saafiir said:

frank zappa? never thought he influenced prince

Todd Rundgren.

I'm sure he loved must have loved Something/Anything and A Wizard, A True Star.

John Coltrane & me

MRGee said:

70% of Prince's music is Sly Stone.

BartVanHemelen said:

without drugs

Just listen to those busy instrumental breaks on Play in the Sunshine or several of the arrangements of the Lovesexy album (the use of dissonants, instruments playing in different tone sorts).

The most obvious names are mentioned allready, but i would like to ad some more 'minor' ones:

Duke Ellington (A Beautifull Night, Right the Wrong, different live jams)

BB King (some of his slower blues jams, like Zannalee)

Todd Rundgren indeed (Condition of the Heart)

As someone else said: Devo, but also early Talking Heads (especially on the albums Controversy and 1999)

The Cars (that new-wave influence on Dirty Mind and the albums by The Time)

Jill Jones ones mentioned in an interview that both she and Prince loved the music of Igor Stravinsky. The only song i really hear it on is the arrangement of Mia Bocca by Clare Fisher.

Where is "Cream"?

T. Rex?

Indeed, T. Rex on Cream, but can't really think of any other songs.

Oh, and maybe Queen during the mid-nineties: Those 'operatic' vocal arrangements on Thunder and Live 4 Love, the Bohemian Rapsody 'inspired' Three Chains of Gold, and some elements in the 'bridges' of the songs Diamonds and Pearls and Dolphin.

Riverpoet31 said:

also the song "Strays Of The World"

Good one, i forgot that one.

GNS said:

well i guess the little 'zep' i overlooked.

emesem said:

^^someone else missed it too. so i can't feel that silly.

PEJ said:

PEJ...judging from the pics....I think you nailed it.
[Edited 4/11/09 14:00pm]

I always thought that Prince was cross between Little Richard, Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone, with elements of George Clinton, Ike Turner (yes, I said it) and Carlos Santana thrown in.

2elijah said:

thanks I forgot

So if this many people influenced u.....maybe no one did?

Graycap23 said:

Dude, Prince is 70% Sly Stone. Like it or not, but no Sly = no Prince.

Also, by your reasoning Weird Al is the most original musician on the planet.

But hey, why would I expect an honest answer out of you. Prince made a fool out of you and you still kiss his ass.

BartVanHemelen said:

Lol.....it's a joke. But it seems that EVERYONE influenced Prince.
Who is making a fool of U, Bart?
Do u have a mirror handy?
[Edited 4/13/09 8:17am]

Most importantly Mr John L. Nelson.

Graycap23 said:

I know in 1998 I was on the left side of the arena with my girlfriend, and Prince said "I think the freaks are on THIS side!" moving over to our side of the stage.

So we DEFINITELY influenced New Power Soul.

You're welcome

Yall crazy!

[Edited 4/13/09 11:17am]

Graycap23 said:

Larry Graham & Beyonce influenced Prince 4 some things