I wasn't terribly familiar with Prince's work either, but I
have become a fan of the man since his death. He was a
music genius but also a decent, kind, generous
man. He donated anonymously to many causes. He was born into a Seventh Day Adventist family and then became a Jehovah's Witness as an adult. He didn't allow people to drink, smoke or swear in his house. There is a story that someone said a bad word in his house, and Prince asked him not to do it again because it would make the paint peel off the walls - LOL. Prince was reportedly a vegan who supported animal anti-cruelty efforts.

Prince apparently had a very strong faith. I believe Arcy has professed to be a believer too. I'd think that connection would count for something.

"I'd think that connection would count for something."

Why? that's like saying that, because two people like beef, they should like each other.

Nah.

Arcy is entirely entitled to her opinion. I think it's kind of odd, though, that she'd bother commenting on a thread about someone for whom she felt no particular affection, and whose music she even says she didn't like.

Why comment at all?

It's my turn to deliver the reflection to start off a meeting tomorrow. I think I'm going to find a Prince quote.

Because, Tibb, Christians consider other believers to be their brothers and sisters in faith, even if they disagree. It's not at all akin to a beef-eating analogy.

FYI - there is a crazy religious conversation going on over in Hot Topics stemming from Prince's death.

I happened upon that conversation hoping to talk about Prince. One of the posters reminds me of Gotcha the cockatoo.

TR, faith is as varied as eating philosophies. Christians (should) consider all people to be brothers and sisters, including non-believers.

I don't consider myself as having anything in common with, say, the religious right, i.e.; Falwell, Robertson, et al. People of faith make up the majority of people in the world.

I'm not going to beat a dead horse but mainstream Christian doctrine teaches that believers in the sanctifying grace of Jesus Christ are brothers and sisters. That was my point, and I have made it with nothing more to add. It's not something I'm going to argue about. :-)

I have never really listened to his music or been a Prince fan. There was some kind of tribute on the radio, playing his songs non-stop, that we listened to on a 2.5 hour road trip this weekend. I'm glad I listened to it to get a better idea of his music but it reconfirmed that it's still not my cup of tea. I do admire the guy's talent and success and am sad such a talented person is gone at such a young age.

I'm not arguing. I offered another perspective.

checked out HT discussion... omg, not again

LOL I KNOW busybee! I don't care for that forum but went over to look at that thread. Seems like some of the same stuff here and there.

Why shouldn't Arcy comment? Last week I almost posted the same thing Arcy did, until I learned more about Prince as the days went by. I loved his music but had no idea just how talented he was. At the time I also thought all the outpouring of love to him (headlining the national news? Seriously?) was way over the top.

But I've changed my mind. He was brilliant! Had I posted what I originally thought about Prince then maybe I would have been enlightened on all the other things he did.

Chastising someone posting with a differing opinion is ridiculous.

My feeling of him since watching a documentary involving Prince is that he may have been a Savant. I never listened to his music (on purpose) but I believe he was extremely talented as far as music goes. He was quite socially awkward though.

Oakley, I agree. But in this case I think past behavior unfortunately sets arcy up for being singled out. She has posted many helpful things but IMO she also shouts at people, insults them and makes inflammatory social comments. Target kills babies???

Jen, why did you delete your comment to me? The only reason I spoke up like many many have done before me, is because I don't think it's right to tell someone not to post. But if you believe otherwise, fine.

D-gw, I wasn't aware of that. But still...if she or anyone wants to disagree in a topic I think it's okay.

I don't see where anyone was told not to post. Did I miss it?

I just decided to delete it, Oakley. No reason needed.

Nobody was told not to post. Someone wondered why Arcy bothered to comment on this thread, but that's not at all the same as saying that she shouldn't post. It too was an opinion, which apparently we are all free to give.

"Why Arcy bothered..." Why would I not? As said, this is for opinions and I have one that differs. To me it makes more sense for a DIFFERENT view to be expressed than the same one over and over. Many of the views I read here are offensive to my view of right and wrong. Why is it ok for those opinions to assault mine but I should be shut down if mine assault yours? Curious really. America seems to be forgetting that "PC" opinions are only as valid as the not so "PC" opinions. You are free to think he was "sexy", I am free to think he was vulgar. If all we do is exchange the same opinion back and forth--what is the point of that?

Chill out, Arcy. I didn't think Prince was sexy. Nor did anyone say you shouldn't comment. Your opinion didn't "assault" mine, and mine didn't "assault" yours. Such hyperbolic language.

This also is not about PC. It is not politically correct OR incorrect to express a negative view about an artist.

Instead of going off the deep end with your usual knee-jerk rage, why not just ask what I meant by it. I'd be happy to answer.

Had someone begun a thread about a Prince album or an "I love Prince" thread, I'd completely understand someone coming in with an opposing view.

But when someone posts a thread about someone having died, it is clearly meant to inform people who liked the guy. So it seems discordant with the point of the thread for someone to come in and express a strong dislike of the person. I mean, are you saying you are glad he's died because he was vulgar? That would be rather crass, don't you think? the thread was clearly for fans of Prince's. I do hope that, IRL, you don't go around to funerals telling people who liked the deceased that you thought he was a jerk too. You can call it PC to not be able to do that, but I call it just plain old decency.

But again, I did not say I thought you should NOT have posted here. I merely expressed confusion as to why you would bother.

Seems to me that you're the one expressing rage at something someone posted here, arcy. Oh, the irony! And you also completely read it only as you wanted to see it, not as it was written.

Take a chill pill.

Personally, when someone I didn't care for dies, I just stay away and let those who liked the person absorb the loss and commiserate together. I don't see the point in trying to get people upset at such times. But you certainly have a right to do so yourself. Just don't know why you'd bother.

That is all.

I enjoyed this article about Prince. https://www.1843magazine.com/culture/the-daily/the-purple-pioneer

You can think him vulgar or not your cup of tea all you want. Without question, his musicianship is absolutely unparalleled. That's not up for debate.

Taste in music is very subjective just like the "most beautiful woman" thread. "Unparalleled" as in no one is better? I definitely would NOT say that about Prince. There are many musicians that I think are better, in my opinion. It does seem disrespectful to speak ill of the dead though. Maybe that's more the issue here.

Unparalleled as in exceptional. Musicianship is not about taste. It's about skill and is a complex concept regarding ability and a thought process to "think in sound."

To me, the praise for Prince is about more than the songs that people may have randomly heard on a pop music station. Those of us that knew a little (or a lot) more about Prince, are mourning and honoring the loss of an artistic genius. If you only heard his hits on the radio and saw some of his videos and risqué performances, you are only aware of the tip of the iceberg of the vast body of his work. He was a composer, innovator, musician, producer, visual artist and mentor. Like Bowie, he explored gender and sexuality via artistic expression, which was risky and caused some to consider him vulgar.

He fought a long battle with his record label that paved the way for other artists to retain the rights to their own music. But this fight against the establishment was undeniably harmful to his own career.

He was a kind, gentle soul and charitable humanitarian. Socially awkward? Maybe in the ultra-conventional sense. Since when do we judge artistic geniuses by social convention?

Is this really a thread where hairs should be split and each word argued over? I know the answer is yes, that everyone's opinion is important. And I agree. But he was so much more than 'Little Red Corvette' and the performances that caused parents to forbid him.

ETA - I don't enjoy the Hot Topics forum, but I thought I would add to the thread over there about Prince. At the time, this one had died out. The Hot Topics thread about Prince only stayed on topic for about 1/4 of the very long thread before it turned into the predictable, boring political squabble.

Eric Clapton, who is often mentioned as one of the greatest guitarists ever, was asked years ago how it felt to be the greatest guitarist. His response? "You would have to ask Prince."

I would agree with what cattyles said about him.

I just didn't care for his music mostly because that is not the genre of music that I enjoy. Nothing against him other than I just do not care for pop music, in general. So to me, I would find someone like Eddy Van Halen or Joe Satriani to be among the best.

It turns out that Eric Clapton did not say that. According to snopes, this is a decades-old urban legend.
Eric Clapton and Prince

His music ran the gamut of everything: rock, funk, R&B, pop, gospel--really everything but country and it wouldn't surprise me if he had one in the vault. On his demo/first record he wrote, composed and played all the instruments before he was 20 years old. That to me is unparalleled talent. He was highly respected by other musicians for his guitar work.

Hey, arkansas_girl, we just saw Satch a couple of weeks ago! Great show, but LOL, about 80% guys. No line for the ladies room.

He actually did go door-to-door with the Jehovah's Witnesses. I don't know if he only went local or not.

Edited to add we watched the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony tonight. Although this was recorded before Prince passed away, at the very end they played the end of this clip from the 2004 ceremony. It was really pretty amazing. When Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam said Prince was one of the best lead guitarists ever, he could mean this:

I can't get over how much George Harrison's son looks like him.

gasciencechick, I posted that link as well up thread. I think I have watched about 20 times since he died. Really amazing.

Graywings, thanks. I usually check, but liked that quote so much and could hear slowhand saying that!

Gsciencechick, that has always been one of my favorite clips. Love Harrison, love that song, love listening to and watching Prince being amazing. His smile is such fun to see. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks, d_gw, don't know how I missed your post.

Officials have confirmed it was an opiates overdose

Shocked. Shocked!

Not shocked at all, it's what I had assumed.

Good thing. Be a darn shame for anyone to miss out on a chance to be smug and HTT.

Just another victim of pain management gone wrong. And to someone with all the resources he needed to get help. No one is immune.

"Accidental Opiate Overdose" - he had already scheduled to meet with a specialist to help him with his need to get off the opiates. It's a real shame.

Until people accept and understand how addicting opiate painkillers are there will never be understanding.

How awful. The opiate addiction specialist couldn't get to Minneapolis right away so he sent his son and was going to come soon after. His son is evidently the one who found him in the elevator in his home. So very sad.

I was reading an article the other day about this saying that apparently just as with several celebs, Prince probably suffered from VIP syndrome. Irregardless it's a sad loss.

lukkiirish

I was reading an article the other day about this saying that apparently just as with several celebs, Prince probably suffered from VIP syndrome. Irregardless it's a sad loss.

*******

We see this over and over again. Rich, famous and addicted stars who surround themselves with sycophants and leaches who will not speak truth to power and do the right thing, motivated by money and perks.

I do hope they look at who was supplying Prince with these meds and prescriptions.

Yes, sadly we do, I just didn't realize it had a name.

This is a bit off topic but it's something that has had me so irked for a long time so I'll say it anyways...because of the problems of addiction surrounding these drugs, doctors prescribing them unnecessarily, people using them who don't really need to, or even selling them for top dollar on the street, have made it very difficult for the people who really need them to get them, my husband included. First it was Vicodine and the FDA removing it from availablility, then Opiates were changed to a different class of drug and now require a monthly visit and written prescription, only a 30 day supply can be given and so on raising the costs for a legitimate patient (who already pays out of the nose for care); I'm so sick and tired of people who play by the rules paying the price for those who don't, celebrities and their fancy doctors included.

All of that is sadly true lukk.

I'm not sure if this is true, but I had read that Prince had a severe chronic pain problem due to needing a hip replacement that was forbidden by his religion due to the chance of transfusion. If true, living with chronic pain is no joke and I don't envy anyone in that position. I lived with moderate chronic pain for a couple of years in university along with decreased mobility and it was incredibly draining and depressing.

If there's a silver lining, many parents I know are very much aware of how prescription pain killers can lead to addiction, heroin use, and in worst cases, overdoses. This is really being driven among the teen crowd.

Because I've been made aware of it, I made a very conscientious decision a few months ago to decline an opiate pain drug when my son was injured. The nurse and I (and my son, of course) evaluated his pain needs very carefully and decided on a lesser-strength pain med. (The doctor agreed--it was just the nurse with whom I communicated initially.) We didn't deprive my son of pain relief, but we didn't over-prescribe with a medication that wasn't warranted.

I find it scary how easily our youth are prescribed opiates for pain. Still.

I heard that too Robo and I'm not saying that he didn't need the pain killers (even thought there are so many who are abusers and really don't). The problem is they only work for so long which is where I believe the risk escalates because then they have to either increase the dosage or try a different medication entirely and the options for opiates are limited.

After increasing the dosage to the max allowable, patients start to mix what they take with other drugs, up the dosages to dangerous levels or both. The way these drugs are controlled now, the laws make it very difficult for a new prescription to be filled until a day or two prior to the old one expiring without the help of a doctor so some see more than one doctor. If the new doctor doesn't do a MAP report to see their prescription history, they have no way of knowing what the other's been prescribing. It's a mess so it's easy to predict that at some point the FDA will once again tighten the laws, but at whose expense?

I'm just in files all day long at a variety of clinics and am completely astonished at what I'm seeing.

That's what I've read too Robo. In some of his last photos he is seen walking with a cane which appeared to be for style, but was because of his hip problem. He also started wearing platform sneakers instead of heels.

Those are the nightmare stories that I hear, Lukkiirish. Once an addiction sets in, there are many ways around the regulations that control these drugs. Or there are ways to substitute the drug. And these aren't the stereotypical stories of drug addiction, but rather parents whose kids were hurt playing football or skiing or a car accident who filled prescriptions written by their well-meaning physicians.