So Im listening to the 30 min version of I Would Die 4 U and it always amazed me how he had such presence on stage and knew how everyone played and knew what they should be doing. I mean I listen to him on that Screams of Passion demo where he is talking and just calls out how it should sound and they listened creating magic Pure Genius

I believe he was a good band leader. When the band plays on its own, that's great.

When the band is aware of his cues and follow them, that's great.

When the band can jam right along with him, that's great.

Prince didn't have to stand there and lead them for every note and nuance. That's

a great bandleader AND band.

rubymoon53 said:

I believe he was a good band leader. When the band plays on its own, that's great.

When the band is aware of his cues and follow them, that's great.

When the band can jam right along with him, that's great.

Prince didn't have to stand there and lead them for every note and nuance. That's

a great bandleader AND band.

True...they were great cuz they had to follow his lead

He was a great band leader...following in the footsteps of James Brown.

He said he also admired the way Bruce Springsteen led his band too. P said that if the E Street band got out of control onstage, Bruce would shoot them a crazy look and they got right back on track.

SPYZFAN1 said:

He said he also admired the way Bruce Springsteen led his band too. P said that if the E Street band got out of control onstage, Bruce would shoot them a crazy look and they got right back on track.

...and they still do what The Boss says.

purplethunder3121 said:

He was a great band leader...following in the footsteps of James Brown.

nursev said:

purplethunder3121 said:

He was a great band leader...following in the footsteps of James Brown.

purplethunder3121 said:

nursev said:

U can see that Prince idolized him

nursev said:

purplethunder3121 said:

U can see that Prince idolized him

I think JB was his biggest all around influence. Hendrix for guitar, of course.

I loved how they could be in the middle of some manic jam, and he would either raise one hand, shoot them a look, or even just sort of blink at them, and they would all stop together, bang on cue.

I think I see James Brown in him more than anyone else. It must have taken hours and hours of rehearsals, so much hard work to make something look so easy. Like all great performers, it looked easy and effortless for him.

I love it when you hear him say "chord" (twice) during N.E.W.S.

From seeing him on stage I'll also say he was a generous performer; when the moment came for one of the band to take a turn in the spotlight I saw him (P) stand off to the side of the stage and let that person have his minute or two of the attention.

funkyrake said:

He was a fascinating band leader. Prince knew his music so well that he fussed over its overall sound. His expressions gave him away when he thought the sound was off. Loved his cues. He seemed spiritually and physically integrated with his band members while performing.

yeah u could see it in his face when it wasnt quite right

MissMarySharon said:

I loved how they could be in the middle of some manic jam, and he would either raise one hand, shoot them a look, or even just sort of blink at them, and they would all stop together, bang on cue.

I think I see James Brown in him more than anyone else. It must have taken hours and hours of rehearsals, so much hard work to make something look so easy. Like all great performers, it looked easy and effortless for him.

I loved that too...he could just turn his head and look and their whole sound changed. Love it.

vladimir said:

I love it when you hear him say "chord" (twice) during N.E.W.S.

From seeing him on stage I'll also say he was a generous performer; when the moment came for one of the band to take a turn in the spotlight I saw him (P) stand off to the side of the stage and let that person have his minute or two of the attention.

Yes he did...he gave Dez his due in that controversy vid and when he was singing with Nikka Costa he let her shine...beautiful.

He said in a quite recent interview that he would like to teach. But I think he always taught without even knowing it. Amazing how he brought people together for the love of music.