"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life."
— Prince, "Let's Go Crazy," 1984Born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was a child prodigy who taught himself piano at age 7, guitar and drums by 14. Signed to Warner Bros. at just 18, he was granted full creative control—virtually unheard of for a debut artist.
In 1984, Prince became the first artist to simultaneously have a number-one film, album, and single in the United States with Purple Rain, its soundtrack, and "When Doves Cry."
A Sound Beyond Category
A virtuoso who could perform professionally on virtually every instrument he required, Prince drew from James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Wonder while creating something entirely his own—fusing funk, rock, R&B, and pop into a sound that defied categorization.
His 1987 album Sign o' the Times is widely regarded as one of the greatest records in music history.
The Minneapolis Sound
Prince assembled what he called a "rainbow" band—male and female, Black and white—a representation of the culturally fluid world he hoped to create with his sound. From First Avenue, the legendary Minneapolis club where Purple Rain was recorded live, he launched a movement that put his hometown on the musical map forever.
Notable Achievements
- Seven Grammy Awards
- Academy Award for Best Original Song Score (Purple Rain, 1985)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2004)
- First artist with simultaneous #1 film, album, and single in U.S.
- Over 100 million records sold worldwide
- Super Bowl XLI halftime performance—widely considered the greatest ever
- Wrote and produced hits for numerous artists including The Bangles and Sinéad O'Connor
A Legacy in Purple
His Super Bowl XLI halftime performance—when actual rain fell during "Purple Rain" and he asked the crew "Can you make it rain harder?"—remains the greatest in Super Bowl history. From Paisley Park to stages worldwide, Prince proved that a strong spirit transcends rules.
Prince passed away on April 21, 2016, at his Paisley Park estate. His influence on music, fashion, and artistic independence continues to inspire artists who refuse to be defined by a single genre or expectation. As he once said, "Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people."
