Does anyone know where I can watch Prince's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech or read a transcript of it? I always wondered what he said.


Thanks

Just paraphrasing."Please, please be seated.I would like to thank Alicia, Big Boi and Andre. Much respect. I don't want to take too much time but I would like to say this: when I first started out in this industry I was most concerned with freesom. Freedom to produce, freedom to play all the instruments on all my records, freedom to say anything I wanted to say, and after much negotiation Warner Bros Records granted me that freedom and I thank them for that.

Without much spirtual mentoring other than artists whose records I admired, Larry Graham being one of them, I learned that too much freedom can lead to the soul's decay. (looking at Alicia Keys, Big Boi and Andre from Outkast) a real friend and spiritual mentor is not on your payroll. (applause from audience). A real friend and spiritual mentor cares about your soul as much as they do their own. This world and its wicked system will become much harder to deal with without a real friend and spiritual mentor. I wish all the best. It aint over. Peace." (Alicia Keys says "yes! and crowd gives Prince standing ovation).

I may have missed a few words but that's the gist of the speech. I hope this helps you out.

bashraka said:

that's the way I remember it and Alicia and Andre 3000 looked like they had stepped into heaven standing next to Prince. Alicia was his introduction on his Musicology tour

It makes me smile when he says "after much negot-.. negotiation" He was really nervous during that speech.

Oh, and you've missed "all praise to Jehovah" part Or was it intentional..?

bashraka said:

Thanks for the thread Wherethedrums and for this Bashraka.
What a lovely speech. Short, powerful and so true to life.
Hmmmmm, our boy is all grown up. Bless him.

bashraka said:

Thank you bashraka

you're welcome wherethedrums I've seen the speech so many times after watching it on my vcr, that i rememembered alot of it. Speaking of speeches his speech at the NAACP Image Awards of 1997 when he honored a man after his house was burglarized and being a community activist. Can't remember more details but I was moved by Prince's decorum and sincere words of admiration for the guy.