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Maybe he will also need a brain replacement after all the mental straining it took to come up with a symbol to replace his name and then explaining it to the drivers license bureau!

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LOL. Yeah, I forgot about that one. Wasn't that a fun period for news and entertainment reporters -- finally, they came up with "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince." Was that lame or what?

I actually like the guy's music. But he seems to be like most celebs nowadays-- always doing something tacky (or downright outrageous) to sell records. Silly to me. He should just let his work speak for itself. Doesn't need all the embellishments.

"I actually like the guy's music. But he seems to be like most celebs nowadays-- always doing something tacky (or downright outrageous) to sell records. Silly to me. He should just let his work speak for itself. Doesn't need all the embellishments."

Not lately, he seems to have withdrawn from that kind of thing for a while now.

I saw him in Oakland on the Hit N' Run tour, and it was hands down one of the best shows I've ever seen - he's still got insanely high levels of energy onstage, can still solo on the guitar with the best, and his band is utterly top notch. It was a stripped down (no pun intended) stage compared to what he's had before - just the band, PA, and lights, and he tore the place apart. The only annoyance was his costume changes, which meant lots of jam segments by the band. The whole place was dancing and singing and having a great time - probably one of the most positive, upbeat shows I've seen yet.

I'd loved to have seen the Revolution/Purple Rain era band live, the shows are legendary, but the show I saw with an older Prince was just as impressive. I'll give the guy credit where it's due, he's got chops for days.

I seem to recall that the symbol and "the artist formerly known as Prince" was an extremely clever ploy which got him out of a contract with a label/record co. he did not like. I don't know the details.

A friend of mine saw him several years ago in concert and said most of his songs were Christian/quite religious. I did not catch any of that period of his music, but think he is an awesome rocker, despite his "flair." If you've never seen the movie "Purple Rain", and you are over 18, I recommend it - it was quite good.

Since this is a rock 'n roll related thread, and many of the classic artists are no longer producing records, I thought I'd start a list of modern rockers who "get it", i.e. that ROCK!!! 1) Prince 2) Collective Soul 3) Lenny Kravitz 4) Blues Traveler 5) ...

Actually he could not use the name "Prince" during that time because the record label 'owned' it and he was suing them for breach of contract on a money matter. The record label's attorneys got an injunction against "Prince" using his own name! And...Prince was banned from talking about the case to the public. So, as a "$%^& You" to the label he made up the symbol.