This is my first post. I chose this thread because I am firstly amazed that Prince would even be a topic of conversation....

I used to love his work, back in 1981-1982 when I first heard it. Soon afterward I saw him as a sell-out, with the whole Purple Rain craze. I didn't truly learn to appreciate Prince until this millennium,when I met my guitar teacher. I asked him who his favorite artist is and he quickly responded, 'Prince'. He proceeded to explain why. Most of his reasons escape me now but after listening to all of his songs over time, I believe he is one of the most diverse and talented artists of our time.

I am sorry that most people would not agree but I still enjoy hearing one of Prince's songs play randomly on my mp3 player. :)

.
interesting viewpoint on this...i totally disagree but each to their own...i think you are wrong about his ability on the guitar and eric clapton, steve vai and many other guitar gods think he is one of the greats...i have seen this clip many times and..to be honest with you and being respectful to the other talented guys on the stage...it doesnt come alive until prince starts his solo...he was asked to do a solo on this as a tribute the late george harrison...he is a showmen..no doubt but what would you rather watch...someone just standing there doing nothing but playing or do what prince does..put on a show ?..i would much rather watch someone who is entertaining than someone who does nothing...
.
he is highly regarded by almost all his fellow musicians ...i agree he can be a bit of a prick..he has been a control freak ever since his very first album when he demanded...and got...the right to produce himself in 1978 at the age of 19...but i suppose thats part of what made him so sucessful....i admire his musicanship and his amazing back catalogue and nothing more....

I was turned on to Prince's music when the album "Controversy" came out in 1981. The style was different from what I was listening to at the time, but I found it intriging (sp?). Anyway, I started checking out his back catalog and realized he was a great talent. Admitedly, I haven't followed his career too closely since "Sign o' the Times" as my tastes moved in another direction (yet again), but to say he is anything less than genius is to miss his music completely. Personally, I think that Prince had a vision of what he wanted his music to be and became the "control freak", etc... out of neccessity to see that vision to fruition.

Is he the best all around in music? I'm not sure but there's no denying he is definately a musical reneisance man.

I see that Prince covered Don't Stop Till You Get Enough at some festival he played in the UK this week.

Shame it's not on Youtube. It would have been great to post in the Michael Jackson thread and wind up that Realtalk92 guy who only comes here to post his pro Jackson propaganda

multi-talented musician
 

Although I don't like much of his music, I acknowledge Prince as a very talented musician in several parameters. He can play several instruments and is a gifted songwriter in addition to his guitar skills. I don't know if he's the most talented all-around musician, though. I think Paul McCartney in his prime was possibly more talented as a musician all-rounder, although Prince probably had the edge as an arranger and bandleader. McCartney was/is, of course, one of the best rock bassists and, during his Beatles tenure, a prolific and very proficient songwriter; he was also an underrated guitar player, playing leads on several Beatles tracks, notably "Taxman", when George Harrison was unable to play to McCartney's satisfaction. McCartney was also a decent keyboardist and, from what I have read, a fair drummer. Regarding his songwriting, admittedly one could easily argue he needed John Lennon as a catalyst to optimize it; his solo post-Beatles songs dropped precipitously in quality.

i admire mccartney is many ways and i am a huge beatles fan...mccartney is indeed a very good multi-instrumentalist but i dont think he is on the same level of prince when it comes to playing any instrument and i think paul would be the first to say so..
.

Pretty sure it's Bowie.

Prince has always created generic, crappy pop music, right up there with Michael Jackson. His talents are no more extraordinary than anyone else in the genre.

This is like arguing which log of crap smells better.

dude, just shut up now.

or if you insist on not shutting up, give more detail on your opinions. let's hear your expert opinion.

i'm a fan

but if you want to base musical worth on eclecticism, i'd go with Mr. Bungle or Ween