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(Warning: Long post!)

Inspired by the thread ( http://www.prince.org/msg...&tid=26239 ) created by fellow orger KissCamille, I am moved to start a thread based on Tom Petty's online RollingStone.com interview myself. (Please read KissCamille's cool thread, I'm not trying to take the thunder from it)

After reading Tom Petty's interviews of late, especially this one at rollingstone.com, I'm actually realizing that musicians and it's artists, especially the free-thinking brave ones, are the last of the FREE. Literally.

Why, because, let's say when you read or hear an interview of a MOVIE STAR CELEBRITY, they never...EVER speak the truth or acknowledge a problem in thier own industry or other industries.

I figured out why actors and directors always seem to annoy me when I hear them speak about their projects or latest movies. Which really is all MAKE BELIEVE. SO even when they create and "important" movie like Frida's biography, or some war movie, they talk like's it soo important...but in reality those actors that died in the battle scenes get up right after "Cut!" and go to the catering table. So it's all bullshit. Pabulum.

That's why you have the Tom Cruise's saying it he's for the war, rubbing Spielberg's butt, and J-Blo confused about what she says because she's the prime example of a celebrity/"music star". A bad, bad combination that gives nothing and takes. Much like the corporations its spawned from. It Is What It Is.

But in music, which I always thought is a much more nobler means of communication, sure you can make things up as fantasy, BUT it represents a more tangible, soul connecting, SOUL AMPLIFYING (as I like to call it) form of art. That's why you connect with a song or two or two thousand (as MP3-ing has allowed me to realize!) on a more spiritual, emotional way.

Maybe that's why I'm never really moved to see the latest movie(s). I mean, I go to certain movies, but It really has to be just for extremes, like lot's of fun (comedies), or really honest movies with a soul and mind awaking, educational, truth seeking nature (like Micheal Moores' Shooting for Columbine).

Anyway, for those who are too lazy or too busy to take the time to search and read Tom Petty's interview I am re-posting it here, ad free.

Well, the good parts at least with some Prince reflections following, hence the title of this thread "...Tom Petty Is Pissed (at Prince?!?)".



Tom Petty Is Pissed
And he's got plenty of good reasons


The man who told the world "I Won't Back Down," "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Don't Come Around Here No More" doesn't need any assertiveness-training course. Tom Petty's determined, sometimes defiant attitude has collided with the music business throughout the years. For instance, in 1982 Petty recorded Hard Promises with the Heartbreakers, only to find that his then-record company had plans to use his name to initiate a new, higher $9.98 list price for albums. Petty withheld the tapes and threatened to retitle his record $8.98 in protest.

That same spirit is alive and well on Petty's latest album, The Last DJ, which takes a hard look at the lack of moral grounding in the music business. The title track has kicked up considerable controversy, with some radio stations seeing the song as a slap in the face and banning it.

Wow, check that out, they ban a truth saying recording, but play the hate mongering rap, blatant profit seeking sexuality and bling bling "songs"...hm.

1 - Radio is not even worth listening to
"I don't really give a flying fuck about any of it. I've tuned out. But I was elated when my song was banned. I mean, nothing could have complimented me more than to hear they just banned it at such-and-such a station because it's anti-radio. Now, in 2002 to have a song banned that doesn't have a dirty word, doesn't advocate violence -- it's fascinating, you know. Like, what are you afraid of? No record has ever been made that was more pro-radio, you know.

"I remember when the radio meant something. We enjoyed the people who were on it, even if we hated them. They had personalities. They were people of taste, who we trusted. And I see that vanishing. I thought it was a good metaphor to start the album."

I remember the days when the DJ really was the one who broke the new music. They were the ones that broke Prince. In Los Angeles, KROQ played Controversy. I mean that's an white audience radio station but Rodney On The Rock (real DJ back then) played him, he also was the first to play Van Halen. And this is WAS an alternative radio station! Now corporatized.

This happened all over the bandwiths, FM and AM! KDAY DJ's played chose the latest and coolest jams, that's what made Rap (early classic stuff) get noticed! The DJ's always exposed the scenes if you look at it historically.

2 - All anyone thinks about is money
"You don't hear any more of, 'Hey, we did something creative and we turned a profit, how about that?' Everywhere we look, we want to make the most money possible. This is a dangerous, corrupt notion. That's where you see the advent of programming on the radio, and radio research, all these silly things. That has made pop music what it is today. Everything -- morals, truth -- is all going out the window in favor of profit.

"I don't think it's a good attitude in your life to feel that you have to be rich to have self-esteem. You know, I saw a billboard in New York I wish I had photographed. It was for the TNN network. It said three words against a patriotic background of red, white and blue - BIGGER, YOUNGER, RICHER. Now, I find that fascinating: 'Bigger, younger, richer.' This whole idea of being wealthy has gone too far. I never ride in a limousine, you know. I feel gross if I get in a limousine. One good thing about the Sixties was it sort of was the opposite back then. You looked silly trying to appear rich."

"Live simply so others can simply live." That's what this reminds me of, that saying. But blame that on all that bling-bling culture, advertising thrown in.

3 - It's ridiculous to make people pay twenty dollars for a CD
"It's funny how the music industry is enraged about the Internet and the way things are copied without being paid for. But you know why people steal the music? Because they can't afford the music. I'm not condoning downloading music for free. I don't think that's really fair, but I understand it. If you brought CD prices back down to $8.98, you would solve a lot of the industry's problems. You are already seeing it a little -- the White Stripes albums selling for $9.99. Everyone still makes a healthy profit; it might get the music business back on its feet."

Simple solution, but hard for the greedy to grasp.

Okay here's the kicker...
4 - Only a complete greedhead would charge $150 for a concert ticket
"My top price is about sixty-five dollars, and I turn a very healthy profit on that; I make millions on the road. I see no reason to bring the price up, even though I have heard many an anxious promoter say, 'We could charge 150 bucks for this.' I would like to do this again and maybe come through and not leave a bad taste in people's mouths. I was at one of our gigs recently, and I was just stunned driving in that it cost thirty dollars to park your car. It's so wrong to say, 'OK, we've got them on the ticket and we've got them on the beer and we've got on everything else, let's get them on the damn parking.' You got to care about the person you're dealing with."

Prince are you listening (reading)? I should forward this to the NPGMusicClub.

I really, upto this point paid $250 or so dollars for my close seat at the Kodak. Now I know, I know, there's been much debate over the club and stuff, but again, It Is What It Is. I believe it really should just be called the NPGConcertClub.

Anyway, it makes you think what's driving Prince these days. Discuss.

There were some great perks afterthe show, etc. but it's still not what we expected totally when we typed in our numbers and hit enter. Let's just see...

5 - Record labels don't care about artists
"An act like ours wouldn't even be around today if someone hadn't brought us along and let us make mistakes and grow at our own pace. Today it seems that if you don't have a hit -- or even if you do -- they have no use for you the next time. It's like, 'Well, why wait for these guys to come back with another hit when we can bring in somebody else?' It's an asinine way to conduct yourself. These people are looking at balance sheets, not music. Most people involved in putting this music on the air or bringing it to us aren't really listening to it."

Right. Say it loud. It Is What It Is. No minced words, just reality.

I've observed this in the last few years, it's starting to subversively, permanantly imbed itself into this culture, the 30 second attention spans of the masses, the McNews, the speed of the internet, quicker, faster, shinier, the "new", the latest, the slaminest, the hottest...they don't allow people to exhale.

But why don't we as a people, as consumers of this do anything? Because we're distracted. By the machine, the Matrix. We're too busy, unhealthfully over-working, cellular toting lives filled with our own little dramas...perhaps.

6 Filthy lyrics make me sick
"I'm frustrated by what I hear. Maybe it's not meant for me. Personally, I'm way too bright for a lot of the hip-hop lyrics to affect. I'm much too smart to think that jewelry or how cool I am is really going to change much about my personality. If you're dumb enough that it entertains you, have a great time. But I am seeking more than that.

Right on my brother! That's what I think killed Funk. Rap/Hip Hop. Prince, is at least the last line of Real Funk. Funk was more versatile and had the ability to touch you in a deeper way. And much more clearly and universally. As soon as I saw that ganster rap in the mid to early 90's I thought it's all going the wrong way. Who wants punks, gangbaners yelling and pointing at you?

Funk wasn't what it's been stereotyped, as pimps, big furry hats, blackspoitation music, wah wah pedals, "dogs", etc. , it was real, it's groove allowed for the lyrics to really move inside of you...it was a means of carrying all kinds of soul moving communication, sex, love, peace, movements, sprituality.

That stereotyping...that's what did Funk in. Prince had the ball up to 1990. But he jumped on the Hip Hop/Rap crap for sales...and a new audience, and he could of literally kept the music store divider reading "Funk" in the racks!

Plus MUSICIANS played the Funk. No shortcuts (samplers, pre-made music beats), straight up and raw and real.

"When I was a young rock & roll star, I was really fascinated and shocked at times by the power that I had, by the power of my words, and shocked that it can be taken wrong. I don't believe in censorship, but I do believe that an artist has to take some moral responsibility for what he or she is putting out there. And I think a lot of these young kids are going to have to learn the hard way before they realize that you can actually do some damage if you're being careless or frivolous in what you're saying."

Prince in 1999, on that TRL show said he believed in some kind of cencorship. I think they're actually saying, personal censorship. Like reflection, THINK (as the Funk King sang) before you speak, how you have a bigger responsibility as an integral part of this or any culture, as a human being. How are you may lead the lemmings over the cliff...

Hence the following...

7 - Only a sick culture would sexualize young girls
"It's disgusting. It's not just pop music, it's fashion, it's TV, it's advertising, it's every element of our culture. Young women are not being respected, children aren't being respected. Why are we creating a nation of child molesters? Could it be that we're dressing up nine-year-old women to look sexy? And even if we're wrong, let's not do it anyway. I really don't put it past these advertising people to say, 'Well, look, we made a lot of money when we brought the nine-year-old out and made her look like a hooker. Let's do it again.' "

I mean is this man, not speaking it or what?!?! I love it! RELIGION aside, don't tell me there's no simple logic and truthfulness in that statement.



Prince...
8 - Why are we rewarding people for being rich?
"Getting back to the whole issue of ticket prices: We don't do the Golden Circle/VIP thing. I don't see how carving out the best seats and charging a lot more for them has anything to do with rock & roll. A lot of the time, some corporation's bought up these seats with someone's money who doesn't even know it's being spent -- and they are going to use it to entertain clients. A lot of the people who buy these seats don't give a damn about the music -- they're going to get a waiter. What you see from the stage is a group of people just talking to each other, not really interested in being there at all. And the poor guy who really is interested, he's sitting way in the back."

This is sooo true. I went to The Who show recently at the Hollywood Bowl. Now, I noticed some people not really paying attention to the show, not elated when Roger Daltrey ripped the greatest Rock scream ever, while way up were I was at...people were in euphoria (okay, maybe weed helped but..!).

I observed a few people just wanting to be seen in the first few rows of the Kodak One Night Alone show. Not all of them, I think most were real fans...which is fantastic, but next time look around (in the middle of the show) if you're in the first few rows, they don't break a sweat, don't really dance...you know who you are.

Now I ain't rich, I joined the club for love of the music and Prince. At least I know that for myself.


9 - And TV is worse...
"I think television's become a downright dangerous thing. It has no moral barometer whatsoever. If you want to talk about something that is all about money, just watch the television. It's damn dangerous. TV does not care about you or what happens to you. It's downright bad for your health now, and that's not a far-out concept. I think watching the TV news is bad for you. It is bad for your physical health and your mental health. The music business looks like, you know, innocent schoolboys compared to the TV business. They care about nothing but profit. They will make a movie about murdering their kids, you know? And they'll put the guy who killed them on TV. And before long, he might even have his own show."

This is so true. It IS WHAT IT IS. Really, look at it. TV News after September 11th 2001 has gotten more avaricious, like they WANT tragedy, the Administration uses it to full effect to instill fear in people, control the lemmings...they want tragedy to sell more air time to advertisers...(shivers)

I've turned tv off most of the time and really, I've been feeling much better, mentally, not so depressed, I get other things done, I'm not so DISTRACTED.

It's not like you have to tune out and live in blissful ingorance, you still must seek out the news. Good news and awakening news.

But it's like avoiding the bad things for you like fatty fast foods, drugs, alchohol, etc...you have to pick your news like you pick your foods.

It makes you question yourself. reflect on who you are. And tuning out is a healthy activity. Try it.

You have to have that will power to click the news off right at the moment THEY want to hook you! And they tease you with teasers filled with supposedly caring alerts and fear mongering blurbs...playing on your fears and what they figured out is your morbid curiosity.

I catch the News, local or national, "late breaking" in hypocrisy all the time. The anchor people say something like "Could you be a sniper victim in your neighborhood? People are feeling the fear over in our neck of the woods..." And I think YOU are making me feel this fear! You are the ones mentally and spitirually fucking us up! Fuck you, click! The TV OFF. I win. Win back my peace. ...




Back to Prince reflecting...
[ 10 - A lot of artists are as greedy as the industry
"Let me say this so it's definitely in the story: I don't think the industry is entirely to blame. Let's face it: The music industry has always been laughably corrupt, always. It's the artists themselves that often cause problems. Artists aren't necessarily business people. And they aren't neces-sarily aware of all the things that go on in their names. Some just want to make some music, but there is a lot of greed among artists as well. Whether or not we know it, we are all to blame. I think it's time -- starting with the artist -- to try to be a little more responsible and aware of what goes on in our name."

Yes. Could this have been what Prince realized after seeing "Prince" bastardized by AOL/TimeWarner Bros.??? Hmmm ???

Interesting, huh?

Could this latest "Prince" reincarnation/reclaiming be really that, a greedy RECLAIMING of the name Prince?

I'm just throwing this out there for discussion and pondarance.

It is his right to do so...but in the latest tour over in Europe I've been noticing that the reviews are very favorable to the show but when it comes to the ticket prices...they start to complain. Which is their right to do so as a consumer.

Again, the club should really be named NPGCONCERTClub.con!

Now more so that when the membership year started does it seem so. Euro-fans have joined and payed that extra $100 to get great seats. But where's the other albums. I dunno...


If you want the slow loading ad popping webpage at Rollingstone.com here's the link:
http://www.rollingstone.c...?nid=16913

Makes you think Tom Petty should have made the cover than the profiting corporatized "sexuality" of Aguilera.

I posted another thread about Petty earlier, peep it here:
http://www.prince.org/msg...&tid=23975


Peace.
.::Flying Cloud Passenger





Oh, by the way, edit the quotes so that the WHOLE post won't have to re-post itself therefore making this thread slow to download, thanks.
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if they're so free, how come they're always pissed and do nothing but bitch and moan?

Did I miss something or is Prince's name NOT in this article at all?

Wolf said:

You missed something.

First, this isn't news. Just a reading of a Tom Petty interview THEN a reflection on Prince when reading it.

Tom talks about the music industry, ticket prices, etc. that also affect Prince.

That's why it's under "Music: Non-Prince" forum and why it's not in the news.

Just a conversation starter. That's all.

I also noted right before the article: Prince reflections/comments following, hence the title of this thread "...Tom Petty Is Pissed (at Prince?!?)".




.
[This message was edited Fri Oct 25 16:19:22 PDT 2002 by FlyingCloudPassenger]

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

Exactly. Which is why I asked did it say anything about Prince that I missed. You could ask if he's talking about many people. Prince isn't the only person that has very high ticket prices, and he's not the one that has the highest either. It's happening with WAYY too many recording artists.

Good for Tom Petty. I Can't stand his Music anymore. Who the Fuck Cares anyway? His music is OLD and BORING! He's a BlowHard!

Wolf said:

Yeah, but this a Prince related site so I chose to reflect on Prince based on Petty's comments.

Guess people aren't going to add somehing to this salad, oh well. 'Tis cool.

Natasha said:

One day you'll be old. We're ALL headed there, child.

Thx for the thoughtful post, FlyingCloudPassenger. Tom Petty sounds like a cool guy.

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

---
Well I have sent articles to this site about some of the corrupt music industry practices and no one had any comments at all. I think that tells you something about the people that come to this site. I don't waste my time anymore.

I agree with a lot of the things that Tom Petty is saying. However, I think he is wrong to say that the artist are greedy for charging high ticket prices. Tom has a recording contract. Prince does not have a contract. I imagine he has to pick up all of his expenses. In addition, there is the law of supply and demand. If people get fed up with the prices they will stop paying them. Right now people must feel the concerts are worth the $120.00 price.

I also would like to mention that everyone has a choice. I went to see Prince and paid for a $50.00 ticket. I did not join the club but I am confident that somewere down the road I will obtain a copy of ONA.
I swap CD's with my friends and burn copies. I buy cd's off of Amazon.Com used. I have paid as little as $4.00 for some cd's.
We do not live in a communist country. Corporations will always try a make as large of a profit as they can. As consumers we have a lot of power to change that situation.
As record sales continue to fall the price of music will come down to $9.99. If we the consumers stop buying the $100.00 ticket those prices will come down to.

I not going to put anybody down for bling blinging. If you work hard and earn your money you should have nice things.
I am not going to tell anyone how to spend their hard earned dollar.

Tom Petty comes from the 1960's were materialism was a turn off. It is his view point from his generation.

while Tom Petty Brings up Some Good Points&He has been around for quite a while He needs too Chill.His Record Company is Warner Brothers for how many Years? the Cat needs too Learn Some New Chords.the Guy has like 101 Songs in His Catelog(just throwing a Number out here)and 100 of them all Sound the same&He Himself said So back in the 1991 Cover&Interview in Rolling Stone.He is crying foul while on the Plantation.He isn't gonna get New Air-play while on that Same Plantation?? you see if you are gonna Bitch&Moan then Split like Prince did&Michael Jackson did.don't stand there taking the Grease Job.He still is given His Services too a Major Record Company.that is the kind of Double Jive Talk I can't stand.like what Pearl Jam use too do.Tom Petty has a few Alright Songs But His Ass should have been a Side Act on "Hee Haw" as too being A Act that has lasted this Long IMHO.this Cat Learned "Green Acres"on Guitar&Made a Career out of it IMHO.

Some people just don't get it and never will. Some think crap like Christina Aguillera is what you would call good music. If you all want to listen to radio crap, go right ahead, but one day you will see what garbage radio really is. For example, my cd player is broken at the moment. I was home all weekend with the flu and my only source of music was the radio. I must've heard Die another day, the new Santana, the new Shania, the new Faith Hill at least 10 times all in the same day on the same radio station. I was almost sick by the end of the day and I just had to turn it off and not listen to anything. Whether it's good music like the new Santana, or crap like the new Madonna, why would I want to hear the same song 10 times in one day?? I don't, I want to hear a variety. There must be millions of good songs that could be played, but radio just plays the same 30-40 and it drives me crazy. I seldom listen to radio for this very reason. I love Santana and have been a fan for years, but I really do not like his collaborations with all the new pop idols. It kind of sickens me to be honest. I guess I can't blame him for wanting his piece of the pie, but I sincerely hope he stops this and goes back to his own music and his own band. I was kind of glad when Rave bombed for Prince because it was so obvious that he and Clive were attempting to make another supernatural. Prince don't need help from pop idols and neither does Santana and those that appreciate real good music will find it, but not on the radio.

Tom Petty rocks

teller said:

Hey! Thanks for reading.

I know it was a little long and confusing with a lot of ideas...but just had to post my thoughts, feelings.

Just sharing the knowledge.

Kisscamille, agreed.

I just use my MiniDisc player full of songs for the road...hardly do radio anymore.

If I do, I get really bored and annoyed not only with the music but with the commercials...I'm already seeing them as I drive as billboards, why hear more?

Come to think of it even the commercials are like those repeated songs...over and over and over...

So really nowadays, songs on the radio have become more blatant advertisements for a product...

It's clear. Look at the new trend of breaking new music via car commercials...people flock to the net to find out what latest song that is.

Warner Bros. is pimping Little Red Corvette...

Commercials and pop music have fused together. All this subersively.

But most people are .

That's why Prince has always inspired brave individualism (not selfishness, just uniqueness).

Stand out in a crowd, i.e. .

Just always be alert at the forces of suggestion trying to pollute you mind and lives. I mean sure commercials are needed to pay the bilss, understood. But the lack of responsibilty and the length at which it is affecting people, again subersively, how it tris to enforce it's "lifestyle" which ONLY benefits them is really tragic and frankly, disgusting.
[This message was edited Mon Oct 28 11:40:11 PST 2002 by FlyingCloudPassenger]

mistermaxxx said:

I see your point.

But after he stops maoning and such, who will. No one and when men sleep tyrants play.

I was talking to a high school buddy of mine this weekend at a party...and he mentioned how us complaining about the music and stuff was a sign of old age, that we're getting old.

Well, humans start to get old at one hour. "I'm five years old!" Kids say.

Anyway, I responded that that is a cultural fallacy.

Petty's from a past generation, but we...we're from the next generation from his.

His views can be considered from the sixties, heck they are! But we as the next generation, agree with his views! Things have really gotten bad in the last 7-10 years.

So in reality, we really aren't about complaining and aging, there really IS a problem that kids aren't seeing and especially their parents who unfortunetley are...!

good article...hopefully someone has sent this over to npgmc...prince could learn a lot from Petty...


heck, prince could learn a lot from 99.9% of the people who visit the org...