He did his last in-store signing around 94 but stopped giving autographs after that; anyone know why?

I heard because they were turning up on Ebay.
[Edited 10/2/06 7:09am]

mikek1 said:

I think it was even before ebay existed... people were asking him for an autograph for themselves and then selling them for as much money as possible - kind of insulting and I guess P was left feeling expolited...? and we have seen from how he was with record companies to know he does NOT like that!

FuzzyD said:

so what if someone makes a couple of hundred dollars. Prince has made over $150 million dollars in his career(also spent alot)

you can avoid that by writing their name e.t.c.

What about the hardcore fans? Wouldn't a signed SOTT cd be great!

Probably the same thing that had him siccing bodyguards on little boys who took his picture or that had him shutting down Web sites created by his fans...


ego run amok.

i love bowie's way of dealing with people selling his autograph for big bucks - bowie will sign ANYTHING for his fans, so the only value his autograph really has is personal/sentimental value. which is as it should be.

I see celebrities who give authographs and take pictures with their fans, shake hands and willing do interviews and are generally gracious human beings. I do wish Prince were more in touch with his fans

wlcm2thdwn said:

yes and in touch with humanity too!

He needed serious therapy YEARS AGO!

Religion doesn't seem to have changed him for the better

wlcm2thdwn said:

i think prince has a right to be a private person, and i also think he's acknowledged his fans many times in his OWN way throughout the years. i do think he needs to chill with the bodyguards bullying people, though. i understand prince doesn't want his picture taken, but you don't have to go around smashing cameras and such. that's lame.

It was something about false idols, selling your soul blah blah blah...

mikek1 said:

Just because he does not sign autographs has nothing to do with humanity or getting therapy. Give me a break!

There are a lot of celebrities that do not sign autographs and do not like to have their picture taken. Why do we act like Prince is the only one? Prince has been gracious to his fans by allowing them into soundchecks, keeping prices moderate for the most part, celebrations, exclusive downloads, etc. I have been a fan for over 20 years and it has not made my life any worse because I don't have his signature. Big deal!

wonder505 said:

Well said

Anx said:

That's awesome! I wish P would do the same. His autograph would mean a lot because he signed something FOR ME, not because it was worth a lot of money.

UCantHavaDaMango said:

exactly!

UCantHavaDaMango said:

I agree! If I went to go see someone in person, I would like to have something to remember the event by.

I wouldn't sell anything signed by anyone famous... But that's only because I wouldn't want someone else to have it. lol... That's terribly selfish of me.
[Edited 10/2/06 12:33pm]

Anx said:

Agreed Anx. Just because a celebrity refuses to sign autograph's does'nt make him or her a bad person. If you flip the script, a lot of people who ask for them are very rude. They shove the piece of paper in their face right when they're in the middle of a meal. Some even ask while they're using the public restroom. Then there's the way that some people ask. I saw a documentary where some young women said to Jay Z "OH, WE CAN'T GET NO PICTURE TAKEN WITH YOU?" Then there are the people who not only want an autograph for themselves, But they want one for all 300 of their family members, My Dad once told me that Bill Russell a famous Basketball player for the Celtics would tell people who asked for autograph's "No, But it's nice to meet you".

wonder505 said:

With all the hullabaloo over the Versace pictures, it made me think about why he would like to have more control over his published images. Unflattering pics = deathly ill. Then some celeb blogger will pick that up, next thing ya know it's on ET and all over the news that Prince is sick. (since that's how some 'journalism' works these days...)

whats the point of an autograph

mikek1 said:

I can't remember his specific reason. It's changed over the years. But here's a few general reasons why some celebs don't:

1) If you sign for one person who stops you, you're almost obliged to sign for the next hundred or so people right behind them.

2) Because some fans, and in P's case female fans would want him to sign their boobs, ass, and other body parts.

3) As others have stated some fans are rude and interrupt business meetings and meals just to get an autograph

4) If you only going to sell it, then it really didn't mean that much to you in the first place.


.
[Edited 10/2/06 18:11pm]

When he first got into the JW trip, I remember a posting at www.npgonlineltd.com about not signing them cause of false idols.

I like Bowie's way of signing..even the output the last years, Heathens, Reality, Hours all have the feeling that Bowie is recording music he likes..vs. Prince and his search to have hits and be on top. Don't get me wrong I still love Prince's work and will alwaysbuy his stuff, but boy way too serious. Who know maybe the I don't give a fuck factor will be back??

One piece of it might be the inherent danger in that with all the freakazoids running amok. Especially with his stature, it's got to be a little frightening to have strangers approaching you, you never know their intention. What if some huge guy, in his excitement somehow knocked over and smooshed the man?

After one of the Vegas Studio54 shows, P was strolling through the upstairs area, stopping here and there to greet the few people left. All of a sudden, here come four Japanese guys running at him screaming PRINCE. So of course, security surrounds him and to the elevator and out he went. The few bad apples...

Even in a controlled signing session, you have people who want special treatment, just for them, mind you. Then, when an someone does set rules, like no pictures, only signing certain items, not sitting and chatting, etc., people get pissed off when they won't make an exception. Someone like Prince doesn't need the publicity these things generate like a new author or band would.

Larry Grahm told him to stop

UCantHavaDaMango said:

thing of it is, i'm thinking that it'd be really hard for 'im (and any other famous person, for that matter) to tell what one's true intentions are for getting their autograph. yeah, there's the kinda people who'll want it for a keepsake and nothing more, but then you got the muthafuckas who'll get the john hancock and sell it on ebay for bookoo bucks.

yer better off not signing anything.

thekidsgirl said:

One other aspect to this thread is...be careful what you wish for.
I love getting autographs of tv, film and music stars who have influenced me and keep them as momentos, not to sell.
I have been a huge fan of Prince since the 80's, buying every album, single and video, keeping press cuttings, the whole shebang.
Then in the early 90's i got a tip-off from my sister living in London that Prince was going to be making an appearance in Virgin record store in London so I went along.
The upside is I met my idol and got a tour programme signed by all NPG and Prince (his Tora Tora signature).
The downside was it totally blew my perception of him. Seeing him on stage is totally different to suddenly standing in front of him and it dawned on me then he is only another guy. He didn't speak and all I got was frosty looks.
Yes i got to meet them, but came away feeling cheated - the money I had spent over the years making them the stars they are and i didn't even get a "hello" - just told to walk along the line while they signed. It put me off him for at least 5 years and its only recently i've gone back to being a fan of his music.
So like I said while meeting him may be a dream to some it can have it's downside and sometimes the fantasy is better.

these days, when i meet an artist who i admire, i always feel like i should have a present for them more than i want to get their autograph. like i should have a bottle of wine in my backpack at all times in case i should run into john waters or debbie harry or something. "i love your work - and here's some pinot noir for you!"

The only thing I would want Prince 2 sign 4 me is a check.

Blank...

christos7 said:

i hear that's even rarer.

Anx said:

Ya know I think Ur right... That's so...dated..
We need a thumbprint...