I am grateful for prince.org - with news, forums, Princepedia and more.

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Today I was reading a thread on an unreleased Prince song recorded about '36 years ago' - and it made me wonder if 100 years from now people will continue to be discussing Prince and his music (on prince.org if its still here or elsewhere) - and perhaps even gathering together?

[Edited 10/21/19 1:24am]

[Edited 10/21/19 4:23am]

[Edited 10/21/19 7:54am]

Ben will die before then.

At the rate technology is progressing, the internet (and prince.org) will probably be a dinosaur tool.

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But to answer your question, everything wanes. Life, creation and art go together. Future people will be focused on the new art being generated...as they should be. But with someone as great as Prince was, you can bet there will always be an appreciation for him.

I can't even begin to imagine what life will be like 100 years from now. If humanity is still kicking around then, I think Prince will be a niche interest for a very small demographic of music nerds, but that's probably about it.

I'm going to be optimistic and say Yes! I believe that people, especially music lovers, will remember Prince for the next 100 years and beyond. I mean look, many of us remember folks like Billie Holiday, so why not Prince? I am certain that most artists that are popular today will be forgotten, but those with real talent such as Prince will be remembered. Someone is going to have my Prince collection when I'm gone and in my will I have asked that it be passed down over the generations. Hopefully this will happen.

I think Prince is going to be remember through licensing, education, and also through the media and entertainment along with new fans. I already came across twenty and thirty year olds (the age bracket who was too young or wasn't born when Prince was at his prime) rocking his gear, posting pictures of him, and had their fav songs via social media, and they are going to be the key along with the unborn kids to him alive.

I also saw a couple of teens wore his t-shirts. Yes I am frustrated at times that Prince doesnt get the respect he deserves to the general public but keep in mind he has 'the famous underground artist' label. I think Prince was comfortable with that status after he crossover, otherwise he wouldn't did ATWIAD (I came to like the album over the years).

Prince is going to be the Mozart of our times.

ladygirl99 said:

I think Prince is going to be remember through licensing, education, and also through the media and entertainment along with new fans. I already came across twenty and thirty year olds (the age bracket who was too young or wasn't born when Prince was at his prime) rocking his gear, posting pictures of him, and had their fav songs via social media, and they are going to be the key along with the unborn kids to him alive.

I also saw a couple of teens wore his t-shirts. Yes I am frustrated at times that Prince doesnt get the respect he deserves to the general public but keep in mind he has 'the famous underground artist' label. I think Prince was comfortable with that status after he crossover, otherwise he wouldn't did ATWIAD (I came to like the album over the years).

Prince is going to be the Mozart of our times.

Yeah. I think if you're like estate and expecting culture to hit Purple Rain numbers again, you're in for a disappointment, but I believe the name/legacy will sustain for those with any interest in music throughout history.... the niche of the niche.

That being said, even now, I have a hard time finding people of my generation who know much music pre-TLC and Boys II Men, but, they do exist... somewhere.

thedoorkeeper said:

Approximately 90 years ago the biggest thing in music was Louis Armstrong and jazz. How much discussion do you see of him these days? Been to LouisArmstrong.org lately?

Both aren't forgotten, though. By the premise of this thread, people do continue to discuss Louis Armstrong and jazz in 2019.. It's just a significantly smaller group compared to 1929.

I don't even think the earth will exist anymore 100 years from now.

thedoorkeeper said:

Approximately 90 years ago the biggest thing in music was Louis Armstrong and jazz. How much discussion do you see of him these days? Been to LouisArmstrong.org lately?

but...supposedly they will continue to release things for years....and will continue to blow minds

WhisperingDandelions said:

jdcxc said:

WhisperingDandelions said:

Both aren't forgotten, though. By the premise of this thread, people do continue to discuss Louis Armstrong and jazz in 2019.. It's just a significantly smaller group compared to 1929.

Exactly. And Satchmo was pre-Internet. Btw...Armstrong is one of the greatest musicians of the last couple centuries and most musicologists/jazz fans still discuss this. P has already been relevant for 40 years, what’s another 100? (Side Note: During Musicology Tour, Maceo did a sublime What a Wonderful World) And I was just at Louis Armstrong airport in NOLA!

Turner Classic Movies will show Cabin in the Sky this Saturday night and High Society on December 9. Both feature Louis Armstrong - and I'll be watching.

People into musicology will be.

Honestly? No.

They'll maybe listen to the hits but I doubt they'll talk much about it. Me and my friends all listened to Hendrix growing up (late 90s) but I was the only one actually interested in everything.

With kids having access to everything with streaming services, there's not much reason to fixate on one artist. Especially when we're talking 100 year old pop music.

[Edited 10/22/19 18:43pm]

Strive said:

Honestly? No.

They'll maybe listen to the hits but I doubt they'll talk much about it. Me and my friends all listened to Hendrix growing up (late 90s) but I was the only one actually interested in everything.

With kids having access to everything with streaming services, there's not much reason to fixate on one artist. Especially when we're talking 100 year old pop music.

[Edited 10/22/19 18:43pm]

This is an interesting thought, because I was just thinking this age / era seems to have people listening to more music than ever before, yet they seem to know less / have a disinterest in knowing more about the music or the artists. Maybe the easy access to everything inhibits that tunnel vision focus on one artistic entity or even one single piece of art. Instead it's like okay, alexa, give me similar.

billymeade said:

I think a lot of it will depend on how proactive the Estate is in releasing/marketing his stuff.

The Hendrix Estate is the perfect example. They are consistantly releasing new product, which keeps Jimi's name out there. If the Prince Estate does the same thing, people will continue to check him out.

mbdtyler said:

I can't even begin to imagine what life will be like 100 years from now. If humanity is still kicking around then, I think Prince will be a niche interest for a very small demographic of music nerds, but that's probably about it.

Ha! That's not life in 100 years...that's US on this website, RIGHT NOW!

Ah well, I digress...

I STILL WANT THE MUSIC, PRINCE ESTATE! Now, as opposed to later, when I might have dementia and not be able to enjoy it!

if the cds sell ..wil that be the factor to keep em coming?

Prince is great, but, sadly, no.

MIInsane said:

I think a lot of it will depend on how proactive the Estate is in releasing/marketing his stuff.

The Hendrix Estate is the perfect example. They are consistantly releasing new product, which keeps Jimi's name out there. If the Prince Estate does the same thing, people will continue to check him out.

Exactly. Also, a weird side effect of the digital age is that pop culture has slowed waaaaay down. Meaning, things that were popular/created years ago are lasting longer, more easily accessible, recycled, and become "new" to each generation. We are also seeing less MAJOR innovations and shifts in all artforms. I read this fact in a review and think it's apt:

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50 years before the original Star Wars was 1927. Movies were still in black and white and sound was a brand new feature in "talkies." 50 years after the original Star Wars is in 8 years. They will still be making new Star Wars movies.

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This speaks to the impact of Star Wars, but also the general shift in pop culture and the new longevity of art that people absolutely LOVE. Make no mistake....People (young and old) absolutely love Prince....

[Edited 10/30/19 16:31pm]

thedoorkeeper said:

Approximately 90 years ago the biggest thing in music was Louis Armstrong and jazz. How much discussion do you see of him these days? Been to LouisArmstrong.org lately?

I was listening to Perotin on my ipod today (yes, I still use an ipod )

Many musicians and those with a more sophisticated knowledge of music will appreciate and understand his music. Just because we don't listen as much to Miles or Louis does not mean we don't respect them as musical giants.

They'll talk about his 80s work and his 90's record label battles, about him being self-produced and about his legendary stage performances.

They won't talk too much about the last 1/2 of his discography though.

I guess we'll only know for sure in 100 years time.