Adam and the Ants and Human League were my fave 80's groups. Both Prince and Adam dated Vanity. Adam is sexy and a charasmatic performer.

Yep, paligap and myself have both posted on here about how bangin' Adam Ant is. And how there are some similar traits, visually, between Adam and Prince, era 1982/83. Similar fashion sense during them both in 82/83. P was influenced by the whole New Romantic look in general. BUT I always saw some Prince "1999" era in Adam's video "Goody Two Shoes" video. From the girls in the video, who looked like "Prince girls" to Adam sliding down the fire pole ala Prince's "Controversy" tour. I remember when I first saw the video to "Goody Two Shoes", it reminded me of P at that time. The imagery, the fire pole, the girls, etc. But I don't doubt that Adam didn't catch P's attention with Adam's album "Prince Charming" so....But Adam's stuff was bangin'. I fucking love the song "Strip", "Stand and Deliver" and "Desperate But Not Serious".
[Edited 10/17/09 2:03am]

thedance said:

I LOVE Adam Ant, but I remember at the time, it was almost as if he was a kind of 'caricature' of the New Romantics / New Wave, some bands then were very 'serious' about it, especially Spandau Ballet, Steve Strange etc... it was a real underground 'cult' thing at first, just off the back of punk. Then along came Adam Ant! I'm not taking away from what he did, he was brilliant, but there was something that people didn't really take 'seriously' about him. Just what I remember from the time .. kind of a theatrical take on what was happening in general... Oh, and I remember painting my brother's face up to look like him, my Dad nearly threw him out of the house!! That's why I never really got why people thought Prince was SO different looking, because really he was just reflecting what was out there, in Purple Rain he's very 'New Romantic'... I loved all that! Oh, and Adam was extremely handsome too
[Edited 10/12/09 1:43am]

I've no doubt Prince saw something he liked in Adam Ant - he was very interested in the whole New Romantic movement...moreso the fashion than the music so you can defo see the similarities between them.

And as hard as it is to take Adam Ant seriously (Ant Rap anyone?) there is some strong material dotted around his catalogue. Kings Of The Wild Frontier is a very good album.

'Dirk Wears White Sox'

I remember Adam from when he performed on Motown 25, singing his version of "Where Did Our Love Go?"

r1ghteousone said:

I was a huge Adam Ant fan (in 81-82) before I discovered Prince (in 1983).....


This compilation is great, imo....



lots of great songs:

1. Prince Charming
2. Goody Two Shoes
3. Stand And Deliver
4. Antmusic
5. Kings Of The Wild Frontier
6. Dog Eat Dog
7. Room At The Top
8. Apollo 9
9. Wonderful
10. Friends
11. Kick
12. Can't Set Rules About Love
13. Zerox
14. Vive Le Rock
15. Cartrouble
16. Desperate But Not Serious
17. Strip
18. Deutscher Girls
19. Young Parisians
20. Friend Or Foe
21. Ant Rap
22. Puss 'n' Boots

some of the 1980s essential Adam Ant videos:








Aaah I love these, memories, nostalgia..

A friend of mine was crazy for him in high school. I liked some of his songs, but unlike other artists from that time (Prince, Madonna, MJ and George Michael) his songs sound so dated now and so of that time period that they are hard for me to enjoy them now. I do have to disagree though with people who said he didn't have showmanship as live performer. I went to see him with my friend and he was a very exciting dynamic performer live.

I met someone who worked with him briefly and he said Adam was very difficult to work with and basically a mini-Hitler who treated everyone around him like subjects.

I've seen recent pictures of him and he does look very old. He is bald and wears a scarf on his head. I can't see him having a comeback looking that way since he was very much a teen idol and his looks were a huge part of his appeal.

I found it. lol

blessedk said:

I remember that. Even though he was my favorite at the time I was like watching it.

I guess in some ways it actually reminds me of the Kiss video, except that while they both seem to show a sense of humor, Prince shows actual talent for dance

NDRU said:

I can't play it outloud right now, but it's even funnier watching this with no sound I'm so glad Diana came out there to make him feel good cuz that audience was not giving him any love. This performance always had me LMAO and for that, thank you Adam.

blessedk said:

It's like a joke. Like Steve Martin performing the Supremes or something. The audience was surprisingly polite for what it deserved, but yeah I have always appreciated those who have no reservations about being completely laughable, and that is something he shares with Prince.

thedance said:

Here's another one from later in the 80s, with a different look and sound from the Ants or "Friend Or Foe" times. (even though Marco is still in the band on this one).

NDRU said:

colttodd18 said:

^^^ And again...!