Prince: Master, Teacher, Preacher

What kind of music do you listen to? For me it's one word- Prince. His catalog stretches across all genres and affects all generations. His passion for performing drove him to technical excellence.  Prince controlled the sounds and settings of his recordings to produce quality product. His fans are loyal even beyond his untimely death in April 2016. Many articles were written at that time describing the loss and lessons learned. I've read many of them, and they lack the depth and breadth of the man and his artistic offerings. Let's get into it.

Master: Prince was a child prodigy. He learned and played all instruments on his first few albums. Most importantly,  he maintained all creative control of his product. Prince exhibited a winning formula that he replicated with the Minnesota Sound. Many artists came to him when it was time to reinvent themselves and revive their careers. With his skills, he has boosted those artist to another level, and they've reaped the benefits of his touch.

Teacher: Prince was a skilled businessman. He negotiated his contracts at age 17. When it no longer served him, he self-published and self-promoter his music. He was the first artist to sell his music online. He was the first artist to give his CD to concert goers. He was the first artist to co-brand his music with print media. He made much of his millions in concert sales. Artists are still following in his footsteps to maintain their livelihood and profitability. 

Preacher: Prince spoke volumes in his songs. His lyrical genius displayed in the cadence and delivery of his provocative words. The use of double entendre made decifering the meanings of his verses engaging to his fans. Emboldened by this knowledge, fans felt included in his fiercely private world. Drawn in like a flock, Prince used his musicality to translate his message to the masses and gain their fandom. His legacy will live forever as even more followers are introduced to his published works.

I've loved Prince since 1978, the very beginning of his career. Cleveland is the home of Rock and Roll, but music is life there. Prince was welcomed with open arms and held in high esteem by many. His musicianship gave credence to his status as a mega superstar. So who are you a fan of? How can you relate better to them? Please share your comments below. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and stay healthy.