What does it take to stand next to James Brown? Prince knew. In a 2011 talk, long after many bands had stopped playing instruments, he shared his thoughts. He said he was a product of a special time. He called it the “golden age” of music. This was an era where you had to be the real deal.
He believed artists back then were different. They did not just sing. They wrote their own songs. They played their own instruments. Imagine having to perform right after Tina Turner. Prince did not just admire this high standard; he lived it. It was not just about talent, it was about total, undeniable skill.
Prince shared his musical influences from the “golden age of music” in an interview back in 2011.
When people hear him say this, it makes them nod. It feels true. Viewers often comment that he “gets it” and that he himself was one of the last greats from that time. It is a powerful reminder that his genius did not come from nowhere. It came from studying the very best.
That respect for “real music” was not just for the past. Prince wanted to protect its future. He worried that music was losing its soul. He saw a change where computers were doing more of the work than the musicians. This deep care led him to create a special tour for a whole new generation.
Prince explains to Jay Leno why it was important to make the Musicology tour for the whole family.
He told Jay Leno about his “Musicology” tour back in 2004. To get people in, he famously gave his new album away to every person who bought a ticket. He said it was about bringing “real music back”. He wanted parents to bring their kids. He joked he did not want a future with just “computer programmers,” but one with soul.
Prince was always more than just a performer. He was a teacher, a historian and a protector of music. He made you feel the groove but he also made you think. Follow Prince on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. His music is a lesson that never ends.