While the love fest continues elsewhere...let's put it out there.

Is he the best of all time?

No one compares (IMO)...and it wouldn't surprise me if the question at the pearly gates is: Did you get Prince's music?

Feel me?

Logically, he's not. Prince is not the end all and be all of music, despite his claims to being the embodiment of music.

But, is he up there? Oh yes, of course. But the greatest of all time? Nope.

Heaven is about a lot more than Prince.

In my estimation, yes.

at least in the music field.

You see, he's done it all, no one else has. He ain't just a musician on stage, he's an untouchable performer too! Lovesexy tour for instance. He just has it all.

I could go on and on about his unrivalled genius.
[Edited 7/7/09 16:38pm]

Prince is to me. I'm sure many would agree, although there are so many "Great," artists that don't get that high on the musical ladder.

Thank God for everyone that makes music in general.

quite possibly.....

quite possibly

No. He had a decent shot but I think his post Sign 'O' The Times material is far too uneven for Prince to be considered the best of all time.

Tame said:

I guess I should add to this thought by saying that the musical ladder I am speaking of is what is presented to non-musician music buyers. Of course within the field...everyone knows how many artists deserve the highest respect.

How do U compare Prince with George Benson...You Don't...I don't think anyone should be compared...

I just love Prince as a man that is multi-talented...although I love the music made from so many men and woman...and Groups.

No, it was Michael Jackson. His memorial which was watched by 1 billion confirms and reinforces this.

I am a huge Prince fan and have been for over 25 years, but I have to admit Michael Jackson was an international iconic super super super star. No diss too Prince what so ever, it is just a fact.

Hell no! To say "best of all time", you'd have to factor in Mozart, which we all know, is waaaaayyyyy out of Prince's league. So no, he is not the best of all time. Michael Jackson was definitely a more international figure/pop icon. I doubt that a billion people will be watching Prince's funeral. Not that many people even know he exists.

Although I LOVE the man's work. He has his weak points like anyone else. I don't think he should dance at all or at the least work with choreographers. Other than his dancing and his lack of musical output, (I know he has put out a lot but what about lately and not comparing him to other artists) he reigns supreme!

.
[Edited 12/14/09 8:00am]

mzkqueen03 said:

Of course I love Prince the best

If its measured in musical ability then yes, think of all the instruments he plays. arrangement, song writing ability, etc, No diss to wolfgang but he was limited to what he played, and no diss to MJ, but a percentage of his fame etc came from NON musical issues as well, he was one hell of a singer and performer, dont get it twisted...I think Prince is the best of all time, and its just my opinion

no.

.
[Edited 12/14/09 8:00am]

For Rock and Roll, I think that Michael is the greatest entertainer of all time, whereas Prince is the greatest musician of all time.

Revolution said:

As good as Prince is he has always been and will ALWAYS be inferior to Michael Jackson. In fact without MJ, James Brown and Hendrix Prince would have no act of his own. That's not a slam but a reality. Even Joni Mitchell denied Prince was an innovator but more of a terrific hybrid of other people's styles.

Folks seem to overhype the fact that prince plays instruments, etc... But in sheer terms of artistic output Prince doesn't measure up as an entertainer or as an artist.

I love Prince and his music, and always will, but Michael had the ability to touch people very deeply through his music. People in Romania, Italy, Greece, Bucharest. Michael Jackson's music is feel good music and the majority of people can relate to it.

Prince has a following but his music does not have the same scope and depth as Michael Jackson had. Remember We Are The World? Prince didn't even want to be a part of it though later he contributed for the tears of your eyes.

Michael sung Heal The World and this song is the most humanitarian song I have ever heard.

No diss to Prince, I love ya, but Michael Jackson is the best of all time and even though he couldn't play 18 instruments, his beautiful spirit and his ability to touch people of all ages, eras and generations was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomena I shall never forget.

He's my favorite, but no, he's not the best of all time.

HomeSquid said:

agree

.
[Edited 12/14/09 8:01am]

I can only speak for my lifetime and my heart. Prince is the best to me. The MJ memorial today really choked me up. I lost it win Paris spoke. I can only hope Prince is shown as much love and respect when he leaves(hopefully many, many years from now) as MJ was today.MJ was clearly a great humanitarian, but the spirituality in Prince's music has really changed my life.
[Edited 7/7/09 17:57pm]

.
[Edited 12/14/09 8:01am]

audience1 said:

Rock and Roll? I think you need to check your genre definitions. MJ was not a rock and roll artist.

I think he's the greatest.

kenlacam said:

Hmmm, don't know much about Mozart, however, I'm pretty sure he wasn't funky and I'm positive he couldn't dance. Prince is more well-rounded, so, he wins.

As far as MJ, I'm not talking about a popularity contest...MJ sold out to become what he became (and it cost him his life). Success is not measured by the number of people at your funeral, but rather what you did with your God given talent. Prince has maximized his with an incredible work ethic. Stacks of deep purple concord jams that even MJ envied.

Here is the fundamental difference between the two...By your admission, not many people even know that Prince exists...Prince is making music because he needs to make music, for himself...even if no one is listening.
MJ wouldn't bother to make music unless he was guaranteed a full blown promotional circus.

Prince is music...and could very well be the test-on-earth. IMO

Most definitely YES.

All the crap about MJ is vomit inducing. The media is having a field day with his death, it really is in bad taste. (I wonder how his victims feel about it all)

One thing that I have noted in all the hype is that MJ could not bring it live, his 'live' performances were anything but live, his performances in later years were particularly tragic, this appears to be overlooked because of the dance moves. Not my cup of tea.

MJ was not in the same league as Prince as a musician/singer(live),songwriter etc etc...however he could dance about the same. As for comparisons outside the business, well lets not go there just yet...that time will no doubt come when the 'false grief' comes to pass.

Prince's genuine competition comes from a much loftier bunch of 'musicians'... for me he is up against:

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
David Bowie


MJ was up against:

Madonna
Elvis
Britney Spears
Justin Timberlake
etc etc

This is one of those questions that will of course, be answered differently by each individual.
For me, Yes! He is the greatest musician of all "My Time".
He may or may not be for other folks...but for me, Yes!
Although, I do have lots of musicians that I appreciate and adore...

I think Prince *could* have been the best of all time. He's made too many missteps.

As it is---- he's one of the best, for sure.