I’ll preface by saying that if this comparison has been discussed before then forgive my lateness.

Is anyone familiar with the work of Shuggie Otis, particularly the song Freedom Flight? Apparently this song was released @ 1974 maybe 75’ two to three years before Prince released his first album. If you haven’t listened to this instrumental track try to. When you do pay close attention at the 7:05 mark, Shuggie’s guitar playing sounds and feels so familiar. I have never heard Prince mention Shuggie as an influence but that does not mean he hasn’t. (Maybe I just never heard/read him do so.) Shuggie’s career was short lived by comparison. I just can’t help but wonder, if any, what impact Shuggie Otis had on Prince? If you listen to Purple by Otis, a song that sounds like something Prince would play today during a jam session, you can’t help but wonder.

Insights and disagreements are welcomed. Please share.

I don't recall ever hearing Prince list Shuggie as an influence, but I could have missed something.

Prince has a tendency to gloss over from time to time who his idols and influences are anyway, so

I consider Shuggie to be the "missing link" between the icons of the late 60's/early 70's -- Jimi, Sly, Stevie -- and Prince. He was formidable for many of the reasons Prince is. Shuggie may not be known as a Prince influence, but I wouldn't be surprised if he were.

*the title suggested that Prince was threatening to sue some cat named Otis, so this thread looked interesting*

IsNoShore said:

shuggie otis's freedom flight album was released in 1971.

i can hear the connection

Yea, I definitely think Prince was influenced by Shuggie... he just hasn't talked about it publicly

Thanks "nightandday". I should have done more homework before I posted. But I rushed to post after getting lost in Freedom Flight for the hundredth time and just wanted to know if anyone else heard a connection. Hey "minnfun", was it Freedom Flight that made you feel the connection or are you into Shuggie's music?