R.I.P. Prince

Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people - Prince

(Prince)

Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7th, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When he was 7 he wrote his 1st song. When Nelson was 10 years old his parents separated and he switched between their homes.

(Nelson as a kid)

Then he moved into the house of his neighbors with his friend Andre Anderson. Nelson and Anderson joined a band in high school with Morris Day as the drummer.

(Nelson in high school)

The band performed in clubs in Minneapolis. In 1975 Nelson recorded with the band 94 East. At age 17 Nelson signed with Warner Bros. records. In 1978 Prince released his 1st album “For You” under his 1st name “Prince”. Prince produced, arranged, composed and played all 27 instruments on the album. His single "Soft and Wet" reached No. 12 on the Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.

(Prince in 1978)

In 1979 Prince created a band that included André Cymone on bass, Dez Dickerson on guitar, Gayle Chapman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, and Bobby Z. on drums. Also in 1979 Prince released his 2nd album “Prince”. “Prince” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Black Albums charts, and No. 22 on the Billboard 200. The album also went platinum. The single "I Wanna Be Your Lover" sold over a million copies, and reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

(Prince in 1979)

In 1980 Prince released his 3rd album “Dirty Mind”. The album was certified gold and the single “Uptown” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Dance chart and No. 5 on the Hot Soul Singles charts. Prince was also the opening act for Rick James' 1980 “Fire It Up” tour.

(Prince (Left) with Rick James (Right))

In 1981 Prince made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live, performing "Partyup". Also in 1981 Prince released his 4th album “Controversy”. Prince formed a side project band called The Time as well. Prince wrote and played most of the instruments for The Time’s 1st album.

(Prince (Left) with leader singer of The Time, Morris Day (Right))

In 1982 Prince released his 5th album “1999”. The album sold over 3 million copies. The video of the single “Little Red Corvette” was the 2nd video by a Black artist on MTV. By 1982 Prince’s band “The Revolution” consisted of Lisa Coleman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, Bobby Z. on drums, Brown Mark on bass, and Dez Dickerson on guitar.

(Prince (Center) and The Revolution)

Following the “1999” tour Dez Dickerson left the group. In 1984 Prince released his 6th album “Purple Rain” which sold more than 13 million copies in the US. The album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Prince also starred in his film Purple Rain. The film won an Academy Award and grossed more than $80 million in the US. The singles "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" reached No. 1 on Billboard hot 100 and the single “Purple Rain” reached No. 2. At one point in 1984, Prince simultaneously had the No. 1 album, single, and film in the US, it was the first time a musical artist had achieved this feat.

(Prince in his movie Purple Rain)

Due to the song “Darling Nikki”, Tipper Gore founded the Parents Music Resource Center, which advocates the mandatory use of a warning label on the covers of records that have been judged to contain language or lyrical content unsuitable for minors. In 1985 Prince released his 7th album “Around the World in a Day”. It reached No. 1 on Billboard hot 200. In 1986 he released his 8th album “Parade”. It reached No. 3 on Billboard hot 200. The single “Kiss” reached No. 1 on Billboard hot 100. Also in 1986 Prince released his 2nd movie Under the Cherry Moon.

(Prince in his movie Under the Cherry Moon)

Prince also began his “Hit n Run – Parade” Tour. After the tour Prince abolished The Revolution. In 1987 he released his 9th album “Sign ‘O’ the Times”. The album reached No. 6 on Billboard hot 200. The single “Sign ‘O’ the Times” reached No. 3 on Billboard hot 100. The single “U Got the Look” with Sheena Easton reached No. 2 on Billboard hot 100. The album sold 3.2 million copies. Sheila E. became the drummer on Prince’s “Sign ‘O’ the Times” tour.

(Prince (Left) with Sheila E. (Right))

In 1988 Prince released his 10th album “Lovesexy”. The album reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200. The single “Alphabet St.” reached  No. 8 on the Billboard hot 100. In 1989 he released his 11th album “Batman” as the soundtrack for the movie Batman. It reached No.1 on the Billboard 200. The single “Batdance” reached No. 1 on the Billboard hot 100.

(Prince in 1989)

In 1990 Prince began his “Nude” tour. Prince also released his 12th album “Graffiti Bridge” and his sequel to Purple Rain, Graffiti Bridge. The single "Thieves in the Temple" reached No. 6 on the Billboard hot 100.

(Prince in his movie Graffiti Bridge)

In 1991 Prince officially formed his new band “The New Power Generation”. He released his 13th album “Diamonds and Pearls” the same year. In 1992 he released his 14th album “Love Symbol Album”. In 1993 Prince changed his name to “ ” and was called “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince”.

(The Artist Formerly Known as Prince in 1993)

In 1993 he released his 15th album “The Black Album”. Also he released his 16th album “Come”. The album sold 500,000 copies. In 1994 he released his 17th album “The Gold Experience”. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard hot 200. In 1996 he released his 18th album “Chaos and Disorder”. It was his last release for Warner Bros. records.

(The Artist Formerly Known as Prince in 1996)

Also the same year he released his 19th album “Emancipation”. He made his own record label “NPG Records”. In 1998 he released his 20th album “Crystal Ball”. The same year he released his 21st album “Newpower Soul”. In 1999 he released his 22nd album “Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic”. In 2000 he started to use the name “Prince” again.

(Prince in 2000)

In 2001 he released his 23rd album “The Rainbow Children”. In 2003 he released his 24th album “N.E.W.S.”. He also released his 24th album “Xpectation” the same year. In 2004 Prince was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He also released his 25th album “Musicology” the same year. Prince won 2 grammys for the album. In 2005 Prince collaborated with Stevie Wonder. The same year he released his 26th album “3121”. In 2006 Prince wrote songs for the movie Happy Feet. In 2007 Prince performed at the superbowl.

(Prince performing at the Super Bowl)

In 2010 Prince was listed in TIME magazine's annual ranking of the "100 Most Influential People in the World". In 2013 Prince formed a side project band called “3rdeyegirl”.

(Prince (Foreground) and 3rdeyegirl)

In 2014 Prince regained the rights to all of his songs that were released while he was under Warner Bros. records. In 2015 Prince released the song “Baltimore” as a tribute to Freddie Gray who was killed by Baltimore police.

(Prince performing in 2015)

On April 21st, 2016 Prince died due to mysterious circumstances in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was 57 years old.

(Prince in 2016)

Take time to remember this great musical artist today.

Albums by Prince

• For You (1978)
• Prince (1979)
• Dirty Mind (1980)
• Controversy (1981)
• 1999 (1982)
• Purple Rain (1984)
• Around the World in a Day (1985)
• Parade (1986)
• Sign ‘o' the Times (1987)
• Lovesexy (1988)
• Batman (1989)
• Graffiti Bridge (1990)
• Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
• (Love Symbol Album) (1992)
• Come (1994)
• The Black Album (1994)
• The Gold Experience (1995)
• Chaos and Disorder(1996)
• Emancipation (1996)
• Crystal Ball (1998)
• The Truth (1998)
• The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)
• Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
• The Rainbow Children (2001)
• One Nite Alone... (2002)
• Xpectation (2003)
• N.E.W.S. (2003)
• Musicology (2004)
• The Chocolate Invasion (2004)
• The Slaughterhouse (2004)
• 3121 (2006)
• Planet Earth (2007)
• Lotusflow3r (2009)
• MPLSound (2009)
• 20Ten (2010)
• Plectrumelectrum (2014)
• Art Official Age (2014)
• HITnRUN Phase One (2015)
• HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)

Movies Prince is featured in

• Purple Rain (1984) as the Kid
• Under the Cherry Moon (1986) as Christopher Tracy
• Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987) as himself
• Graffiti Bridge (1990) as the Kid

Videos of Prince

• https://vimeo.com/150445815  “08.Prince.-.1999”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuXK8ZbTmLk  “Purple Rain (1984) Official Trailer - Prince, Apollonia Kotero Movie HD”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYQUbh8HHA  “Prince - Full Concert - 01/30/82 - Capitol Theatre (OFFICIAL)”