stop signing them and instead brought on nothing but beatmakers for awhile... they either left the stage or went underground and stuck it out.

Black people turned their backs on bands.

So they turned to white folks.

Americans turned their backs on bands.

So they turned to Europe and Japan.

No deal, but still playing.

The problem with most OKP's is they equate "being" a musician or band with releasing records or having a deal.

What I loved about punk? Most punk bands didn't want a deal. They wanted no dealings with the machine - and there were a ton of em. A ton of em that you never heard, but they were in existence.

People can say what they want about Prince - being a band or not...
he at least kept live music relevant in the Black Community long after it became a past time.

Even when Stevie went electronic, Prince knew how to keep both sides of the coin on deck.

I know that's not the topic but just building off your previous convo.