Exactly how big (popular and famous) was Prince when Purple Rain came out?
Was he bigger than Michael Jackson?

Considering he does not wear heels that often anymore and you naturally shrink with age, I think he was bigger back then compared to now.

JasonWill1980 said:

No.

MJ was a mainstrean artist around since the 70s and the jacksons, we even had a cartoon - jackson five on tv. prince was more grown-up not pop and very dirty seeming, at least to my age group, he became major in the uk following purple rain, he wasnt on tv much but was reported on the news for wearing suspenders etc at a gig in front of diana princess of wales - he was well reported and written about but not shown on conservative british tv. MJ obviously was already a living legend. there is no comparison, MJ as a fabricated pop band but Prince was a one man army who defyed the then current fabric of whats okay and acceptable. the jacksons were clean wholesome acceptable black music. prince said okay what is black music? and made a wole new sound that was - simply - prince. his own!

The best and still goes on

WaterInYourBath said:

yes----

JasonWill1980 said:

Prince Always is Bigger than Michael Jackson!

Prince was better respected by critical mass, but MJ was a much much bigger force in popular culture by a long shot.

myloveis4ever said:

That "yes" response to my post is implying "yes, that's correct, Michael was bigger (more popular and famous)," right? LOL.


Either way, this topic is very tiresome. I don't like comparing them 'cause they're both oh-so-wonderful.

He was in 1984.

Dang MJ and Prince, you cant pick which one was bigger in the 80's. MJ was internationally huge, Prince was huge too but in a underground kinda way. Hard to say. Real close but Id have to go with MJ.

Prince is the man tho, he a real musician all the way and Michael cant neva come close to that!! WORD

skywalker said:

exactly.
I remember how shocked Huey Lewis was that Prince beat MJ in the AMAs. Also the screams from the audience when Prince was announced were much louder than they were for MJ.
Even the Jacksons were dressing like Prince when they arrived to present awards at certain music awards that year. Prince reigned supreme that year.

Prince was huge mid eighties. When Purple rain came out the madness began.

...the only thing i liked about M.jackson was his gymshoes AND the glitter socks
..Prince on the other-hand,changed me inside-then-out....mzsexybaby

ReginaCarman said:

Prince had his following & Michael had his. They both were doing very well. Michael was still hot from the success of Thriller when Bad dropped. Prince's 1999 album was his most successful before Purple Rain dropped & made him the bigger star.They both rulzed at that time period.
[Edited 1/17/09 20:45pm]

mzkqueen03 said:

Michael Jackson didn't wear "gymshoes." He wore black loafers.

..M.jackson had a line of gym-shoes when 'bad' hit...i liked them so i bought a pair..they were like the nike air-force1's...AND i had the glitter socks when 'beat it' was the jam...BUT i have ALWAYS loved the lace-gloves and the ultra-makeup of 'purple rain'...HOT!...mzsexybaby

Genesia said:

I think she was referring to MJ's "Unstoppable" LA Gear shoe line in 1989-1990:

WaterInYourBath said:

She mentioned the glitter socks. When he was wearing the glitter socks, he had on loafers.
[Edited 1/17/09 21:13pm]

mzkqueen03 said:

Yep.....Didn't see this post until I posted mine. But I knew what U were talking about. I have my Mother's pair that she never wore. It's like she bought them knowing I would grow up and want them, LOL.

..wow..mine were the 1's M.jackson is wearing in the pic ..that and the glitter socks...with my air-bushed outfit!.... ..mzsexybaby

2 Pennies from me-

@ the time, MJ was very much the commercial/pop king- No matter what, there was no real doubt to that. A big part of the Prince draw was, and still is, that he was his own artist. The early 80’s allowed Prince the ability to blend what was going on within the pop/punk/funk/rock world, just at the right time.
But let there be no doubt that Prince was, and has proven to be THE mistro of his age. Only those that have come before him, with that only one or 2 still with us, but yet, arguably no one since has be such a singular force in music.
Wonderful things like Sting-Seal-TTD-Sonia Dada-Oasis-Robert Randolph-Early Dave Matthews – Even, The Killers/Lenny/Ben Folds/ have happened but…
I digress… honestly, objectively, MJ was king of the 80’s, Madonna paid rent but the quiet landlord was Prince. –all the while WB wanted P to be MJ… (Time told that Depeche, Femmes, Smiths, Milkmen, Kennedys, had the foundation…) It was a fun time…
But who stands today? Publically. Musically.
Prince.
Not always perfect, not always not-
Whatever he is, he is the muse of our time-

...there is no doubt that prince 'ran it'...and 2 the day still...i've only bought 2 items from m.j.,prince on the other hand has my un-divided...go big daddi go!...cuz he can 'rock my glitter sox'right OFF!--->mzsexybaby'talk about it'