I'd never though I'd see the day that Prince news would make the home page of a major Australian newspaper (Incidently my internet homepage).



The story:

Prince angers retailers by giving album away free
July 15, 2007 - 1:16PM

Rock star Prince has given his latest album away free with a British Sunday tabloid, to the fury of music retailers.

The Minneapolis maverick, renowned for his run-ins with the music establishment, will also give away copies of Planet Earth at a series of London concerts starting next month.

Paul Quirk, co-chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association, said Prince's decision to give away the album, which is not scheduled to go on sale until July 24, with copies of the Mail on Sunday "beggared belief".

"The Artist Formerly Known as Prince should know that with behaviour like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores," said Quirk in reference to the 1990s when the star stopped using his name.

"It's an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career," he said.

The innovative funk artist, who has sold 80 million albums worldwide with ground-breaking works like Purple Rain, is unrepentant.

"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 said when asked why he was giving his music away.

A spokesman for the singer told the Mail on Sunday: "Prince's only aim is to get music direct to those who want to hear it."

"Prince feels that charts are just music industry constructions and have little or no relevance to fans or even artists today."

In an interview with Reuters last month, Mail on Sunday managing director Stephen Miron said: "No one has ever done this before. We have given away CDs and DVDs but this is just setting a new level."

British retailer HMV clearly felt it was a case of "if you can't beat them, join them" - it is offering the Mail on Sunday for sale at its stores.

The News of The World, one of the Mail on Sunday's arch rivals in the competitive tabloid market, was not to be outdone.

In what it billed as a world exclusive, the newspaper offered to give away 1000 copies of Purple Rain in a mobile phone text competition.

Reuters

http://www.smh.com.au/new...25764.html

I just saw the exact same story on Nine MSN.com. No doubt I will get people calling me tonight: "did you see hear about Prince's new CD?"

Im listening to Planet Earth right now. Just been back from the newsagent with 3 copies.

Why did ninemsn use bad pics of prince, I hate when they do that.Where's my copy Goldies?
[Edited 7/14/07 23:40pm]

NEFRETIRI said:

In the post.

GoldiesParade said:

Gee I hope it doesn't get lost.

GoldiesParade said:

Please don't rub it in u lucky critter I sure hope your're enjoying it. Please tell me if u r

This is good.

It means the australian media will become interested in the album and might start promoting it here.