I just finally got around to watching the Oprah episode with Bon Jovi, having recorded it some many months ago. All I can say is WOW. It really moved me. But, one of the things that really stuck with me was something he said when talking about his fans. I never really looked at it this way, and will say I have been guilty from time to time of believing that Prince owed us, as fans, certain things.

Bon Jovi summed it up nicely though. He said while he appreciates his fans and his music wouldn't be what it is today without them, he doesn't create his music or live his life based on what the "fans want", because if he did, then he was no longer living his life for himself, but for others. That is so true. Not just with Prince, but other artists we admire, we come to expect to receive certain things from them, but they have the right to live their life for them, just as we do. I can honestly say, I will not come to expect anything from Prince, but just appreciate what of his life/music he is willing to share with us

Peace,
Kat

The expectants are 'fans' or 'fanatics' as Prince calls them. He terms those who truly support him as 'friends'. So why would 'friends' expect anything?

That was deep. So fucking deep.

Real art unfolds as it unfolds...that is what is authentic about it. When artists try to not do things that are true to them it usually backfires and comes across as really contrived and forced.

I'm sure Prince appreciates having fans like you!

It's all I've ever wanted-what he is willing 2 share..#1 Prince friend here!

txladykat said:

its a double edged sword though...and sometimes it feels as if prince is living his life based on what he expects from his fans...

sosgemini said:

What do you mean by that?

CockOMatic said:

Yeah.


Oh,
& you're no slouch either.

You also can get pretty deep, Cock.


//
[Edited 8/26/06 10:01am]

Illustrator said:

Great observation Kat, let the "fans" chew on that 4 a while.

Hey guys! I agree its not about us... not the songs that is. But there is one part of his career that is for us. HIS LIVE SHOWS.
And thats enough for me...How about U?

unclenick1871 said:

OH YESSSS!

But Prince HAS done things according to the fans requests.

I agree this is a "mistake", but Prince is so fucken prolific , he CAN do that and more. So its not detrimental MUSICALLY.


I always said he shouldnt listen to the fans on a creative level.

Are Bon Jovi fans gonna want anything BUT a Bon Jovi type album? Talk about limitations...

But we are more diverse in our tastes , as Prince is.

txladykat said:

With all due respect Kat, this is contradictory.. Of course it's about US, u say so urself...

wonder505 said:

the whole "fam" thing...the celebrations (of past), keeping up with the cyptic mystic, him declaring that Rave was produced by "prince", the safe albums of the last couple years, the "hit" tour lists".

it all screams of a man attempting to figure out just what his fanbase wants...but, because he is so out of touch with reality and surrounded by "yes men" he fails at the execution...

IMHO.

sosgemini said:

Wow, I never thought anyone would use a unique and enjoyable experience such as the Celebrations and Musicology tour in a negative light like that - as you state, an act of desperation from Prince.

Anyway, what about Rainbow Children, NEWS, C-Note, Crystal Ball, Chocolate Invastion and the like. You call that safe music and Prince screaming to do what the fans want?

wonder505 said:

wait a minute...did i ever use the word "desperate" or "negative"?

sosgemini said:

that's the impression I got from your quote, "it all screams of a man attempting to figure out just what his fanbase wants". I just don't see what was there to "figure out". They were simply events for fans to enjoy.

wonder505 said:

thats. how. you. see. it.

sosgemini said:

Forgive me, but that sounds like a stock response of conventional Org wisdom.

Before you get defensive, what I'm trying to understand is what constitutes a Prince "failure" in your mind? Are you attempting to say that you "prefer" Prince when he's more experimental as opposed to pop-friendly? If so, then I would say that a preference on your part does not constitute a failure on Prince's part.

And while we're at it, I would prefer if we could keep words like "fam" out of the discussion.



On topic, I don't have expectations of Prince. He's the artist, I'm the patron. We're both in this voluntarily.

babynoz said:

i think your misunderstanding my statement...im saying that the impression i get is that prince is setting his own expectations based on what he percieves the fans wants but never seems to reach his *own* expectations...

and there wouldnt be a need for "defensiveness" if you (or whomever) wouldnt throw out commments like the one in bold trying to lump folks into "collectives" when all folks are doing is sharing their individual viewpoint.

man, can we just discuss our own views without aiming below the belt? expecially when its not neccessary.


[Edited 8/27/06 10:06am]

sosgemini said:

then why would he do an album like Rainbow Children, NEWS, C-Note, etc., and all these experimental type albums if he was so focused on pop-friendly fan albums? I noticed you didn't answer the question before.

wonder505 said:

oh sure, i can answer that with my own take...he's probably trying to balance is commercial "please the percieved mass" with pleasing his own artistic cravings...

sosgemini said:

ummm..that didn't make any sense. but okay.

wonder505 said:

shall i try to explain it again? he flips from "what do i think they want to hear" to "what i want to play".

IMHO.

sosgemini said:

I was joking with you because that particular viewpoint is frequently expounded around here. That's why I put the smilie and asked you not to get defensive. If I was aiming below the belt, believe me, you'd know it because I wouldn't miss! But if you are not amused, please excuse me.

I do understand your point more clearly now and if you get that impression I'd be interested to know what led you to your conclusions?

sosgemini said:

now you're kind of contradicting yourself. Because if Prince according to you is so focused on doing what the fans want instead of what he wants, it's illogical to me that he would even dare create the CDs I listed above.

But I agree by babynoz. We don't know Prince personally to know what his own expecations are, so what people tend to do is base success and failure on their personal preferences of music.

I never thought Prince 'lived' or wrote music for the fans. I've always thought he did everything the way he wanted. Why would anybody see it any other way? In the past Prince has always been very giving to the fans, but it has never been about us.

He lives for his music and the effect of its cause. We're a way to measure this.

sosgemini said:

that's. how. you. see. it.



Yes, I know you clearly stated IMHO, just thought this would be a good way of saying I disagree
[Edited 8/28/06 10:25am]