I found this google site of all of Prince's tours and I was really surprised how many times he skipped the US. Did he not like the fans in the US as much, or was it the promoters maybe?

Link to web site of all his tours-

Princetourhistory

it was mostly because after ATWIAD, his albums generally did better overseas.

He has stated over the years that U.S. audiences were less than ideal. They only really care about the hits and expect him to play them.

The Lovesexy tour did not do as well as expected in the U.S. After that, he was hesitant to tour the U.S. again (the next one was Act I, which was just a tour of theatres, not arenas).

But here's what I don't get- the Purple Rain Tour was HUGE in the US. Then he skips the US on the Parade Tour and the Sign O the Times Tour. If album sales were slow for those two albums, I think a tour would have really helped sell those records. Thos tours were some of his best.

I saw the Lovesexy Tour twice (Worcester and Hartford) and I was surprised that I could get good seats so easily. Especially after I saw the first show and was amazd at how good it was, I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to get Hartford tickets, but it was pretty easy, and this was a small arena too. So I get why after that tour, which was expensive for him, he got kind of frustrated with the US, but I don't get why he skipped Parade and Sign O the Times in US. The Sign o the Times movie was put out in some cities, that was it.

Overseas had all the fun. Which meant I only got to see him once. And I'm thankful for that one time.

Michael Jackson was the same. After the Bad Tour in 88, he never toured the US again. The HIStory tour went to Honolulu, and he did two anniversary shows at Madison Square Garden in 2001. I think there are a few other brief appearances in there. But no tours. Meanwhile he was all over Europe and Asia constantly. I wonder what it is that's so bad about the US?

3rdeyedude said:

He has stated over the years that U.S. audiences were less than ideal. They only really care about the hits and expect him to play them.

Although a generalisation, I think that is true of the average European music fan too. There is certainly an element that appreciated the musicianship/showmanship over the hits and took Prince to their hearts in Europe, but press and public alike have definitely been critical of his less hits friendly shows over the years (95, 98, 2002 spring to mind).

He really did alternate his tour focus over the years too.

I think he only came to the UK in 1980/81 and then didn't return until 1986 once his superstardom had been established.

Then we got to see him pretty much every year or every 2-3 years until 2002.

Then we got a lean 5 years missed out on the 2004 legendary-HOF-status Musicology tour, but he made up for that with 21 Nights in 2007 and 2-3 year intervals were seemingly established again.

He would have been due for another run right about now I think (sigh)

Ehm ... he is MASSIVE in Europe.

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Tell if I'm wrong, this is my presumption, but I was under the impression that in the US he is still seen as a 'black' artist - a crossover artist, like MJ - but still part of the black community.

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Whereas over here, he is seen as an AMERICAN artist - and the audience much more diverse.

+ album sales higher, ticket sales much higher (starting at 80€ going up to 150€, depending on the venue).