Doc, I think you have to give him more than just mediocre. In his genre he was quite good and he was so Distinctive that his music has its own tag, the Minneapolis Sound. He had some monster hits and was very talented. Don't know that he belongs in the pantheon of the all-time greats, but he was probably close.
"his music has its own tag, the Minneapolis Sound." So true. But what overshadowed that was his kindness towards others. Here is what I am talking about. If you won awards or received acclaims for something or another you would not hear from him. However if you were down and on that last rung you got that phone call from him. His charity giving was more so than many other musicians. He did not make issue about it because his J.W. religion forbid it. I do know that if you made an inaccurate statement about someone he let you know about it in private. He would do it in a articulate and intelligent way. Never mean or overbearing. The way he acted and lived was larger than his music. I may post more about this on Sunday.
Why? Why post more on it on the Lord's Day? Look I respect his musical talent. Based upon your post he was a kind and thoughtful person which is great but far from sufficient and honestly, if he was. J.W., he's burning in Hell now! The reality is Good and kind people go to Hell. Only the redeemed go to Heaven. Yeah, I know that's not real politically correct to say, but I happen to believe it and yeah, I am that guy. I'm gonna let you know about it. It's the most loving thing I can do for you. The thing is you have a chance to alter your fate. So did Prince until his date with death. The wise will consider these words.
God, the way you hate religion and the people that practice it, this is a surprising commentary. Even if he was addicted to Percocet and it killed him, he was still a true net benefit to society. I grew up on his music. As far as him being mediocre, check out his guitar work on my post in the "what are you listening to now" Thread in the Playground, which is actually where this belongs.
Aside from Prince himself, I don't think I've heard this done any better..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w2lNpixqOc