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Karon Morono's avatar

Prince will always be for me one of the greatest recording artists and guitarists. When I listen to his music I cry to think of how terribly early he was taken from us. Like so many others. But the loss of Prince hits more because I saw him early on in his career in SF when he wore farmers overalls over his naked body and he mesmerized the audience even then. Just think of the music he could have been giving us all these years. A true tragedy. His guitar movement on Purple Rain is astounding. 💜💜💜💜💜

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Charles in San Francisco's avatar

So true. Thank you for taking the time!

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

Also, I'm happy to see November Rain in this list, as it's maybe my favorite GnR song. I remember going to karaoke in SF a couple of decades ago, and my friend, unbeknownst to anyone, brought along props with the intention of singing "November Rain" while drenching himself with a squirt gun about halfway through. He brought down the house. Thankfully, the venue didn't stop him.

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Charles in San Francisco's avatar

One of my favorite power ballads. That story is hilarious. I love people who think outside the box!

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

I think I wasn't aware that I was supposed to only suggest power ballads from hard rock and metal bands when I suggested Prince. I think the power ballad does tend to get lumped into those genres, but other genres also dabble in PBs, such as punk, new wave, funk, disco....perhaps explore that in part 4?

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Charles in San Francisco's avatar

There was no "supposed to"!!! You were not the only one to suggest Prince. I haven't decided on the final list for part 4, so gotta think about it. There are definitely down-tempo disco classics ("Night Fever" is a good example") but I never thought of them as power ballads. An oversight, perhaps? New Wave for sure. Hmmm. Thanks Steve for sparking more ideas!

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

Careless Whisper by Wham perhaps or Spandau Ballet’s “True.”

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Ellen from Endwell's avatar

Huge Def Leppard fan here, so many ballads of theirs I love, including the one you chose.

I'd never heard "Damn U" or anything by Testament, so appreciate hearing them.

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Charles in San Francisco's avatar

Glad I hit the spot with that, and happy I got to introduce you to more new stuff! As Steve commented, he gets a star for extra credit!

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

I will proudly admit that I'm the one who suggested both "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" and "Damn U" to Charles...😁 I am a fan of the power-ballad, which does tend to get associated with rock and metal artists from the '80s, but I feel is much more expansive than that.

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Charles in San Francisco's avatar

Thank you Steve for the great suggestions. I agree it's more expansive! So far this series has featured a few outside the 80's rock/metal scene, but my next post is going to range much further afield.

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Ellen from Endwell's avatar

Well done, Steve. I have trouble thinking of them when asked!

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