What a long strange trip it's been, eh? Here's a thread to celebrate those of us who've been through 20+ years of ups and downs watching Prince's career and digging his tunes since 1983 and before. What a thrill ride! Props to you! Special props to those who've stuck with him for 25+ years, 1978 and before.

Make yourselves known!

Jasziah -- since 1983

P.S. Next year, all you Purple Rain freaks can have one big celebration!! Can't wait.

I've been around for 20 years. It's definitely been interesting. I've grown very thick skin being a Prince fan. These days I just laugh when someone makes fun of him or says stupid things like "is he gay"? I look at it as though I am the lucky one to know his music and to understand it and the others just don't have a clue and too bad for them. His music speaks for itself and there will never be anyone quite like Prince again. I know I will be around for the next 20 years too. Even though I don't care for his current religious beliefs, I still believe he is one the the most prolific artist we have and has true musical talent. I will always be interested in his music and look forward to many more years of great, new music.

20 years for me too. 1999 was the first album I bought, but I don't remember for sure if it was in 1982 or 1983 -- I'm leaning toward early in 1983... Yes, what a trip it's been.

My highlight: http://www.prince.org/msg...&tid=48558

Curious to see where the next 20 years will take us...

Been on the ride since i heard soft & wet on the radio. Bought "Prince" when it came out. Have never put him down or fallen off the bandwagon. Not bothered by name changes, instrumentals, rapping, sugary songs, religious lyrics, independance, or changing band members. In other words "a true fan".

24 years for me! I can't believe I've been a prince fan as long or longer than some orgers have been alive

19 years for me...so close.

20 + years for me. It's been up & down for me as far as appreciation for his music. Right now, it's been high.I think I'll stick around.
[This message was edited Wed Aug 13 19:20:51 PDT 2003 by PhilG]

Yep, since Dirty Mind. Ran out and got it after Prince got booed off the stage in LA so I didn't get to see him with the Stones tour here in the Bay.

Hope I get my DVD today.

madartista said:

1999 was my first Prince album as well-- back in the days of LPs!! I didn't get my first Prince single though until When Doves Cry!!

tricky99 said:

same here

20 this year.Delirious was the first song that caught my attention.













Im sooo happy to see you Supernova!

Awww, TimTation! 'Tis good to see you too.

how about 15 years? does that count? ahhh what some times i have had.
ahhh.

I wanna be your lover was the song that captured me back in 1979. I still can't believe all the people who said he sounded like a woman on that record.

since 19 years i'm a true fan.
but I began to listen to his music since LRC.

My first single was When Doves Cry, 19 years ago. But before that I already dug 1999, but at that time I didn't know it was from Prince. Does that count as 20 years???

Although I've always bought the albums during the 90's I didn't pay much attention to him from '96 to '01. When I got online and discovered the Prince community out there (and Kazaa!) that resparked my interest. The wonderful TRC did the rest and now I'm back all the way!

Jasziah said:

it has been a long

funky ride

i wouldn't change

a thing

24 years of prince

still here

My 20 years is only 11 months away and I must say If I had to go back and do it all again I wouldn't change a thing.

Diggin' the dude's music since Dirty Mind came out. I liked punk and new wave, and he combined it with a heavy dose of funk. I was hooked. My girlfriend (now my wife) hipped me to the Time and Prince's older stuff as well.

Yup. Over 20 years for me too. First Prince concert I saw was in March 1982 on the Controversy tour at the Met Center (doesn't exist anymore, Mall of America is there now) Then I saw the First Ave show the next night. That was the begining of my 21 plus years on the Prince roller coaster.

I was a year old when "I Wanna Be Your Lover" came out, and my mother swears I would dance my ass off to it. There was no turning back from there...

25 yrs Sexy Dancer the long version was my
start. Prince played that bass, his hands
clapping him humming that scream.

20 yrs for my son who needed Prince and his
music more than me.

25 yrs of his determination and devotion of
the best music. I'm still proud of Prince


Simply the best

25 years and counting.

violator said:

20 years...bot 1999 after seing the corvette vid.."whoa! who is that?!" on American Bandstand. Also bot "Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five" as well lol...history in the making and i didnt even know it!!

didnt take long til I bot the back catalogue and then the painful wait for the Purple Rain Release.

then ...BOOM

23 years and countin' The ride was ruff, but I'm glad I'm still here and glad Prince is too.

Wanted to give up on my boy plently of times, but he's like an addiction. Just when I think I can do without, I'm "right back here in his arms".

Oh well, what cha gonna do?

I haven't been in this fan thing that long. All i know is that Prince's music is great and he is a true musical genius. He has been working for a long time. acting, singing, dancing, arranging, producing, ect.. That is alot for one person to stand. I am also looking forward to more of his new music. Of course, I am always going to be the fan of '83-'96. But that is just me..

...uhh, i've been alive ever since dirty mind came out.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

---
Been a fan since 1999. The music is addictive.