altogether, which I thought was strange, since he himself was a musician. One girl got super excited, said "I LOOOOOVE Prince!" and sang a verse of "Let's Go Crazy." Funny girl.

Reactions to Prince are as diverse as Prince music itself. Which I think is cool.

Good luck with your friend, skywalker. I hope she likes "Purple Rain." It'll be nice to have something in common.

They should run the other way and never listen to Prince again.