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Prince and the Big 5-0

Happy Birthday to Prince Rogers Nelson who turns 50 today!
(And Happy Birthday to the twins: Peter and Juliana. I love you, much)

Can it be? How did Prince go from the 18 year old prodigy in a trench-coat and speedos to a Rock And Roll Hall of Famer (with 25 years of recording experience required) in a blink of an eye!? I've spent many blogs rhapsodizing about the Artist formerly known as the Artist formerly known as Prince, so I'll keep this one brief.

I can still remember the first time I heard When Doves Cry. It was music from another world and the first Prince single I purchased at Coconuts on the Arlington Expressway. And the flip side? 17 Days had a similar effect on my brain and music appreciation skills. Then came Purple Rain, the movie and LP. A paradigm shift with repercussions I couldn't escape if I wanted to. As I get older, there are songs of Prince's that make less sense to me, but they are still slamming recordings.

Of course, my guiltiest pleasure is the black & white carnival that is Under The Cherry Moon. Don't know if I'll have time to watch it today. But a day doesn't go by that I refer to it... And most people would never know. Unless, they're part of the old GU Posse du Cinammon. And you know who you are. The movie is silly and sublime and Prince at his celluloid best.

[It's pretty amazing that the big 3 of 80s Pop, Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson all hit half a century this year. I will admit I'm not a Madonna fan (I like some of her music), but I'll cop to her cultural impact. But, Mike and Prince, hands down the best writers & performers of the past 30 years.]

Thanks for all the wonderful and strange rides, Mr. Nelson. Happy Birthday!!

A few favorite Prince highlights that I will cue up:
1999 (LP)
Purple Rain (LP)
Pop Life (single)
Parade (LP)
All My Dreams (unreleased track)
Sign 'O' The Times (LP)
Gold (album track)
3121 (LP) now playing!

Elephants and Flowers, Peace & Disco Beats

Comments

Unknown said…
Hey Norm, I found your blog a few weeks back. It's good to see what you're up to!

I had to comment, because many moons ago, when we were studio guides, we went to a Prince concert together. ;)

Hope you're well!

-Cheryl
12:08 PM, June 07, 2008
DAVE said…
Ahhh..the days of cranking "Boys and Girls" in Village A #1...

-You know who it be..no sense in repeating myself.
9:53 AM, June 08, 2008
Unknown said…
I suppose I'm expected to leave a comment here? Hmmmm. Let's see.

This is what it's like in the dream factory.

Are you afraid of bats?

-Numero Dos
7:37 AM, June 10, 2008
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