There’s been a huge media wailfest about Prince Rogers Nelson since he died last week. The man is supposed to have been a total musical genius who changed music — if not mankind itself!

Let’s get some perspective. Sorry you didn’t make it, Prince, but you were just a better than average pop-soul-r&b performer who wrote very average songs and built up a mystique way beyond your actual musicianship with your androgenous antics (copying Bowie, who I also think was over-rated), fancy clothes, troweled-on make-up, bizarre guitar and renaming yourself, first with just your first name and then as an unpronounceable  graphic symbol.

You were by no means a musical charlatan. You had talent, but mostly you were famous for being famous.

I’ve always felt this about you and my mind was not changed by a solid session today of listening to your big hits. I heard nothing earth-shattering. Stevie Wonder’s songs – even Michael Jackson’s – have far more going for them.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I think you took a lot of people for a ride.

Rest in peace.