I think the obvious difference between P and Led Zep or Hendrix is that he's a LIVING evolving performer who outlived the kind of bullshit/fame career trajectory. Hendrix died after really only 3-4 years of fame. It would be as if Prince had died around 1999/Purple Rain...(o.k thats a messy comparison..meaning he'd only really done 3 studio albums plus Band of Gypsys) Led Zep split up after 10 years (as if P had died around SoTT/Lovesexy)

What makes me laugh is that THEY'RE STILL pulling shit out of the vault from both Hendrix and Zep even though they've both been non-creative entities for 20 years, over 30 for Hendrix. They've both had their legacy carefully managed and understand the vast value of that reputation. Prince is far to ALIVE (read whimsical, erratic, loopy, whatever) to be as careful with his own 'position' in popular consciousness. I have a suspicion that Prince is probably secretly aware of it and has been storing shit in his vault so that people won't get their hands on it for decades after he's dead.

I actually feel sorry for the way that Hendrix has had his corpse picked over through the years...at least Prince is wise enough to go for his share while he's still breathing.

lovebizzare:

Whoooshhh...point missed.


What? Not true. He has had other rock songs.


Probably only for Orgers. Serious musicians and fans know that he can't be pigeonholed to a single genre, so trying to ends up becoming a hair-splitting contest. Like what seems to be ensuing now...

2funkE said:

If being difficult to work with counted in a discussion like this many other recording artists (dead AND alive) wouldn't hold the status they do now.

Supernova said:

well, then what was the point? just giving my 2 cents



I know he has, I'm talking mainstream/commercial



true..

lovebizzare said:

See my last paragraph in my first post. My point was that a serious in depth look into his career output might not happen until he's passed on. And only then his work might be looked at in retrospect with fresher ears. Not whether or not he should be/will/is a "rock god."




That's what I'm talking about.

it is not because he is not as good as led zep or jimi - he is - it is simply because Prince is in a league of his own. "rock god" doesn't cover him...he can play up to that persona...but he has one foot in pop, rock and funk...and another in something almost unearthly...something deeper.