Wow, thanks for starting such a great thread. It is really refreshing to read these stories. It is also a testament to what an amazing artist Prince is to see the different decades in which people became "fans." It trips me out to see people who just became fans in the earlier part of the 2000s, or the 1990s or even the late 1980s (post PR). I should say that it is a wonderful kind of trip to read this stuff.

What is so funny to me is that I logged in to share my story, but I can't even remember when I actually became a fan. I've heard people say that when something profound happens in your life you remember the exact moment when it opens the door that changes you or sets you on a new path. The thing is that I have been a Prince "fan" (I hate to use that term too) for so long that I cannot remember a time when I was not a fan. I remember listening to "I Wanna Be Your Lover" and "Sexy Dancer" on the radio stations here in Chicago when I was in second or third grade. I remember being happy when Willis and Charlene danced to "I Wanna Be Your Lover" on Different Strokes, so I was already a full-fledged fan by that time. I can also recall when videos first came out and we'd rush home from school to see "Dirty Mind," "Uptown," "Sexuality," "Controversy," and "Automatic" on the video shows. I remember they would advertise the Controversy tour on the radio on B96 and I was sad that I could not see him in concert because I was far too young. Prince was slowly building momentum at this time, but most of my friends were still crazy Michael Jackson fans. I didn't care because it was all about Prince for me. Even my sister was into MJ until one day she really checked out Prince and joined me in "fandom." We became partners in crime spending our allowance or begging our mother to buy every Black Beat, Fresh and Right On that featured anything about Prince.

By the time the LRC video came out more people were hip to him. Then Purple Rain came. The trailers for the movie were on TV left and right. My sister and I were nine years old when it came out and we BEGGED and BEGGED our mother to take us to see it. So I know I was hardcore by then. Our cousin, who was 13, went to see it first and told us all about it. I can see her demonstrating "the Bird" now. After that, we really turned the heat up on our incessant begging and our mother finally broke and took us to see it along with our older brother who was 18. He was too cool to sit with us so he sat a few rows up front. If I thought I was a big fan before seeing the movie, I knew I would be one for life after that. Finally seeing Prince perform (if only in a movie) epitomized magic. There was no turning back after that. And nearly 24 years later here I am on a Prince fan site (sometimes) typing about the man.

Oh, one funny thing that I remember about seeing PR was that when we returned home my sister asked our brother what masturbation meant and I asked what grinding meant.

Paris9748430 said:

are you announcing something to us? .....


.... *coughcoughlovechildcoughcough*



just jokes .. .. very coincidental and nice....now if you tell us you can play numerous instruments.. that's it.. your cover is blown lol ..

I have no idea.