Influence is the wrong word, because Lenny doesn't exist without Prince, specifically ATWIAD and Purple Rain and oh yeah, SOTT.

I definintely think Prince would see some artists and think "I did that" or "Not bad, but I do that better". He did record some very Lenny sounding songs, it almost sounds like he was thinking of writing for Lenny.... but I have a feeling it was just his competitive streak and letting it drive him, so it's not influence so much as almost a kind of insecurity or jealousy or the old guy at the gym trying to teach the young pups a lesson on the court, you know?

They also have the same influences. Neither of them invented the formula.

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

I'd say no lenny, no prince trying to get a live band and sounding a bit more retro in the 90s Endorphin machine could be a lenny song So could wherever you go, whatever you do

First of all, I'm a huge Lenny Kravtiz fan for over 30 years, but, I'm a bigger Prince fan for close to 40 years! I don't believe Lenny had any musical influence on Prince. If anything, Prince had more musical influence on Lenny. Having said that, I do believe they shared a friendship and mutual love and respect. IMO - Lenny is much more down to earth and hasn't let fame and fortune run his life. He's also very religious which is reflected in much of his music, but he has/had a much different approach to this than Prince. I believe Prince's involvement with the JW's was not authentic regardless of how much he tried to make it appear that way. It cost Prince his marriage and affected how he reacted and the decisions he made around the death of his child. Again, just my opinion.

LOL

How influential was Arsenio Hall on Prince?

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Guys guys guys Soon you'll be telling me d'angelo had no influence on the rainbow children too

No.

You're just way off the mark re Lenny. He's a hack.

Romeo Blue had as much infleunce on Prince as a dead man.

if Lenny Kravitz wasnt Sy Kravitz and Roxie Roker's son, he wouldve never got a record deal...his music is super boring... he makes rock n roll elevator music

RJOrion said:

if Lenny Kravitz wasnt Sy Kravitz and Roxie Roker's son, he wouldve never got a record deal...his music is super boring... he makes rock n roll elevator music

I agree.

SoulAlive said:

RJOrion said:

if Lenny Kravitz wasnt Sy Kravitz and Roxie Roker's son, he wouldve never got a record deal...his music is super boring... he makes rock n roll elevator music

I agree.

I agree too. Lenny did a few songs that I like, but overall it's by-the-numbers, not very original AOR. Prince could do that in his sleep while Lenny was still ridin on his banana seat Schwinn.

Given that, I know a few people who've met him and they all said he was a super nice and very down to earth guy. I WISH some of that rubbed off on Prince.

They've both stated (in seperate interviews) that Lenny played a little (uncredited) on one or two of P's albums....I forget which songs. But I'm sure there's stuff they've recorded together in the vault.

Good-looking guy, a bit of a poser. Not on Prince's level. I thought they

had a thing for each other.

[Edited 11/3/20 22:51pm]

He liked Lenny but i doubt Prince ever seen Lenny as a creative force .

jjam said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Guys guys guys Soon you'll be telling me d'angelo had no influence on the rainbow children too

No.

You're just way off the mark re Lenny. He's a hack.

You might be disounting that Prince actually did value and try to take bites out of whatever "rival" pop force was hitting and making the $$$$. From Duran Duran to Mc Hammer to Lenny Kravitz to TLC to even Nirvana... he was responding at times.

Margot said:

It's a good question. He's very much Prince without the interesting bits, a Sir Nose to Prince's StarChild, too busy wearing sunglasses at night and too afraid of not looking cool to actually take any risks.

I was always surprised Prince gave such a obvious Hollywood version of himself so much time of day when that used to be the kind of thing he mocked.

I think Prince viewed Lenny as a bit of a kindred spirit. For sure, Prince's "Rock N' Roll is Alive! (and it lives in MPLS) is famously a response to Lenny's "Rock N' Roll is dead."

[Edited 11/4/20 11:19am]

i think there is something in the guitar rhythm of 'reheaded stepchild' that remind me of the Lenny Kravitz' music

[Edited 11/4/20 12:29pm]

[Edited 11/4/20 12:29pm]

I really like Lenny, but you can tell a lot of his work (especially early stuff) is a clear imitation of Prince.

RJOrion said:

seems like Lenny Kravitz was one of P's "celebrity" groupies that had some access to their idol...he just happened to play a little (and i do mean little) guitar, so P let him jam with him for some shits & giggles...

Confusing him with Dave Grohl.

Prince joined Lenny on stage during Rave un2 to perform American Woman/Fly Away, so there's at least that endorsement. They also reportedly recorded together.

Zoe's stories about Prince indicate familiarity, but that Lenny clearly wasn't hs best friends if he didn't have boundaries there.