I was at the press conference today in London (I would have posted the info about tickets etc but someone beat me to it!) and thought I'd share something that happened which hasn't -to my knowledge - been commented on yet:

Prince mentioned the need to take time out to 'study' at which point one of the journalists in the room asked 'study what?'. Prince, of course, said 'The Bible' with a look that seemed to add 'obviously'. At this point a couple of journalists in the room started sniggering audibly and Prince just had this look of total resignation on his face. He cut the press conference off short at that point and left the stage.

The weird thing is, even though I don't agree with P's fervent preaching these days, I felt bad for the guy. The journos were blatantly mocking his beliefs and you could see, for a split second, that it hurt him.

Just thought I'd share...

Otherwise, he was on great form and 'played the publicity game' more than I expected!

see, europe hasn't been trained in the new, JW-ized prince like america has over the past decade or so. i mean, i know he's played overseas since he converted and he preached and witnessed during the ONA tour, but we've had all kinds of TV and print interviews so most people are used to what his whole current deal is about. if he plays his cards right, this residency will help fans and casual music heads abroad "get" it...or he could get all pissy and act like a martyr and make them laugh at him even more.

Whatever. Prince of 1988 could have easily had made this remark about The Bible...

The Uk journo's are not exactly known for their tact.

If my memory serves me correctly he did go a bit Preachy when he played in London 2002?

It was rude of them to have laughed.

But honestly, the way he parades his beliefs sometimes...it's like he pins a "kick me" sign on his backside and is surprised when people actually kick him.

Don't get me wrong -- he has a right to his beliefs. But there's a time and a place for everything. And to make not one, but two mentions of the Bible in a press conference (in front of people who are cynical, by nature) is practically begging to be mocked.

It's a combination of the two, I suppose. The British press are really hardened, extremely cynical and can be very cruel. I'm kind of ashamed to be part of it sometimes...
And, of course, Prince is a little on the preachy side. He did a little bit of preaching on the ONA tour in London (but that's fine, he was in his own house, if you see what I mean) but today all he said was 'study the bible' and these guys wet themselves with laughter.

I say more power to him. I think he should preach, he has everyones attention, why not!

skywalker said:

1988 prince had a different way of stating things than 2007 prince does, and you know it.

and i'm not putting a positive or negative value on that statement.

it just is what it is.

England is basically a secular country. It's considered outside-the-norm to espouse religious views in public.

NewFunk said:

On the youtube video footage you can hear the journalists giggling...couldn't see his reaction but his voice rose in timbre: "Okay.." then thanked them for coming and left. I wondered if he got pissed, you conformed it. Seems like some in the British press corps are a little intolerant. People talk about preaching but isn't that what a Christian is supposed to do, spread the Word? This isn't groundbreaking. Prince's comments referencing God hasn't changed since the 80's.

Well, it's not news to us, obviously - we've been following his career pretty (sometimes too) closely!

I doubt anybody from the press in that room knows about his JW involvement or his preachiness of late.

I eavesdropped on a couple of conversations before the conference and people were struggling to remember his last album!!

And I agree, his way of expressing his spirituality has changed since '88. But what he said about studying the bible is hardly controversial compared to some of the other religious stuff he's said lately...

Wow.

This is all 2 cool.

The last time 4 the hits.

The Amy Winehouse thing.

The time off 4 study and travel.

Inspiration from the prophets from the Bible.

(and don't anyone worry that he won't tour the US. I'm sure he will)

We should all simply enjoy what's about 2 happen... the tour and the new album, which I'm sure will be fantastic.

Just my 2 cents.

If he weren't Prince, he would get far worse than that when he knocked on doors. It's all in a days work for a JW.

http://uk.reuters.com/art...ageNumber=2

Prince said he planned to change his show every night, meaning fans who came to several shows would get a broader cross section of his music.

"We play so many different styles of music, it's really hard to get a full dose of what we do unless you come to several shows. I also have a wide fan base that comes to multiple shows all the time."
Photo

He said he had learned about 150 songs from which to choose, and hinted that he may perform up-and-coming British singer Amy Winehouse's "Love is a Losing Game". Asked if he would ask her on stage to perform with him, he replied: "Absolutely".

Unsurprisingly for a performer who has had run-ins with the music establishment in the past, Prince referred to the industry as "the speculation business". He plans to give away copies of his new album to anyone attending the concerts.

"It's direct marketing and I don't have to be in the speculation business of the record industry, which is going through a lot of tumultuous times right now," he explained, when asked why he was giving his music away.

The 48-year-old, who said he was getting his inspiration these days from "prophets from the Bible", added that he did not expect to be back in London performing for some time after the 2007 visit.

"That's another reason why we're trying to stay so long. I just need to take some time off for study and travel." When asked what he was studying, he replied: "The Bible".
[Edited 5/8/07 11:38am]

Genesia said:

I admire his boldness! Everyone is looking for some kind of platform to say what they want, why can't Prince? Just because he is a musician doesn't mean that he doesn't have a mind or thoughts about life and the future. I knew that the UK press would react this way. Not cool...

jacobpb said:

Speaking openly about God is a basic tenet of Christianity and is not unique to the JWs. Christians are supposed to speak about Christ and witness to others without shame or reservation. You don't have to agree with it, but this is where Prince is in his life and it's what makes HIM feel whole and at peace. So why can't folks just be happy for him, without judgment, and filter out what you don't like and focus on the music? At 3121, he called us Pagans and told us to stop celebrating our birthdays. . . Whatever, man. But I wasn't insulted, I shrugged the comment off and continued to get my groove on. But folks around here seem to get all up in arms if the man mentions God or the Bible.
[Edited 5/8/07 11:42am]

jacobpb said:

a) Just because a Christian is taught to preach doesn't mean everyone else is just supposed to sit back and listen all day long or accept that someone is going to ramble on about it (this doesn't have much to do with this particular topic but you brought it up)

b) Prince's entire attitude and the way he talks about God has changed since the 80's. Someone would have to either be in denial or not very observant to think different. That can be good or bad depending on what you believe yourself but it still true nonetheless.

c) If all Prince says is take time out "to study", they ask him what and then Prince answers them with an attitude and condescending look like the journalist is stupid, then he should be prepared to accept what he gets back.

d) At his age, Prince, also, should be prepared to accept differing views and realize that not everyone will go along with everything unquestioned without getting all bent out of shape and running off.

SCNDLS said:

thank you...

SCNDLS said:

So, let's see.. in the example above you suggest that we should not be judgmental about Prince judging others all because it makes him happy to do so? That seems rather out of balance in my book. Prince deserves respect for his beliefs when he can accept the beliefs of others, imo.

There's nothing wrong with him mentioning God or the bible, it's HOW he does it.

jtfolden said:

When, recently, did Prince preach all day long or ramble? Two references to the Bible in today's press conference does not a ramble make.

jtfolden said:

Well I would hope the way Prince or anyone for that matter thinks about any serious topic would grow and evolve over the course of two decades. I would be very concerned if someone maintained the same viewpoint on something for 20 years without possibly changing.

jtfolden said:

Hmmmm. . . I watched the press conference and I don't see how you could pick up that he had an attitude and gave them a condescending look. He said, "the Bible." and left it at that.

jtfolden said:

What has he done especially today in a 4 minute press conference to show that he does not accept differing views? Or, when has he been shown to get bent out of shape? He seemed pretty composed when he walked off. Besides, if I politely answered a question that was asked of me I'd probably be insulted if people in the audience laughed at me and end the press conference abruptly too, IF that's what he did.

I say all this to highlight how folks around here project their opinions of his actions/thoughts regarding religion to make him out to be some kind of zealot, which he's not, and it's not based on any facts, which is annoying to me personally. Aren't we as evolved human beings supposed to be tolerant of other people's beliefs, without judgment? Doesn't Prince and all of us deserve that?

Every man must find his road
The path 4 which he walks
Each step he should behold
His actions more powerful than when he talks

Don’t be surprised
If u don’t see me 4 a while
I’m going on my own terms
…….and I’m going in Style

SCNDLS said:

thank you....

it's not as if he was attempting to convert the BBC or anything, he just gave an honest answer. from what you said, he wasn't even voicing his opinion on anything, he just said he wanted to study the bible. i dunno though.

jtfolden said:

If it's his show, his press conference, and his album, he has every right to say whatever he wants to say. These are his forums and platforms to espouse whatever ideas musically, politically, or spiritually he may have. I, as a fan who knows where he is spiritually, should be prepared for that and ready to hear things I may not agree with. It's not my job to censor Prince or expect him to be anything other than who and what he is right now, at this moment, not 20 years ago.

As for respecting others beliefs, I haven't seen or heard anything that indicates that he does not. He's obviously very tolerant as none of his band members are JWs and are still around. As a matter of fact, I've heard that he and the band have theological discussions all the time. He doesn't seem to be converting them but they're still there. If he was holding to the true tenets of the JWs he wouldn't associate with anyone who is not a Witness.

jtfolden said:

It's true. If someone called me a Pagan for celebrating something, instead of explaining, I'd be turned off to everything else they said. However, since there's a history between the fans and Prince...and his beliefs, it may have been said playfully and not condemnatory.

If he's taking time off to put spirituality in perspective, this really is a good thing. With JW's, it seems, everything else comes second to spirituality.
Perhaps more people should have this view.

jtfolden said:

Christians believe that only people that follow Christ will go to Heaven. That's it. Very very simple. Don't expect them to accept beliefs of the Druids, Scientologists, Baathism, etc. In the same way someone of another sect/relegion will not accept the beliefs/worldview of another. Yet somehow this is "judgemental", "not open minded". So basically accept everything everywhere? Accept all and stand for nothing right? Ain't gonna happen. We live in a time where the biggest uproar is "I'm studying the Bible." Wow, let's go crazy. Because we've reached a cultural saturation point of celebrity and world event shock value. I suspect this is also the reason why Prince is saying some things

SCNDLS said:

Did you not read... the previous posting made a comment about preaching and I responded and, also, noted it didn't have much to do with this topic.





The original poster claimed Prince made a face that that indicated everyone should 'obviously' already know what he's talking about.

jtfolden said:

That's NOT how the original poster explained it happened. You should have read that.



Talk to Prince.

SCNDLS said:

Prince has every right to make any statement he wants and everyone has the right to comment, critique, and call him on it at any time they wish - especially since they're, ultimately, footing the bill. People at 3121 don't need to pay to be insulted if what another poster said is true...



There have been numerous instances over the last few years of Prince's comments and treatment of others around him, everyone from George Clinton to Wendy Melvoin has commented on it at one point or another. At the original TRC listening parties there was quite a bit said that fans present found offensive, as well. Now, there *IS* evidence that Prince has mellowed in this regard over the last couple of years but it has still happened.

The fact that many people find a problem with it today versus prior years (like '88 for example) says something about his attitude.