When all is said and done will Prince be remembered as a Cult Hero like Jimi Hendrix – Santana – Bob Dylan - Bob Marley or will he be remembered as a Pop Star like Elton John - Michael Jackson – Madonna?

Cult Heroes live on like icons/symbols of a generation whose significance surpasses their musical accomplishments. Pop Stars come and go. I think one of the reasons Prince can be so harsh/blunt towards his fan base is that he would rather be viewed and eventually remembered as a "cult hero/musician" than a pop star judged by his last hit record.

cult-hero

Prince I think is one of the few artists that falll into both categories
because he has had to pop hits to make him well known, but he has the musicianship, and a unique quality about him that give him lasting power far beyond selling peak.

Prince to me has always been a Cult Superstar

I actaully slightly prefer when he's not whoring it up with the masses.

Cult Superstars are COOL!, just look at Quetin Tarentino

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[Edited 11/21/06 12:25pm]

How about cultheropopstar?

cult star.

sgmusic said:

i think he'll be remembered as a popstar laregly because most of his song are not social commentaries unlike Bob Dylan who was allegedly the voice of a generation. Same with John lennon who as a solo artist made political statements. Prince tends to only dip his toes in politics rather than dive right in. SOTT is the only song that addresses social issues, there may be others but i cant think of any right now.

...
[Edited 11/21/06 16:16pm]

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

agreed -- cult

cult hero delusioned into thinking he is a pop star...

He's a living, breathing Blue Velvet.

I'll take "CULT HERO" for $1000., Alex.

A: Someone who is well-known and well-respected, but has a devoted, loyal following despite inconsistent mass appeal.
Q: Who is "Prince"?

(IMO)

i think this site is evidence enough,
Cult Hero

Prince is an extremely talented fringe artist who has an enormous cult following. This makes him unique.

I don't like labels!

Prince is both in his own way.

sosgemini said:

LoL.....

I'd say a Cult Hero who at times had the commercial appeal of a pop star. but ulitmatily (i'd spell that wrong) he's a cult hero. I think what gave him that commercail appeal wasn't the sound he was making. for example "when doves cry" is odd song with no bass line. but it blew up bigger then any of his other songs. and that reason is simple un-like Hendrix, Santana, Dylan, and Marley... He's really really hot! and just blantely sexy.

I would prefer him to retain cult-hero status, as he doesn't need to be constantly in the spotlight to earn respect in the industry. Countless people know he's a massive influence on pop music, the people who matter don't rate Jackson or Madonna because they're just performers, not musicians or songwriters.

No matter what MJ and Madonna get credited for writing, I don't believe them! And you try listening to Justin Timberlake with a trained ear and you'll hear more Prince than MJ in his music, same goes for a lot of artists like Outkast and Pharell, as well as pop acts like Britney and Christina.

He has created ripples in the proverbial musical pond that will never disappear.

Prince is my all-time hero, so I don't need the public to buy his records and neither does he, he knows his fans though smaller in numbers than some, worship his music and hang on every note he plays.

[end of rant]

A little from column A, a lot from column B.

Prince has had way too many hits and sold way too many albums to ever be considered a cult hero . Sure he's had periods of relative obscurity but hes been around 28 years , everyones career has ups and downs when theyre around that long .

He is a pop star masquerading as a cult icon, who in reality is a fringe artist that operates on the outside of many musical genres.

He moves more units than a "cult hero" but his impact is felt musically in the way only a cult icon can.

He's an enigma.

Jimi Hendrix – Santana – Bob Dylan - Bob Marley

Are these artists really "cult" heroes? That seems to suggest that these guys have a limited and somewhat underground following. In fact, these four examples are some of the most popular and widely recognized musicians ever. Lou Reed or Paul Westerberg are better examples of a "cult hero". I just think the question is worded oddly. However, to answer it:

I think Prince is FINALLY being viewed by the mainstream as being an artist rather than just a "pop" star or an MJ type of performer. 2004 saw Prince really cement his legacy in the public eye, and now people are starting to get just how talented Prince is.
[Edited 11/22/06 6:33am]

skywalker said:

In my opinion they are cult heros

They are still adored by legions of fans even though their hayday is long past. Especially Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley (I admit Santana is a stretch ) to use two of my earlier examples. Their images still sell T shirts like Marilyn Monroe. When you think of Reggae you can't help but think of Bob Marley and when you think of rock guitar/woodstock love peace and happiness hippies you can't leave out Jimi. They motivate and inspire millions even after their deaths. Absolutely they are cult heros. They are Icons of their generations. Most seem to get the point of the question.
[Edited 11/22/06 8:27am]

sexxydancer said:

Cha Ching!! Yet another deposit into the "I'm Prince's number one fan bank"

wlcm2thdwn said:

Hmmm...How can you tell the toothpaste from the yeast infection cream?

The term "cult" as you are using it, means "attracting a small group of devotees" such as a "cult movie". So calling Hendrix a "cult artist" is a misnomer because he, like your other examples, is hugely famous with LARGE followings. You are using the term "cult artist" incorrectly. That's all.
[Edited 11/22/06 10:59am]

skywalker said:

[Edited 11/22/06 11:14am]