I know he got a lot his vocal quirks in his up-tempo tracks from JB.

But what about the ballads? What about the songs D'angelo ripped (Send It On, Untitled etc)? Did that vocal styling originate with Prince or does it go further back to another artist who influenced Prince?

Prince was influenced by good soul singers like mavis staples.

I saw in a documentary, him and mavis recording a song called God is Love.

Mavis said that it was cool that Prince felt that there singing and style had influenced him.

Jerry lee lewis & Little Richard were also mentioned.

I think the Stylistics and the Delphonics were the main influences of his early material. Even more evident when you compare how similar the covers he done for both bands on Emancipation are to the originals.

I think there is strong evidence of Mick Jagger there too.

Curtis Mayfield and Sly Stone

I believe Prince and any other artist that says that GOD is their source of inspiration. Influences are many, as we respect so many talented singer and song writers through the ages.

darrenj said:

Whoever said James Brown and Sly Stone, I totally agree.

I remember that part of "Prince of Paisley Park" where he had the soundboard in front of him and he gave her the song "God is Alive"... and 'he's coming like a dog in heat.' haha.

I'm sure he had plenty of vocal influences, just like he has musical ones, and out of that, he delivered a variety of styles for himself... and that's one of those many things I dig about him. A different vocal for each different mood he wants to get across.

i think his guitar influences his vocals at times. i think shirley bassey 2

You're all wrong. The biggest influence on Prince's vocal style was...SONNY THOMPSON.

midnightmover said:

Maybe true BUT u have to understand that who on here has actually HEARD Sonny sing?

Folks that I hear in P's singing

Chaka
Barry Gibb
Stevie Wonder
Ray Charles
Sly Stone
Mick Jagger
James Brown
The Stylistics
The Dramatics
The Delfonics
Various gospel singers

Joni Mitchell.
Etta James.

The Temptations....Marvin Gaye.

Uhm, don't forget Fleetwood Mac.

blackguitaristz said:

Anyone who's heard the "Exodus" album has heard Sonny sing. It's him singing lead vocals on "Cherry, Cherry".

HamsterHuey said:

midnightmover said:

That's true. I personally don't have that joint. Is ihe getting down with the falsetto?

blackguitaristz said:

Most peple who hear the song never guess it's anyone but Prince. Sonny was definitely Prince's biggest influence vocally.

Has nobody mentioned Hendrix? 'Papa' is very Hendrix-esque.

Little Anthony and the Imperials?

His 'vocal influences' are very diverse IMO:

* James Brown of course: Sexy MF, Prettyman, Musicology, to name but a few

* Sly Stone: The ballad of dorothy parker being the most obvious example.

* Hendrix: just listen to his phrasing and timing on songs like Purple Rain, Another lonely christmas and Fury (especially the SNL-version)

* Stevie Wonder: Money don't matter tonight, anyone?

* Al Green: the influence can be heard on various songs, especially on Forever in my life

* John Lennon: the use of echo / effects and the sort of deadpan-like vocals you can hear on DMSR, Paisley Park, Pop Life and Animal Kingdom.

* Philly bands like the stylistics: the influence is very clear on his more smooth soul / R&B styled ballads.

* Joni Mitchell: not the most obvious influence when it comes to his lead vocals, but the way Prince uses background vocals in his arrangements (If i was your girlfriend for example) owes a lot to Joni's work.

eddie kendricks

Smokey Robinson
[Edited 1/28/08 5:31am]