this is a shockingly dumb post from a poster i felt like i have a decent handle on from posts across the boards for years. and that's not an appeal to flattery, it's genuine shock that you could take the time to construct the above post tilting at a windmill predicated on characterizing my post as outsourcing my opinion. i wasn't outsourcing my opinion, i have no shortage of judgments based on my own listening and experience that have been expressed a nauseating amount on this board...particularly about prince. love a lot of his music...can leave a lot of his music that is pretty forgettable as i said above. drawing a contrast between your opinion that has no basis for musical credibility with a list of people who indisputably have a pretty strong handle on musical talent (not just guitar technique since you expressed he was generally overrated as a musician for fucks sake and i feel like elton might have a basis for an opinion on that) seemed self-evident in its purpose at the time but i suppose it needed to be spelled out a bit more.
similarly, would not have expected a nonsense red herring such as keying in on an example or two you take personal umbrage from as if it effectively undermines the unanimity of opinions on a musician expressed by a few folks who have "learned some instruments and a few songs" like paul mccartney, bob dylan, tom petty, miles davis, jeff beck, eddie vedder, elton john, and many others.
but again, the world requires all kinds. do your thing.
one thing you're no doubt right about...i could certainly stand to learn to become a better guitarist. perhaps you could post some recordings of your guitar work in the share your music thread to bolster the basis for your opinions you claim are necessary...i'll certainly consult with eric clapton as to what i think about it.