RJOrion said:

kingricefan said:

I have absolutely no doubt that racial and homosexual slurs were being shouted towards Prince and the band. This was at a time in America where it was okay to 'gay bash', the 'N' word was used alot and let's admit it- Prince's stage persona at that time was rather effeminate as was some of his clothing choices. This was way before Youtube, folks, so I would think that 9/10th of that audience had no inkling what this petite black man from Minneapolis was going to look like or act like on stage. I'm a gay man and even I cringe when I watch the video for "I Wanna Be Your Lover' because everything about that video screams 'gay' to me. I cringe because at the time most people would have taken one look at Prince, thought he was gay and written him off as another Sylvester wanna be instead of appreciating the music. Again- this was at a time when it was okay to 'gay bash'. I lived through it and remember the fear that myself and friends felt when we would be walking down the street minding our own business, never knowing if we would get jumped. Not a pretty part of our country's past......

your comment is so true...when the American Bandstand episode aired, i clearly remember my mother making all kinda jokes about how "sissified" he was and saying shit like "Little Richard already did that... he aint gonna make it...he sho' is a pretty lil thing tho"...she had no clue, bless her heart...effeminate behavior or not, he made it

Why do people do posts like this (the start of this thread), to display their ignorance? Lack of thinking?

Is this showing my age? Then surely the topic is showing theirs.

Racism was probably a component with some folks, but I'd say it probably had way more to do with homophobia overall. This was a time when homosexuality was viewed as a perversion, and it was generally thought that gay people were sick "degenerates". "Gay bashing" was considered acceptable, because it was considered to be almost as bad as pedophilia (I know...pretty f***ed up). Most homosexuals had to remain in the "closet", or live in areas like the Castro in San Fran to escape persecution. A large gathering like a rock concert, with a bunch of testosterone fueled dudes in the crowd, would have been extremely homophobic overall. Even though Mick had flirted with androgynous looks, and hung out with all of the "crypto-homo rockers" like Bowie, Iggy, etc, he was still viewed as an ultra-masculine figure by rock fans. Mick's homoerotic escapades were viewed more as a joke, or as an attempt to shock, and very little attention was given to them.

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Prince, on the other hand, was a petite dude in bikini briefs, high heels, makeup, and thigh highs. He didn't conform to gender norms in any shape, way, or form. In those days, you could get away with a little makeup and long hair, but anything else was considered "gay", and thus "perverse". Prince walked onto the stage, and there was probably a whole lot of shock that anyone would be so bold as to dress that way....it would have been seen as an admission of being a homosexual. When he started playing "Jack U Off", that would have been taken as a confirmation (keep in mind, they probably aren't hearing all the lyrics. They wouldn't have picked up on the fact that the song is addressed to a female. They'd have taken "jacking" as being a reference to male sex organs, and thus decided Prince was singing about getting a dude off).

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Also, keep in mind that Prince's music was a blend of different styles, but at this point in time, if it wasn't just straightforward rock, it was considered "disco" by rock fans. Sure, there were many rock listeners who had discerning tastes, and could tell the difference between Funk, R&B, and Disco, but those folks weren't the mainstream rock show audience at the time. Some of them might have been in that crowd, but the majority were white males who thought that everything with a keyboard was "Disco". So, there he would lose many of the people who may not have had the knee-jerk "Oh no, one a them thar queers" response...they would have been infuriated that someone was daring to play "Disco" at a Stones show (even if the tunes he was playing weren't disco at all).

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It's a shame that Prince and his band had to endure such abuse from an audience, and it's too bad they didn't get on a bill with someone like Bowie, whose audience would have been far more accepting (being androgynous and black would have been seen as a plus by a Bowie audience). But the good thing is, it seemed to make all of them a bit tougher. After dealing with such a horrible crowd, they probably were able to take on anything that came there way.

[Edited 1/22/20 7:14am]

JediMaster said:

Racism was probably a component with some folks, but I'd say it probably had way more to do with homophobia overall. This was a time when homosexuality was viewed as a perversion, and it was generally thought that gay people were sick "degenerates". "Gay bashing" was considered acceptable, because it was considered to be almost as bad as pedophilia (I know...pretty f***ed up). Most homosexuals had to remain in the "closet", or live in areas like the Castro in San Fran to escape persecution. A large gathering like a rock concert, with a bunch of testosterone fueled dudes in the crowd, would have been extremely homophobic overall. Even though Mick had flirted with androgynous looks, and hung out with all of the "crypto-homo rockers" like Bowie, Iggy, etc, he was still viewed as an ultra-masculine figure by rock fans. Mick's homoerotic escapades were viewed more as a joke, or as an attempt to shock, and very little attention was given to them.

-

-

-

Prince, on the other hand, was a petite dude in bikini briefs, high heels, makeup, and thigh highs. He didn't conform to gender norms in any shape, way, or form. In those days, you could get away with a little makeup and long hair, but anything else was considered "gay", and thus "perverse". Prince walked onto the stage, and there was probably a whole lot of shock that anyone would be so bold as to dress that way....it would have been seen as an admission of being a homosexual. When he started playing "Jack U Off", that would have been taken as a confirmation (keep in mind, they probably aren't hearing all the lyrics. They wouldn't have picked up on the fact that the song is addressed to a female. They'd have taken "jacking" as being a reference to male sex organs, and thus decided Prince was singing about getting a dude off).

-

-

-

Also, keep in mind that Prince's music was a blend of different styles, but at this point in time, if it wasn't just straightforward rock, it was considered "disco" by rock fans. Sure, there were many rock listeners who had discerning tastes, and could tell the difference between Funk, R&B, and Disco, but those folks weren't the mainstream rock show audience at the time. Some of them might have been in that crowd, but the majority were white males who thought that everything with a keyboard was "Disco". So, there he would lose many of the people who may not have had the knee-jerk "Oh no, one a them thar queers" response...they would have been infuriated that someone was daring to play "Disco" at a Stones show (even if the tunes he was playing weren't disco at all).

-

-

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It's a shame that Prince and his band had to endure such abuse from an audience, and it's too bad they didn't get on a bill with someone like Bowie, whose audience would have been far more accepting (being androgynous and black would have been seen as a plus by a Bowie audience). But the good thing is, it seemed to make all of them a bit tougher. After dealing with such a horrible crowd, they probably were able to take on anything that came there way.

[Edited 1/22/20 7:14am]

Well-said.

I remember my sister coming out to me/our family a few years earlier(late 70's) and though we are liberal, it was a huge shock and it was pathologized.

OldFriends4Sale said:

RJOrion said:

kingricefan said: your comment is so true...when the American Bandstand episode aired, i clearly remember my mother making all kinda jokes about how "sissified" he was and saying shit like "Little Richard already did that... he aint gonna make it...he sho' is a pretty lil thing tho"...she had no clue, bless her heart...effeminate behavior or not, he made it

isnt this more homo-erotic than sissy-fied???

pennylover said:

On here years ago I told my story of this event

I have a different story than most. I was there from beginning to end. I worked that historical event. I will tell my story when I get back. Saw this thread last night and wanted 2 tell my story what I witness. I worked that event and it was freakin crazy. Believe me it was crazy fans from all parts of the world. So many hyped of fans. REMEMBER PRINCE WAS THE LAST ACT BEFORE MICK CAME ON. LAST ACT.

THEY DID NOT COME 2 SEE PRINCE. AGAIN, HE WAS THE LAST ACT

to be continued.

Still waiting on this explanation that he was the last act when everyone including the band themselves said they went first.

jfenster said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

isnt this more homo-erotic than sissy-fied???

neither... it's Jaggerish

jfenster said:

AZStreet said:

pennylover said:

On here years ago I told my story of this event

I have a different story than most. I was there from beginning to end. I worked that historical event. I will tell my story when I get back. Saw this thread last night and wanted 2 tell my story what I witness. I worked that event and it was freakin crazy. Believe me it was crazy fans from all parts of the world. So many hyped of fans. REMEMBER PRINCE WAS THE LAST ACT BEFORE MICK CAME ON. LAST ACT.

THEY DID NOT COME 2 SEE PRINCE. AGAIN, HE WAS THE LAST ACT

to be continued.

Still waiting on this explanation that he was the last act when everyone including the band themselves said they went first.

callimnate said:

AZStreet said:

Still waiting on this explanation that he was the last act when everyone including the band themselves said they went first.

Great find!

No mention of Prince.

I finally got it to post!!

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

Ah, I see the reason for the booing:

Prince was not mentioned on the billboards...

So his performance merely delayed the Stones performance in the eyes of the Stones fans.

callimnate said:

AZStreet said:

Still waiting on this explanation that he was the last act when everyone including the band themselves said they went first.

What does this prove?

AZStreet said:

callimnate said:

What does this prove?

They are just sharing info/images about the show

OldFriends4Sale said:

RJOrion said:

kingricefan said: your comment is so true...when the American Bandstand episode aired, i clearly remember my mother making all kinda jokes about how "sissified" he was and saying shit like "Little Richard already did that... he aint gonna make it...he sho' is a pretty lil thing tho"...she had no clue, bless her heart...effeminate behavior or not, he made it

It's amazing how he went from this to his polished moves in a few years.

OldFriends4Sale said:

AZStreet said:

What does this prove?

They are just sharing info/images about the show

I figured, but just wanted to make sure, since my reply was attached.

noobman said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

It's amazing how he went from this to his polished moves in a few years.

Yeah, but in truth Prince never left this above. He always had his unique quirky dance moves. And I love it

jfenster said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

isnt this more homo-erotic than sissy-fied???

What would make that 'homo-erotic'?

or even 'sissy-fied'? He is just walk dancing up and pulling the mic?

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah, I wouldn't even call that a "move," dance or otherwise. He's walking a few steps while holding a mic. But damn, that tee shirt is all kinds of awesome. I want!

RJOrion said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

What would make that 'homo-erotic'?

or even 'sissy-fied'? He is just walk dancing up and pulling the mic?

the farrah faucett hair...the girly gym shorts...leg warmers...his whole demeanor and disposition and mannerisms were effeminate...straight black men didnt/dont dress or accessorize or move like that...sashaying around and flipping his hair and scarves the way he did 1978-1979

You're a Prince fan right?

All that stuff you said goes against who Prince was.

Prince was not some regular person. He was a star from day one

What male entertainers in the 70s(and 80s) didn't put on the pomp and circumstance?

Is Straight the same as Heterosexual?
"Watch" Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Terrance Trent D'Arby, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Jesse Johnson, Rick James... same mannerisms as Prince just different degrees

Prince is not a regular brutha walking down you street neighborhood
And Prince clearly isn't 'brutha' like Wesley Snipes or Tony M who said Prince 'wasn't black enough and he was going to shove black down that ___ throat'

Prince was just 'PRETTY'

You need to take another look at 1970s arts because they were more flamboyant than what you see in this Prince gif
Prince was a rock star, He had the same hair during Lovesexy Batman Graffiti Bridge

It's who he is always has been. If you haven't reconciled that by now ...

jfenster said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

isnt this more homo-erotic than sissy-fied???

You still haven't defined what HomoErotic is or what is 'Sissified' <-which is straight up homophobic

OldFriends4Sale said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

noobman said:

It's amazing how he went from this to his polished moves in a few years.

Yeah, but in truth Prince never left this above. He always had his unique quirky dance moves. And I love it

Exactly. And "polished" doesn't always mean better anyway.

RJOrion said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

You're a Prince fan right?

All that stuff you said goes against who Prince was.

Prince was not some regular person. He was a star from day one

What male entertainers in the 70s(and 80s) didn't put on the pomp and circumstance?

Is Straight the same as Heterosexual?

"Watch" Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Terrance Trent D'Arby, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Jesse Johnson, Rick James... same mannerisms as Prince just different degrees

Prince is not a regular brutha walking down you street neighborhood

And Prince clearly isn't 'brutha' like Wesley Snipes or Tony M who said Prince 'wasn't black enough and he was going to shove black down that ___ throat'

Prince was just 'PRETTY'

You need to take another look at 1970s arts because they were more flamboyant than what you see in this Prince gif

Prince was a rock star, He had the same hair during Lovesexy Batman Graffiti Bridge

It's who he is always has been. If you haven't reconciled that by now ...

back then, i liked a couple Prince songs from 1979-1981, but it WASNT a Prince fan at all yet...as a teenager, i was disgusted by his effeminate posturing...i didnt become a "fan" until after Purple Rain when he started to put some clothes on and add some machismo to his persona...and whether you think its homophobic (dumb word) or not, in 1979 any black man wearing processed and feathered hair, girly panties, legwarmers, high heeled boots and eyeliner was almost universally called a sissy, or sissified or a homo...it may be trendy and "cool" to be gay now, but it wasnt always that way

You can say all of that about Mick Jagger too, except he's not black. Everybody doesn't have the unisex clothing hang up you had/have either, even back then.

RJOrion said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

You're a Prince fan right?

All that stuff you said goes against who Prince was.

Prince was not some regular person. He was a star from day one

What male entertainers in the 70s(and 80s) didn't put on the pomp and circumstance?

Is Straight the same as Heterosexual?
"Watch" Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Terrance Trent D'Arby, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Jesse Johnson, Rick James... same mannerisms as Prince just different degrees

Prince is not a regular brutha walking down you street neighborhood
And Prince clearly isn't 'brutha' like Wesley Snipes or Tony M who said Prince 'wasn't black enough and he was going to shove black down that ___ throat'

Prince was just 'PRETTY'

You need to take another look at 1970s arts because they were more flamboyant than what you see in this Prince gif
Prince was a rock star, He had the same hair during Lovesexy Batman Graffiti Bridge

It's who he is always has been. If you haven't reconciled that by now ...

back then, i liked a couple Prince songs from 1979-1981, but it WASNT a Prince fan at all yet...as a teenager, i was disgusted by his effeminate posturing...i didnt become a "fan" until after Purple Rain when he started to put some clothes on and add some machismo to his persona...and whether you think its homophobic (dumb word) or not, in 1979 any black man wearing processed and feathered hair, girly panties, legwarmers, high heeled boots and eyeliner was almost universally called a sissy, or sissified or a homo...it may be trendy and "cool" to be gay now, but it wasnt always that way

dude, it is simply what it is 'the reaction/revulsion' is just what it's defined as. Prince never changed. He never stopped being the person you were disgusted by. He took more clothes off after Purple Rain lol. Actually he was dressed and covered in 1981-1986

He never stopped being effeminate and effeminate doesn't mean qay, and when it does, so what.

Prince wasn't any Black man. Which is why you on a site called Prince . Org

and Prince knew way back then that he did not want to be put into that 'box' because of your very reaction.

.
So did you have a problem with Al Sharpton and James Brown and their hair?
Sorry lol but almost every male entertainer had on eyeliner and definately were not called sissy...

You didn't get the 70s at all...or Prince it seems.

People Call Me Rude
I Wish We Are Were Nude
I Wish There Was No Black or White
I Wish There Was No Rules

.

Well I'm glad you posted this, ... eye opener.

poppys said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah, but in truth Prince never left this above. He always had his unique quirky dance moves. And I love it

Exactly. And "polished" doesn't always mean better anyway.

Right, too me he always danced they way we did in the 70s and 80s, freestyle, those moves you do at home when the music is good and no one is watching lol