25 years of Prince. He brought us all together. There are many bands that bring people from different walks of life together. The Stones do it. Most bands today do it. But this is about Prince and that he brought together the “blackey”, the “homo”, the “cracker”, the “redneck”, the “gangster,” the geek etc. They all assemble at Prince music and they are no longer those ephithets and we never were. And we realize in those Prince music moments we never were as well as we do in other moments of sense. We look at those different from us and for that moment during Purple Music we are just human. We know this already, but, in moments such as Prince music it's even more clear. Enjoying music. Ever been to a show. All the colors and styles of the world are there. Look at the folks in line next time. Whether or not he intended for it to be this way that’s what he got.

For you. Listening to the radio, KUTE 102 FM in bedrooms and here comes Soft n Wet. So what, I was in grade school. But they played it. A year later during the disco r-n-b only years came I Wanna Be Your Lover. Bought the single. Saw the album cover and tripped. I thought prince was a girl group. But looking at the cover it’s a girl—or man. Marcel hairdo etc. If I knew I would have said its the black Bowie…. in Young American territory.

Dirty Mind. Looking through Sears’ record bin ( they used to sell records in 1980 ) saw Dirty Mind and the back cover. What in the hell. And those naughty titles to songs I barely knew the definition of. And that pose. This was that prince guy that I bought that 45 single by. This guy is weird and out there and new wave. Yuck. Will never hear from him again. Right On Magazine in school with the “Yes this is Prince and he’s really different now” cover stating that we aint in Kansas no mo.

Controversy..my brother had it and I always played Private Joy since that was the main radio hit. Controversy also on the radio but I thought it was Octapussy etc. Bought the single and the back was When You Were Mine.

1999-the end. The single on the radio had me thinking this was Prince after being fooled by 777-9311 the first time hearing it. Okay prince is now doing all these voices and its like nothing I ever heard. And doing chores one day and the video comes on. Oh damn. That’s it game over..such style. This was my Elvis-Ed Sullivan. Like that.

Then came the rain and everything else. And here we all are today. Fussin and fighting and diggin the skin we’re in. Some into punk, some into funk, some hip hoppers, some metal heads, some quaint souls, some badasses, some thieves (in all temples) and some angels and devils. All a part of his ragtag audience. And still after 25 years..there have been many ups and down but we remained loyal. Those of us left are loyal as hell. Not to the man and music only, but, to the CULTURE of Prince. We are his culture. We can grow old, be young, listen to other things, become other things but we are this..culture. Like an underground happening that only we know about. Knowing the brilliance of an aftershow and not just Raspberry Beret. Knowing someone is into Prince you know a lot about them. You know they can hang and for the most part are fairly open minded about things.

I know he felt this at this past celebration because I felt it, and I wasn’t even there. I’m not sure this past year and a half can be topped. He wasn’t the king of the world but he was completed. I cant explain it but I feel he was completed and so were we.. what’s left of us..it seemed as if there was a certain closure this year. If he never recorded again I’d be satisfied. He came on the scene with For You and for the other bookend he closed with TRC so to speak (regardless of the X –Cnote material). He became a rock god in the middle. Not too shabby.

The internet gave him new life I believe. It was a new culture. Everyone was invited to this underground for better and/or for worse (both). Found out that there were thousand others going to the record store the first days of releases just like me. I remember where I was each time. Some wrote that he is great for not conforming so to speak and doing it his way. I agree. And for every four paws, I mean faux pas or battle, we are always hoping it will work out..even if we get pissed at some shennanegins. Some get pissed because we care. If we didn’t who would give a shit if he released so called sub-par material…or if he changed his name ..or if he did anything that we don’t see eye to eye with etc. The guy who listens to thrash metal cares..the hip hopper ..the punk listeners..the jazz cats…the complainers..the fawning subjects..the pretentious and the top 40 person..the republican, the democrat, the pro lifer and the radical christian..all stand in line to see this man play or to put him in our machines . And they (we) all do it in a Prince culture forum where for just those moments of music we are none of those things. We become pure if you will..tabula rasa. Everything is put away..all the definitions of what “the other person is”. Lots of artists have people who are effected in this way by their art form…but I think Prince is one of the ones who raise that ante and its more prominent. Prince has the geeks and the freaks…the hetians and the radical, and r-n-b kings…extremes and in the middle. It took 25 years to do so and that’s not bad.

Ever been to a one off show..an after show..ever heard one? Even a regular show. Then you know who was there . His people. And it was probably late. And the geeks and freaks and pompous ones, and the take no shit from anybody ones, and the meek ones , and the ugly, and the beautiful ones were all there. And he probably played something ethereal at times. Who does that? 25 years of experience does that. One of shows and birthday performances during those years solidified him and us. He did it outside of the public and played it underground. He did it like that without the fanfare ( for the most part). He let him expose greatness under the radar. Why? Who knows.

To be one person who has such a body of work..not just song but the content of them and the performance of them. It isn’t just some guy in heels playing brilliantly. There’s a politic to it all and yet there is nothing but pure, pure as in it’s untouched and in special moments undefinable. The music that is. Even the performance and image. He’s gonna rock eyeliner and heels not because he wants to do it for grandeur..but because that’s his pure feeling. I’m sure some folks feel that. “I’m doing this not just because of influence or to get a point across, but because this is who the fuck I am”. And that shows in the music regardless of genre influences and attempts at recreating, paying homage etc. Thanks to KL for understanding at an important time. Thanks to all those in his camp who helped propel his mystique, and show his skills. Thanks to all of his 25 years as an outlier of culture yet a basic product of our culture who’s been in front of us for 25 years yet seemingly undetected in may many ways. Thanks for bringing us together and for creating the song I’m Yours.

To hell with the Hall Of Fame. Prince being out of the picture and doing shit his own sexy way is more rock n roll than any Beatles, Stones or Richard. “Fuck this” he said. Regardless of reasons. Nothing more rock n roll than that. Thank god...thank whomever ..thank him, for making the last 25 years something else, something special, something purple, something personal, something beautiful. Even with a million other cds and groups to listen to there will always be that Prince base that’s warm as mamas oven, that’s home so to speak. Uptown isn’t the same as it was 20 years ago but the street is still there , and some of the buildings are different, but you can still gather there on a Saturday Night and get down Uptown style. And there’s nothing more rock n roll than bringing the freak, black, white, Puerto Rican, gay, lesbian, Asian, indian, short, tall, longhair, gangster, Christian, atheist, mom, dad, etc together to enjoy for 25 years with Prince, by Prince,this,...this "thing of ours"
[This message was edited Wed Apr 9 21:26:03 PDT 2003 by rdhull]

Great post, rd

sniffle...s'so be-u-tee-full...

tho' i missed all the good shit due 2 my age, i can unnastand that. i look at the concerts/old footage that i have on tape--f'rinstance, i watched first ave. '83 4 the first time tonite--and i go, "man...wish i were there. folks were really lucky waybackwhen!"

rd

ben, somebody, frame this shit and hang it up...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

lucky!!!`

lovebizzare said:

eh?

lovebizzare said:

I second that. Good job RD

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

you got the first avenue '83 concert on tape, you're lucky

lovebizzare said:

ohhh, o-tay

“I’m doing this not just because of influence or to get a point across, but because this is who the fuck I am”.



Brilliant post Rd!

Very good post, excpept if he never recorded again, I would be satisfied, Prince is the best in the world and besides that he loves it, he just has some influence in his life right now telling him that those last 25 years were wrong.
He's the kind of musician that should go as long as he wants to ,as long as BB King.

lovebird said:

.
[This message was edited Sun Apr 6 23:08:44 PDT 2003 by Supernova]

RD

Very nice, I felt that. This 25 years has been a kickass ride I wish I could wholeheartedly agree w/ you about being satisfied if it is indeed all over, I just can't. I would understand but a part of me would be on edge, eager for him to come back @ any moment w/ something brilliant he just couldn't keep to himself. He doesn't just play music, he IS his music - it would have to manifest somehow. I guess I'm selfish b/c I simply cannot imagine being denied the ultimate pleasure - hearing it...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Great post!!! Thanks rdhull!

WONDERFUL thread/post rd.


but just one thing.....

rdhull said:

[This message was edited Sun Apr 6 3:04:47 PDT 2003 by AaronFantastic]

rd

rdhull understands! U a muthafuckin' Prince-Head with thick purple blood flowing through your veins rd! Cut me, cut U, both the blood is purple! You should write a book or a series of essays rd, I'm dead serious. You can be the antidote to "posessed" just like Lovesexy was the antidote to The Black Album.

Prince on his 25
& also RD on telling it like it is.

it is now April 7th in Australia which means its time 2 go nothing but Prince for 36 hours til USA says buh bye 2 April7th.

truly a great milestone.

here's to another 25 P

peace
love,
Joshy


P25EDIT
[This message was edited Sun Apr 6 7:20:02 PDT 2003 by Joshy84au]

CalhounSq said:

That's so right. Prince IS music, I don't think that anyone or anything will ever make him stop.

And one more thing: after 25 years, a mountain of released music and hundreds of concerts we get so angry when we don't agree with his latest direction, musically or personally, but look back at it... it was amazing!
And it is and it damn sure will be!


BRING IT ON!

RD

If anyone asks me about P, I'll just point to
you, mmmkay?
[This message was edited Sun Apr 6 10:06:15 PDT 2003 by RoseOfSharon]

Bravo ! Brilliant post RD.

rd...you make me want to be a better poster...

Yes! This what I have been trying to say for sometime now. Only you did it much better!

WOW. now THIS is what being a Prince Fam is all about. RD - we ever meet, the drinks are on me.

respect due...

I agree, Prince IS a culture. He's damn near a lifestyle.

I wish the ride with Prince would never end never the less I feel so blessed and reading your post reaffirms thar Prince fans have beautifull minds. and too funky too ...traveling acrooss the country to each celly u guessed it was PRICELESS 4 the music and people and friends I have encountered all of these years .

key word LOYAL I love being part of the Prince culture and I love that you and all the others feel this culture too!!!

pejman said:

Me too!!

Thanks rd for the awesome post!!

Wonderful post!!

Sly said:

yup that's my favorite line. props to ya RD