Prince (1958-2016) was one of the most popular and versatile figures in the history of American rock music. Prince gained recognition as a singer, musician, and songwriter. He also acted in motion pictures and produced records. After the release of his first album in 1978, Prince recorded hundreds of his own compositions. His music touched many styles, including rhythm and blues, pop, soul, blues, jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Prince played guitar, keyboards, and drums.
Prince also aroused controversy. He was criticized for the strong sexual nature of his public performances and his song lyrics. In 1993, he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol and then to “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.” He changed his name back to Prince in 2000.
Prince was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His full name was Prince Rogers Nelson. His first album, For You, was released in 1978. Prince played all the instruments on the record himself. During the 1980’s, Prince became a rock music superstar. His fame spread with his starring appearance in the motion picture Purple Rain (1984). In 1985, Prince established a recording studio in Minneapolis and his own record label, called Paisley Park.
Prince composed and recorded such hit songs as “Controversy” (1981), “1999” (1982), “Little Red Corvette” (1983), “Delirious” (1983), “When Doves Cry” (1984), “Let’s Go Crazy” (1984), “Purple Rain” (1984), “Raspberry Beret” (1985), “Pop Life” (1985), “Kiss” (1986), “Sign O’ the Times” (1987), “U Got the Look” (1987), “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” (1995), “Call My Name” (2004), and “Cinnamon Girl” (2004). Prince composed the soundtracks for several motion pictures, including Purple Rain and Batman (1989), which produced the hit song “Batdance.” Prince won the 1984 Academy Award for best original score for Purple Rain.
Prince continued to record and perform live throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He made a highly praised appearance at the halftime of the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl in 2007 before an estimated 140 million television viewers worldwide. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince died of an accidental opioid overdose on April 21, 2016. An opioid is an addictive drug that helps relieve pain and promote a feeling of well-being. In 2019, the memoir The Beautiful Ones, a collection of Prince’s writings and previously unpublished photos, was released.
