SchlomoThaHomo said:

"They don't care about the world. They care about music."

That sounds less like something to brag about and more of a cause for concern. Can't both be important? Is being that single-minded about music the only way?

I understand the want for younger energy around you as you grow older, for a variety of reasons. New ideas, as he said, and perhaps as a compensation for the kids he never had. But this interview makes him sound borderline obsessive about it. Especially having a manager who's not yet old enough to rent a car.

But stop the press!!! Prince was really chilling with Jon Bream?! Did that really happen? Because that's pretty major.

Also, I feel like a 2 hour interview should have more quotes from the man. This seems like 15 minutes. Maybe part 2 will be huge. Or maybe it's just 1 of 10?

[Edited 5/15/13 4:27am]

serpan99 said:

A rejuvenated Prince looks forward again

• Article by: JON BREAM
• Updated: May 14, 2013 - 11:28 PM

http://www.startribune.co...78531.html

DENVER – Prince pounded his rhinestone-encrusted cane into the floor to make a point. “I don’t have time for old people,” he insisted. “I want to work with young people.”

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As he prepares to turn 55 on June 7, the Minnesota music legend is turning a new page — looking forward, not backward.

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During a rare and far-ranging, two-hour-plus interview late, late on Monday night, Prince pointed across the room at his 22-year-old manager and the members of his new female backup band, 3rdEyeGirl, featuring a 24-year-old drummer he discovered on the Internet.

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“I have my legacy,” he said. “It’s time for their legacy. They’re a Minneapolis band, too.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer touched on assorted topics as he unwound after two sold-out shows at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, performances in which he seemed refreshed and buoyed by his young and hungry bandmates doing both old favorites and new jams.

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He talked about a new album with 3rdEyeGirl; other new younger musicians in his royal court; the preponderance of lip-syncing among today’s pop stars, the lack of songwriting craft today; his mentor Larry Graham of Sly & the Family Stone; and his highly lucrative, stripped-down club tour that comes home to the Myth in Maplewood on May 25.

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What he didn’t discuss were some things Minnesotan. He dodged questions about the state’s new marriage-equality law, the influence of Minnesota on his music and the impact that Bob Dylan had on him.

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“Dylan didn’t cross over,” he said, referring to artists from his childhood who were successful with both white and black audiences. “Sly Stone crossed, Jimi Hendrix crossed.”

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He’s not oblivious to what’s going on in his home state or elsewhere. (After the Boston Marathon bombings, he dedicated a cover of a song by the Boston-based Cars at his shows.) But he is focused on the task at hand.

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“They don’t care about the world,” he said of 3rdEyeGirl. “They care about music.”

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Of course, Prince is shrewd about the business, too. He got cagey when asked about the steep price of $259 to see him at the Myth. With a capacity of 3,200, it is certainly not as intimate as the 300-seat Dakota Jazz Club, where he commanded $250 in January for 3rdEyeGirl’s debut.

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“I’m paying my band more than I’ve ever paid,” he said at a Denver cabaret, picking at a piece of pizza with a fork. And he’s making more money than usual on the road. That’s partly because he travels with a much smaller entourage and less elaborate production.

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While his musicians danced onstage to the music of James Brown and Sly Stone at a private post-concert party, Prince — decked out in turquoise turtleneck and slacks — played the role of salesman.

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Like a proud father

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He wants the world to hear 3rdEyeGirl: powerhouse drummer Hannah Ford Welton from Louisville, guitar monster Donna Grantis from Toronto and funky bassist Ida Nielsen from Denmark, who started playing with his larger NPG group in 2010.

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He’s recorded enough material with 3rdEyeGirl to issue an album later this year via Kobalt Music Group, a relatively new, artist-friendly worldwide music service. One new song, “Plectum Electrum,” was written by Grantis and rearranged by Prince, who wrote the other material. The group has released three singles via 3rdeyegirl.com, including the playful, poppy but rocking “Screwdriver,” which the group performed on both “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

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Before arriving at the party, Prince finished editing a video for his next single, “Fix Ur Life Up.” He insisted that his manager, Julia Ramadan, who was a college student when they met during his Los Angeles concert run last year, show the video to everyone at the party.

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Lyrics were decipherable and Ford’s backup vocals were prominent, which hadn’t been the case earlier during a rip-roaring rendition at the Ogden. After everyone reacted enthusiastically to the video, Prince smiled. “They are like my kids,” he said. “And I’m learning from them. Young people have the new ideas.”

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PART 2 coming sunday...

[Edited 5/15/13 1:03am]

Why do so many journalists seem so overwhelmed by him, that they're reluctant (or afraid) to challenge him with real questions??

Billmenever said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

"They don't care about the world. They care about music."

That sounds less like something to brag about and more of a cause for concern. Can't both be important? Is being that single-minded about music the only way?

I understand the want for younger energy around you as you grow older, for a variety of reasons. New ideas, as he said, and perhaps as a compensation for the kids he never had. But this interview makes him sound borderline obsessive about it. Especially having a manager who's not yet old enough to rent a car.

But stop the press!!! Prince was really chilling with Jon Bream?! Did that really happen? Because that's pretty major.

Also, I feel like a 2 hour interview should have more quotes from the man. This seems like 15 minutes. Maybe part 2 will be huge. Or maybe it's just 1 of 10?

[Edited 5/15/13 4:27am]

Let's review: Prince works with Larry Graham, and he's called a washed up has-been. Prince works with twenty-somethngs, and he's called an old predator stealing from young people. Yeah, gotta love the org. I bet when Prince dies, thirty-three percent of the members of this site will complain that he's washed up because his album from the grave is nothing like Purple Rain. Another thirty-three percent will complain that his album from the grave is a rip-off of Purple Rain. And the final thirty-four percent of us will disavow ever knowing the other sixty-six percent.

why the hell is this front page news???

domt you know dez dickerson has just completed a solo album???

IIRC, there were quite a few black artists covering Dylan on his latest tribute CD. Just sayin...

lol...everytime Prince does an interview these days,he says alot of crazy stuff that creates an uproar It's hilarious.I find it difficult to take these interviews seriously.

"You don't have time for old people?" What Nelson, are you going through your mid life crisis stage?

TonyVanDam said:

2elijah said:

Interesting. So according to the interview, he gets fresh and new ideas from the young people, which is usually the case when younger people are involved, especially with technology assisting in bringing fresh and new ideas, and better ways to do things. But, seeing how he says he doesn't like hanging around old people, probably because he thinks their ideas are ancient, so, I guess his aim with this rock music and his future music plans is to attract younger and new fans under 30.

Another thing, the comment about his new group not caring about the world, just the music? Seriously? It's the young people who assist in changing the world, learning from those before them, and how to make things better. What happens in the world affects their future too. Well, I guess this is the new Prince, and lets see how many young people he could get to listen, and educate them about the music of older musicians, like Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Larry Graham, and all those great musicians who were many of his influences, and whose music he's been performing with these young members of this new group lately. It is what it is.

[Edited 5/15/13 7:30am]

The thing is that in the minds of the current young generation, the 80's & the 90's are THE only "old-school" classes that they'll mention. Most of them don't really care to make the time to study music from the 50's-70's, except for sampling disco of course.

I remember when I was age 18-19 in 1993 that "old-school" was the 50's-70's and the 80's was my childhood. It would be one thing for Prince to educate my generation with his perspective about what was going on in music history back in the days. But to have that kind of discussion with the young people of the 2010's? It's going to failed and Prince might not realize this yet. I would like to be wrong on this but I doubt it.

[Edited 5/15/13 10:48am]

thanks for speaking for the entire younger generation but no we dont view JUST the 80s and the 90s as old school. i view "old school" as 50s-80s. not even the 90s. it urks me when older people jump on young people backs like "they dont know nothing and dont apperciate anything" why dont you sit down with somebody younger interested in music and you might learn something about US

He'll dodge comments about marriage equality.. yet, still has "Bambi" in the setlist...

interview.

Looking forward to reading part 2.

databank said:

thedance said:

"an album later this year"...

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just release the music.. for Christ's sake...

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sometimes it seems so complicated when it's Prince,

.

let's hope we don't have to wait till october 2013 for a new Prince album..?!

.

and sorry for being a little sceptic.. I just wish for and hope the new will have more to offer than 3121, Planet Earth, 20ten....

I wish they'd have asked him about the announced Montreux DVD and the future of the already abandonned 3rdeyegirl.com online store.

As for the new album it's very likely there's gonna be one cuz Prince hadly ever stayed more than a year without releasing an album, but so many have been annonced and withdrawn in the past that this one may as well end-up staying in the vault. We'll see.

+ it's confusing because Prince recently said that the internet was dead (but it remains his main medium when it comes to releasing or streaming new music), then he said no more studio recordings only live stuff (but we keep getting some studio recordings), then he said no more albums only songs (but a new album is annonced already)

"Controversy"

NouveauDance said:

That reads like the 3rdeyegirl album, not his new album. Just clarifying what the thread title makes a little more obscure.

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funkaholic1972 said:

Is this Prince sort of admitting he has run out of fresh ideas, and needs a lifeline from younger bandmembers of whom he can 'steal' new ideas/riffs and use them as the base of his own new songs, just like he often did back in the 80's (before he dumped The Revolution)?

Exactly. All this stuff lately about young people sounds more vampiric than inspirational, he's almost a pensioner himself so it doesn't say much about his self-image if he doesn't like old people and see their experience and knowledge as something that can be drawn upon.

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And a 22yo manager should ring alarm bells with anyone.

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[Edited 5/15/13 3:51am]

Nouveau, you know break it down something proper!

IstenSzek said:

NikkiAndTheRevolution said:

3 questions and a statement. 1.) Who eats pizza with a fork?

actually, this is quite a funny tidbit in the interview. who does that, indeed

perhaps the pizza was already cut into little pieces for him by donna, since

poor old grandpa prince has difficulty eating a whole slice for fear his dentures

might drop out during the interview. so prince just picked up the little pieces

with a fork during the interview?

oh the perks of having an entourage of 20 year olds

AND I LOVE at the begining of the story, they stress that he Bangs his "cane" on the floor to emphasize.. isn't that what OLD men do that carry a cane????

sovembol said:

IstenSzek said:

actually, this is quite a funny tidbit in the interview. who does that, indeed

perhaps the pizza was already cut into little pieces for him by donna, since

poor old grandpa prince has difficulty eating a whole slice for fear his dentures

might drop out during the interview. so prince just picked up the little pieces

with a fork during the interview?

oh the perks of having an entourage of 20 year olds

AND I LOVE at the begining of the story, they stress that he Bangs his "cane" on the floor to emphasize.. isn't that what OLD men do that carry a cane????

But it has fake diamonds on it!

GoldenParachute said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

wasn't Kiran Sharma his manager during that LotusFlow3r period

.

Yes but thats until he started banging her, according to rumors. Its easy to see how things could get complicated. I read Kiran was a ultra Prince fan like Manuela any how. Its no surprise since its not the first second or third time Prince has banged his managers/assistants/etc. I wouldn't be surprised if his young 22 year old manager is next.

This would be a good time to play "She Bangs" from that American Idol hit!

Astasheiks said:

This would be a good time to play "She Bangs" from that American Idol hit!

And, isn't it funny Every time Ryan Seacrest anounces an elimination from the show he says... "Kiran.... Dim the Lights!!"

AND I LOVE at the begining of the story, they stress that he Bangs his "cane" on the floor to emphasize.. isn't that what OLD men do that carry a cane????

Exactly! So many contradictions. First of all, you diss old people, but your hanging buddy is Larry Graham, and you yourself are about to turn 55 yrs old. Secondly, you are walking around with a cane.....not exactly youthful. To top it off, you have a 22 yr old as a manager, and hanging around with kids young enough to be your daughters, that you brag, "don't care about the world, only music".......really Prince? You're starting to worry me.

[Edited 5/15/13 21:59pm]

People criticizing Bream should know he is no Prince novice... you may recall he wrote the liner notes for The Gold Experience. (EDIT CORRECTION THANKS TO SUPERSOULFIGHTER--That was Jim Walsh. That's what I get for being too lazy to double check. WHOOOPS. Still neither Walsh nor Bream are novices...)

Listen to Jon talking about the interview:

http://minnesota.cbslocal...ks-prince/

Not surprised Prince granted Bream this interview... he needs MPLS press to help promote his show at Myth Live, the 3200 person venue that unsurprisingly has not sold out yet at $289 a pop.

[Edited 5/16/13 1:11am]

Superconductor said:

I just got used to the idea that time is a trick and now he's telling me old people are boring or whatever.

co-sign

lwr001 said:

LittleSister said:

Yes, she was. But she's out of the picture for a while now, and I guess Julia has been promoted from assistant to manager.

But all these girls all look the same - Bria, Kiran, Julia - very similar

Apparently, you need to have "the look" to be eligible for employment with Prince...

Well, that girl got him Kimmel, Fallon, a Billboard cover, an Icon Award and a great tour so far.. Not bad...Puffy, Russell and dare I say Prince were all young when they had their greatest impact. I think its good that he is reaching down and learning rom a younger generation conversely, its their dream gig at a young age.,. Hate all you all want.. Kiran btw, is his booking agent. He also put her in charge of the girl grou "king", Lewis Hamilton, Misty copeland etc

[Edited 5/15/13 6:51am]

lwr001: You have got to be joking. NO ONE GOT Prince his awards except him and Jehovah. Prince's expertise as a world known musician and his hard work along with his faith in Jehovah and Jesus has him where he is today. IF you actually believed what you stated above you obviously have no clue about Prince, his spirituality, and the business of the entertainment industry.

Kiran S. nor Julia R. have absolutely NOTHING to do with Prince's success. He has provided them an opportunity to be mentored. There is NO WAY a Twenty - something aged person should be "managing" a 54 year old man. Prince has shoes older than them and been an accomplished, blessed musician before they were born.

Kiran S. and Julia R. have improperly treated Prince's fans and friends. They do not have his best interest at heart but their interest. I highly recommend Prince remove them and hire people he truly can trust with the experience and knowledge who have his best interest in heart and mind. Fresh and new ideas come from innovative and creative people and that includes older people with the experience and knowledge to actually properly execute the fresh new ideas in a manner to properly represent Prince.

I believe part of this interview was taking out of context and is not accurately reflecting Prince's true perspective on older versus young aspects. I have no doubt Prince respects diversity of older more mature ages who have the experience and expertise he is seeking. He is 54 years old almost 55 and he continues to be creative and fresh.

3121.TV

The Funk & Nothing But the Funk

[Edited 5/15/13 23:16pm]

journey said:

AND I LOVE at the begining of the story, they stress that he Bangs his "cane" on the floor to emphasize.. isn't that what OLD men do that carry a cane????

Exactly! So many contradictions. First of all, you diss old people, but your hanging buddy is Larry Graham, and you yourself are about to turn 55 yrs old. Secondly, you are walking around with a cane.....not exactly youthful. To top it off, you have a 22 yr old as a manager, and hanging around with kids young enough to be your daughters, that you brag, "don't care about the world, only music".......really Prince? You're starting to worry me.

[Edited 5/15/13 21:59pm]

Regarding the cane, its not a old man cane, its a pimp daddy/I'm bad mother shut your mouth cane!

3121TV said:

Fresh and new ideas come from innovative and creative people and that includes older people with the experience and knowledge to actually properly execute the fresh new ideas in a manner to properly represent Prince.

Completely agree with this statement above.

While I think it is generally true that most people get set in their ways early on and refuse to explore other ways of thinking as they get older, I think people who blame their lack of creativity or innovation on age, are being lazy.

As for Prince, his recent tour seems to reflect this "fresh" approach, but there is nothing particularly "forward looking" about high price concert tickets (that mostly old people can afford) or a word-press website that relies on browser cookies for logging in.

Astasheiks said:

GoldenParachute said:

Yes but thats until he started banging her, according to rumors. Its easy to see how things could get complicated. I read Kiran was a ultra Prince fan like Manuela any how. Its no surprise since its not the first second or third time Prince has banged his managers/assistants/etc. I wouldn't be surprised if his young 22 year old manager is next.

This would be a good time to play "She Bangs" from that American Idol hit!

STOP MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AND STARTING FALSE RUMORS.

3121.TV

The Funk & Nothing But the Funk

3121TV said:

lwr001 said:

Well, that girl got him Kimmel, Fallon, a Billboard cover, an Icon Award and a great tour so far.. Not bad...Puffy, Russell and dare I say Prince were all young when they had their greatest impact. I think its good that he is reaching down and learning rom a younger generation conversely, its their dream gig at a young age.,. Hate all you all want.. Kiran btw, is his booking agent. He also put her in charge of the girl grou "king", Lewis Hamilton, Misty copeland etc

[Edited 5/15/13 6:51am]

lwr001: You have got to be joking. NO ONE GOT Prince his awards except him and Jehovah. Prince's expertise as a world known musician and his hard work along with his faith in Jehovah and Jesus has him where he is today. IF you actually believed what you stated above you obviously have no clue about Prince, his spirituality, and the business of the entertainment industry.

Kiran S. nor Julia R. have absolutely NOTHING to do with Prince's success. He has provided them an opportunity to be mentored. There is NO WAY a Twenty - something aged person should be "managing" a 54 year old man. Prince has shoes older than them and been an accomplished, blessed musician before they were born.

Kiran S. and Julia R. have improperly treated Prince's fans and friends. They do not have his best interest at heart but their interest. I highly recommend Prince remove them and hire people he truly can trust with the experience and knowledge who have his best interest in heart and mind. Fresh and new ideas come from innovative and creative people and that includes older people with the experience and knowledge to actually properly execute the fresh new ideas in a manner to properly represent Prince.

I believe part of this interview was taking out of context and is not accurately reflecting Prince's true perspective on older versus young aspects. I have no doubt Prince respects diversity of older more mature ages who have the experience and expertise he is seeking. He is 54 years old almost 55 and he continues to be creative and fresh.

3121.TV

The Funk & Nothing But the Funk

[Edited 5/15/13 23:16pm]

:eyeroll: Here we go. Leave it up to pseudo-intelligent-in-the-know phonies to come stampeding in to sound like they are the ones with the best interest of Prince and not those around him. Give me a break. Don't you think after all these years Prince can decipher who has his best interests and who doesn't? That is why you are here on the internet talking about it, and they are there in his "royal court" with his trust.

Interesting that Dr. Funkenberry who tweeted about the interview, and had a report about it upon his site, appears to have taken the story down.

http://www.drfunkenberry....jon-bream/

Makes one wonder if Prince's camp is not pleased.

The ageist remarks are certainly not a good look for an artist whose touring revenue relies heavily on older people who can afford his ticket prices, older people who are most familiar with his music since he has eschewed using the music channels of choice (youtube, itunes, etc.) of the younger people he prefers to hang around.

Of course, by preventing reporters from recording his interviews or taking notes, he can always claim he didn't say that, or his comments were misunderstood, misinterpreted.

3121TV said:

Astasheiks said:

This would be a good time to play "She Bangs" from that American Idol hit!

STOP MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AND STARTING FALSE RUMORS.

3121.TV

The Funk & Nothing But the Funk

Is it offending you? Why would it? If its true or not, it is still something that was being discussed a few years back. On more then one instance.

NuPwrSoul said: