Was that he was a true artist. Not everything he did was awesome or could top the commerical success of Purple Rain, some of the things he did were confusing or didn't connect with his audience..however he remained a true vessel for his creativity and the music. Sometimes he did feel pressure to turn into that hitmaker again (the Rave era) but many times he stayed true to what he was feeling (Sign of the Times era) and/or (the Black Album/ Lovesexy period). Basically, what I loved about Prince was that he wasn't fake. He was so real. He just wasn't a phoney. He was, for the most part authentic and really didn't care what people thought. If he wanted to sing about sex he sung about sex, if he wanted to sing about God in a statium full of people he did, if he wanted to date outside his race he did it unapoligeticaly, if he wanted to marry a 23 year old he made that choice...for all the criticism he got he just did what he wanted and I always got a vicarious thrill watching his "fuck it" additude ....even the JW thing, I don't personally understand it or agree with it for that matter, but at the time it was obviously very passionate about it so his music refelected that...his interviews exposed his controversial viewpoints ....he just was not a fake....I loved that and deeply miss him.

Krystalkisses said:

He was fearless. He did whatever he wanted and I think because he did it it with such conviction you went along with it. One of the things I liked about him was he had a deep understading of human emotions in all their different guises. He could take you to places with his music that you had never experienced but that you understood when you got there..

LBrent said:

Krystalkisses said:

Was that he was a true artist. Not everything he did was awesome or could top the commerical success of Purple Rain, some of the things he did were confusing or didn't connect with his audience..however he remained a true vessel for his creativity and the music. Sometimes he did feel pressure to turn into that hitmaker again (the Rave era) but many times he stayed true to what he was feeling (Sign of the Times era) and/or (the Black Album/ Lovesexy period). Basically, what I loved about Prince was that he wasn't fake. He was so real. He just wasn't a phoney. He was, for the most part authentic and really didn't care what people thought. If he wanted to sing about sex he sung about sex, if he wanted to sing about God in a statium full of people he did, if he wanted to date outside his race he did it unapoligeticaly, if he wanted to marry a 23 year old he made that choice...for all the criticism he got he just did what he wanted and I always got a vicarious thrill watching his "fuck it" additude ....even the JW thing, I don't personally understand it or agree with it for that matter, but at the time it was obviously very passionate about it so his music refelected that...his interviews exposed his controversial viewpoints ....he just was not a fake....I loved that and deeply miss him.

I feelya. My favorite thing about P was his unflinching ability to reinvent himself. His music, his hair, his fashion, his love life, his beliefs... I always felt he was searching and expanding and stepping gradually out of his comfort zone. I also lived vicariously through him and it's funny to me over the years since 1978 or so, when people would find out that I was a diehard P fan, they looked at me differently...like they felt I suddenly had a secret depth to my personality that they were not aware of...like they wanted to explore me more to find out what they were missing about me if I was cool enough to be into P, who they thought of as some fringe weirdo freak beneath their notice. It was as though liking P somehow made me a celebrity. Even now, at 55 years old, I get "cool cred" from younger folks for being a P fan. Weird, huh? Lol I miss him so much and will <3 him forever. [Edited 7/26/16 14:52pm]

I think Prince fans have an understanding amongst each other. We all know why we like him and understand why others do. However, non fans cant see past the Prince portrayed in the mainstream media, the crazy stuff like he goes hunting for bats at midnght and drinks blood.

I get the part about being surprised youre a fan as it shows that you have a different aspect to your personality.

BillieBalloon said:

He was fearless. He did whatever he wanted and I think because he did it it with such conviction you went along with it. One of the things I liked about him was he had a deep understading of human emotions in all their different guises. He could take you to places with his music that you had never experienced but that you understood when you got there..

Great way to describe the Prince Experience.

LBrent said: I also lived vicariously through him and it's funny to me over the years since 1978 or so, when people would find out that I was a diehard P fan, they looked at me differently...like they felt I suddenly had a secret depth to my personality that they were not aware of...like they wanted to explore me more to find out what they were missing about me if I was cool enough to be into P, who they thought of as some fringe weirdo freak beneath their notice. It was as though liking P somehow made me a celebrity. Even now, at 55 years old, I get "cool cred" from younger folks for being a P fan. Weird, huh? Lol I miss him so much and will <3 him forever. [Edited 7/26/16 14:52pm]

I don't think that is weird at all. I find the reactions you got from people very interesting and cool really. At 34, I always found people about ten years older than me or older thought it was cool I was a Prince fan but people my age teased me merciously for it...especially in school (immature kids)...but yeah I when I found out someone was also a Prince fan (I mean more than just liking Rasberry Beret) I wanted to get to know them. I do think alot of fans of Prince's do have a special intelligence/sensitivity/curiousity about life that I can relate to...but then there are also Prince fans out there that I can't relate to at all...you know the types that think everything he does is great, make excuses for anything he did or does, and act like his personal attack dogs...I can't really relate to these people so Prince fans kinda run the gamet..but yes there are the cool people out there too.

:hugs: to you LBrent my fellow Prince fan.

BillieBalloon said:

rob1965 said:

rob1965 said:

BillieBalloon said:

He was fearless. He did whatever he wanted and I think because he did it it with such conviction you went along with it. One of the things I liked about him was he had a deep understading of human emotions in all their different guises. He could take you to places with his music that you had never experienced but that you understood when you got there..

I feel the same way. And when I was at the Lovesexy shows he wanted everyone to sing 'God is love, love is god' and went along with that even I'm not religious. That was one of his many strenghts. I don't think I've ever seen an artist that could leave you with that kind of awe like he did. And for me there's no other artist that could make you laugh and cry almost simultaneously. He also was able to create that togetherness and that private atmosphere in a packed stadium. He was also able to connect with the audience like no one else could and at the same time come across as the most lonely person on the planet. And the fact that he just did what he wanted made me respect him as a human being and as a musician. You never knew what to expect.

His connection with his audience was intimate regardless of how big or small the venue was, as you said. I can only describe it how it I experienced it and for me it always felt like that. I will never feel the same way seeing anyone live as I did Prince. He was just the most amazing live performer that nobody else can even come close. You just knew you were witnessing something special and you left feeling like you were floating on air. He was able to convey his joy and pain in a way that made you feel he was letting you read his personal diary full of private feelings that you only share with really close friends.

I miss him.

He was the most fascinating out there and Im glad I tuned in.

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[Edited 7/27/16 15:31pm]