We all seem to go round and round in circles on bootlegs on Prince.Org. Let's face it - whether you buy/own one or a hundred is down to personal beliefs and we are all entitled to our own opinion on this subject.

At the end of the day, I would gladly purchase official live recordings from Prince. The official ONA Live Boxset was excellent - but then so too are a lot of the bootlegs which are complete shows in their entirety. We, as fans/fams (let's not even go there on that topic!) would all love to attend every concert and get the music first hand. This is just not possible and bootlegs are the second best alternative. It would be impossible for all concerts to be officially released, if not a commercial suicide. Bootlegs are here to stay. You will find that the majority of bootleg owners also own every official recording, in many cases in multi-format as CD replaced cassette etc. These owners will gladly buy every official live recording Prince deigns to offer to his hungry public. At the end of the day, it is supply and demand and whilst Prince records are not in the selling power of his 80's peak, there is still a healthy hardcore fanbase who want (if not need!) to hear his music - however they can get hold of it!

Instead of concentrating on the negativity of bootlegging, why don't we look at how this can be overcome. It is up to Prince to give his fanbase what they obviously want - the opportunity to hear his music in a live format, not necessarily appealing to a mass market audience. Surely this should be an objective for NPGMC for 2004 and beyond. If Prince is trying to shut down every avenue relating to bootlegs, is he thinking of finally making available those releases that we have all been waiting for. True soundboard quality? Is this just a dream? It's time for Prince to put his money where his mouth is and give the fans what they really want. Somehow, I think this is empty words filling an empty room...

Prince only has one successful solution: release an alternative to the bootlegs.

That's all he can do if he wants to nip this issue in the bud.

Music is available on too many formats right now for certain selections to be isolated and suppressed from the people who want to hear it and share it.

The more he demonizes the bootlegs, the more people are going to want to hear them. Really, it's good publicity for when he finally decides to release the stuff legitimately if he wanted to manipulate it that way.

Of course, Prince has the prerogative of saying "I don't want the music bootlegged because it's mine, and I also don't want to release it legitimately...because it's MINE!!"

Unfortunately, that's not going to fix the problem in any way, shape or form.

Why ask why? They just do...

Anxiety said:

This really is a good idea. Whether or not Prince is on the same wavelength, only God knows. :Shrug:

You know Prince isn't the only bootlegged artist.

Prince plays a LOT of live shows, he makes (or has historically made) a LOT of music.

He isn't just a pop act, he is an artist.

When all this collides, you get fans who are into the music big time and they wanna hear more of it.

Some of these fans have access to material that isn't released the usual way.

Some of these fans go out their way to record live shows.

This happens with tons of artists and acts.

I'm glad Prince is bootlegged and to be honest I do see the problem with live shows being taped. Otherwise they would be lost forever, they are a geat document for fans.

We know Prince tapes his shows, but he doesn't release them, that's his loss.

Unreleased studio material is a more cut-and-dry case of theft - but as a collector and a fan, I am glad it is the case.

GoldTimer said:

As I expressed prior:
If it were me I would have put out something 2 my fans that I do have "rights 2", "TRY" and counter "some" of the bootlegs that R floating. Like with ONA Live Vegas..he gave U a different edited show leaving out much. There will always B people who want what there not meant 2 have, or they want it "Uncut" and pure with no edits...so U will never please everyone but U can make solid efforts that will in the end reap U more money...Like what he did 4 "Crystall Ball". And putting out more live Cd's Like ONA Live.

But that itself didn't & won't ever stop that bootleg train...

I'm just saying it like it is...U can pick what side of the fence your on but the overall best way 2 attack back and or 2 make things even out a bit more despite Prince being way behind this game...is 2 put out counter DVD's/CD's 2 get in some new money and some would even say new interest in his music again...He won't ever make up his total losses $$$...nor will WB who "owns" his biggest and most bootleged music. So U got 2 B creative and know whats best 2 put out and what would really hit home with the fans. I guess only in a perfect world right?

Like I've stated B4 the chance of him with his now beliefs putting out the more sexual controversial Prince of the past that we all come 2 love and with some even love the most...I'd say the chance is slim 2 none! I guess U can say he's not all about the money seeing he would sell more records being his old self right? So call it a matter of him not owning the stuff 2 put his classics out & his beliefs being the 2 best reason I think. Thats why he said he'd re-make all his past albums again. But 4 most fans they'll leave the past as it is...and not touch it. Theres just no way he's going 2 with his belief system redo "Sister" 4 example...dout it.

So in saying that, and not being able himself 2 release "Controversy Tour Live in Detroit" even if he wanted 2 do it...the fans or supporters who missed the early magic & desire 2 see what it was like (If they can't get it offical) will always seek out bootlegs thus keeping the cycle alive...

He'll never outright win but he can start cutting into more of "his own" Purple Pie and know hes not getting 100% the short end of the stick... Thats better then nothing~

Anxiety said:

Well put.

KAMILLE said:

Co-sign.


He also needs to do it quickly. I mean, how well did the Black ALbum sell years later when WB finally did release it?

I know I bought at least 2 copies (one is still sealed!) even though I already had a tape someone made me from a boot. But was it successful? Did most people know or care? I think he/WB waited too long on that one. It would've been better to do it shortly after Lovesexy when all the hype was still going on.

Though I'm glad I got mine!
And of course I'd still buy an offical box set of live concerts from 81-88 even it's 30 years later!!! That would be the best way to fight boots IMO.
[This message was edited Wed Jan 21 16:00:46 PST 2004 by GaryMF]

Some live recordings Prince did release:

Prince and the Revolution Live: When Doves Cry is fucked-up by the mirror-thing
Birthday Parade: incomplete but brilliant
Sign "O" the Times Movie: totally fucked-up
Lovesexy Live: the first and only release that’s a PHAT one!
ONA: stupid compilation

Should these releases give me the feeling Prince is capable of stopping our hunger for bootlegs??