How I Found God

My name is Simon Quinn and I am a 22 year old mathematics student at the University of Glamorgan,South Wales.My first real interest in Prince came when I taped the stunning "U got the look" video off a TV show in 1987,which I would watch frequently over the following months.I had been a fan of the Batman comics since I was very young and 1989 saw then release of the blockbuster movie,one of my favourite films to date.A friend taped Prince's soundtrack to the movie,which was to be the first of his albums I would hear and the first album by anyone I could honestly say that I loved.(I constantly shake my head in disbelief when I read of fans rubbishing this album.As I heard more of his work I could understand the "throwaway" criticisms made of the album,but I will never agree with them.The album is great-period).

Graffiti Bridge didn't arouse any interest at the time (though that would change later) and it wasn't until 1991 and "Gett Off" that I was really hooked.I loved the sexual puns in the lyrics and the music grew on me with every listen.I would play the video for "Gett Off" daily for many a moon.When I heard the follow-up "Cream",I loved it too.My birthday being late September,I was bought the "Diamonds and pearls" album (released a few days after it,as are most of his albums,wonderful birthday presents!)Like Batman,I loved the album and I became a life-long fan.

June 1992 and I saw the "Diamonds and Pearls" tour live in London.This was the first live show I would see and I had very high expectations,having read incredible advance reviews. Though I am not an easily excited person I did lose my voice en route to the show in anticipation of what was to come.Consequently I was probably the only person in the whole venue not shouting their lungs out throughout the show.I did mime "Sexy motherfucker" with as much vigour as anyone there that night though.I was blown away!Prince danced,sang,played,cavorted and pouted his heart out that night,returning for an impromptu encore at the end of the show,much to the delight of the audience,half of whom were on their way out and dashed back in.Chaos has never been so much fun!I have yet to see a finer live show than that tour.I have seen shows by U2 ,Madonna,Jackson,all very good in themselves but not on a par with Prince.

The spring of 1993.By this time I had all Prince's official releases,so all that was left to look forward to was his new albums and tours.Purely by chance,I was browsing through one of the smaller,back street record stores in Cardiff.Idly flicking through the selection of Prince's albums I saw Purple Rain,SOTT,Lovesexy,The Black Album...THE BLACK ALBUM!I must have stared at the cover for a good 30 seconds.I had read about this album a few times,withdrawn release,bootlegged ,and assumed it was one of those things in life you just weren't meant to have.Tentatively checking out the track-list,Le Grind,Cindy C etc. all present and correct.Price #6.99.#6.99?Wasn't this meant to be worth #500 or more.In a slight state of shock I purchased the tape and played it at home.To my delight and amazement ,all tracks were audible,funky,weird,primarily they were great.So began my initiation into the wonderful world of bootleggia.

Cautiously at first I began sending off for Prince-related lists from traders etc.advertising in magazines and the like.Eventually,after seeing a few tedious lists with all official items on,a non-trader put me in touch with another fan who would help me obtain all the stuff I never dreamed about getting,dozens and dozens of outtakes I'd never heard of,live recordings,associated artists stuff,unreleased promo videos and live tours,generally increasing my collection five-fold,all for the price of the postage and blank tapes,for which I am eternally grateful .(Thank you Steve ,you're a wonderful person).

Throughout 1995 I became closely associated with a british Prince/0(+> fanzine "The Interactive Experience".At first surprised by their suggestion to write articles for them (exclaiming "Me!What would I write about?" down the phone to Pete,the interactive operator,quite abruptly),I began to realise I had quite a lot I'd like to say about Prince, and the fanzine (and now,the internet) was the perfect place to put my views across to the people who'd be most interested in hearing them.I find article-writing very enjoyable and it's great to know that other people can read my work and share my views (Hint:mail me!). You don't have to be Per Nilssen to write interesting,incisive articles about Prince.All you need is an opinion and a working knowledge of the man.The letter writers/e-mailers of the present could be the article writers of the future.That means u 2!

Prince's music is a major part of my life.At the best (and the worst) of times I find it thrilling ,moving,amusing,thought- provoking,seductive and inspiring.His cross-category music also means that I can appreciate and enjoy the work of other artists and groups,styles such as rock,pop,soul and funk all form part of my music collection.Although I have heard many excellent albums (and also a lot of dross) by different acts,Prince is still,and will always be,far and away my favourite artist.as long as he continues to challenge,change and shape music in general,he will inspire me and many others for years to come.