I (vaguely) remember the years. I think I was like 10, and reading one of my babysitter's teen mags. There was a picture of him, and the caption referred to him as Mr. Squiggle. I remember thinking "Who the hell is this tiny woman being escorted by a pro wrestler?"

i try to avoid a prince discussion nowadays. my friends all know i dig the man's music and they can appreciate it too, but they all seem to think he's one nasty homosexual! and see, i don't blame them (they watched 'irresistible bitch' with me on my syracuse concert tape; his pants scared the hell out of them). and also with all his bitching about his recordcompany they think he's a gigantic doofus too. so, i don't even want to discuss the man with them.
my opninion about the symbol years is that the music was alright, but prince looked like shit with all that extra make-up on, those fake eyelashes (can you believe it!), 'slave' on his cheek and what not..

It was funny when he changed his name because we all said what should we call him. And I said Partyman. One time he was playing in N.Y. and he walked past me and I said Prince by Mistake and my Friends just Scowled at me,but he smiled and turned around. So he still acknowledged the name. The music was Great. The concerts were Fantastic. I thought the Symbol album and that tour was Great. The dancing was Beautiful. Lenny one night,Nona and then Vernon.

I loved the symbol I wish he had kept it ... that was cool changin Ur name 2 a Symbol ??? I mean who does that ??? oh yeah PRINCE lol

I loved them, I loved calling him the Artist because he was and is probaly the only True Artist out today. I did not get any flack for liking him during this time, when ever someone would make a Joke, I'd say if you'd rather call him Prince then call him prince, Because he's still greater than anyone you can name. There was nothing else said,

I love the Symbol and has it painted around my BMW emblem on my car. Everyone admires my Car. Peace

I hated the Symbol years.For years,many of my friends were telling me that "Prince is crazy" and now here he was,proving them right...lol...

Alot of damage was done to his overall public image,although I don't think he really cares.