I was reading the Times article about how Planet Earth was distributed, and I got to thinking about how Prince has been innovative. Not prolific or talented (another discussion), but being one of the first to do something.

1. Prince demanded that he produce himself on his first (and subsequent) albums - and got it
2. He took gender-bending and androgyny to the extreme
3. He fused rock/pop/r&b/funk into his own unique sound
4. He changed his name to a symbol () to get out of a record contract
5. He was one of the first musicians to speak about artists' rights and ownership of original recordings
6. He was one of the pioneers of online music distribution
7. He released Planet Earth as a free newspaper giveaway

He's done so much, but it seems like 3/5/6 are what really defines him.

8. He got Musicology in to the chart and kept in there via the concert giveaways, forcing the chart guys to change their rules

9. Prince was the first artist 2 ever perform in the rain in the 41 year history of the Superbowl, and finally got 2 do his signature song Purple Rain in the RAIN on his symbol stage. How cool is that

10. Although some entertainers do it in Las Vegas, is he changing the way things might be done in future by performing so many shows in one place (London)?

How much extra money is he pulling in by doing this, cutting out all the costs of travelling from venue to venue?

Smillan said:

I was actually thinking about that too . . . for him, it makes much more sense to have people come to him. Think about it: the stage setups can be THAT much more elaborate (if desired), the sound can be tailored, and Prince himself will be much more relaxed and rested (instead of relentless traveling via bus or plane).

pennylover said:

wasn't it awesome?!?!?! i was telling EVERYONE the next day!!!