Imagine being a musician so good that you learn from the best who ever lived. Prince said he was only here today because of the amazing “golden age of the 60s, 70s and 80s”. This special time meant artists had to write their own songs and play every single note themselves. This total control and high standard is what built Prince’s whole way of making music.
He felt a deep respect for those years because musicians had to be the total package. They had to perform right next to legends like Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown. That kind of challenge meant you truly had to bring your very best to the stage. This strict demand for skill is what made their music so strong and so honest for all time.
Prince shared his musical influences from the “golden age of music” in an interview with George Lopez back in 2011.
Fans loved hearing him talk about these deep roots. One viewer felt connected to his words, knowing where his amazing sound came from. Another person said it felt good to hear him honor the greats that came before him.
That strong foundation in real musicianship, where an artist had to rely on their own talent, helped Prince form many firm beliefs. This led him to share his honest opinions about the music industry in his own time. He felt a strong need to speak up about how things were changing and to tell people what he truly felt was important.
Prince | Shades of Influence
In a different clip, he clearly shared some of his concerns about newer music. He explained that he believed sexuality in art is a very spiritual, God-given gift. He did not, however, like the increase of “violent imagery” and too much “sampling” in popular songs. He viewed this as a drift from the truth and felt the problem was “getting to the point where it is out of hand”.
Prince’s entire musical journey was about staying true to himself and fully owning his art. He wrote every lyric and played every note with full passion. He gave the world music that was both bold and deeply felt, always pushing for honesty in all that he created. Follow Prince on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.