What is a similarity between them and other musical artists of their stature?

At some point they move away from the sound that they originated and start using current trend instrumentation and production techniques. Alex Hahn, and others, have been very critical of Prince for embracing rap, or leaving behind the original "Minneapolis Sound" (linn drums, minimalism,etc.)The first time he started doing this is in '88-also the year that many old folks say Prince started "losing it". However, this happens to all artists-they take something as far as it can go and they move on. Stevie, bowie, James Brown, have all done this. Even John Lennon didn't keep retain a "unique sound".

Don't believe me? Check out Stevie Wonder "Part Time lover" or "I just called.."he used 80's production and sounds very similar to other artist of the time namely Hall and Oates. David Bowie-"Let's dance" the whole album is Bowie embracing 80's dance. John Lennon-quite a few of his songs in the 70's sound very 70's ala the Carpenters.

I am not saying that these artist's (or Prince's) writing skills or musicianship deteriorated I am just pointing out that Prince is unfairly criticized for "jumping on the newest trend" when all musical artists have done it. Hell, Madonna has built a career out of it, and she can barely play and instrument.

right on.

A lot of people said the same thing about Bob Dylan when he went electric. Fuck it. I'd much rather have adventurous stuff like TRC than a thousand remakes of Purple Rain. TRC was the first time in years that I was actually excited about listening to a new album wondering what it would sound like. With Emancipation, then NPS and then Rave I was getting a little scared that Prince was starting to play it safe. Thank God he's experimenting again!

You are right... damn some of those late 70's lennon albums got some lame tracks... but all these artists got at least one or two gems on each album... including prince.

but what if people of this caliber got formed a band when they was young???