^Those videos are extremely selective. As is often the case with videos clips that purport to demonstrate a particular point they are very short and consist of comments taken out of the context of a longer interview. Bob Dylan is known to be a religious person who has veered between Judaism and Christianity, so by referring to 'the Chief' he could just as easily be referring to the god he believes in.

Most people who seek success in their careers have to make compromises, whether that means doing things that you would rather not do or the job having to take precedence over your home life for periods of time. 'Selling your soul' is a reference to work/life balance that is in common parlance, I've used the phrase myself but I've been promoted by working hard and being in the right place at the right time, not by getting in touch with Beezlebub. There are many instances of popular musicians with bills to pay who have to compromise their artistic principles by producing songs that sell, or touring and playing their old hits when they would really rather be doing something else. What sets Prince apart was that he was smart enough to gain control over his own career.

Last edited by Bop (2016-04-24 04:45:16)

BDK really has that Princeness about him...you could hear a lot of Prince on that more New Jack Swing RnB sound that was trying to be all sexy n stuff...not my bag.. but when Prince did it he got away with it..

Last edited by Bop (2016-04-24 23:45:38)

I'm a fan. I especially dig Dirty Mind, and actually I think of that LP as his very best, as maybe even his masterpiece. I wouldn't say I admire his work as much as I do the work of many other musicians and performers, though, and that may be why I personally am not overwhelmed by his death. In fact, the outpouring of grief almost feels, to me, out of proportion with his artistic accomplishments and even his celebrity status. Maybe it's the Internet and how it seems to hype up every event, but I don't recall even the death of John Lennon receiving this much attention.

Last edited by Chipper (2016-04-25 09:00:33)

Well, I don't mean to initiate a pissing contest over who's favorite artist is the best. I don't care about that. What I'm saying is that it seems the response is disproportionate to his cultural or artistic status.

I also think it's a bit odd to see admiration pouring in from all corners after an artist's death--as in, where was all your love when the guy was alive? I see this too much, sort of "Oh, crap, Bowie died. Oh, yeah, that's right, I forgot... I really like his music..."

It happened when Lennon died. All of a sudden every kid was running to the record shop to scoop up the old POB records the stores couldn't give away before.

Last edited by Chipper (2016-04-25 09:56:01)

I appreciate the tipple, sir.

I do go on a bit, but it does seem to me like one could say, "Wow, suddenly everyone's a Prince fan." I played Dirty Mind for my brother and sister a number of years ago, shortly after it came out, and my sister said she was shocked and offended, and my brother just looked embarrassed. Now they're both all over Facebook with crocodile tears.

This is not to say that true fans do not grieve. Nor that we all shouldn't miss him, for he was a cultural icon, and he did some great things.

Last edited by Chipper (2016-04-25 10:34:00)

Interesting point, Bop. I see this a lot, too--I think of them as pseudo- or quasi-news junkies, reposting the latest news on tragic events almost as if they're reporters on the scene or the first in the know. I think it's actually more about attention getting, i.e., look how clued in I am that I posted this news before anyone else.

Last edited by Chipper (2016-04-25 10:44:18)

Makes sense. I see my FB acquaintances, and others, latching on to celebrity news and gossip and making it their own. Our society has a sick fascination with celebrities. They're royalty, leading better and more interesting lives than we do.

Last edited by formby1 (2016-04-25 13:27:39)

RIP Jerry.