He’s definitely an American superstar—one of the most important of the ’80s—and his ascent still appears to be just above ground level. He’s praised and adulated by peers, critics, music biz insiders and the public alike. Not just a music star, mind you; the guy actually went and won himself an Oscar for his songs in Purple Rain (viz: “the best rock film ever made”; “the Citizen Kane of rock”; comparable to Capra and Hitchcock—or a great MTV video featuring a lame story, abysmal acting, hackneyed psychology and a main character who came off as a bit of an emotionally immature jerk).

Never mind that he looked awfully silly showing up for the awards in his pajamas like that (Gregory Hines’s dangling earring and Stevie Wonder’s political reference struck me as much cooler and/or irreverent). Or that he put on an often rude display (ignoring his fans, leaving the show with his entire entourage immediately after receiving his award). Just the fact that he won (Lennon & McCartney were never even nominated in the same category for A Hard Day’s Night, while the closest historical antecedent would probably be Isaac Hayes’s “Shaft”) goes to reveal how much rock has been absorbed into mainstream show biz and one big Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous scenario. “Prince is bringing back the old days of Hollywood,” says Revolution drummer Bobby Z, and since Mr. Z is referring to one of today’s biggest rock stars, the idea is very depressing indeed.