Never ordered one, because all I wanted out of that package was the CD. Figured he would eventually release just the CD -- or at least a 256/320/flac digital copy later on iTunes, Tidal. But that never happened. Instead, we get a Purple Rain mug?

So now I'm stuck with never having heard it. (As were many fans due to the packaging/price.)

I appreciated how he wanted to sell his art to fans directly -- but sometimes it felt (at least to me) that he dropped the ball on that front. He really could have made a killing if he would have just stuck to the music part. Don't need t-shirts, perfume, etc. Just make the music available and take all of my money...

I remember that in the 90s. Just being excited by the "Free The Music" message. Wanting to fight for him so he could get out of that contract and release as much music as he wanted. But that never seemed to happen.

For those older fans like myself -- pre-internet fans gave bootleggers SOOOOOO much money just so they could hear as much music as possible. Paying at least twice what regular CDs were costing -- and for *mostly* poor quality audio. Still can't wrap my head around why he didn't take advantage of his fans by releasing as much as possible from the vault. I mean, he did with concert ticket prices...

That's what makes this all so bittersweet. With no will, we're likely to finally be able to buy as much as we want to (eventually) -- but he won't see any of that money. Won't be able to help the causes that meant so much to him.

So messed up.

We wwre at Pailsey last Sep for the HnR relase party, they were selling them for $75.

But that hat box is soo pretty

I have 2 of them.....on display in my music room

Weren't they giving them out to fans at PP right after his passing?

I bought everything Prince I could get but I remember thinking what a pile of shit when this first came out. Nothing has changed my opinion.

aiden said:

I've got one. I always thought it was a pity the box was so anynoymous. It could have been anybody's purple hatbox.

If they had put a large gold symbol on it, now THAT would have been a beauty to cherish!

suomynona said:

Never ordered one, because all I wanted out of that package was the CD. Figured he would eventually release just the CD -- or at least a 256/320/flac digital copy later on iTunes, Tidal. But that never happened. Instead, we get a Purple Rain mug?

So now I'm stuck with never having heard it. (As were many fans due to the packaging/price.)

I appreciated how he wanted to sell his art to fans directly -- but sometimes it felt (at least to me) that he dropped the ball on that front. He really could have made a killing if he would have just stuck to the music part. Don't need t-shirts, perfume, etc. Just make the music available and take all of my money...

I remember that in the 90s. Just being excited by the "Free The Music" message. Wanting to fight for him so he could get out of that contract and release as much music as he wanted. But that never seemed to happen.

For those older fans like myself -- pre-internet fans gave bootleggers SOOOOOO much money just so they could hear as much music as possible. Paying at least twice what regular CDs were costing -- and for *mostly* poor quality audio. Still can't wrap my head around why he didn't take advantage of his fans by releasing as much as possible from the vault. I mean, he did with concert ticket prices...

That's what makes this all so bittersweet. With no will, we're likely to finally be able to buy as much as we want to (eventually) -- but he won't see any of that money. Won't be able to help the causes that meant so much to him.

So messed up.

The Controvery single was made available digitally. It was in mono, oddly, that I recall. But so was the CD version.

As for ticket prices - it was only a couple of years ago that I paid £10 for a couple of Prince gigs. And in 2007, it was £31.21 for the O2 arena shows and £25 for the aftershows. That's got to be just about the best value and artist of his stature could provide. (And I could also mention the free aftershows and soundchecks that came with being a member of the NPGMC back in 2002).

FragileUndertow said:

I payed 99 cents for the Controversy live track from the npgmc Or was it $1.99

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What quality was it in? The mp3 I have is in 128, but I may have done that (downconverted). Back then, portable MP3 players didn't hold as much as they do now. Oh well lol

Deedeefelder said:

So i was wondering if there any place other then ebay or amazon to get the purple box the prices they want are outrageous considering the box was free it sick how people are profiting from Princes death

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That's what happens when anyone passes. People take advantage of selling their collections. Hell, people are still capitalizing on Marilyn.

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To answer your question, the answer is no. Ebay (maybe discogs) is your only option -- other than a fellow orger having more than one copy and selling it to you. However, if there are some in storage somewhere, the estate will sell them. Or throw them in a dumpster. Who knows.

suomynona said: