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Prince Reveals He Had Epilepsy, Believes Conspiracy Theories

  • Posted on Apr 29th 2009 11:00AM by John D. Luerssen
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Prince has offered up a couple of personal revelations in a rare new television interview. Appearing on 'The Tavis Smiley Show' to promote his recent three-disc album 'Lotusflow3r', Prince disclosed his childhood struggle with epilepsy, his determination to thrive on the piano at a young age and his endorsement of some unusual conspiracy theories.

"I've never spoken about this before, but I was born epileptic and I used to have seizures when I was young," he told the PBS talk-show host. "And my mother and father didn't know what to do or how to handle it, but they did the best they could with what little they had. One day I walked in to her and said, 'Mom, I'm not going to be sick anymore,' and she said, 'Why?', and I said, 'Because an angel told me so.'"

Although he became cured of the epilepsy, he was still bullied as a youth which made him recoil. "I went into [my]self and I taught myself music," he explained. "My father left his piano at the house when he left, and I wasn't allowed to play it when he was there because I wasn't as good as him. So when he left I was determined to get as good as him, and I taught myself how to play music."

Prince Pictures

    Photo from '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas

    Randee St. Nicholas

    Photo from '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas

    Randee St. Nicholas

    Photo from '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas

    Randee St. Nicholas

    Photo from '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas

    Randee St. Nicholas

    Photo from '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas

    Randee St. Nicholas

    Photo from '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas

    Randee St. Nicholas

    '21 Nights' by Prince and Randee St. Nicholas is in stores September 30.

    Simon & Schuster



Prince also spoke of how one of his new songs, 'Dreamer,' was dedicated to controversial civil-rights activist and comedian Dick Gregory. "Dick Gregory really moved me and a lot of my friends," Prince said. "I show [his recordings] to everybody who comes over the house, especially white folks, because they need to hear that, so that they know more about all of us. Because what he said affects all of us."

Prince upholds Gregory's opinion on 'chem trails', which claims condensation trails left by passing airplanes are not water vapor but evidence of chemical sprays used by evil forces to disrupt and manipulate society. "When I was a kid, I used to see these trails in the sky all the time and I'd say, 'Oh, that's cool -- a jet just went over,'" Prince told Smiley. "And then you started to see a whole bunch of them and the next you know, everybody in your neighborhood was fighting and arguing and you didn't know why."

Then there's Gregory's belief that George Washington was not the first American president, based on the argument that the role of "president of the Continental Congress" was a mostly ceremonial role with little executive power in the 14 years leading up to the ratification of the U.S. constitution. Prince told Smiley, "When I found out there were eight presidents before George Washington, I wanted to smack somebody. I wanted to know why I was taught [that Washington was first]," he said. "Just tell me the whole story -- I'll fill in the blanks. But don't tell me something that you think I'm supposed to know."

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Carlton W.Burgess

I like some of Prince song I heard some from the late 70's and early 80's and thought he did a great job mixing,singing,and playing, and all that went into an album it was great but the vapor trails from jets come on now, maybe too much jet fuel fumes has caused delusions.Oh yeah I am a 47 year old white male and former active duty Marine!!!

May 06 2009 at 12:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
PJ

Do NOT download any of his songs above! This is the worst extreme copyright proponent artist of frivolous lawsuits in America you can get. Don't trust AOL above where it says, download songs that are of his - it may be a SETUP STING by Prince and lobbyist paying AOL! He threatened to sue a mother that posted a Youtube video of 29 seconds (within the fair shareware of sampling of musical art without permission that allows 30 seconds sampling anyway under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 2003) of her toddler dancing to a very short clip of one of his famous 80s hits "Let's get crazy" and worse off the song was not even a filtered clear 29 second sample, it was FADED way in the background and barely hearable, but he and Universal Records defended his right to threaten to sue the mother and they removed all of her videos off Youtube, and now the other is suing for violation of civil rights in contersuing. This is karma for Prince, the greedy bastard, like Warner Music, who is just taking off every single song off of Youtube by buying out record companies and acquiring the rights when it is not even Warner Music Group's art at all and even the artist under the giant record company are mad as hell, who signed with other companies, like Atlantic Records and others before WMG bought it out and removed them from being even just listened to online and punishing posters online that have bought the music and youtube does NOT allow downloading yet the music corporations and a few artists like RPrince are all targeting Google Inc., the company owner of Youtube, because Google is not a right wing corporation like Myspace, owned by Rupert Murodck or these others online. Prince also stole someone's symbol when he refered himself by that symbol in the late 90s but this hypocrite wants to sue everyone that listens to his music online for free, like Lars Ulrich and the satanic bastards of Metallica and I should sympathize now with this blatent hypocrite who sued a poor mother posting personal videos for NON-profit while Prince is now looking for money off frivolous lawsuits when he stole someone's art and made a profit for five years before being sued by the original artist's when he called himself THE ARTIST and then he had to change his name back to Prince. Prince is receiving karma now just like Rush Limbaugh, whom was busted for illegal drug usage and cries for sympathy and Rush was also a big proponent of incarcerating people who downloaded or uploaded music for others to enjoy only for personal usage without making a profit at all online - what goes around comes around for these arrogant right copyright bastard proponents who all themselves violated copyright laws stealing other artist's work.

May 05 2009 at 6:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Steph

I would have loved to see prince if i had money.I dated a boy who looked like him..I was into purple rain bigtime and loved sign o the times.The cover of the last c.d was a beuatiful layout of a mansion done in plums and purples.gave me decorating ideas.Prince I will always be a fan.my daughter is 8 years old and has a remix made of heart Magic man it is not labeled yet but it is great.she is also teaching herself music and one day wishes to be very famous.She has the voice but people tell her she needs to play too.She has a pink guitar.No matter if your prince or not.life is comlicated.We all admire who we admire Peace out..

May 04 2009 at 2:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
vetjane

Why don't people stop being so judgmental! How does anyone know whether or not he does any humantarian work?? Well, he does and doesn't "toot his horn". Besides, like the person commented above, it's HIS life and his perceptions. They don't have to be agreeable with your own views or insights or values. Life to any particular individual is what it is... There is an old adage that is true and it goes "to each his own". We ALL should be more mindful of that fact. Prince shared his life experiences and what has shaped and molded HIM. Each of us are different in that aspect. So, LET IT BE! No, one individual is the GENERAL MANAGER OF THE WORLD, and thank goodness for that! So, if his views are not in line with yours, so be it! Just don't support it. It's real simple. What??? You'd rather he adopt and incorporate in his life ALL the various opinions expressed here? Come on! It's not a reason expectation as the opinions are just too numerous and condensending. No, I don't agree with all that he has expressed, but I do have the common sense to respect him for his candidness. He didn't have to let it be known. As a civilized society, we must learn that the opinions and actions expressed by others, (as long as they don't adversely affect or impact our lives), they are entitled to it as rightly given to us at least last I knew, for the US.. the Consitituion assures it.

May 04 2009 at 1:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Aaron

prince will always be one of the most powerful entertainers in the world. I am so thankful to artist like Prince, Michael and Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston who made it possible for African American artist to have a chance at being succesful in the pop music world. without these artist there would be no Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Rihanna,Ciara and a slew of others.So in essence thank you Prince for opening doors to unlimited possibilities

May 04 2009 at 12:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
vouli and donna

stick 2 broken relationships, thats when u write ur best songs

May 04 2009 at 11:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
vouli and donna

prince at music anit nobody bad like u . but the other stuff and how u look at it well my music friend the vapors arnt the only thing in the clouds , maybe ur brain is , just stick to breaking up with girls and then write about it , thats where ur best music comes from

May 04 2009 at 11:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
steven singer

its a shame this mans lack of science, history & basic common sense are erroneous. by the way the moon is made of chesse.

May 04 2009 at 10:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
karen12377

I love Prince! He is the most talented artist I have ever seen/ heard! I cherish his music! Its nice to have an interview for him once in a while.

May 04 2009 at 10:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
spencer

AN ANGEL TOLD ME HE'S NUTS, TOO

May 04 2009 at 1:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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