So, I'm listening to 1+1+1=3 on Pandora....

www.pandora.com (thanks pplrain)

and, this is the first I've heard this and other Prince songs that you long-time Orgers talk about.

I don't remember ever hearing most of these songs on mainstream radio.

My question: Why did (does) mainstream radio seem to omit Prince in spite of his great songs and talent? What's your theory?

Twinkly1 said:

Thanks! I'm listening to this right now! And I've never heard this song before. Then again, @ this song... )

June 7th, 1958


That would be the date of Prince's birth, which would make him 50 years old. Mainstream radio seems to have a problem with playing older artists no matter who it is.

They played Justin Timeberflake er.. Timberfake on Prince Radio?

When the "Musicology" video was released, and the song was also on the radio, for about a month, I would hear the song, on the air on overhead speakers in the grocery store, and at the mall. A month later, I heard "Call My Name" for about a month. Then...nothing.

At that time, I asked myself the same thing...I questioned whether or not, the songs were removed from Program Director's list, by Prince's request, Air wave owner's requests, Former Businessmen, and I even questioned, the governments involvement when, "Cinnamon Girl" was breifly discussed on CNN, as being, unsuitable.

Then I asked myself, Just because I love Prince's music, do I believe, the albums always contain a radio worthy longevity. My answer was, no. However, there have been numerous singles, that I cannot believe did not fall into regular rotation and remain, Like....1999 or....Kiss...etc.

I really don't know the answer, however, I do believe, that when Wall Mart started purchasing air waves....aired music, became more controlled.

prince was being blackballed when it came 2 radio airwaves and music channels due 2 his stance on the whole recording industry. if ur not willing 2 play ball then u get the short end of the stick. another reason imo was because most of the lead singles 4 his new projects up until musicology, were ballads or slow songs. bad move on prince's part 4 not having danceable funky tracks as lead singles.

Paris9748430 said:

Exactly.

L4OATheOriginal said:

yes.. i was gonna say the whole WB thing and rebelling against labels is part reason .. any artist who doesnt play by the rules is blackballed ... and that goes for any artist ..

All responses seem valid and possible. I don't want to believe it's a conspiracy against Prince because of his stance on the Industry, but even the R&B channels play regular tunes by older artists/groups daily.

I'm not even hearing Planet Earth CD songs on the #1 R&B station here in the Bay Area. Which is somewhat of a surprise to me. Just to check I sent an email to the station asking why they were not and would they play more of the Planet Earth CD songs. I didn't get a response, but for a few days afterward, I heard FBM. Kinda makes you wonder.

Twinkly1 said:

the album is not marketed 2 a r and b format and FBM is probably the only track u would hear on that type of market station

Twinkly1 said:

No.. u're not gonna... except maybe FBM and Mr.G .. that album isnt R&B

Twinkly1 said:

YAY AREA!!! Yeah that station (one-oh-six?) rarely plays any Prince, I always catch something of his on KFOG or KLLC.

ORGERS!! PANDORA RULES! Listend to 1+1+1=3 (GOD! That voice thing sux!) which then segued into Robin Thicke's "Cocaine which then mixed into "Jerk Out" by The Time. Up next was "Space Cowboy" by Jamiroquai...

Pandora rules! What a cool idea...

I will have to check it out later.

I really do not listen to music radio anymore.

I listen to NPR.