If Prince was able to write, produce and perform his entire first album while he was a late teenager, how did he fly under the radar for so long, especially since record labels were far more willing back in the 1970's to nurture artists? It appears he already had impressive skills before hooking up with 94 East.

He lived in Minnesota! Weren't any major lables in Minnesota as far as I know. I don't think there were any major lable scouts thinking "we should go to Minneapolis and look for you black kids with funny names who can play guitar!" He had to go to them.

if u got real talent...they always find you. Jackson 5 were from Indiana, yet Motown found them

meltwithu said:

They also had a father that pushed & heavily promoted the shit outta them. Prince didn't seem to have that kind of support - he had to make his own way...


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[This message was edited Thu Jun 10 6:06:26 2004 by CalhounSq]

CalhounSq said:

exactly.

He was noticed pretty quickly within the industry when you read the history but here's an interesting sidenote - i overheard a radio station here in New Zealand today at work (well yesterday, cos it's now early friday) and they were playing a top ten of some type from 79-80 and I Wanna Be Your Lover was played at number 5 - what a great surprise, i don't think i've ever heard it on the radio - i remeber back in the mid '80's an older friend of mine saying it was actually a hit around 1980 and that he was sure for a fact that it had made the top 10, which surprised me greatly - but it was cool to hear it today for sure

meltwithu said: