Prince kissed off Guitar Hero deal

With Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: Metallica already out, and Guitar Hero: Van Halen widely rumored, the search is on for the next big musical act to get its own game in Activision's rhythm franchise. One title people can knock off the list is Prince, the rock-funk legend behind such...

With Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: Metallica already out, and Guitar Hero: Van Halen widely rumored, the search is on for the next big musical act to get its own game in Activision's rhythm franchise. One title people can knock off the list is Prince, the rock-funk legend behind such multiplatinum albums as Purple Rain and Controversy and such hits as "When Doves Cry" and "Kiss."

Appearing on PBS's The Tavis Smiley show, the artist formerly known as "O(+>"--real name Prince Rogers Nelson--revealed he had been approached by Activision to license parts of his catalog for the Guitar Hero franchise. By his account, he turned them down outright on principle.

"Well, I ain't mad at them. I hear it made, like, $2 billion and they came to us and offered us a very small portion of that," explained Prince. "But I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar. It's a tough instrument--it's not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it's cool for people who don't have time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it, but to play music is one of the greatest things."

389 Comments

  • toyungu

    Posted Sep 1, 2009 8:40 pm PT

    Prince is Prince. Made a good point but what does it hurt letting people have fun with your music? We could also avoid having c.d's and only have like concerts cause lets be real. C.d's cheapen the experience, so lets not buy c.d's right? But anyway, its his music. Get his point, and i know he isnt hurting for money. I bet we see a MJ one real soon. They need the money.

  • TripleHumbucker

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 4:42 am PT

    Well said Prince. I know alot of people love this game and that's cool, I personally can't stand it. I play drums, guitar and sometimes bass and it is the most frustrating and demanding thing. But it is also the most gratifying when it all comes together. I have buddies who play this all the time and if they would spend half the time playing real instruments that they do this game...

    Also, get out of here casmov. My dislike of Metallica aside, who the hell do you think you are saying Van Halen, Joe Perry and Prince aren't guitar legends? If it's not your cup of tea, that's one thing, but these guys have all poured too much sweat, blood and tears into those axes for someone who plays a plastic guitar to give them any grief. Go sit in a corner and think about what you've done.

  • Suicide-Panda

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 1:50 pm PT

    Prince has a point, personally i wouldnt want a Guitar hero Prince, but still hes made a good point

  • missmissa1217

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    as much as i love prince, he does have a point. i would really love a prince guitar hero but learning how to play music is one of the greatest thing. so i quess the world will have to deal.

  • ZookGuy

    Posted May 25, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    I wonder what he's say if Grand Theft Auto approached him... "Kids should learn how to do crimes that would land most people 250 years in the joint."

  • Spartan-1657

    Posted May 9, 2009 6:20 pm PT

    I respect Prince's decision. He worded it perfectly. Plus I am not the biggest fan so it isn't like I am heart broken.
    What I don't understand though is why you call it selling out? Who honestly cares if Aerosmith and Metallica let them use their songs? I was delighted to play some of the songs and I can still really enjoy the bands music even though they "sold out".
    Until you start a band and make your own decisions, stfu and let bands do what they want. There is a reason why you are not in the band and why you're not making the decisions for them. Get over yourself.

  • JackHoleFace00

    Posted May 8, 2009 10:58 am PT

    That's cool. I think that's the best way to go about it. He's not saying screw Activision or GH, just that he's not personally interested. I like that he's sticking up more for actually learning the guitar but not hating on the people who enjoy the game.

  • s_h_a_d_o

    Posted May 7, 2009 5:11 pm PT

    Props! Reminds me of R.E.M. knocking back advances by Bill Gates and MS over use of "End of the World".

    Isn't it nice to know some people can retain a modicum of integrity.

  • limitlessxbreak

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:45 pm PT

    go prince! guitar hero sold out long ago and he never has, so i'm not surprised that he turned it down.

  • gamblertuba

    Posted May 7, 2009 12:59 pm PT

    Eddie Van Halen not a guitar legend? How old are you? Go sit in a corner and cry please.

  • CazmoV

    Posted May 5, 2009 12:06 pm PT

    Well personally i'm extremely glad he turned the offer down. Not because it was wise, but because I don't understand how anyone can call Prince or Aerosmith OR Van Halen 'guitar legends'. I understand Metallica, but Prince? What next, Take that? Jesus...

  • trollkind

    Posted May 5, 2009 5:52 am PT

    Nice, my respect for Prince just went up a notch. Metallica was known as sellouts and scrooges anyway.
    Though I don't buy the whole "who plays this game is not playing a real guitar instead" as it's two different things.
    The selling scheme of the Guitar Hero series was getting on my nerves worse than the yearly marginal EA sports update and it's nice to see someone just not enabling them to farm even more cash from the cows in his good name (whatever his name is nowadays).

  • CptnPaxtonReese

    Posted May 4, 2009 7:16 pm PT

    Prince just knows he's not getting what he's worth and he believes that the game may make some people who would otherwise cultivate real talent or at least a love for the artistry of the guitar take the easy road and fake talent on a game. He never once disparaged the game or gamers. He is an American icon and a man of principle. If he does a game it will be on his terms and he will use it as a tool to persuade the youth into picking up a real guitar.

  • -eddy-

    Posted May 4, 2009 1:40 pm PT

    This is like saying kids shouldn't play racing games in order to learn to drive.

  • dcthug

    Posted May 4, 2009 1:22 pm PT

    Well put McDog3. People are quick to put down the artist cuz they say no thanks. Dude just took a stance. Stop being so quick to criticize and look at the valid point the man is making. Music nowadays is crap because all people want to do is take tracks they've heard before and remix it. no roiginality at all. Youngers should learn how to play and become the next Prince, Led Zep, RHCP etc. Go outside and pick up a real football/basketball/baseball bat etc and leave the games to old folk (37) like me..... Excuse me while I go and play K2 now (Ha)

  • McDog3

    Posted May 4, 2009 12:05 pm PT

    Not necessarily....Others can think exactly the opposite where the real thing gets boring and would rather play a "simpler" simulation of the guitar rather than playing the real thing. Don't take what Prince said out of context, it also says right in there "... and it's cool for people who don't have the time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it..." Basically, I think Prince is just trying to say he'd rather support the practice of real guitar than a videogame based on it. He's not telling anyone to stop playing the games and "pick up a real instrument".

  • Erroneous_Snake

    Posted May 4, 2009 10:04 am PT

    hes got a point, since youre all so fascinated with these songs how about you actually learn to play some of them instead of being posers. My friends and I actually try to play the songs we like because it's way more fun than the game. Sure everyone loves GH but there is a point were it just gets boring and you want the real thing.

  • JRedwing0919

    Posted May 4, 2009 9:27 am PT

    Kids should be learning how to kill real zombies, instead of playing a silly game. It took me a long time to learn the fine art of zombie slaying, and I often got frustrated, and wanted to give up, but I stuck with it and now realize what a great gift it is. Don't do drugs.

  • djmusmc

    Posted May 4, 2009 8:56 am PT

    I guess the Village People are next on the list.

  • carrett

    Posted May 4, 2009 12:56 am PT

    After a long game of B-Ball, Prince likes to make me pancakes...ask Charlie Murphy

  • thisisjosh

    Posted May 4, 2009 12:12 am PT

    you can tell who the kids are here while reading comments. Prince is an awesome artist, whether you like his persona doesn't matter. I don't see what's so hard to understand, 1+1=2, he thinks kids could spend time actually learning the intstument rather than playing a game+they offered him nothing compared to what the game would make or what his name is worth=No deal. I would buy a guitar hero Prince game, but i know alot of kids don't understand who he is.

  • cRaZyGaMeR22

    Posted May 3, 2009 8:43 pm PT

    good for him, all those bands that have signed with the guitar hero contract have sold out, its not that i dont like metallica or aerosmith its just when they've made as many games as the whole NOW cds its kind of ridiculous

  • GatCloudX

    Posted May 3, 2009 8:07 pm PT

    hes got a point

  • aznkxz

    Posted May 3, 2009 7:47 pm PT

    stress from "WORK"

  • brentredinger

    Posted May 3, 2009 7:45 pm PT

    Mr. Nelson is a douche! I love how he was upset about how they offered him a "very small portion" of the revenue and then said it was about principle. It a game dude! I mean what if the inventors of chess were like "well I think it is important for kids to learn how to swing a sword in real life it's a tough weapon and blah blah blah"

  • cross84

    Posted May 3, 2009 7:44 pm PT

    All i have to say is THANK YOU GOD it did not happen or I might have thought the world was ending oh wait it is ahhh save yourselves LOL

  • maverick_76

    Posted May 3, 2009 4:25 pm PT

    I admire his reason for shunning the GH people, never been a big fan but that is a good reason to not do this. He is right that if you want to play his songs, do it on a real guitar. I like the GH and RB franchises but enough is enough, please people quit buying this stuff, you just encourage these companies to keep putting out this shovel-ware.

  • bmaick

    Posted May 3, 2009 4:02 pm PT

    who is prince?

  • gdude5678

    Posted May 3, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    Oh well. Prince is creepy.

  • backinthekrak

    Posted May 3, 2009 12:49 pm PT

    Enough GH & RB already!!!

  • rohr2

    Posted May 3, 2009 11:25 am PT

    Since when do people listen to Prince or whatever the hell his name is? I know i don't. The bands that are WAY BETTER THEN HIM ARE: Metallica, DragonForce(i know that one was a longshot), Guns 'n' roses(Old GNR is still selling and New GNR is still better then most rock bands out right now), Rise Against, Disturbed, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, System of a down, The Jonas Brothers(yes i put this in because even though i hate them i still hate Prince more). So that's my opinion.

  • falconclan

    Posted May 3, 2009 9:29 am PT

    GH should really stop the whole "Single band" games. I can see why fans would like those games alright, but so far neither of them have been impressive, and even fans of the bands say they are missing songs they'd like or that the library overall was underwhelming. The old formula works great, different bands, different songs, I usually end up finding new favorites. I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but I think single band games are killing Guitar Hero and Rockband

  • 2fistsintheair

    Posted May 3, 2009 8:58 am PT

    It's nice to hear that someone will actually turn these guys down for a music-related reason. Plus, everyone that's knocking Prince, he's got a great catalog and is an amazing GUITARIST. Hmmm.. GUITAR Hero. They'll just have to look for someone else. Hell, I'm still waiting for these games to include 3 Doors Down, John Mayer, Mudvayne, Nickleback, Creed, Three Days Grace and Seether just to mention a few. (Nickleback/Creed, love em or hate em, they're big enough to be in there and have some good guitar)

  • makeuser

    Posted May 3, 2009 8:55 am PT

    everyone has their price (all respect to Prince) and apparently Activision low-balled him. C'mon Activision, share the wealth. and just to clarify; guitar hero & rock band are games, a guitar is an instrument - two separate things.

  • STRIFE9288

    Posted May 3, 2009 7:23 am PT

    i wanna learn

  • railz38539

    Posted May 3, 2009 7:20 am PT

    because System of a Down SUCKs.

  • S2333

    Posted May 3, 2009 6:39 am PT

    I don't want to learn guitar. I like to play games. This game is one of the best party games out there.

  • kilbrittain

    Posted May 3, 2009 6:25 am PT

    thought prince was dead

  • Terrencec06

    Posted May 3, 2009 5:57 am PT

    right on bro!

  • Aletunda

    Posted May 3, 2009 5:57 am PT

    i reckon gaming is the new media, look at how many actors are staring it let alone making their own game (vin deisal, bill murray, samuel jackson, the ghostbusters, metalica, aerosmith etc.) its a new way for people to get the latest. but i do agree with prince in some respects, learning a guitar is far more rewarding, i play myself, been learning for 6 years so far, you can buy a starter kit for the same price as buying a guitar hero, or an xbox, and you wont need to purchase the next game or the next console either.

  • WeeJNumberone

    Posted May 3, 2009 5:53 am PT

    Prince....seriously....why not someone like System Of A Down?!?!?!

  • APCTool88

    Posted May 3, 2009 5:45 am PT

    thank you prince... just to add to the whole "lessons are expensive" thing i happen to play real guitar and i learned everything i know on the internet...for free. and you can get a halfway decent guitar for a little more then what rockband fully bundled probably costs. just figured id throw that out there

  • Guito

    Posted May 3, 2009 5:23 am PT

    Uhmmm, not every person wants to learn how to play the guitar. I dont. But once in a while I like playing video games, sooo...

  • sw33tjimmy

    Posted May 3, 2009 4:35 am PT

    hrm. maybe until activision begins approaching you about signing a deal, you can take real musicians' opinions with more than a grain of salt. to put that more bluntly, the concensus view of 344 tweenagers does not equal that of a professional performer that makes more in one performance than we will make all together in all our lives.

  • destructerr

    Posted May 3, 2009 4:23 am PT

    totally agree with u dominer, its a game people play to have fun, real guitar is hard to play and expensive so im better off with a plastic one, so to everyone who says "go play real instrument" i don't really care

  • plm3d_basic

    Posted May 3, 2009 3:44 am PT

    Even though I don't like Prince, I have to agree with him. People should probably take the effort to learn how to play a real guitar, but then again not everyone can afford lessons.

  • JustinSane311

    Posted May 3, 2009 3:18 am PT

    Do people still listen to Prince??

  • nigioh

    Posted May 3, 2009 12:48 am PT

    I agree with TXMostWanted. Where is Guitar Hero: Linkin Park?

  • TXMostWanted

    Posted May 2, 2009 10:29 pm PT

    Here I am waiting for either GH/Rockband to pick up a Linkin Park version and they end up trying to get PRINCE!?....I've lost hope in humanity...

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