Publication: Las Vegas Review-Journal [US]
Date: October 24, 1997
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Title: "By Any Name: Prince, The Artist, The Symbol - Whoever - Brings His Sound to the MGM"
Interviewed By: Mike Weatherford and Michael Paskevich

Unraveling a mystery? Or building upon it?

The enigmatic performer formerly known as Prince -- and now by a symbol and/or as The Artist -- once seemed to be in the running with Michael Jackson to see who could be more eccentric and alienating to fans.

In 1993, Warner Bros. Records objected to his rapid rate of album output and refused to release them at his pace. He responded by dropping the name Prince and stopping recording. The record company in turn shut down his Paisley Park imprint.

This summer, however, The Artist emerged from the much-publicized battle for a full-blown "Jam of the Year" tour, which visits the MGM Grand Garden for a concert today. He's also involved with the NPG Dance Company -- as in New Power Generation -- formed by his wife, Mayte, who joined his band as a dancer-singer in 1992.

On Oct. 17, after the dance company's Detroit debut, The Artist and friends went to a restaurant and ended up crashing the stage of the sports bar next door. The friends? Stevie Wonder and Tony Rich. "He's so spontaneous," says his publicist Frances Pennington.

Spontaneity also is the key word for after-concert parties in most cities, which aren't announced until the day of the show. The events are open to the public, though absolutely no promises are made that The Artist will even show up, let alone perform. (No word earlier this week on a party here, but fans might want to inquire at the Hard Rock Hotel.)

The recent activity that has put him back in touch with fans has extended -- to some degree -- to reporters.

Pennington offers reporters in each tour city the chance to e-mail or fax a few questions to The Artist and allow him to respond in a like manner. Though not the way we usually like to do business, it seemed an intriguing enough proposition. Discounting the ability to judge the nuances of a person's vocal response or pursue a subject with follow-up questions, the main danger would be that someone else would answer the questions.

Review-Journal entertainment reporters Mike Weatherford and Michael Paskevich took a morning coffee break to compose the questions. It's quite possible that, counting a refill, more time went into the questions than the answers.

However, the answers below are intriguing and unique enough -- both in content and iconography -- that we're willing to trust their source and print them verbatim.

Q. What has this tour revealed to you or reminded you about the power of live performing vs. your years as a so-called studio "recluse"?

A: All my endeavors r an integral part of my journey. (Symbol of an eye meaning "I") have over 1,000 recorded compositions that (I) am now free 2 release at will. Recluse -- (I) beg to differ. Music is my craft.

Q. You seem to have committed for the time being to the Internet as the means to promote your music and communicate with fans. (An upcoming four-CD collection, "Crystal Ball," won't be pressed until 100,000 telephone orders have been received, and the booklet art will be downloaded via the Internet.) Does it bother you or present any special challenges that the Internet is not yet an ecumenical society, since a majority of computer users are still middle-class to affluent whites?

A. Use the internet 4 what it's good 4. We have never discounted other means of distribution. Every project is different. Crystal Ball is a collection of previously unreleased bootlegs some of which r being currently traded or sold on the internet as we speak. My next album could be sold in stores. Time tells.

Q. This tour is a real crowd-pleaser as far as mining hits from the '80s. Is this a way of reconnecting with fans and helping demystify all the attention that's gone toward your name change and Warner Bros. woes?

A. The only people mystified by my name change r 1's whose minds were made up from jump street. Any 1 who knows anything about music is well aware of its eternal nature. Dig if u will the picture a world without music what a dismal vibe that would b. 2 my real fans there is no mystery.

Q. No doubt seeing your music come to life in visual dance assured you there are other means of three-dimensional expression beyond radio and MTV. How has the NPG Dance Company affected you as a composer vs. a "commercial" pop performer?

A. My wife's company is living proof of life beyond convention. We r both creators by nature and only God can judge us. Every per4formance is fuel 4 our spirits. Radio and MTV r part of some other illusion.

Q. You're in the same situation as other prolific artists (Todd Rundgren and Neil Young come to mind). How do you respond to fans -- even ones I would not term "casual," but fans who were eager to pay top ticket price for this concert -- who say, "He still has a few hot tracks on each release, but I wish he wouldn't pad them with so much filler."

A. What is filler? 1 mans copper is another mans gold.

Q. What are you listening to these days? Any new acts caught your ear?

A. Larry Graham and Graham Central Station (Bassist Graham played for Sly & The Family Stone, and the funk band he formed in the '70s is the opening act today).

Q. George Clinton or Jimi Hendrix?

A: No answer, unless the Graham answer was meant to go with this question.

Attention ticket-holders: Those with $100 vouchers for today's concert need not wait until 7 p.m. to exchange them for tickets at the box office. The anti-scalping measure was relaxed to allow more time for ticket pickups because of box-office lines for the MGM's "Scream Park." Vouchers can be redeemed for tickets all day today.