(Yet Another Article About) Why Prince Changed His Name

We have had many theories about why Prince changed his name to 'that' symbol on his 35th birthday,generally ranging from spirituality (Princes reason) to insanity (rest of the world's reason).for what it's worth,heres my theory, Prince wanted to move on,simple as that.

recall during the spring of 1993 Prince toured parts of america for the first time in 5 years promoting the now eponymous 0(+> album.this gave him the opportunity to play all his classic hits to the us faithful for a last time. summer 1993,he toured europe,announcing beforehand that it would be the last time he would perform the songs he recorded as Prince.the show consisted of the standard classics (lets go crazy,purple rain,raspberry beret,kiss) normally reduced to a first verse and chorus along with a selection of lesser played,but nonetheless great hits and album tracks.

return to the present day and the gold tour.0(+> performed songs from the gold experience alongside some "Prince" covers,mainly songs from the last 5 years.unlike 1993's tour the gold tour consisted of the songs,for the most part,played in full."the beautiful experience " had been well circulated amongst the fans,so the material played on the tour was known to the majority,the tour was the freshest he had done for years.

sure,the music press bleated that they didn't know what he was playing but Prince performed some of the new material at the end of each show in the 1993 tour,when it really wasn't known to anyone at all,so the argument doesn't hold any water.the statement that 'Prince' songs wont be played in general probably refers to the classics which he has used as encores since the parade tour.Princes name change signifies a new direction in his live performances, where we can expect to hear brand new play lists consisting of new songs hopefully played in full,instead of the medleys of the past,when so many great songs were cut short and integrated into medleys.if you wish to see all the oldies played,watch the lovesexy or sign o the times tour videos.now is an exciting time for the fans when 0(+> can surprise us by selecting rare unplayed classics from the past (as he did with the japanese leg of the last tour). Prince is at his best when he is happy performing,playing new stuff keeps him fresh,stops him from going through the motions!

all things considered 0(+> live in the future is something to be highly anticipated.