It’s a sign of the times…
First came David Bowie, then came Glenn Frey, and then the Grim Reaper moved on to Dan Hicks, and Paul Kantner and Signe Anderson … on the same damn day!
Rock’s killing itself.
And that’s what Prince was billed as – a black guy on a white label who was gonna revolutionize music just like previous one man bands like Paul McCartney and Todd the Wizard and True Star before him.
Only he didn’t.
You could get attention in the late 1970s. We all read Rolling Stone – there were just a few music magazines – and we had to endure the story of this gremlin from Minnesota of all places with a wispy mustache who lied about his age and was gonna blow our minds.
He didn’t.
Prince’s album didn’t live up to the hype – we thought he was done – like Jobriath and the rest of the two-dimensional acts with faces but little more.
And then came, “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” An infectious one listen smash that sounds as fresh today as it did back in 1979, only this time the white people were not paying attention. Prince targeted the R&B market and hit one over the fence and most people didn’t know. Sure, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” ultimately made it to No. 11 on the Hot 100, but this was when Top 40 was at its nadir, and every market played different records. So instead of being ubiquitous “I Wanna Be Your Lover” was something you heard in a stolen moment and asked…WHAT IS THAT?
Still, Prince was easy to dismiss, the track might have been a revelation, but it was not a revolution, it was steeped in the format that anybody can hit once.
Then there were the reviews for “Dirty Mind.”
This was when the only way to hear a record was to buy it. And I didn’t know another soul who bought the LP, and that’s what it was, this was still before CDs. I went to the store and came home, broke the shrink-wrap, dropped the needle and said… HUH?
This was a DISCO record! Hadn’t Steve Dahl just blown up the format in Chicago?
But the dirty little secret of disco haters is they love the beat, otherwise how could KISS have had success with one of their best tracks, “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”? And I loved “Dirty Mind,” I couldn’t help myself, you just had to hear it, although few did. It was an astounding production, youngsters should check it out, this is a one listen LP.
The opener was the title track, but after that came what is still my favorite Prince cut, “When You Were Mine.”
“I know (I know)
That you’re going with another guy
I don’t care (don’t care)
‘Cause I love you, baby, that’s no lie
I love you more than I did when you were mine”
I was in my 20a; I’d had and lost love and these lyrics resonated. I’d stumbled in on my girlfriend and another guy – even though I was the one who pulled the ripcord – and it HURT!
The track is almost cheesy, kind of tongue-in-cheek, featuring a thin, high-pitched vocal. But all I could think was…HOW COME THIS ISN’T A HIT TRACK?
Because FM was still playing corporate rock and MTV was two years off and racism still ruled, Buddy Miles and Billy Preston seemed to be the only African-Americans tolerated in the rock world.
But the best track on “Dirty Mind” is probably “Uptown,” the second side opener. You drop the needle and can barely keep up. You’re following this ball of energy as he sings a tale about the hippest neighborhood in Minneapolis, before the internet made us aware of what was happening everywhere. That’s right, Prince never lost his roots, remember that scene in “Lake Minnetonka”?
And if you know your history, John Hinckley shot President Reagan and the Oscars were postponed a night and on the ultimate evening I went to Flipper’s Roller Disco to see Prince live.
That was my life, if I loved a record I had to see the act.
Only in this case, despite being in the heart of West Hollywood, there was hardly anybody there. Just me and about seventy five other people. And Prince came out and did his full act – jumped on the bed, mesmerized and overwhelmed us – good times were certainly rollin’! I was maybe seven feet away, feet planted, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, it was one of the three best shows I ever saw.
Bruce Springsteen is not the only act who made it via live performance, Prince was so stellar in concert that the pump was primed for his follow-up, “Controversy.” He even opened for the Stones…AND IT WAS A DISASTER!
Kind of like when I saw Van Halen open for Nils Lofgren at the Santa Monica Civic, before their album came out. I laughed, I thought they were a joke. David Lee Roth was Jim Dandy reincarnated. People booed Prince. I was there at the L.A. Coliseum, people couldn’t have cared less.
And then came “1999.”
The title track became the theme song of the millennium – for years – before and right through New Year’s Eve.
But what put the LP over the top was “Little Red Corvette.”
Sure, Michael Jackson is credited with breaking the MTV color line, but Prince owned the format first. And his success was not based on production, but sheer charisma. It oozed out of the diminutive one’s soul. Certain tracks are so infectious, evidence such presence and personality that you just want to get closer, you need to get closer, human beings can really be this cool?
And then came “Purple Rain.”
“Hey, look me over
Tell me do you like what you see
Hey, I ain’t got no money
But honey I’m rich on personality!”
Not for long. When it comes to cash, that is. Prince was soon rich. Because, “Purple Rain” was the phenomenon of 1984, a movie that played all summer when flicks didn’t only last a weekend. The album sold double digit millions. Because the audience finally caught up with Prince.e’d been waiting and the time came.
This was not supposed to happen. It was miraculous that the man had survived the initial hype. Rock movies were flawed enterprises that tarred their participants. Just ask Peter Frampton. But the flick had heart. And it had Prince. AND THAT WAS ENOUGH!
And then the legend was cemented.
But what exactly is that legend?
Well, Prince could certainly play. As could Frank Zappa. Two people famous for something else who had the chops.
But unlike Frank, Prince could sing – he had a great voice – and he could write hit tunes.
And they both had their finger on the pulse.
And it wasn’t only for himself. The Bangles cut “Manic Monday.” Sinead O’Connor covered and built a whole career upon “Nothing Compares 2 U.” And Tom Jones was brought back from the dead and given a victory lap based on “Kiss.”
And Prince didn’t come from nowhere, he had roots, he tried to help Bonnie Raitt when she was in between labels, before her renaissance. And he loved Joni Mitchell, even covering “A Case Of You,” before everybody else. And even though “Under The Cherry Moon” flopped, Prince seemed to be able to throw off infectious tracks on a whim. Like “Cream.” And “Pink Cashmere.”
And then it all crashed.
The problem?
PRINCE WANTED TO PUT OUT MORE MATERIAL!
He was ahead of the game. He understood the internet era. He knew artistry was not about marketing, that if you could not free your soul and create you were dead inside. And even Warner Brothers, his label, the best in the business, couldn’t understand. It was inured to the system, but the acts always know best.
And despite ultimately making more records none of them gained traction. One could say Prince was too old, had lost the plot, but we all had. There was too much music at our fingertips and little stuck except for the catchiest of inane ditties.
And then came the Super Bowl.
Now if you think about the game’s highlights you cannot forget Joe Namath and the ’69 Jets. But right behind that I’d put Prince’s performance. He owned not only the stadium, but the WORLD! That’s the power of music, the power of talent. Prince always had something to prove AND HE DID THAT NIGHT!
No one will ever equal it, they should retire the trophy, without overwhelming production but sheer will Prince grabbed us by the collar and made us pay attention, and wowed us in the process. That’s a performance, that’s a STAR!
And then came the shenanigans.
The takedown notices, the pronouncements that the Internet was over. Prince was wrong on nearly every account. But he was right about one thing, that the future was all about PERFORMANCE! The EXPERIENCE! And there was nobody plying the boards who was better than Prince. It was positively old school, it was about the music, not the trappings.
And now he’s gone.
He was still at the top of his game, albeit with a different focus. Records don’t mean as much these days, it’s all about the show and he was the king of the show – someone who always got our attention without begging for it – someone we could never count out.
Until now.
Prince never repeated himself. He always took risks. He demonstrated his influences. He was about what felt right as opposed to what looked right. The business rejected him, but the fans embraced him. Because that’s what enthralls us, someone sui generis, who knows if they follow their own muse they resonate with us most. Prince never put his finger to the wind, never pored over the research. He believed in the power of his fingers and his mind, he just channeled God, to the point he approximated him.
Or her.
Give him credit for not only integrating rock, but taking it out of the locker room. Wendy and Lisa were part of the Revolution, and Sheena Easton and Sheila E.’s bona fides were established on his back.
But that’s no surprise. Because Prince oozed sex. He was more magnetic than the North Pole. He just drew you in. He drew the whole nation in. To the point where even the President had to testify to his greatness.
That’s what our best artists do, testify. Tell us the truth. With their words, their music, their personality.
Not only doves are crying.
He’s causing us a ton of sorrow, we’re experiencing a ton of pain.
I’m sure he’d want to see us laughing.
It’s a shame our friendship had to end. But his music survives, as does his legend. Years from now his music and career will be studied, to see how someone listened to no one but himself but got it so right.
He lived for us.
And now he’s gone.
I’m at loose ends.
It’s not a shock that Prince caught HIV back in the 90’s but it is shocking that some crazy friends convinced him to stop taking his HIV meds a couple of years ago so he basically committed suicide.
Purple Rain was my first CD ever, bought back in early 1984. Not only was that my first it was one of the best CD’s ever imo. Purple Rain, Born in the USA, Ozzmosis, Balance, and Slave to the Grind are my top 5.
RIP Prince.
another great article bob. I drove all the way to Capers Corners (Mr. Ben Asner) and
bought some M-80’s and Princes new release.
Saw him in concert one time and I could seriously consider him as one of
the greatest guitarists I’d seen (along with Hendrix). And Sheila E: wow!
Sadly we lose another talented guy from another era.
But that’s what happens. Did drugs do him in. Looks like it but we must
wait.
Gone too early. Way too early.
Last night after eating matzoh and gefilte fish I put his cd on and remembered
our “woodsies” where his music blared out of cars.
They say he was awake for 154 straight hours. don’t know if that’s a fact or
just bull sh*t. He was scheduled to play the fox theatre in st. Louis next but
never made it. Unfortunately.
Then read about mick jagger’s new book written by another rolling stone
writer about how bad this guy was.
Truth is who really cared. It was about both the Stones and Prince’s music.
Purple rain. Purple Rain
RIP.
I like how you write your response as though leftezzz might actually read it. You are a funny clown, harlinator. You keep doing you.
Maybe he’s like me and thought Bob Lefsetz was just some local schmuck who occasionally wrote columns for Hearne. I didn’t realize Bob was a national guy until a few months ago. Apparently his reputation isn’t well thought of.
the article was good. My opinion. Don’t know muchabout this guy but if
hearne wrote it I’d still think it wasa good article.
The author could have been glaza but he can’t write like this.
Great talent…great music…that’s all it is about
As for the dude: another outstanding comment on your
part. Does he read the comments on his story. I don’t
know…don’t care. The article was good (compared to
what is normally put up on kcc) so Harley expressed
his opinion. No real facts to contest…I loved prince’s
music and so did millions of others.
that’s all that counts in the end. And many people had
no idea the charitable work prince did.
again dude…write something intelligent (even if you’re not
capable of doing that!)
KC Confidential = Cut & Paste Confidential
Sorry, but I’m sick and tired of people glorifying drug addicts. His former drug dealer supplied $40,000 worth of prescription drugs every 6 months for years.
The man and his music should be shunned and forgotten.
First of all, there has been no cause of death determined. You are passing judgement off what an “alleged drug dealer” told one of the worst lying tabloids in the world? Why would of either of them lie? “Why shoot Cooter, I read it off dem der interwebs.” “It’s gots to be true for realz” Thanks for the “hot take” Jack. Allow me to give you mine. Jack Springer is hating, jealous, worthless piece of trash who does not posses one tenth of the talent of those he slags. Thanks, I’ll listen off air.
LOL, don’t hold back. Tell me what you really think.
Funny how you jumped all over me without knowing anything about me but you give Prince a pass even though there is evidence he was a drug addict and he probably died because of that drug habit.
The man even received a special injection within the last week of his death to keep him alive, which is further evidence that he had a problem … a big problem.
Shawnster — do you have a problem emulating people who do not use drugs as crutches to get through the day? If so, I’d love to know why.
Have a great evening.
Whatever douchebag. Take away all the drug addicts and alocholics in music and you wouldn’t have anything left.
No kidding.
Jack I think you should take a look at all the flawed genius we have had in our history and then rethink your call to shun and forget their work. The list of those afflicted by addiction to a broad range of reality escapes includes not just musicians like Charlie Parker, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin but other genius like Van Gogh, Dickens, Churchill, Hemingway, Tchaikovsky, Robin Williams, Tennessee Williams, and Edgar Allan Poe. I’m guessing there must be at least one or two names there whose work you respect and enjoy. It’s an impressive list of creators and we’d be much the worse if we shunned and forget their work just because they had addictions to fight.
There are many gifted people who are not drug addicts.
when I heard the news about Prince, i told my brother that i sure hoped the cause was something other than drug-related. they’re not saying yet and until then, i’ll keep an open mind with respect to his “alleged” drug dealer.
but if it IS drugs, OD on prescription crap, illegal or any combination thereof, screw Prince. i will lose all respect for the man and basically take the attitude that he had it coming.
why?
because any rock or pop musician — esp the superstars — who ignore history are just asking for it. they should know better! the list of rock stars is a freakin’ mile long who died tempting fate one time too many. Prince should know that list better than most and if he chose to believe that it couldn’t, wouldn’t happen to him, then despite his talent, money, and fame, he was just a short, stupid man who wore frilly shirts and purple suits.
Glad you are keeping an open mind miket, because the “short, stupid man who wore frilly shirts and purple suits” comment makes you sound like a closed-minded judgmental prick. Just saying.
no, shawn-ster, i’m neither close-minded nor judgmental. not a prick either, tho’ maybe sometimes an asshole. so what. if prince died of a drug overdose, he joins a long list of talented artists who somehow, for some reason, thought (or didn’t think) they were invincible or that they needed to be just a bit higher or made immune… whatever… pick your poison and pick your reason.
my point is that if OD proves to be cause of death, he should have known better as there have been so many who have gone before him to learn from — Hendrix and Michael Jackson leap to mind especially. and if he didn’t learn from them? then what would call him? smart? enviable? justified? he cheated himself and he cheated us. and it didn’t have to be that way.
I’m gonna assume you don’t drink, and if you do, I’m gonna assume you have NEVER driven after being just a little bit impaired. Obviously you are not the type of person who would EVER tempt fate, because you are just too damn smart.
sorry…you’re all wrong.
Lots of addicts don’t know they’re actually addicted to the drugs til it’s too late.
Get a back injury (somewhere read where he had some injuries from his work) and the doctor gives him some oxycontin/or hydrocodone and they become addicted
to the stuff. doesn’t take long and it can creep up on ya without ever knowing
it.
Its exploding in America. Heroin is flying everywhere. The pharma industry
loves it. Nothing like having millions addicted to your product and you
make billions.
Seen it happen. and now I hear the drug of choice and the most
popular drug in the blue valley area is HEROIN.
Oh what a mess we have created.
whatever he died of…he was someone’s son/friend/work partner/etc. and
it’s still sad.
Had several good friends die of overdoses over the years. They never could
admit it and they never really realized what happened til it was too late.
sad.
PRINCE was a great talent, drugs or not…hey the Beatles did every drug known to man, so did the Stones, so did they all, way of the world sorry…doesn’t take away from his talent and his fame, glory and joy he brought millions…so we lost a great performer and talent. He will be missed.
So much hate and anger on these sites..WTF…why…we are all human…yes most people have used illegal drugs..Presidents Clinton, Obama and George W to start with all admit it..Bush was hospitalized so come the F on…now Prince is a bad guy for using…sad it may have helped end his life…but that was his call…again his greatness isn’t damaged by it…do we forget all the drunks and other stars who did the same in so many different ways…again he has not sinned…please. Yes he may have had HIV, I don’t know…again doesn’t take away from his talent.
Thank you Craig for being the voice of reason (sounds weird right?). IF these reports are true, NOBODY has and O/D death “coming” NOBODY chooses to be an addict. What separates us from the rest of the animals is compassion, something sorely lost of some of the readers of this blog. His death in no way overshadows his greatness despite what these sanctimonious pricks think.
Well we agreed on something. Hah.
So much glorifying of drugs and drug addicts on this site.
Not sure what his talent was.
Bottom line…if you are over 45 and you don’t like Prince, you never got laid in the 80’s.
What a RIDICULOUS conclusion. And, you couldn’t be more wrong. I had some great lays and Prince was the farthest thing from our minds.
Never really been a fan. Appreciated the talent I just never quite got him. A midget acting tough or pretending to be a ladies man while wearing ass-less pants just wasn’t/isn’t my thing. I’ll be glad when all the glorifying is over.