Right now, so much stuff of Prince's... tv appearances, concerts, bootleg videos, unreleased official videos...

It's all over youtube. And it's really working towards creating an awareness of Prince's potential and legacy of creative muscle.

I'm in Los Angeles right now, and there's this funky old audiophile shop in Santa Monica called Optimal Enchantment run by an older gentleman in wood paneled room filled with vinyl and monolithic speakers.

In the middle of demonstrating $20k type audio equipment for my friend, the proprietor stopped and said "check this out! A friend sent me this link to Prince performing at a George Harrison tribute, and it's incredible. I don't even like Prince. He's a genius"

And the 65+ year old man proceeded to play the clip of this on youtube. (One of the few clips of this).

If you look at comments and views, I think that these relatively unknown gems and the sheer mass amount of material is finally coming to public light. And Prince's credibility is forming into something of legendary proportions... and to new people on a big scale.

I think it's a great thing.

Yup, with all his performances over the past six years his legacy has certainly improved:

- Grammy

- Rock and roll hall of fame tribute for George Harrison

- Superbowl

- Cochella

I was a bit surprised when i saw him at #7 on the vh1 greatest artist list. Not that i think he doesnt deserve it (because he does), its just that he is generally an underrated artist. His stock will continue to rise.

hhhhdmt said:

Yup, with all his performances over the past six years his legacy has certainly improved:

- Grammy

- Rock and roll hall of fame tribute for George Harrison

- Superbowl

- Cochella

I was a bit surprised when i saw him at #7 on the vh1 greatest artist list. Not that i think he doesnt deserve it (because he does), its just that he is generally an underrated artist. His stock will continue to rise.

And especially when the executor of his estate gets their hands on the vault.

Hopefully, that will in a good long while.

[Edited 10/7/10 2:40am]

Hope Prince´s camp doesn´t read your thread.

Maybe Prince will one day understand that having tons of videos on the internet doesn´t really harm his bank account and legacy. On the contrary, those clips are actually like little teaser snippets, and those who´re interested will definitely want to have the footage in pristine audio and video quality.

ufoclub said:

It's all over youtube. And it's really working towards creating an awareness of Prince's potential and legacy of creative muscle.

If you look at comments and views, I think that these relatively unknown gems and the sheer mass amount of material is finally coming to public light. And Prince's credibility is forming into something of legendary proportions... and to new people on a big scale.

I think it's a great thing.

Good news, definitely; perhaps Prince has finally accepted/understood the huge possibilities of Youtube...

Yeah,it's great that Prince has finally come to his senses.Having music videos on Youtube is the best promotion for a recording artist.Everyone goes to Youtube,it's pretty much the new MTV.There was no need for him to be paronoid or bitter about it.You gotta embrace the future or get left behind

Hell, If Prince payed me good enough to have Utube videos removed... I'd do it!

But i wouldnt snitch on any audio or high quality videos

I agree. I really hope Prince sees the possibilties. Youtube is now what MTV was and should/could have been.

Also, I think that the "free" aspect of youtube isn't worth worrying about.

Someone who's never seen the video for "When Doves Cry" isn't going to rush out and buy Purple Rain on DVD to see it. They just won't see it. They wouldn't know what they are missing.

However, someone might be inspired by clips/vids etc to make a purchase simply because of the exposure that youtube provides.

Furthermore, hardcore fans are likely to buy videos/movies whether they are available on youtube or not. Face it, there is a difference between a you tube clip and watching HD DVD's on your big tv/sound system.

SoulAlive said:

Yeah,it's great that Prince has finally come to his senses.Having music videos on Youtube is the best promotion for a recording artist.Everyone goes to Youtube,it's pretty much the new MTV.There was no need for him to be paronoid or bitter about it.You gotta embrace the future or get left behind

Exactly. Who's checking for Prince if he cant even be checked for? An album sitting in a record bin collects dust, while someone's unknown album generates big sales because of a video on youtube. I spent money just because I saw something on youtube just the other day from Tonex on prince.org.

ufoclub said:

Right now, so much stuff of Prince's... tv appearances, concerts, bootleg videos, unreleased official videos...

It's all over youtube. And it's really working towards creating an awareness of Prince's potential and legacy of creative muscle.

I'm in Los Angeles right now, and there's this funky old audiophile shop in Santa Monica called Optimal Enchantment run by an older gentleman in wood paneled room filled with vinyl and monolithic speakers.

In the middle of demonstrating $20k type audio equipment for my friend, the proprietor stopped and said "check this out! A friend sent me this link to Prince performing at a George Harrison tribute, and it's incredible. I don't even like Prince. He's a genius"

And the 65+ year old man proceeded to play the clip of this on youtube. (One of the few clips of this).

If you look at comments and views, I think that these relatively unknown gems and the sheer mass amount of material is finally coming to public light. And Prince's credibility is forming into something of legendary proportions... and to new people on a big scale.

I think it's a great thing.

I, too, noticed such comments from people not usually into Prince and people unaware of his talents, like "wow, I didn't know Prince could do that" after they watched a live performance of Days of Wild on youtube.

in my understanding, and i could be wrong, part of the issue he had with youtube is that they were making money off his work and he wasnt.

maybe they struck a deal, i dont know, but i do agree that its a good thing for his videos to be on youtube.

they serve as an eye-opener in regard to what the art of music and performing is actually about.

That particular clip seems to do that to people. Most people react the exact same way as the gentleman you described. The Coachella solo also does the same.

Most artists would have taken the good publicity and ran with it. Prince instead released perfume, books and tamboracas.

The rock music world of relevant radio and music reporters were raving and clamoring to have his rendition of "Creep" aired. But alas he let that good will and free publicity slip away too.

I completely understand and respect artists rights and intellectual property, but he is too far gone in his ways to realize when something actually helps and when "Get Wild Cologne" does not.

I, like everybody else, enjoy all the free content, but has there been any true data on whether Youtube helps an artist financially? I understand that there is more exposure, but that may not translate into the bottom line. Prince is already well known, but does Youtube bring more people to concerts or to purchase his music?

I don't know if Prince gets it, or even cares...

Prince can skyrocket his popularity through youtube... As the greatest live performer ever (imo), this is the perfect medium for him... all his live clips would really boost him to another level... he could become the king of youtube...

crazydoctor said:

I don't know if Prince gets it, or even cares...

Prince can skyrocket his popularity through youtube... As the greatest live performer ever (imo), this is the perfect medium for him... all his live clips would really boost him to another level... he could become the king of youtube...

Ok. lets not get carried away here.

I dont think he struck any kind of deal with youtube.

He just doesnt seem to care that his stuff is there now.

Im trying to stay cool, but this new attitude is really making me wonder what that meeting with WB earlier this year was really about.

Come on man!!! Give us some remasters!!!

Yet another reason why Prince is NOT afraid to do a big tour of the States. He's knows exactly what he's doing by touring so much overseas. I only wish I felt as confident regarding his decision to not release 20ten here.

More Parade era funk workouts

jdcxc said:

I, like everybody else, enjoy all the free content, but has there been any true data on whether Youtube helps an artist financially? I understand that there is more exposure, but that may not translate into the bottom line. Prince is already well known, but does Youtube bring more people to concerts or to purchase his music?

I would say "YES" because what good are promotional videos if they don´t get airplay anymore? Youtube is the perfect outlet for that....letting people know about your music. And a lot of the younger generation´s people hardly even know who Prince is.

Being on Youtube, IMO, definitely is beneficial when it comes to royalties because more people go out and buy the old (and newer) albums, more people come to the concerts without investing too much into advertising and commercials, and it adds immensely to his legacy and legendary status.

If it wasn´t for bootlegs, most of my friends ( and myself included) wouldn´t be the dedicated listeners that we are today. You hear or see something, albeit in not so pristine quality, and that may get you curious so you go and get the legit releases or go to the shows to find out what it´s all about.

It´s not rocket science and a lot of things in the past two decades would have worked out to Prince´s advantage if he had realized this a bit earlier. And I´m still wondering whether he has REALLY realized this and mellowed out a bit so we have all these clips on Youtube, or whether he just hasn´t paid the Websherriff yet.

Hope he has realized the importance of Youtube to his relevance as an artist.

1 of 2 things A] he's done a deal as was tentatively announced on Dr. FBs' or B] He's not bothered anymore and hopefully realises that exposure is a good thing!.

I see places like YouTube as one of the few remaining outlets to get new promos out to an audience, there has been a significant drop here in the UK of tv shows which provide such an outlet. MTV has become music-free, most channels dedicated to music concentrate on Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas etc, the loss of TOTP & The Chart Show which exposed music to millions in their heyday.

YouTube is a positive marketing tool for Prince and any other band. I've personally bought albums after seeing a clip posted on here or sites like Facebook. The internet ain't dead, although it killed the way we view tv & hopefully Prince has begun to face the truth of the situation. If he wants us to see his latest promo (and if not, why bother making it?) he can no longer rely on it being broadcast on a primetime tv show, the days when stations were fighting to be the first to broadcast his videos have long passed.

ufoclub said:

Right now, so much stuff of Prince's... tv appearances, concerts, bootleg videos, unreleased official videos...

It's all over youtube. And it's really working towards creating an awareness of Prince's potential and legacy of creative muscle.

I'm in Los Angeles right now, and there's this funky old audiophile shop in Santa Monica called Optimal Enchantment run by an older gentleman in wood paneled room filled with vinyl and monolithic speakers.

In the middle of demonstrating $20k type audio equipment for my friend, the proprietor stopped and said "check this out! A friend sent me this link to Prince performing at a George Harrison tribute, and it's incredible. I don't even like Prince. He's a genius"

And the 65+ year old man proceeded to play the clip of this on youtube. (One of the few clips of this).

If you look at comments and views, I think that these relatively unknown gems and the sheer mass amount of material is finally coming to public light. And Prince's credibility is forming into something of legendary proportions... and to new people on a big scale.

I think it's a great thing.

Thats is a great story! I have seen the same thing happen with that clip! I show it to everyone I know thats into music and I have caught people watching it that aren't into him. Its infectious and a fantastic performance. His cover of Red House was doing the same thing some years back (from the tribute album).

StonedImmaculate said:

Im trying to stay cool, but this new attitude is really making me wonder what that meeting with WB earlier this year was really about.

Come on man!!! Give us some remasters!!!

I think since his LF website didnt exactly pan out to what he expected it to (sign up there to see his videos), perhaps he let loose on the youtube stranglehold.

xlr8r said:

I think since his LF website didnt exactly pan out to what he expected it to (sign up there to see his videos), perhaps he let loose on the youtube stranglehold.

Yes and no. He was never going to release 99% of what's on YouTube, but the Lostusflow3er site and his decision to proclaim the death of the internet (in regards to paying him) probably has something to do with it.

Cerebus said:

Yes and no. He was never going to release 99% of what's on YouTube, but the Lostusflow3er site and his decision to proclaim the death of the internet (in regards to paying him) probably has something to do with it.

I'm not sure if your typo was intentional, but that's damn funny.

eyewishuheaven said:

Cerebus said:

Yes and no. He was never going to release 99% of what's on YouTube, but the Lostusflow3er site and his decision to proclaim the death of the internet (in regards to paying him) probably has something to do with it.

I'm not sure if your typo was intentional, but that's damn funny.

Totally unintentional (I hate typos), but maybe Freudian.

Cerebus said:

xlr8r said:

I think since his LF website didnt exactly pan out to what he expected it to (sign up there to see his videos), perhaps he let loose on the youtube stranglehold.

Yes and no. He was never going to release 99% of what's on YouTube,

I didn't think he was going to either/he never meant that either. Maybe just some of the basic ones. Maybe thinking that would be good enough. Cant imagine thinking that what with everyones posting of the past regarding all that's out there.

jdcxc said:

I, like everybody else, enjoy all the free content, but has there been any true data on whether Youtube helps an artist financially? I understand that there is more exposure, but that may not translate into the bottom line. Prince is already well known, but does Youtube bring more people to concerts or to purchase his music?

I routinely watch things on youtube then purchase a download from napster or itunes based on what I seen on youtube. Last month was SOS band.

What are the highest views for Prince on Youtube videos? he's wasted a lot of time. Knowing he's foolishly not been on there until recently, i've not really looked.