Anji said:

i posted above because i'm just sick of obsessed fan types who think prince can do no wrong trying to turn it around and point to the non-star-struck fans as being at fault when it comes to prince. prince is at fault for last year's events too, and so far neither he nor the NPGMC have done us the courtesy of even caring enough to tell us what's going on with year 2003

truth is, if prince were a bit more grounded/courteous and able to run a business (or at least employ competent professionals) most of last year's problems wouldn't have existed in the first place.

i totally support prince's option to do what he wants. i am not a member who bitched to the BBB or the NPGMC. i was happy with what we got last year, re-runs included. the X album is my fav. if prince wants to retire today and turn into a door-to-door JW salesman that's his privilege and i will continue to live my happy life no matter what path he chooses

XxAxX said:

I agree with these 2 posts. I don't think he will "retire." Nor do I trust NPGMC or Prince's abilities to manage a business. But he's had a great run. Let him do whatever. I will still listen to his stuff.

AmethystAngelMN said:

This pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. At the end of the day, we each have to do what feels right for us. If Prince is happy and at peace, then so be it.

People may disagree with some of his decisions, but no one can EVER say that he squandered his talent or his gifts; no one can EVER say that he did not share of himself with others.

He'll always get props from me regardless of whatever he does next. He's already earned that and can't lose it.

Peace and Blessings to Prince & his family.

LaVisHh said:[quote]:
What if the NPGMC, the Celebration, and Paisley Park are now a part of his past?
-> NOT the worst thing. Prince needs a "timeout" & has needed 1 for SOME TIME (say.. at LEAST 5 years)

How would you feel?
-> Just like I do right now: FINE.

Does it even matter?
-> In the grand scheme of things in this universe.. not as much as 1 might think.

Would you just wish him well?
-> I'd be inclined to wish that he get a "reality check" but I'm essentially to "far gone" to care to say even that. Yet, he still has traces of "human" about him, so I could as well wish him well.

What if the end of 2002 meant the end of Prince as we have all come to know him?
-> As I have hardly been impressed with the "Prince" of the last 5 years or so, this so-called "end"
M I G H T
be the opportunity for a "Prince" who more resembles the
meat-eating,
(well-placed) expletive-hurling,
non-JW-proselytizing,
KICK-ASS MUSIC-MAKING
genius who existed from his teens through about 1996..


Seriously. Prince needs a BREAK.
A break from almost CONSTANTLY performing, touring & recording.
A break from Londell, a break from Larry, maybe even a break from Mani.
A break from the revolving door of musicians that is the "NPG."
A break from the (few) fawning fans who remain.
A break from the carefully crafted kingdom he has created for himself.


Granted, for Prince, this might be a difficult task, to say the least. How does 1 stop doing what they love doing, what they have always loved doing, doing what comes as
Naturally
As breathing?
It would probably take a CONCERTED effort, but it would be a worthwhile effort nonetheless. Even in "Uptown" magazine, a commentary from 2000 (?) suggested that Prince needed to take a break from his usual stage-studio-studio-stage life & just do something else. ANYTHING else.. for a LITTLE while, even.


In many ways, Prince has "spoiled" his fans (or at least those who pay to be in that NPG Club or whatever it's called):
All the impromptu Paisley Park gigs, touring on a rather regular basis, making some bodies of music available..


Those who follow Prince are used to almost having some new disc or concert or something to talk about. That’s good for the fans, but how good is it for Prince?


Even though (about 5 years ago) I tired of trying to "keep up" with Prince, his recently inferior quality of music & many of his "antics"..
I would not even try to deny his long-term influence on music,
nor his influence on my music tastes,
or on me as a person & my way of thinking.


Yes, Prince really should do everyone-
mainly himself-
a favor & take at least a month off from recording music or doing concerts or anything else related to his "professional life."


Just imagine what the result(s) of that could be.

Well said, mltijchr. If Prince did take a real vacation, imagine the possibilities of the next release! :O

Something worth considering for sure.

THAT WOULD SUCK UNIMAGINABLE AMOUNTS OF ASS!!!

CalhounSq said:

There ya go!!!



Now THAT'S the reaction I was looking for, straight from the

CalhounSq said:

And NOONE wants to imagine what that would look like

LaVisHh said:

I'd be pissed @ him for the first time I think ultimately he'd get bored & wanna do it all again, which would make the whole "retirement" a waste of time & a thorn in my ass. He'll do whatever he wants of course, but when he starts denying me the music...

if the Brother elects to take the Barry Sanders Route&Walk away off into the SunSet who is to argue His Choice?while I Prefer His Older Stuff far more overall,I still will Always Respect&dig what the Man Brought to the game&He has already left His mark&Has that Right to Ride off into the Sunset if He elects to.I give Him Props for Coping Considering all the Personal Close to Home Issues He has dealt with over the past 5 Years.the Brother will always be alright with me no matter where I stand on His Music choices I respect Dude.

Calhoun Square... say it like you feel!

The first idea that comes to my mind is slappin' him in the head and shouting to him, "Are U crazy? Have U lost ur mind? No more music Aghhh!"

But then I would have to accept what his decision is and life will continue to go on. It would take a little while to adjust but I would ok. I would just have to play my cds and talk to my freinds and reminisce about the good old days.

TongueBox said:

STOP! PUT YOUR HANDS UP!!!

HE WON'T SELL PAISLEY PARK... NO WAY~

I know this thread's topic is "What if the rumors are true?" -- but I'm going to base my answer on what I personally know are facts:

October, 2001 -- we got a great new album in TRC

May 2002 -- we got a piano album, which many fams were wishing for over Prince's career

Early 2002 through the end of 2002 -- Prince was on tour with breaks few and far between. While the venues were smaller and the shows were much more about music than stage gimmicks, it was a full-fledged tour like any other Prince tour, including amazing aftershows that went long into the night.

Late 2002 -- We got a three-disc live set. Two discs of concert music, one disc of aftershow music. It was a great documentary of the American leg of the tour. It of course did not include the Europe/Asia leg of the tour because the live album was in production during that time so that it could be released before the end of the year.

Late 2002 -- We got downloads of "C-NOTE" -- while we each didn't get access to all five tracks, with a little ingenuity you could find the four you were missing on the club's site.

First minute of 2003 -- We got a complete instrumental album as a download. Awesome stuff and more of a surprise than perhaps any Prince release in recent history.

It's been four months and one day since the last time I heard a newly released, official Prince track. That is definitely not the longest period any of us has been through without a release.

I'm going to make a note of this thread and re-visit it again in late summer or early autumn. I bet we'll be laughing at ourselves. Just my hunch.
[This message was edited Wed Apr 2 14:50:32 PST 2003 by Doozer]

Even if Prince did "retire" and sell off PP, I think we'd still get plenty of music from his "vaults" for several years to come. Of course, with a guy as obsessed with music as P, I doubt he could quit playing live music, its pretty much in his soul.

"...The radiance which was once so bright
Is now forever taken from my sight.
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass
Of glory in the flower
We will grieve not
Rather find strength in what remains behind." ~ W. Wordsworth

LaVisHh said:

It would be pretty sad if it was true, yes.
But it's still his life and if he wishes to take a break, or stop completely, then we cannot stop him, and we can only wish him good luck.
There's enough material of his floating around to last a lifetime already. But it's always nice to hear new recording and knowing he's still creating.

Whatever happens, I had a great time.

This would be my worst nightmare come true, I would dig a whole that reaches down to the earth and crawl in, and not want to the see light for dayz... this thread makes me the saddest ever
[This message was edited Wed Apr 2 16:26:42 PST 2003 by DigitalLisa]

LaVisHh said:

Nothing lasts forever. Change is the only thing that is ever certain.

Mr7 said:

Agreed!!!

JediMaster said:

Amen!

If Prince retires his music will be legendary and He will end up being one of those mythical characters like Sly Stone :Smile: Don't know if he's still alive or dead or if he ever exsisted, ... Yet music will mysteriously appear from nowhere. I don't think Prince could ever live without playing music, he has a gift, maybe he will use this gift for his own personales matters or just produce for other people... why can't he be like Tina Turna though and play music til his' 60's ? I think his fans really really really disappointed him, so now what do you all have to say about yourselves

I don't care what Prince does, if he's a JW or a Santanias I will support his music til no end...
[This message was edited Wed Apr 2 17:02:31 PST 2003 by DigitalLisa]

DigitalLisa said:

If Prince is contemplating retirement, I'm going to write him a four page letter written on both sides, pleading for him not to retire... his music is still important to the industry, especailly in these dayz in age when music R&B or soul music has no sense of direction at all nor guidance in hand at the time, the letter will be soaked in tears, showing much grattitude and respect, rather good or bad for the contributions Prince has made in his career... All Prince needs is a little bit of inspiration , make him see his music is still important, make him see his music is much much needed, make him see that he does have real fans who supported, dammit let me get to writing
[This message was edited Wed Apr 2 17:08:57 PST 2003 by DigitalLisa]

In ways it's good for him and not so good for us

Thank You for saying this...!

Mr7 said:

I agree with Toms statement however consider the fact if he now wanted to sing 4 God and be creative in that sense... I do believe his relationship with Jehovah and his wife are important to him now.The man lost both of his parents in a 6 MONTH period and still continued to tour and show us a great time during the celebration,we need to be understanding that he needs to have his own life I would imagine that when u reach the age of 45 your priorities change.I just wish if it was his last tour that he would of said goodbye I could not imagine a better way to end than the 2002 celly...on the other hand the music does pay his bills and fills his soul. The memories we have are amazing and we have each other as friends and we still gonna party and maybe Prince will will come and play with us again at the park... PaisleyPark

The last 5/6 years of this man's life has been HELL!Everything he has done has been shit on by the industry & so called fans.I really feel sorry for the man,regardless of the money & fame.

This country is full of people who are full of envy and hate toward one another.People need to enjoy life more and stop being "haters".

Prince's music has inspired me to try to become a better person.Some of you need to listen

MissCute said:

Abso-friggin'-lutely!!!
We all lived 2 c the dawn!!!

---