When Prince's influences are discussed, we usually hear about James Brown, Hendrix, Santana, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, etc but there is little mention of the Rolling Stones. During his seminal Dirty Mind period and tour, I think there was a noticeable RS/Mick Jagger influence in his stage presence, dancing and sound. Listening to 'Miss You' and 'Angie', some of the themes seem reflected in his lyrics then and later as well. Perhaps that's why he caught the eye of Mick Jagger back in the day before his opening for them. Any thoughts or examples of Stones' influence?

I totally agree its an underrated influence on his music and his early persona. It doesn't stand out as much because Prince once again incorporated it among many other influences, and that's what made Prince "Prince".

Always get a kick out of listening to his version of Honky Tonk Woman. I always imagined he didn't want to channel the Stones too often because of Keith Richards, a great guitarist but a major asshole.

Yes, there is a RS/Mick Jagger influence...just watch the "I Wanna Be Your Lover" video. Also, Prince has let it be known he digs the Stones...

Yes, very present in the DM era. Prince was apparently described as the successor of Stevie, Jimi and Mick Jagger before his first London show if I'm remembering correctly, from one the magazines (Q or Mojo) from last year.

Uptown, Sister and Party Up always reminded me of the Stones. I think of Shattered when I listen to Party Up, though that's probably just because of the lyric 'party up'. His persona and stage presence was very Jaggerish around time as well.

And obviously, Prince is a fan, he's covered them a lot.

Love the Stones - love when Prince is Stones-ish.

But, of course, you have to look at who influenced the Stones...

purplethunder3121 said:

RJOrion said:

Aerogram said:

I always imagined he didn't want to channel the Stones too often because of Keith Richards, a great guitarist but a major asshole.

Turns out they have a great deal in common.

Sure there is. There's a reason the Stones had him open for them.

I always thought he could bring down the house with "Emotional Rescue." I know he loves "Miss You," but he was born to cover that song (has he?).

If you listen to the Undercover album, you can tell the influence is mutual. Not only are they using some of his drum machine-generated beats, it was noted at the time for being their horniest album in some time. Jagger singing about "feel the hot cum drippin down your leg" and stuff like that.

I've been saying this for years. I think Prince was heavily influenced by Mick Jagger and to a little lesser extent, the Rolling Stones(as a whole). I look at some of Prince's pre 1999 Performances(especially the American Bandstand and Saturday Night Live one's), and see Mick Jagger all over them. My personal opinion is that Prince didn't really come into his own(as a front man) until around Controversy. By 1999 though, he had turned into a monster. And by Purple Rain, forget it, he was the best around(imo).

kenkamken said:

Has he covered any other Stones songs besides Honky Tonk Women and Miss You? I wonder if he and Ron Wood ever recorded together? I'd like to hear that. The bigger question here is who has the better falsetto, Mick or Prince?

Yes right , Prince of course.

Guitarhero said:

kenkamken said:

Has he covered any other Stones songs besides Honky Tonk Women and Miss You? I wonder if he and Ron Wood ever recorded together? I'd like to hear that. The bigger question here is who has the better falsetto, Mick or Prince?

I'd be very surprised if the answer was no, especially after his raunchy and bluesy cover of Honky Tonk Women.

NorthC said:

kenkamken said:

Has he covered any other Stones songs besides Honky Tonk Women and Miss You? I wonder if he and Ron Wood ever recorded together? I'd like to hear that. The bigger question here is who has the better falsetto, Mick or Prince?

1. Not that I know of. 2. No. 3. Mick has a pretty sweet falsetto, but no, in this category, Prince is the winner.

He did cover Start me up duribng his Las Vegas residency its recirded