I have been a Prince fan for over 30 years. I literally "found" Prince. I found a cassette tape and it had two songs on it that I loved, Baby, and Crazy You... I didn't even know who sung them as they were mixed in with other songs, but I immediately fell in love at that moment. And today, Crazy You remains as my favorite Prince song of all time. So, for my friends and family, I have been the person they come to when a question about Prince arises. So naturally after his passing, everyone called to check on me, and also wanted his music. At first, I was really excited, and I did not mind sharing, and talking about Prince, and all was good for few weeks, but thier excitement has faded. I guess casual fans are going back to thier lives now, and I am still here mourning. But I was talking to someone today about Prince and I realize that it's so much easier being a casual fan, than it is to be a life-long fan.

Casual fans remember Purple Rain, and Little Red Corvette, and jam when 'When Doves Cry" comes on the radio. They have only heard the marginal hits over the years, and has really never heard the rest of the albums. They have never heard of Crystal Ball or the Black Album, and most of them had no idea how prolific he was, and that he released so many albums, and how awesome his live shows were, no idea. So they were blown away. And they don't know how frustrating it was as a fan to want to see performances, because they can go to Youtube and see what they want to.

Even deeper, his passing was so shocking because Prince was not in the media everyday. The media has taken many heros and made them mortal with constant coverage of thier personal lives that our celebrities have been humanized to the point that people no longer are in awe of them. But since Prince kept such a low profile, casual fans was still in awe of him because the last time most of them seen him was Purple Rain came on TV, or they heard one of his songs somewhere out of the blue.

Now, I see, in my life, that the casual fans are now going back to thier lives. They have paid thier respects, and have purchased music for thier archives, and truly honored him, and are at peace again. Whereas, I am still hurting, and suffering, and still not able to listen to certain songs.

I don't know if I am jealous, but I have been a fan for over 30 years, and casual fans are hearing and seeing things that I have only heard about. Songs that I have only been able to read about on the .org is easily available to them. They watch Youtube with no trepidation, and yet, I feel guilty like I am doing something wrong because I know they would not be there if he was still here.

I think I am always going to be a casual fan of other artists from now on. Just enjoy what I love about the artists, and not search for things that takes a little of that joy away. So I have stopped my constant searching to understand Prince, I am just going to spend the rest of my enjoying his music, like the casual fan.

Sorry so long, but no one else to talk to about this.

I think you could describe me as one of those casual fans. Prince was off my radar for about as long as he was on yours. The last record of his that I bought was the greatest hits album. I would still look for him on TV if it was announced he was going to be on, and I realized he was this rock god/icon for everyone, celebrity or non-celebrity. I saw him in concert in 2013 - the only time - and it was a party format featuring others - singers and musicians. He wasn't that present. When he died, I felt like my heart had been shattered. I cannot describe it, and all I thought about was him. Yes, I bought the albums, DVDs, and books, but I haven't felt a need to delve deeply into the catalogue, trying to find bootlegs, etc. The YouTube videos are great. Today, for the first time in over two months, I laughed at thoughts of Prince - go onto the thread here featuring photos of Prince and his lack of undergarments. The posts are hysterical. I hope your sadness and grief can transition into great joy at being alive when he was - at being able to hear him and see him and adore his genius (as well as that gorgeous face). Take care.

It is on US now to preserve the legacy of our brilliant Prince and to honor his memory. We must demonstrate all that he has taught us. It is time to for us to BE the Prince that we want to see in the world. There will be no further incentives to arrive for the loyalists. We are armed '2 the 9s' with many examples of his grace, his intellect, his wisdom. We were privileged to have many, many years to study and learn from him. I can't tell you what he did to me, but my body will never be the same.

.

Be sexy, be creative, be impromptu, become educated, master, teach, involve, spread love, show and prove. These are our duties now. I will never stop visiting the org and I will never not represent Prince and the many amazing lessons that he has taught me over the years.

[Edited 6/30/16 12:41pm]

I think it's almost the opposite for me. I consider myself a casual fan but one who is starting to become more entangled in his world after his passing. I became a fan of his when I was 13 years old (I'm 23 years old). I'm finding that it's starting hurt a lot more as time goes on and the deeper I delve into his world. I remember instinctly telling myself that I would try to avoid getting wrapped into everything as I have felt that pain before when MJ passed (Been an obsessed fan of his since I was about 6 years old). But, I've found myelf researching him constantly and attempting to become a completist (which I know will be impossible but that doesn't stop me!) But at this time, I find myself grieving and hurting more now than when I first heard of his passing 2 months ago.

StrangeButTrue said:

It is on US now to preserve the legacy of our brilliant Prince and to honor his memory. We must demonstrate all that he has taught us. It is time to for us to BE the Prince that we want to see in the world. There will be no further incentives to arrive for the loyalists. We are armed '2 the 9s' with many examples of his grace, his intellect, his wisdom. We were privileged to have many, many years to study and learn from him. I can't tell you what he did to me, but my body will never be the same.

.

Be sexy, be creative, be impromptu, become educated, master, teach, involve, spread love, show and prove. These are our duties now. I will never stop visiting the org and I will never not represent Prince and the many amazing lessons that he has taught me over the years.

[Edited 6/30/16 12:41pm]

As a young fan and someone who is open to learning as much as I can from fans like yourself, I really do appreciate this.

cudnpete said:

I have been a Prince fan for over 30 years. I literally "found" Prince. I found a cassette tape and it had two songs on it that I loved, Baby, and Crazy You... I didn't even know who sung them as they were mixed in with other songs, but I immediately fell in love at that moment. And today, Crazy You remains as my favorite Prince song of all time. So, for my friends and family, I have been the person they come to when a question about Prince arises. So naturally after his passing, everyone called to check on me, and also wanted his music. At first, I was really excited, and I did not mind sharing, and talking about Prince, and all was good for few weeks, but thier excitement has faded. I guess casual fans are going back to thier lives now, and I am still here mourning. But I was talking to someone today about Prince and I realize that it's so much easier being a casual fan, than it is to be a life-long fan.

Casual fans remember Purple Rain, and Little Red Corvette, and jam when 'When Doves Cry" comes on the radio. They have only heard the marginal hits over the years, and has really never heard the rest of the albums. They have never heard of Crystal Ball or the Black Album, and most of them had no idea how prolific he was, and that he released so many albums, and how awesome his live shows were, no idea. So they were blown away. And they don't know how frustrating it was as a fan to want to see performances, because they can go to Youtube and see what they want to.

Even deeper, his passing was so shocking because Prince was not in the media everyday. The media has taken many heros and made them mortal with constant coverage of thier personal lives that our celebrities have been humanized to the point that people no longer are in awe of them. But since Prince kept such a low profile, casual fans was still in awe of him because the last time most of them seen him was Purple Rain came on TV, or they heard one of his songs somewhere out of the blue.

Now, I see, in my life, that the casual fans are now going back to thier lives. They have paid thier respects, and have purchased music for thier archives, and truly honored him, and are at peace again. Whereas, I am still hurting, and suffering, and still not able to listen to certain songs.

I don't know if I am jealous, but I have been a fan for over 30 years, and casual fans are hearing and seeing things that I have only heard about. Songs that I have only been able to read about on the .org is easily available to them. They watch Youtube with no trepidation, and yet, I feel guilty like I am doing something wrong because I know they would not be there if he was still here.

I think I am always going to be a casual fan of other artists from now on. Just enjoy what I love about the artists, and not search for things that takes a little of that joy away. So I have stopped my constant searching to understand Prince, I am just going to spend the rest of my enjoying his music, like the casual fan.

Sorry so long, but no one else to talk to about this.

As you should, I grew up differently with Prince. His music, movies, influnce, interviews, presence was always in my life. I grew up in Chicago and grew up on BET and all Urban entertainment outlets. For me and the people surrounding my life, Prince was always there.

I never knew of the "casual fan" until like maybe around 96 - 98 when some people would say, "I haven't listened to Prince in years". We just assumed they were either fans of the Purple Rain era or harder Rock fans.

Bother me none. I listened and heard Prince everyday before he died and I still listen and hear Prince everyday since he died. His music will always live on

StrangeButTrue said:

It is on US now to preserve the legacy of our brilliant Prince and to honor his memory. We must demonstrate all that he has taught us. It is time to for us to BE the Prince that we want to see in the world. There will be no further incentives to arrive for the loyalists. We are armed '2 the 9s' with many examples of his grace, his intellect, his wisdom. We were privileged to have many, many years to study and learn from him. I can't tell you what he did to me, but my body will never be the same.

.

Be sexy, be creative, be impromptu, become educated, master, teach, involve, spread love, show and prove. These are our duties now. I will never stop visiting the org and I will never not represent Prince and the many amazing lessons that he has taught me over the years.

[Edited 6/30/16 12:41pm]

This. Is perfect! I know it will take some longer to reach a point where they transition from mourning to celebration and to to what you stated so perfectly above. I am currently like a pendulum. Most times I am celebrating him. Listening to the brilliance in his music. Laughing at his humour, in life and in song too. But often I swing back to the other end, of shock and sadness when I rememeber he's no longer here with us.

cudnpete, It's a process and does take time. Don't feel the need to force it. But hopefully you will reach the point of celebration too.

I'm one of those people who started listening to Prince in 1984..he was HOT STUFF. He was everywhere and I was so intrigued and proud. Finally a person who had Blues, soul, RB, Rock a little freaky..just like me!. Followed him intensley until about 2000..then back and forth checking in every now and then-sometimes a long time- to see what he's up to..so now I feel like the sudden loss of a friend that I fell out of touch with and I stopped calling. I thought they would always be around. I missed a lot and took him for granted. On one hand I have regret, but on the other I am inspired and excited about his music and I can't get enough.

I absolutely don't know whats been going on with me. I gave not ONE thought to prince when he was alive. Ever. And I'm his age, so I've been around the whole time. But when he died, I started to listen. Research. Research this person, and his band members. And I got wigged out about some stuff I read. One of his band members had something to do with an album in Christian music that came out in 1991...well, had something to do with some people that something happened to me that was utterly bizarre. And I got to thinking, well....about that situation, and that a former band member of Prince was an executive at the record company from which this album that I bought came from. And some REALLY weird stuff happened. So I started to research. And I have been kinda wigged. So right now I'm reading this biography. I've learned about all I really care to learn at this point. One wishes one knew what is true and what is false. Not quite sure what to think. I'm not sure Prince was completely mentally well. Sorry. I also find his death weird. God knows the truth, but I sure don't.

I understand alot of what you are saying Cudnpete

Prince for some of us...no better or worse...is more than just a musician who made great music

He was an IDEA

I met with two of my best friends from Uni last week for a "big day out"...went to the O2 for the Ali exhibition and then watched the footie.

Over dinner the conversation moved to Prince - obviously they know my "interest" in him - as I have taken them both to see him in concert

Anyway...they both said..."man your phone must have blown up when he passed"...they both texted me on the day

I said yes...because, he shaped my life and perspective of how I see the world through a "purple filter"

He got me!

Now I understand that not everyone has that same association - and in a way am glad for that

Because, our wider circle can introduce us to new and different and talented musicians who can keep our perspective broad and current and understanding of other peoples perceptions

Nevertheless...to some (ie those that visit the.org) Prince probably represents more than music...his clothes...his business moves...his changing of bands and musicians...Paisley Park concept...protoges...Minneapolis not LA...

So some of us resonate more with him than others

I will always remember the day he passed...it was weird...

My bestest friend from school who I knew from age 6 until he drove me to Uni... and then I dropped him for no reason...

So, we met over the years occassionally, going to each other's weddings etc...but always an unspoken distance...

I didn't even have his number anymore in my phone

Then on that day...I get a text...and it came up as an anonymous number with no signature....but I just knew who it was

And we met...and a whole 20yrs of distance poured out and we are truly reconciled

On the same day, I texted my Brother, who introduced me to Prince....but he had then moved on - despite taking me to see him at wembley in 86!!!

I texted him and said "Bro'...you introduced me to Prince...you left him...I stayed"

Strangely though, I went for dinner that week with my Brother - he never said a thing about Prince...but I can't help thinking it had affected him because of the history

My Brother has a thing about not looking back - oh Bro, the Prince irony...if you ever knew!!!

And that is the way it goes...

It is what he means to you...through his IDEA...music, lyrics, concept...and if it gets you/me/us through this thing called life...

Then cool....

But...we might feel precious about Prince...because we invested time in him moreso than others...but we don't own him over any other

When my step-mum passed...I remember sitting with her son and he said a beautiful thing in the eulogy...

My Mother was not just my Mother...she was a wife, a daughter, an aunt, a neice, a friend, a kind stranger...

I think he was saying that he understood and saw his Mum as more than what he "owned"...she was more to the world - whether in long-term relationships or transience to strangers, complimenting somebody's dress on a bus...

So...I think in this meandering post ...it's about what Prince means to you - and that nobody owns him...and if some of the "casual" fans are more inquisitive great...if not, well such is the nature of our transitory society...we still "get" him as our "private joy"

But I totally get the feelings of preciousness

Caveat - any MF that cheapens his music with awful adverts and cynical rehashes - Im gonna be vocal

Peace x

[Edited 6/30/16 21:21pm]

I can't read a solid 34 line block of text like that, but in terms of casual fans, it's not very dramatic. These fans can pick up a record here or there over the years, or even a whole bunch if they get interested enough. Prince having so many albums in the top fifty immediately after his death bodes well for the future of his music, obviously that record level of interest was just that -- a record.

Longtime Prince fans all over the world should be proud of Prince's stature and influence, the world spoke and the reaction was as close to universal you can get.

I really appreciate the conversation, and so many of the posts helped me understand what I have been feeling. I definitely did not intend on making a debate on what is a causual fan versus something else. I love that Prince has new fans and if you are, and you're just digging deeper into Prince and his music, great news, you will have enough for that journey to last you for the rest of your life. I am still learning about him after more than thirty years.

I know many people don't want to hear Prince's music in commercials, but how great would it be to hear "Delirious" coming out of the TV?

1Sasha said:

I know many people don't want to hear Prince's music in commercials, but how great would it be to hear "Delirious" coming out of the TV?

Watch this year's Scandal episode called "Trump Card".

^

No issue with Prince music in programmes and movies - something he did license out when alive

But I think he didn't want his music to hock some corporation's junk

Hence, I will be a bit gutted when it eventually happens

It was another part of Prince's appeal that he didn't do such an obvious and lucrative thing - always a bit different was our Prince